Deadlines

• October 1: Returning schools turn in Intent to Participate cards
• September-February: New School Sign up period
• January 10: All schools submit preliminary estimates for seat allocation
• February 1: Request for Supreme Court cases due (recommended)
• February 15: Major Deadline Day. The following are due:
  • Registration forms with $10 preregistration fee
  • Committee Chair Applications
  • Supreme Court Justice Applications
  • Governor's Cabinet Applications
  • Newspaper Editor Applications
• March 1: Bills Due
• March 15: Legal Briefs Due
• March 15: Reporter's first articles due
• April 1: Justices Bench Memoranda drafts due
• Montana YMCA Youth & Government Program Session:
  late April/early May, depending on the schedule of the real legislature
• May 15: CONA Applications Due

 What do do when:

October-November:

• Obtain necessary support of school administration, school board and other important parties.
• Obtain any formal approvals required by local school policy.
• Get school-approved absences Okayed for students in accordance with local school policy.
• Get Youth and Government dates placed on school schedule to minimize potential time conflicts.
• Investigate transportation needs and reserve a bus and driver if needed.
• Strategize fund raising needs and goals, begin process of securing necessary funding.
• Send in Intent to Participate forms/postcards.

December:

• Organize meeting of interested participants to fire up interest in the program, gauge likely size of delegation, plan additional recruitment if needed.
• Register delegation with State Office with estimated numbers.
• Choose student leadership for club.
• Send in estimated student numbers for preliminary legislative seat allocation by January 10.

January:

• Regular club meetings begin. Recommend a minimum of two meetings in January.
• Investigate current issues relevant to Youth and Government
• Do preliminary assignment of positions (House, Senate, Press, etc.) based on allocation estimates from state office.
• Begin research for bills, briefs, lobbyist papers, etc.
• Law Program cases mailed to club advisors.

February:

• Student applications with $10 per person preregistration fee due Feb. 15
• Committee Chair Applications Due
• Newspaper Editor Applications Due
• Supreme Court Justice Applications due
• Bills, briefs and lobbyist papers written, revised and polished
• Recommend 2-3 meetings minimum in February, more if needed

March:

• Bills and Lobbyist Papers due March 1
• Governor's Cabinet Applications due March 1
• Supreme Court Brief Drafts due March 15
• Reporters draft and submit one article for session paper by March 15.
• Bill rewrites must be completed and to state office on March 15
• Brief rewrites must be completed and to state office by advertised deadline
• Weekly meetings recommended to practice debating bills, have guest speakers, etc.

April:

• Billbook released April 1. Copies mailed to club advisors
• Press deadline for rewritten attorney briefs April 1
• Officer, Committee Chair and Court Justice regional training sessions
• Possible regional Attorneys' workshop

May:

• CONA applications, preregistration fees and proposal drafts due May 15
• Remember to thank local volunteers and sponsors who helped your club go to Y&G!
• Talk to School administration and get Y&G dates on the calendar for next year!

June:

• Remaining CONA fees due approximately June 1
• National Youth Governor's Conference, Washington, DC
• Youth Conference on National Affairs (CONA), Black Mountain, North Carolina

Approximate Schedule of the Youth & Government Conference in Helena:

• Sunday Afternoon-Evening: Registration, orientation, caucuses and workshops. Attendance is required by all youth and adult participants. Pizza Feed in the Capitol Rotunda!
• Monday: Swearing-in ceremony, first committee hearings, additional Court Program orientation, Court Oral Arguments, House and Senate floor sessions, Primary election. Monday night is "Y Nite" when everyone can go to the YMCA for swimming, volleyball, basketball, a movie (for the non-athletic sort) and access to the weight room.
• Tuesday: Floor sessions, Transmittal Deadline, second committee hearings, Court Oral Arguments, Banquet, Campaign Speeches, Election of next year's officers, Dance.
• Wednesday: Final Floor sessions, Final Court Oral Arguments, Awards and Closing ceremonies. We are usually finished by 1:30 p.m.