The purpose of the Youth in Government program is to
provide high and middle school students a unique hands-on experience
with international and state issues. The Tennessee YMCA offers several
statewide and local conferences. The statewide offering for high school
students include two fall Model United Nations conferences and two spring
Youth Legislature conferences held at the state capitol in Nashville.
In Memphis, the YMCA offers the Cordell Hull Model United Nations in
the fall for high school students and a one day Model United Nations
and a one day Youth Legislature for middle school.
These conferences bring together a diverse group of
students from across Tennessee to share their views on global and local
issues. The Youth in Government experience provides a forum for a free
exchange of ideas and reinforces the value of an open mind. Students
have the opportunity to develop leadership and speaking skills while
debating under the rules of parliamentary procedure. YIG provides opportunity
for personal growth and the building of lasting friendships. The Memphis
Youth in Government delegation is made up of area public and private
schools, as well as home schooled. All students meet collectively for
four preparatory training sessions.
These student led sessions train delegates in research,
proposal /bill writing and presentation, parliamentary procedure, litigation
writing and brief presentation.
Training for all Model United Nations conferences begin
in September, while training for the Youth Legislature conferences begin
in January.
Model United Nations
The Tennessee YMCA Model United Nations conference is
held in the fall. This three day statewide conference is held in Nashville.
The Cordell Hull Model United Nations local conference is held in Memphis,
for two days, in the County Commission Chambers and the Mayor AC Wharton’s
Conference Room. The middle school conference is one day and is also
held in Memphis in the County Commission Chambers and the City Council
Chambers.
Students are invited to participate as:
Country Delegates...participants research
the country assigned and write a proposal based on an important issue
in their country. Delegates present proposals in committees and general
assembly.
Committees...proposals are presented,
debated and ranked. The ranked proposals then go to the General Assembly,
again presented and debated, then passed or defeated.
International Court of Justice…
hears legal cases on issues dealing with international crisis. Participants
act as justices, listening to the cases and making judgments.
Security Council...debates issues that
threaten international peace and security. Participants investigate
and settle disputes, apply economic sanctions and take military action.
Press...participants report on hot
topics, conference happenings and provide election coverage in the multi-issue
newspaper.
Run for office and preside over the
conference.
Youth Legislature
The Tennessee YMCA Youth Legislature conference is held
in the spring. This four day conference is held in the State Capitol
Building in Nashville for high school students. The middle school YMCA
Youth Legislature is held in Memphis in the County Commission Chambers
and the City Council Chambers.
Students are invited to participate as:
House and Senate...participants act
as Senators or Representatives. A pair of students choose an area of
interest that needs legislative attention. The team researches, sponsors,
presents and debates the written bill in committee and within the Capitol
Chambers.
Committees...bills are presented, debated
and ranked. The bill then goes to the House and Senate
where it is passed or defeated. The Youth Governor
signs or vetoes the passed legislation.
Supreme Court...participants act as
a justice or a lawyer. The lawyers prepare and write a brief on a case
before the high court in the actual Supreme Court Chamber, and the justices
rule on the briefs presented.
Lobbyist...participants choose an agenda,
then select particular bills to lobby for or against.
Press...participants report on hot
topics, conference happenings and provide election coverage in the multi-issue
newspaper. A video and slide show is also created.
National Youth Agenda...provides participants
the opportunity to watch professionals debate hot topics and contemporary
issues.
Run for office and preside over the
conference.
Additional opportunities
National Affairs Conference…
Twenty outstanding delegates are selected to attend this conference
at the Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina.
National Youth Governors Conference...the
elected statewide Youth Governor of Tennessee may attend this prestigious
conference in Washington D.C., meeting with US Senators and Representatives
to exchange ideas and concerns.
Service Learning...each school delegation
is asked to participate in a community service learning project of their
choice. The YMCA acknowledges the importance of servant leadership and
the physical expression of the YMCA’s character development values
of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Volunteer...each participant is offered
the opportunity to volunteer to lead the YIG trainings, act as chairperson
or officer at the conferences, mentor the middle school YIG programs
and speak to the community about the YIG experience.
For participation, volunteer opportunities or
sponsorship, please contact:
Kelley Clack, Youth In Government Director (901) 758.2557
or 359.3547 clacko@worldnet.att.net
Cynthia Magallon, Vice President, (901) 458-9622 or
491.9526 cmagallon@ymcamemphis.org
Mason YMCA ,
3548 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111
