Reaching out through YIG Advocacy

Following SLC you will be receiving a packet on how to get in touch with local organi-zations. This idea is an extremely exciting initiative that we hope all chapters will take advantage of this year and in the future. As an example of our advocacy pro-gram, I personally have had great success in collaborating with the Florida Bicycle Association. FBA has been very in-volved with the legislative process in the past, and I realized that

YIG may be able to offer exposure for their ideas. I found their contact infor-mation on the internet and be-gan making calls. The first director I got in touch with was thrilled to hear of a stu-dent organization that was inter-ested in creating an alliance. I was directed to their legislative coordinator who not only invited me their local events but also sug-gested I apply for one of their grants. Every person I got in

touch with from FBA was incredi-bly receptive. As a leader in YIG, you are in a unique position to reach out to your local arts, athletic, or community groups. These rela-tionships can benefit your chapter in a variety of ways and we hope that you will take advantage of the contact packet provided!

By ALICE RIX

Chief Financial Officer

Something to consider this weekend at SLC...

When I tell other students at my school about Youth In Govern-ment, I often instantly hear back, “Oh, I’m just not that into govern-ment.” They write off the prospect of the pro-gram simply because of the intimidating word that is “government.” It hasn’t made sense to me, though, because after being in this pro-gram since freshman year, I’ve seen students come from so many dif-ferent backgrounds and represent so many dif-

ferent ideals. It is hard to relate to people that this club goes beyond procedures and debate, that it goes beyond court cases and page notes. Youth In Govern-ment is truly defined by the people who are in-volved in it. It comes down to the you and me and what we choose to represent and get from this program. With that in mind, our PO Corps would like you to keep this simple phrase in mind: Whether you are an artist, a skate-boarder, a musician,

an athlete, or something else entirely, you are YIG. You define this pro-gram. We hope you can take the passions that naturally fill your life and find a way to represent yourself and communi-ties throughout the rest of your involvement in Youth In Government, spreading the idea that government is a struc-ture composed of the passions and needs of

many.

This weekend, take a moment to think about why you are in this program, and what it means to you. How has it given you or your community a voice? Our PO Corps would be happy to listen to your testimonies, and through a short video, we hope to share them with oth-ers.

By ALEX FAHNLANDER

Youth Governor

Scene from “I Am YIG Video Shot by Hilary Jessup

September 2010 The Page Note Special Edition 2

The Summer Leadership Conference of 2009 was one of my most memorable Youth In Government experi-ences to date. I think that was the time I truly realized how much I loved the program; and how much it meant to me to be a part of it, and feel inspired to make a difference. Of course, I was hooked on YIG after my first State Assembly ear-lier that year, and deeply regretted not running for an officer position. Seek-ing to saturate myself in as much YIG as possible, I remember asking my advisors about this “SLC” event. I had never heard anything about it before. Even though I was just a

delegate at the time, with my advisor’s en-couragement, I signed up. I had no idea what to expect upon arriving at the FFA center in Haines City, last August. I recall being nervous and anticipative of what was to come. I can vividly remember a handful of flashbacks that I will forever cher-ish. I’ve never partici-pated in a more honest, and distinctive round table than the ones I was a part of in my villa at SLC. I’ve never learned more about YMCA and YIG history and inner workings than in the workshops at SLC. I’ve never been involved in a more entertaining bout of mandatory fun than playing Quidditch at SLC.

The most impor-tant thing though, that I remember from SLC is how much leadership and responsibility traits really sunk into not just my YIG career, but aca-demically and profes-sionally, as well. It’s quite amazing just how much I saw myself ma-ture those few days. YIG has been a life-changing experience for me, and

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. Aside from the great personal and social ex-perience SLC offered, it was a great chapter bonding and planning time. Campo made great strides at the conference last year, including be-coming the first chapter to have it’s own press core - of which I have been the proud Editor-in-Chief. All in all, I highly advocate the Summer Leadership Conference; whether you’re an officer taking the time to grow your leadership skills and decide and plan for the upcoming club year, or a delegate wanting to become more knowl-edgeable and involved in the program, SLC is a great experience that you will not soon forget.

By AMY BAILEY

Campo Delegation

Looking back at SLC 2009

Photo by Eric Pait, students Victor Mak and Jonathon Nunes play Quidditch

during mandatory fun.

Photo by Eric Pait, students Michael Steiner, Pierce Gillett, Victoria Zacka, Chelsea Jordan, Christina Wiley, Ryan

Kratt, and Jonathon Nunes plan for the upcoming year.

For more photos

http://www.facebook.

com/FloridaYIG

Emma Joslyn Editor-in-Chief • Amy Bailey • Alex Fahnlander Ryan Kratt • Alice Rix • Erika Amaya Program Coord.

Interested in being a correspondant? See a letter from the Editor-in-Chief in this special edition of The Page Note.

This year, the Presiding Officer Corps decided to make an assessment of both past and future chapters by conducting a series of interviews with both incoming and outgoing chapter presidents. We asked about some of the challenges each chapter faced over the past year, and asked the incoming presidents what they plan to do over the next year. We, as a PO Corps, are taking steps to meet this request. You will have this list very soon. In regards to what the chapter leadership wants to do next year, there is no real common idea present. Some

want Redbooks, others say they have plenty. Everyone wants to increase membership, but everyone has their own plans, or no plans, which is the point of this year ’s Summer Leadership Conference! Here, you will be focusing on learning the skills you need to increase membership, retain members, run your program efficiently, expand your program areas, as well as talk with your fellow leadership statewide about how they run their respective delegations. The Summer Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for chapter leadership to connect with the State Office and Presiding

Officers before jumping into running things back home. We hope that with the tools you gain this weekend, the goals you set forth for the year will be feasible and take you to the next step.

Florida leadership speaks up, PO Corps listen By RYAN KRATT

Commissioner of Agriculture

September 2010 The Page Note Special Edition 3

TPN contributors

By EMMA JOSLYN

Editor-In-Chief

This past summer, the Florida delegation received numerous honors at

the Conference on National Affairs. The Outstanding Statesman award was given to delegates Ian Hanchett of the Campo chapter, Hilary Jessup of the Fort Myers chapter, and Apurv Suman of the Gainesville chapter. Additionally, Sean Casey, a graduate of Dr. Phillips High school is the first alternate to serve on next year’s Presiding Officer Corps at CONA. Jessica Ayers, who graduated from Fort Myers High School, will serve as next year’s Media Director. Every Florida delegate did an outstanding job and it was an incredible week on the mountain.

Florida’s award

winning CONA

delegation

Photo by Eric Pait.

The 2010 Florida YIG CONA Delegates. For more snap-

shots visit us at

http://twitter.com/FloridaYIG

A letter from the Editor-In-Chief September 2010 The Page Note Special Edition 4

Dear Delegates, Welcome to SLC! I hope you are all excited about the new YIG year. You are holding in your hands the first edition of The Page Note. This publica-tion is one of many new and exciting additions to the Press Corps program this year. We will be pub-lishing an issue of The Page Note every month and sending it to you. As the chapter leadership, we will depend on you to en-sure that you are sharing it with your delegates. You may do this by sharing it electronically or by printing copies to give to them at meetings. I ask that you please remember to check your e-mail for this publi-cation. I am depending on all of you to make this publication work! Additionally, we will have open submissions for The Page Note all year. Anyone in your chapter, leadership or otherwise, can submit content to be considered for inclusion in the publication. We will accept any kind of writing as well as art work, comics, or photographs. As the chapter leadership, I need you to ensure that your delegates know about this oppor-tunity. Submitting content for The Page Note does not commit you to the Press Corps Program, but if you or one of your delegates is considering the pro-gram and may be interested in having a position at

State Assembly, submitting content is a wonderful way to let us see your work before you get to Talla-hassee. In addition to The Page Note, I am hoping to

start a blog for Florida YIG. These year-round publications are in-tended to keep us con-nected and informed during the year. Though most delegates are only aware of YIG around the times of FDC and State Assembly, it is important that they keep up with the program all year. If delegates are submitting content and reading the publications regularly, it ensures that they are keeping up

with dates and deadlines as well as staying connected to other delegates all over the state. We are opening statewide communication even further and I hope that you all will take advantage of the opportunity to share your information, art, and experiences. As we begin this year, please inform your members about these publications. I look forward to a great year with all of you! Sincerely, Emma Joslyn Editor-in-Chief

Emma Joslyn writing as a media delegate at CONA.

Photo by Eric Pait.

The Page Note is looking for submissions pertaining to YIG, local Youth Engagement

Projects, chapter news, editorials, opinion pieces on cur-

rent legislation, club photos, student art, and comic strips.

Send content to emma.joslyn@gmail.com.

C o n t a ct E m m a r e g a r d i n g

p o s i t i o n s s u ch a s La y o u t

E d i t o r & C o p y C h i e f.

W a nt to c o ntri b -ute m o re tha n j us t c o nte nt? Op e n c a l l f o r a r t i c l e s &

m o r e . . .