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INDIANA YMCA YOUTH and GOVERNMENT (INYaG)
Students won’t just read about government; they will be the government! In this model government program, students in grades 6-12 will go through government
simulations. They get to elect their own peer leaders, debate their own bills, and build a vision for a better tomorrow. Middle school students become part of the
legislature and work on public speaking and debate, parliamentary procedures, writing, evaluating, and ranking bills. High school students can join the legislature, the Judicial Program, Legislative Oversight, or Media Corps. Youth & Government builds young leaders through hands-on experience and teaching the YMCA’s core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. Join us as we build tomorrow’s leaders one young person at a time!To learn more about the program, download our INYaG Brochure.
BECOME A CHANGEMAKER
INYaG is ideal for any students who want to improve their abilities to interact with adults and other youth, understand how to influence governments for effective and peaceful resolution, appreciate the diversity of viewpoints on public issues, demonstrate citizenship responsibilities and leadership roles essential for more accommodating communities, and embrace respect for ideas, beliefs, and the positions of others.
Indiana Youth and Government Program
Ways to participate
SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES
High school (H.S) students research and present bills which are debated in committee and within the actual House and Senate chambers in the Indianapolis statehouse in a 3-day conference. Middle school (M.S.) students participate in various locations across the state in a 1-day conference.
Media Corps
Prepare a conference newsletter and slide show, conduct interviews, and manage social media accounts for Youth and Government (H.S. only).
Legislative Officers
Campaign to run for Governor, Lt. Governor, Chief Justice, Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, House Speaker President Pro Temp, or Senate President Pro Temp (H.S. only).
Judical
Prepare a Brief and present an oral argument before the Youth Supreme Court (H.S. only).
Committee Chairs
Lead committees through bill revision and passage (H.S. only).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indiana YMCA Youth and Government
Students won’t just read about government; they will be the government! In this model government program, students in grades 6-12 will go through government simulations. They get to elect their own peer leaders, debate their own bills, and build a vision for a better tomorrow. Middle school students become part of the legislature and work on public speaking and debate, parliamentary procedures, writing, evaluating, and ranking bills. High school students can join the legislature, the Judicial Program, Legislative Oversight, or Media Corps. Youth & Government builds young leaders through hands-on experience and teaching the YMCA’s core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. Join us as we build tomorrow’s leaders one young person at a time!
What ages can participate in the program?
Students in grades 6-12 can participate in the programs. You can either have the program held at your school or the Kokomo Family YMCA will be happy to host.
How do I get involved?
Join Indiana YMCA Youth and Government (INYaG) and make thousands of new friends from all over Indiana! Earn community service hours for high school credit. Learn about the government in a stimulating environment full of moments for fun and socializing during elections. IINYaG is an extraordinary experience! Contact Mark Sutton!
Can I help as a teacher?
Need Information? Want to volunteer to help youth reach their full potential? For more information contact Mark!
How does this work?
Through INYaG, an increasing number of students and adult leaders spend part of each academic year meeting in local community- and school-based delegations to discuss and debate issues that affect Indiana citizens and to propose relevant legislation. Upon completing the relevant curricula and assignments related to their particular program area, students’ work culminates in the annual Model Government Conference (MGC)—during which delegates are afforded opportunities to apply the skills developed and knowledge learned over the course of the program. The MGC is the state’s most comprehensive mock government event.
What are the program areas?
Program Areas:
Youth General Assembly – INYaG’s signature and gateway program. Based on the Indiana General Assembly, the program strives to turn the ideas of Indiana youth into formal laws through bill- writing, debating, and voting on legislation according to specific rules and procedures.All high school students in their first year of INYaG must participate in the Youth General Assembly. Primary Deliverables: Drafting and formal introduction of a bill; Understanding of and adherence to legislative processes and procedures in Indiana, Engagement in debate.
Youth Executive Program – Through the program, INYaG’s delegate-elected student leaders provide youth voice to development of the overall program and provide operational leadership during the annual MGC. These elected individuals also represent INYaG at national events and serve as peer leaders among fellow delegates.The program is open to any duly elected delegate. Primary Deliverables: Experience in program administration, conference planning and conference operations; Understanding of political campaigns and elections.
Model Supreme Court (MSC) – While exposing high school students to the formal judicial process in Indiana, the program promotes leadership through use of practicing attorneys and law students who not only judge delegates, but also serve as mentors. The MSC also promotes collaboration and compromise using teams of attorneys and teams of justices who together to accomplish their goals.The MSC is open to all high school students who have previously participated in the Youth General Assembly. Primary Deliverables: Development and delivery of oral arguments; Experience presiding over cases; Understanding of Indiana’s judicial process and the role of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Middle School Program – The goal of the program is to give middle school delegates an opportunity to experience different components of the high school program, allowing them to form an insider opinion to guide their own choicees of program during subsequent years. The program balances group activities with individual leadership development.The Middle School Program is mandatory for all 7th graders and 8th graders who are participating in the MGC for the first time. Returning 8th graders who have previously participated in the Middle School Program may participate in the Youth General Assembly. Primary Deliverables: Drafting and formal introduction of a bill; Understanding of and adherence to formal committee and general assembly procedures; Engagement in debate; Understanding of the roles of Indiana’s judicial and executive branches
Media Program – Planning is underway to reintroduce the INYaG Media Program during a future season. Media Program delegates will serve as the eyes and ears of INYaG before and leading up to the annual MGC. Prior to MGC, these students will research and report on their delegations’ activities. During the conference, they will write, edit, design, and print four editions of the INYaG newspaper. Additionally, they will maintain the Media program’s social- media presence.
Is there a program for middle schoolers?
Middle School Program – The goal of the program is to give middle school delegates an opportunity to experience different components of the high school program, allowing them to form an insider opinion to guide their own choicees of program during subsequent years. The program balances group activities with individual leadership development.
The Middle School Program is mandatory for all 7th graders and 8th graders who are participating in the MGC for the first time. Returning 8th graders who have previously participated in the Middle School Program may participate in the Youth General Assembly.
Primary Deliverables: Drafting and formal introduction of a bill; Understanding of and adherence to formal committee and general assembly procedures; Engagement in debate; Understanding of the roles of Indiana’s judicial and executive branches