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MICHIGAN YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RECRUITMENT

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AGENDA

  • WHAT IS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT?
  • CONFERENCES OVERVIEW
  • LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  • IMPORTANT INFO & DEADLINES
  • RESOURCES
  • Q&A

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WHAT IS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT?

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WHAT IS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT?

  • A hands-on, student-run, student-led model state government experience.
  • Youth and Government currently serves over 55,000 students across the country, with active programs in 41 states and Washington, D.C., as well as program opportunities available to students in all 50 states.
  • Gain skills to disagree civilly
  • Learn how to speak in public
  • Get engaged in civics and learn about the world around you
  • Learn how government works, by being the government

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ROADMAP TO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

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Foundation - Classroom learning + Youth development role model/mentor

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Preparation - Lesson plans and trainings implemented to prepare for conferences

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Take Action - Engage in practical experiences with peers of varying viewpoints

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WHY MYIG?

  • There is something for everyone!
  • Make lifelong friends from all over Michigan!
  • Share your ideas and hear new ideas from others!
  • Take over the State Capitol!
  • Meet legislators!
  • Elect your own leaders, to lead the conference and the program!
  • Change your community, change your life!
  • Share your vision for a better tomorrow!

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MYIG YEAR AT A GLANCE

  • September - Program Year Begins and Delegations Begin Meeting
  • October - Attend Fall Conference and being preparations for Spring Conference.
  • November - Begin registration for Spring Conference and continue preparations.
  • December - Continue preparations and complete registration for Spring Conference.
  • January - Final preparations for Spring Conference. Submit bills and proposals.
  • February/March - Attend Spring Conference.
  • April - June - Elect Delegation Leadership for next year and celebrate your delegation. Begin recruiting and fundraising for next year. Complete service projects and delegation activities.

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CONFERENCES OVERVIEW

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FALL TRAINING CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

  • Regional Conference in October.
  • Takes place at a nearby college or university.
  • Meet new friends from your area, learn about the program, attend breakouts to explore new program areas, and hear from local legislators!

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SPRING CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

  • Lansing Conference in February, March or April.
  • Spend 4 days and 3 nights at a local hotel.
  • Over 30 Schools and YMCAs will be attending.
  • Meet new friends, debate new ideas and act out the real state government in the Capitol building!

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Legislature

  • Model state legislature where student attend committees and legislative session.
  • Legislature Colors
    • Red/White Legislature is for second year 10th graders, 11th graders, and 12th graders.
    • Blue is for 9th graders and first year 10th graders (depending on participation numbers)
    • Each color can have a maximum of 110 students in the House and 38 students in the Senate.
  • Students are encouraged to write a bill on a state issue before the conference (alone or in a team of 2)
    • Early Bill Submission Deadline: January 22nd, 2027
    • Late Bill Submission Deadline: March 26th, 2027
  • Leadership Opportunities: Chairs, Clerks
    • Chair Applications Due: September 18th, 2026 - application on myig.org
    • Clerks apply on conference registration
  • Resources:

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Governor’s Cabinet

  • Similar to lobbying, students will speak one-on-one to peers and occasionally to large groups to advocate for the Youth Governor’s agenda and defend against veto overrides.
  • No more than 2 students per delegation (cap of 10 students)
  • Selected by Youth Governor, additional application required
    • Applications Due: September 18th, 2026
    • Application on myig.org

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Lobbying

  • Advocate for or against specific legislation through testimony in committees and one-on-one efforts with legislators, members of the cabinet and the Governor. And work as a team to complete a ballot initiative.
  • Up to 2 people per delegation (cap of 25 students)
  • Additional application required
    • Opens: October 1, 2026
    • Closes: November 13th, 2026

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Model Judicial Program (MJP)

  • Mock trial competition where students receive and prepare to argue both sides of a civil or criminal case
  • Up to 2 teams per delegation (cap of 24 teams total)
    • Confirmation Form Due: December 18th, 2026
  • Students may compete in a competitive or learning track
  • Leadership Opportunities: Student Justices (11 total, no more than 1 per school)
    • Applications Due: September 18th, 2026
  • Resources
    • MJP Case released by October 2nd, 2026
  • This year’s case: Silent Night, Deadly Night

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

National Issues Forum

  • Structured debate on national and international issues.
  • Requires each student to write a proposal before the conference and an opening statement.
    • Early Proposal Submission Deadline: January 22nd, 2027
    • Late Proposal Submission Deadline: March 26th, 2027
  • Leadership Opportunities: Chairs
    • Chair Applications Due: September 18th, 2026
  • Resources

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Legislative Oversight

  • Investigate a case and try to seek out the facts of the issue by interviewing six witnesses. Create a recommendation at the end of the exercise.
  • NEW IN 2026 - 2027: This will be it’s own program area.
  • Up to 2 students per delegation (cap of 10 students)
  • Additional application required
    • Opens: October 1, 2026
    • Closes: November 13th, 2026
  • Leadership Opportunities: Chair and Vice Chair
    • Applications Due: September 18th, 2026
  • 2027 Topic: “What happens when an AI data center wants to come to town?”

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Press

  • Report on what is going on across the conference. It is the job of the Press to develop a welcome video, Governor Candidate commercials, the conference newspaper, cover the MJP case and more!
  • Up to 2 people per delegation (cap of 20 students)
  • Additional application required
    • Opens: October 1, 2026
    • Closes: November 13th, 2026
  • Leadership Opportunities - apply when completing press application
    • Copy Editor
    • Video Editor

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WHAT DO I DO AT THE CONFERENCE?

Secretary of State’s Office

  • Assist the Secretary of State in preparation for elections and execution of elections.
  • Only students will be selected.
  • Additional application required
    • Opens: October 1, 2026
    • Closes: November 13th, 2026
  • Resources

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CONFERENCE FUN

  • Saturday evening is a conference celebration!
    • Show off your skills in a talent show (that often turns into karaoke…)
    • Create in the arts and crafts area
    • Play games in the board game room
    • Compete in team trivia
    • Or, just chat and hang out with your new friends!

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LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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TWO KINDS OF LEADERS…

  • Elected
    • Elected leaders run for office at the conference and if voted in by their peers become presiding officers for the following program year.
    • They should indicate their intention to run on a candidate form due before the conference.
    • These are very important positions, but also require a lot of responsibility!
    • The positions you can run for are: Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, NIF Presiding Officer, Chief Judge, Secretary of State, Head Lobbyist, Press Editor and Youth Governor (candidates for YG must first run at Fall Conference and be selected by their district to run at Spring).
  • Appointed
    • Appointed leaders apply for their positions in September.
    • Positions include: Legislative Committee Chair, NIF Committee Chair, Oversight Chair, MJP Student Judges and Assistant Media Editors.
    • Secretary of State Aides and Legislative Clerks (committee or chamber) can apply at a later time.
    • These are a good opportunity for students who wish to gain experience and run for office in the future. Or, for students who want to lead but not to run for office.
    • These are very important positions, but also require a lot of responsibility!

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CAMPAIGNING FOR ELECTION CANDIDATES

  • Students running for Presiding Officer positions can expect to:
    • Campaign
      • Candidates should talk with other delegates and campaign for their election.
      • Each candidate will be given half of a 8 foot table to set up their campaign materials.
      • Each candidate should bring a trifold board and other materials to decorate their table.
      • Other campaign materials may include handouts, flyers or candy (no nuts please.)
    • Town Hall
      • Candidates will take turns answering questions from delegates in that program area about themselves, their experience and why they want to run for the position.
    • Speeches
      • Each candidate should prepare a campaign speech.
    • Consult the election guide, released by the Secretary of State’s Office, for more detailed information!

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SEE WHAT A CONFERENCE IS ALL ABOUT!

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QUESTIONS?

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THANK YOU