Florida YMCA Youth In Government presents...

Volume I, Issue 1 October 2004

and be interesting to you!!

Please send any submissions to: sam@floridayig.org (subject line: The Page Note)

“We are really excited about this project, “says Kyle McLaughlin, Chief Justice, “hopefully YIG members across the state will help us make it a success.”

During the 2004-2005 Program Year, the Presiding Officers wanted to find a way to reach every member of Youth In Government. “It’s important for members of YIG to feel part of a community,” said Governor Nithya Krishnan, “we want a freshman in Jacksonville and a senior in Naples to feel like they are part of the same program.”

Williams House Speaker Andrew Brannan agrees, “nothing would make me happier than to have delegates from across their district or the state feel like they already know each other

when they meet at Pre-Leg or State Assembly.”

As a part of these efforts, “The Page Note”, a newsletter for YIG, will be published at least once a month for members of YIG.

Current event stories, research tips, editorials, spotlight on Chapters and members, political cartoons and some fun stuff will be included in each edition.

We are asking Chapter members, advisors, Y-staff, graduate advisors and volunteers to submit ideas, articles, pictures, stories, etc. to help each issue come alive

YIG Presiding Officers launch a new effort...

THE PAGE NOTE What’s a few notes between friends?

Inside this issue:

YIG Beyond the Hill 2

Tipping Points 3

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes 4

Spotlight On 5

Bulletin Board 6

Presidential Debates 7

Take a Break! 8

YEP:CIVICS 2

Look inside for more of the new things YIG has to offer!!

Alright, time for my prediction. Will the race be close? In the popular vote, yeah, I think so. But not as close as 2000. And I

definitely don't think the electoral count will be close. Here's my prediction:

• “W”: 306 Electoral Votes, 33 States

• Kerry: 232 Electoral Votes, 17 States

I think my math's right. I think Pennsylvania is the wild card. Looks like its leaning more toward Kerry

now, but I still consider it purple. If it went for GW, that could really make things lopsided. I'll go

ahead and give Kerry Oregon, New Hampshire, and New Jersey because of location and history,

but they are both entirely still toss-ups. I imagine the debates will help though, that and the "October

Surprise." Check out more predictions at http://www.pollingreport.com

Predicting Outcomes Submitted By: Alex Shoucair, Campo Chapter

Elections

Issue

2

YEPYEP:CCiivviiccss Even though the deadline to register to vote has passed there are a number of ways to pull of a successful YEP: Civics - raising awareness of the upcoming elections, and getting people to go to the polling places on Election Day. Helping out with or adding your special Youth In Government touch to already existing events or efforts is an excellent way to begin. We are excited to see the collective impact all of our Chapters can make. Links to many of these resources and more may be found on our website – http://www.floridayig.org

RAISING AWARENESS: Activity: - Host a Debate about current issues – i.e. Young Democrats v. Republicans at your school or YMCA - Be a site for DebateWatch (http://www.debates.org/pages/dwsignup.html) Resource: - Declare Yourself (http://declareyourself.org/) - Project Vote-Smart (http://www.vote-smart.org/) - CSPAN (http://www.capwiz.com/c-span/e4/) - Rock the Vote - Up to You! (http://www.rockthevote.com/uptoyou/) GET OUT THE VOTE: Activity: - Adopt a precinct for KidsVoting: Florida - Hold an appreciation event for voters (students and faculty) at your school - Help arrange for rides to the polls for groups in need - Ask your school to make announcement about in being Election Day. - Provide locations of the polling places closest to your Chapter’s school or YMCA

“Youth In Government has the potential to be so much more than a trip to Tallahassee,” remarked Nithya Krishnan (2004-2005

Governor) at the Summer Leadership Conference (SLC) in June of this year. Along with her fellow Presiding Officers, Krishnan looked into how to expand the YIG experience without over burdening the local Chapters or its members.

“We wanted to find something that would be fun and bring Chapters together to help the community.” The group decided on three projects, they dubbed Youth In Government Engagement Projects (YEP). Along with the Chapter Presidents and Advisors at the SLC, the ideas for each project were workshoped and brainstormed. Each Chapter, Delegation, and District in attendance worked on their own individual plans of action for when they returned home.

Each Chapter is encouraged to complete a project based on each of the three program components - Civics, Social, and

Service – and submit them for recognition. Projects are optional however, Chapters will have the opportunity to submit reports on their projects and be recognized at the State Assembly. The project guidelines, evaluations, and recognition forms are on the website under the Chapter Administration of the Downloads section.

“The sky is the limit,” reminded Nithya, “the awesome thing about YIG is that it is youth-led and youth-run, meaning we decide the impact we want to make. Within the YIG program, our fate is completely in our control.”

The 2004-2005 YEP’s YEP:Civics - registering members of the community to vote and/or encouraging them to go to the polls on Election Day.

YEP:Social - hosting a Town Hall Meeting for middle schoolers and their parents to talk about the effects of underage drinking and risk taking behavior. Chapters wishing to complete the social project and receive a budget, must submit a proposal by January 3, 2005

YEP:Service - providing a much needed assistance to your local community

DON’T FORGET: Delegates who want to attend the State Assembly need to engage in the minimum of ten (10) service hours.

Taking YIG beyond the Hill THE PAGE NOTE

What’s a few notes between friends?

The Tampa Delegation makes plans for the year.

Your project must be Your project must be NONNON--PARTISANPARTISAN!!!!

Make sure you give both sides a chance to be heard...Make sure you give both sides a chance to be heard...

3

October 2004

WHAT IS REALLY AT STAKE…

The 2004 Presidential Election will be remembered as one of the most important elections in our nation’s history. Everybody has a different reason to believe this, but in my opinion, it is because that we want a change of power. The country realizes that George W. Bush has misled us, and they want a new, more intelligent and honest leader to take his place.

Bush is guilty of changing his opinions, as well. For example, he once was pro choice, but he is now pro life. He also once argued that gay marriage was a State issue, but is now pressing for a Federal Amendment banning it. While these changes of opinion are perfectly acceptable, opponents do not attack his integrity, as is often done with Kerry. However, a blatant lie, such as “Iraq has WMD’s” or “Saddam was involved with Osama in planning September 11” are only two examples of how America was misled into war by the lies of the Bush Administration.

This election is very important; quite possibly, the most important that we will ever witness. It’s up to the voters to try and sift through all the propaganda and decide which candidate they are willing to live with and through.

Submitted By: Taylor Siegel , Oak Hall Chapter

FLIP FLOPPER OR MISREPRESENTED?

Over the last year, as John Kerry and George Bush have campaigned for the upcoming Presidential election, it almost seems as if they are campaigning against the other candidate rather than for their own platforms. Amidst all of the media and mud slinging which goes into the campaigning process, it has become very hard to tell exactly what the candidate himself believes. For example, what does John Kerry really feel about foreign policy, and what does he plan to do to combat terrorism? Well, in his book A Call to Service: My Vision for a Better America, John Kerry addresses these specific issues without all of the mindless interpretation from news anchors.

John Kerry states that his foreign policy will be dictated by the fact that “America’s interests clearly call for a return to multilateralism and a serious effort to make it effective”.

He believes that this will be achieved, as he stated in the first presidential debate, when the relationship with out European allies is rebuilt as well with the United Nations. John Kerry believes it is important to reestablish US leadership in the world, and exact plans for how he wants to achieve this are in the book mentioned previously. The mass media can control the outcome of how they display a candidate, so when in doubt revert back to something

the candidate has done themselves!

Submitted By: Natalie Haynes, Ridgeview Chapter

WHAT MAKES ME SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE I DO?

First and foremost we must share the same ideals. I do not

pick a candidate only based on if they are republican or democrat, I

base my decision on their morals, political history, and on the stupidity and

inconsistency of the opposing candidate.

A lot like supporting your favorite spots team you must have that driving force that makes you stand up and say that you support a particular candidate.

I don’t base my decision on military history, good looks, or grammar/ vocabulary; I base my decision on the fact that I believe that they are the best person to run this country. regardless of their ethnic background or accent I chose to support a candidate that I can relate with and share political views.

Submitted By: John Wilson, Buchholz Chapter

A LOOK AT THE DEBATE...

Coming from the Bush side, I look at the debate in two ways: disappointing, but at the same time, reassuring. Disappointing because I am one of those people that firmly believe the race could have been ended that night, and he didn't end it. But reassuring in that GW did about as bad as he could do, and he's still fine. Did Kerry gain in the polls? Yes, but Bush never had quite the lead everyone thought he did. When you analyze ALL of the data from these polls, you see that not only did Kerry improve his numbers in individual areas, but GW did too.

Kerry had the night of his life and yet he still trails Bush by double digits on terrorism, Iraq, consistency, and leadership in nearly every poll. Those are the stats I'm most concerned with, because those are the areas that will decide this election. Have we heard anything about the economy lately? I still believe that every minute spent talking about Iraq is a minute in the win column for Bush, even if it's the discussion of really bad news. As long as the focus stays on that and/or terrorism, he won't have much trouble.

Submitted By: Alex Shoucair, Campo Chapter

Volume 1 Issue 1

Why do you support the candidate that you do?

What makes you feel one way or another about certain issues? YIG DELEGATES SHARE WHAT THEIR TIPPING POINTS ARE...

T I P P I N G

P O I N T S

4

The RedBook: The RedBook, one of the iconic trademarks of the State Assembly

program of Youth In Government, has gotten a facelift. While the book is generally reprinted every program year, “we haven’t made any MAJOR changes in the past two,” remarked Samantha Lane, Director of YIG.

In an effort to streamline the document and make the RedBook totally inclusive, other YIG guides and manuals were added to the existing book. With the help of Graduate Advisors, Chapter Presidents, Presiding Officers, and District Coordinators, the RedBook should be the ultimate guide to success with the State Assembly. The RedBook has also been reformatted to be easier to read and use electronically.

When checking out the new RedBook, pay attention to the following…

1. It’s online - Organized into Chapters by program area. All sections are in Adobe format (.PDF)

2. The “old” Judicial Manual has been added. Case assignments will follow after Judicial participant requests have been received from each District. Check with your Chapter President if you’re interested in participating in the Judicial program.

3. The Appendix has important information for each delegate (Code of Conduct & DressCode) and examples for each program area (bills, briefs, press releases, etc.)

The Website: Sparked by a grant in 2002, the effort to establish a Florida Youth In Government website

was underway. After a number of month and hours of work by volunteers and staff, we have a website up and its growing...

A few things you should know about new website…

1. The address is www.floridayig.org

2. All Applications, Registration Forms, and stuff needed for general Chapter Administration can be found on both the temp and the permanent site.

3. Each participant in ANY Youth In Government program will be given an online account. Participants will be able sign on and update their account information via the site.

4. Once the floridayig.org site is up and available again - check it out for a few new features like Research Links, Yearbooks, and a section for Advisors and Y-staff.

5. Additional features are coming are being worked on every day!! While the loss of the server was a set back, we are working on developing the software for online bill submission, judicial research engines, and Bulletin Board so you can talk with delegates in the other corner of the state. If you have ideas on how to take our developing online community to the next level, please share them with us!!

6. While our server is recovering from Hurricane Ivan, a temporary site has been posted on www.lakelandymca.org - click on the Florida YMCA Youth In Government link on the home page.

THE PAGE NOTE

What’s a few notes between friends?

CHA-CHA-CHA-Changes...

5

A Presiding Officer:

Name: Andrew Brannan

Chapter: HB Plant High School

Favorite Color: Green (because my birthday is St. Patrick’s Day)

PO Position: Williams Speaker of the House

Reason I ran for PO: I wanted to gain leadership experience and YIG afforded me the perfect opportunity: I could learn while participating in something I enjoyed.

A Chapter:

Name: Leon High School

YMCA: Tallahassee YMCA

How many years have you been a Chapter: A lot - maybe 15

How many members: People are still registering, but more than 40

Do you have a Chapter T-shirt: Yes

How often do you meet: Once every two weeks, more often for attorneys and lobbyists

The coolest thing the Chapter does: A lot of volunteer work in the community

Fun tidbit: Our Chapter has always been really close we help each other, in YIG and out!

A District Coordinator…

Name: Amy Wiggins

YMCA: West Central Florida

District: II - Lakeland, Orlando, Gainesville, & Jacksonville

Favorite Color: Pink (Of Course!!)

Things my delegates would never guess about me: Amy is a dedicated hostess. She recently went all out celebrating the 5th birthday of her

beloved cat, Moses. The party was well attended and affectionately dubbed - “Cinco de Moses”

October 2004

Volume 1 Issue 1

Spotlight on…

Have someone or something we need to do a spotlight on? Send it to us at sam@floridayig.org, Subject: Spotlight

Have you heard? The 2005 State

Assembly has been scheduled for

January 20-22, 2005

6

THE BULLETIN bOARD

Yig rules!!

Pre-Leg Confernences have been scheduled!!

District One: November 5th & 6th District Two: November 6th District Three: November 13th District Four: November 6th

Attention future Associate Justices: The Court has requested that all applications for Associate Justice be submitted ON TIME, so that decisions can be made by your District’s Pre-Leg Conference. Thanks!!

WANTED: A kickin’ idea for a statewide YIG T-shirt!!! A contest for the best YIG T-shirt idea/design will be in the next issue of “THE PAGE NOTE” - Stay Tuned!!

Have ideas to make our website ZING!?!?

Share them with us… Please!!!

DON’T FORGET!! Applications for Cabinet positions, Associate Justices, and members of the Press Corps are due October 25th. Check with your District Coordinator to find out where and when to turn them in.

Have info or pictures to post on the Bulletin Board? Submit it to sam@floridayig.org, Subject: Bulletin Board

2004 Summer Leadership Conference What would YOU DO for a Klondike bar?!?

THE PAGE NOTE

What’s a few notes between friends?

7

C h e c k o u t t h e s e R e s o u r c e s ! ! 1. MEET THE CANDIDATES: Third Parties: http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/thirdparties.asp Bush: http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/bush.asp Kerry: http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/kerry.asp

2. DEBATES: http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/debates.asp

3. CAMPAIGN BLOG: http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/campaigns_blog.asp

October 2004

Volume 1 Issue 1

Pick-a-little Talk-a-little

The 2004 presidential debates Regardless of what you think the score is, the debates this year have been the cause of much talk around the country. Ever wonder what goes into pulling off a debate, who decides on the rules of engagement or what questions will finally make it on air? Much of that responsibility falls to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). CPD was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation, sponsored all the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. DebateWatch is a voter education program of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). DebateWatch brings citizens like you together to watch the televised debates, talk about what you learned, and, if you choose to, share your reactions with the CPD. The beauty of this program is its flexibility; anyone can participate including children, young adults, or retirees. DebateWatches can take place in high-profile televised venues with hundreds of people, or they can occur in people's living rooms with half a dozen neighbors. Anyone can host a DebateWatch! Just pick a place with a television, pick a group of people, and pick a discussion leader. Organize a DebateWatch by yourself or in conjunction with your civic group, school, job, or neighbors. If you can't hold a DebateWatch when a debate is aired, simply record it and hold the discussion the next day. Leading a DebateWatch does not require any special skills or expertise. Your main role is to pose discussion questions (http://www.debates.org/pages/dwhost.html#questions) to the group members after they watch the debate. In the process you will make sure everyone gets a chance to speak and you will settle any disagreements among participants. Be sure to consider what to do before the debate and the night of the debate (http://www.debates.org/pages/dwhost.html).

Interested? Sign up to host a D e b a t e W a t c h e v e n t - w w w . d e b a t e s . o r g / p a g e s /

Still looking for a Bill Topic?

Consider some parts of our government effected by the storms that have punished our state.

• Insurance and Utility Rates - What can citizens expect in new rates? Should a cap be put on the possible increase? What does the industry (both insurance and utilities) have to say?

• The Catastrophe Fund - is it properly funded, can it support the level of disasters seen in Florida in this and future years

• Building Code - is the code up to date and adequate in light of the recent weather. What can/should be done for those Floridians who do not live in residences that meet code (i.e. Mobile Homes) but live in at-risk areas?

• Missed Days of School - should the days be made up or forgiven? Should standardized tests (FCAT, etc.) still be given?

• Disaster relief and emergency response - was the response time and efforts adequate? Are they properly staffed and funded?

What’s happening in your own backyard is great subject material for your legislation…

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Florida YMCA Youth In Government

Phone: 850.322.5075 Email: sam@floridayig.org

THE PAGE NOTE Articles Submitted By:

• Taylor Siegel

• Natalie Haynes

• John Wilson

• Alex Shoucair

Resources:

• Declare Yourself

• http://www.debates.org/index.html

• CSPAN

In the next Issue:

• Comments on CONA

• Election results

• Tips for researching

Have ideas, articles, editorials,

pictures, etc. for the next issue? Submit them by

October 31st!!

Visit Us Online: www.floridayig.org

T a k e A B r e a k ! !

BALLOT BLUE

CAMPAIGN CANDIDATE

CHAD COMMENTATOR CONSERVATIVE CONSTITUENTS CONTRIBUTION CONVENTION DEBATE

DEMOCRACY DEMOCRAT DISSENT

DONKEY ELECTION ELECTORS ELEPHANT FORUM

INDEPENDENT ISSUES LIBERAL MODERATE MONEY

OPINIONS PLATFORM POLLS

PRESIDENTIAL

PROPAGANDA PUNDITS

RED REGISTER

REPUBLICAN SPEECH STATES STUMP

SUPERVISOR SUPPORT TRAIL VOTE

A N D O T D Y N E U L B X X F E X T D M D T C O R I D G K P R I R O K J Q S C Q T V C L A S N O U X Y L N I D I O S E I M R F C E A I G H U Q E M C C O S M A A R N P S D T V A V A R S C Q H G D M K Q E U H O G P E I P E R N F O B E S Z R T P N E W K F P S A N A M T O U N M E Q S D U G X U U E N X V F E S E V E P A S N S T X V K O E T N D T P T Y Y F R L Q T O Y O C I S Y Q K N M S D S O P E A Z A Z V L S B A T V R Q G S X J L O I R L R Y D T N K Y I O F R T T E R P T E E Z T T C L E H C N O T A P S P Z E J U S E N T P R N S W A S W T A I R T H P O A B M H N T E Z J E Q P V B I N P D R U Z F O X R Q J Y T A U Q G L Z M R C D J O L D C V W E L D R Y K R R T Q M E B O Z U E U G I A U O E Y T Z F E G K C I H H P E B A Z N R O R T T H M G X A S J V A O T Q O H F C H N T G O O E U F D E S R B R H K M S D W A P F V W I K R G O F B O Y D P N E O G E N A X N N X R I A S P E E C H I R L F M H D H D O I F T U R U Z L Z U O O X K X R M A J U H C P C E L E C T I O N S R O T C E L E T K R E T O B R E V I T A V R E S N O C S D T W H N O E M S P U X C A N D I D A T E C Z G A W P R O O U B N V S F V N A C I L B U P E R Y E K N O D A C N I A D R J S S G A U U O W A S A A K K L F R Q I I L J A I F F K P I D S P U I X O J C Y Y H G R J L G V V I C G