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OHIO YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RECRUITMENT SLIDESHOW

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AGENDA

  • WHAT IS YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?
  • STATE ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW
  • PROGRAM AREAS
  • STATE ASSEMBLY FUN
  • LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  • WHAT’S NEXT?
  • STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

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WHAT IS YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?

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WHAT IF YOU COULD…

  • Debate a bill in the Ohio House?
  • Argue a case before a Supreme Court?
  • Investigate a mystery and question witnesses?
  • Run a political campaign?
  • Lobby for something you believe in?
  • Create videos and social media?
  • Help run a statewide election?
  • Meet hundreds of students from across Ohio?

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AT OHIO YOUTH & GOVERNMENT, YOU CAN!

  • A hands-on, student-run, student-led program where YOU become the state government:
    • πŸ—£οΈ Find your voice and learn to speak with confidence
    • πŸ’¬ Learn how to disagree, debate, and still respect each other
    • πŸ›οΈ Experience government by actually being part of it and use the actual Statehouse
    • 🌎 Understand how government connects to the world around you
    • ⭐ Build leadership skills you can take with you to college, careers, and beyond
    • 🀝Meet legislators and make lifelong friends

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STATE ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW

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STATE ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW

  • Takes place in April in Columbus!
  • Spend 3 days and 2 nights at the Hyatt Regency hotel!
  • Over 30 Schools and YMCAs will be attending!
  • Meet new friends, debate new ideas and act out the real state government in the Statehouse!
  • Choose from eight different program areas to participate in!

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THREE DAYS. ONE STATEHOUSE. HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS.

  • πŸ›οΈ Take over the Ohio Statehouse
  • πŸ—£οΈ Debate
  • 🀝 Meet students from across Ohio
  • 🎀 Speak in front of hundreds of people
  • βš–οΈ Participate in courts
  • πŸ—³οΈ Experience elections
  • πŸ“£ Campaign for office
  • πŸŽ‰ Hang out with your new friends

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THINK YG ISN'T FOR YOU? THINK AGAIN!

  • You don't have to…

❌ Be a political expert

❌ Know parliamentary procedure

❌ Be a great public speaker

❌ Have debate experience

❌ Know how to write a bill

❌ Know anyone else in the program

  • You just need to…

βœ”οΈ Be willing to participate

βœ”οΈ Have an opinion

βœ”οΈ Be curious

βœ”οΈ Be willing to try something new

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PROGRAM AREAS

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LEGISLATURE

πŸ›οΈ Write the laws. Debate the issues.

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  • Write and present your own bill about an issue you care about
  • Debate bills with students from across Ohio
  • Work in committees and legislative sessions
  • Vote on whether bills should become law

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Debate
  • Current Events
  • Public Speaking in large groups
  • Writing

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OVERSIGHT

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πŸ•΅οΈ Be the investigator

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  • Investigate a scenario based on real events
  • Question witnesses
  • Find the facts
  • Work with a team
  • Make a recommendation

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Mysteries
  • Debate
  • Teamwork
  • Investigating
  • Asking questions

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GOVERNOR’S CABINET

⭐Help the Youth Governor get things done.

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  • Advise the Youth Governor
  • Advocate for the Governor's agenda
  • Help decide how to move the Governor's priorities forward
  • Help the Governor decide on whether to pass or fail bills

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Leadership
  • Persuasion
  • Teamwork
  • Public Speaking in small groups

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LOBBYING

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πŸ“£ Make your voice heard.

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  • Advocate for or against specific legislation
  • Talk with legislators and other delegates
  • Testify before committees
  • Convince others to support your position

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Persuasion
  • Teamwork
  • Current Events
  • Public speaking in small groups

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MEDIA

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πŸŽ₯ Tell the story of Youth & Government.

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  • Create videos and social media content
  • Report on what's happening at State Assembly
  • Produce a daily conference newspaper
  • Cover elections, courts, and other major events

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Writing
  • Video
  • Social Media
  • Journalism
  • Photography
  • Creativity

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SUPREME COURT

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βš–οΈ Decide what is constitutional.

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  • Hear arguments about whether bills are constitutional
  • Question attorneys and bill authors
  • Debate the issues with fellow justices
  • Make a ruling on the case

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Law
  • Debate
  • Critical Thinking
  • Legal Reasoning

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APPELLATE COURT

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βš–οΈ Argue the case. Question the attorneys.

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  • Work with a partner to argue an appeals case
  • Present arguments before the court
  • Serve as judges during some hearings
  • Ask questions and evaluate both sides of the case

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Law
  • Debate
  • Public Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Competition

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SECRETARY OF STATE

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πŸ—³οΈRun the elections.

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  • Help organize and conduct Youth & Government elections
  • Work with the Secretary of State
  • Help make sure elections run smoothly
  • Be part of the process that determines who leads the program

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This might be for you if you like:

  • Elections
  • Leadership
  • Organization
  • Government

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WHICH PROGRAM AREA FITS YOU?

  • πŸ—£οΈ I like to debate β†’ Legislature
  • πŸ”Ž I like solving mysteries β†’ Oversight
  • πŸ“£ I like convincing people β†’ Lobbying / Governor's Cabinet
  • πŸŽ₯ I like social media, video or writing β†’ Media
  • πŸ—³οΈ I like elections and campaigns β†’ Secretary of State
  • πŸ†I like competition β†’ Appellate Court
  • ❓ I like asking questions β†’ Oversight
  • βš–οΈ I like the law β†’ Supreme Court / Appellate Court

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STATE ASSEMBLY FUN

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STATE ASSEMBLY CELEBRATION

When the work is done, it’s time to celebrate! Friday evening is a conference celebration with a night of fun, friends, and unforgettable memories.

  • πŸŽ‰ Celebrate the end of the conference
  • 🀝 Hang out with friends from across Ohio
  • πŸ† Compete in fun activities and challenges
  • 🎢 Enjoy music, games, and entertainment
  • πŸ“Έ Make memories you'll be talking about long after the weekend is over

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DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY OR SING KARAOKE

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CREATE IN THE ARTS AND CRAFTS AREA

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PLAY GAMES IN THE BOARD GAME ROOM

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COMPETE IN TEAM TRIVIA

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OR, JUST CHAT AND HANG OUT WITH YOUR NEW FRIENDS!

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LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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RUN FOR OFFICE

  • You can run for positions like:
    • Youth Governor
    • Secretary of State
    • Speaker of the House
    • President of the Senate
    • Supreme Court Chief Justice
    • Attorney General
    • Appellate Court Chief Justice
    • Head Lobbyist
    • Media Editor in Chief
    • Legislative Oversight Chair

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APPLY TO BE APPOINTED

  • There are also appointed leadership opportunities where you don’t have to run for office:
    • Committee Chairs
    • Committee Vice Chairs & Chamber Clerks
    • Assistant Media Editors
    • Appellate Court Justices
    • Oversight Vice Chair

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WHAT’S NEXT?

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TIMELINE

  • September β†’ Join your school/YMCA delegation
  • October β†’ Attend Fall Kickoff Webinar & begin bill writing
  • November β†’ Begin registering for State Assembly, apply for financial aid and specialized program areas.
  • January β†’ Bills due
  • February β†’ Registration closes for State Assembly, financial aid applications close
  • April β†’ Attend State Assembly!!!
  • May - June β†’ Elect next year's delegation leaders, celebrate achievements, and keep the YG experience going

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WHAT DO DELEGATIONS DO?

  • Recruit student members from Social Studies classes, friends, school activity fairs, etc.
  • Hold weekly/bi-weekly meetings
  • Fundraise
  • Practice/prepare for State Assembly
  • Complete service projects
  • Meet local elected officials
  • Have FUN!

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WHEN IS STATE ASSEMBLY AND HOW MUCH IS IT?

  • Hotel: Hyatt Downtown Columbus
  • State Assembly Date: April 15 - 17, 2027 (Leadership Training Date - April 14, 2027)
  • State Assembly Registration opens in October!
  • Cost: To be determined soon!
  • And don't let cost keep you from considering YG…
    • πŸ’° Fundraising opportunities
    • πŸ’° Financial assistance available
    • πŸ’° Talk with your advisor about options

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HOW DO I JOIN?

  • Tell your teacher/YMCA leader you're interested.
    • Write your name on the interest sheet / scan the QR code / join our Google Classroom / etc.
  • Attend delegation meetings at your school/YMCA.
  • Attend Fall Kickoff Webinar to learn more about running for office, learn more about program areas and meet your Presiding Officers!
  • Choose your program area and get ready for State Assembly.

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DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT…

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STUDENT EXPERIENCES

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β€œMy favorite part of conference was making connections and finding a love for public speaking.”

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-Clara (Calvary Christian)

β€œYouth & Government inspired me to keep learning how to make a difference. I’d tell future participants that it’s an amazing opportunity to discover your voice and gain real experience in leadership and civic engagement.”

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-Jash (Dayton YMCA)

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STUDENT EXPERIENCES

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β€œThis program means a lot to me and has had a substantial impact on my life. Through OHYG and CONA, I’ve made connections with people I can’t imagine my life without who I never would have met without this opportunity.”

-Cameron (Bishop Ready HS)

β€œ This conference is not just a three day experience where students take over the state-house, it is where students grow into young adults and understand how to take whatever life throws at them.”

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-Marilia (John Hay HS)

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SEE WHAT STATE ASSEMBLY IS ALL ABOUT!

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READY TO JOIN US?

  • Talk to your teacher or YMCA leader today!
  • Your voice. Your ideas. Your OHYG.
  • INSERT delegation QR code/contact information

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THANK YOU

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YMCA OHIO YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

(614) 407-4819‬

yg@ohioymcas.org

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