YMCA Youth In Government Overview

Program Structure

THE GOALS OF THE YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM ARE:

• To provide a first hand experience in the workings of government

• To provide an awareness of present issues and concerns of the State of Maine

• To develop leadership skills in those who participate

• To provide opportunities for students to be independent thinks

• To allow students to be involved citizens seeing how issues facing the State of Maine can be addressed

HOW IS IT SET UP?

Youth in Government is a 2 phase program, the Training Session, and the Augusta Session

The Training Session:

The Regional Training Sessions are held around the State, to being our program.  Training Sessions are held to :

• Elect 1/3 of the Officers that will serve during the Augusta Sessions.
• Give each bill that has been submitted a hearing allowing the sponsor to practice their testimony.
• Prepare delegates for the Augusta Weekend Session.

The Augusta Session:

Held in the spring all those that attended a Training Session come to Augusta to the State House for a weekend during which they serve as a Model Legislature.

• The program uses the actual chambers of the House and Senate, and Capital facilities.
• Participants debate the bills that were submitted at the Training Sessions
• Serve in the leadership positions to which they were elected
• Create and publish a newspaper reporting the events of the weekend
• Have fun meeting other people from all over Maine.