The purpose of this three-day learning opportunity is to bring the workings of the Georgia state government alive to students in grades 9 - 12. Students are given an opportunity to discuss current state issues with state administrators, elected officials, and students from high schools throughout the state.

Each conference is led by teens elected to office by their fellow delegates. Held annually at the State Capitol in Atlanta, volunteers from various state departments act as resources for the students while they debate the issues. These volunteers, along with State YMCA staff, help guide the students through mock committee meetings and procedures. Students debate and vote on the bills that their fellow delegates have written and presented. Bills that pass in committee are then taken to the floor of the House or Senate for full debate and vote.

Youth hold the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. Participants also engage in campaigns and elections for officers who will serve during the following year.

Below is a listing of programs provided at Youth Assembly. Click on the name of each program for more information.

• Executive Branch Program
• Judicial Program
• Legislative Program
• Lobbyist Program
• Media Corps Program

Executive Branch Program

The Executive Branch Program allows students the opportunity to experience the executive branch of state government in Georgia.

During Youth Assembly, opportunities for students to participate include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and many more. Elections take place during the Youth Assembly to elect the executive officers, who then serve for the next year. 

Judicial Program

The goal of the Judicial Program is to expose Georgia high school students to the formal judicial process through pre-trial analysis, discovery, brief writing, and the presentation of a trial to a court of judges. The program promotes leadership through the appointment of a Chief Justice and the use of practicing attorneys who not only judge the students, but also serve as mentors. The Judicial Program also promotes collaboration and compromise through the use of teams of attorneys and teams of judges working together to accomplish their goals.

Legislative Program

The Legislative Program is based as closely as possible on the Georgia General Assembly. The program strives to turn the ideas of Georgia youth into formal laws by writing, debating, and voting on legislation according to specific rules and procedures.

The program also promotes leadership by operating under the direction of both elected and appointed student leaders. Further, the Legislative Program encourages collaboration and compromise as legislators work with each other to achieve their goals.

Lobbyist Program

The goal of the Lobbyist Program is to promote the ideals of civic involvement and leadership.
Students engage in research, preparation of issue position papers, legislative proposal packets and persuasive speaking to advocate their issues before legislative committee meetings and one-on-one interaction with members of the Youth General Assembly. Further, the Lobbyist Program encourages collaboration and compromise as lobbyists work with other participants in Youth Assembly, as well as each other, to achieve their goals.

Media Program

The Media Corps Program provides students participating in Youth Assembly with an opportunity to understand the role of media in a participatory democracy.  Media Corps students learn by doing.

 Print Media

Participants engage in the actual skills of newspaper production: writing, interviewing, commentary, editing, layout, photography, graphics, production, and circulation. The students publish two newspapers, called the Youth Assembly Record, during the conference.

Digital Media

Participants engage in the actual skills of videography, production, and editing.  The students will produce a conference video.

 More conference details to help you prepare:

• Registering as a Senator or Representative
• How to Write a Bill
• Sample Bill
• Bill Writing Workshop PowerPoint
• Registering as a Lobbyist
• Registering as a Judicial Team (NOTE: Must register in PAIRS)
  
• 2011 Judicial Training Webinar (recorded)
• Judicial Training Notes
• Sample Judicial Brief
• Committee Chairmen Information
• Tentative Schedule
• Candidate Information

2013 YA Important Information:

Sunday-Tuesday, November 24-26, 2013

At the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel & State Capitol

 Cost:

Early Bird Registration received by Wednesday, October 16th: $250 per student (two nights lodging, two meals, program costs)

Registration beginning Thursday, October 17th: $265 per student

Adults: $175 (Double Occupancy), $300 (private room)

NOTE: An "affiliation fee" of $12 will be added to all non-"Y" Club member student registrations.

Deadlines:

Scholarships: Wednesday, October 9th (a form can be found under forms on the home page)

Early Bird Registration: ends Wednesday, October 16th

Bills Due: Wednesday, October 16th

Normal Registration: begins Thursday, October 17th

Future Conference Dates