THE MODEL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Dates: April 11-13, 2024
Purpose: The Model General Assembly program was established in 1948 and is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Legislation is debated in committees and on the floors of the actual Virginia Senate and House of Delegates
Participants: Students in grades 9-12 may attend, with limited roles for 9th graders
Roles: Participants can assume the roles of senator, delegate, officer, lobbyist, reporter, or underclassmen legislator. See the Student Guide document for more information.
Legislative Bill: Each club or school group should submit at least one and no more than five bills along with their registration. The Virginia YMCA strongly encourages the patrons of the bill to discuss the bill with a current or former state legislator. All bills should reference the Code of Virginia or the Constitution of Virginia and should be thoroughly researched.
Elections: Students who will be juniors at the 2024 MGA are eligible to run for office for the 2025 MGA. Candidates can file for election on Wild Apricot.
Registration: Prices for students and advisors are listed on Wild Apricot. This includes conference registration, all materials, admission to all pre-conference events, staff time, social activities, hotel, and banquet. Students and Advisors may register on Wild Apricot.
OTHER STATE PROGRAMS
In 1975, the Virginia YMCA and the Virginia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division partnered to launch the Model Judiciary Program (MJP). It was through the work of our Executive Director Fulton Johnson, VBA President Gibson Harris, and Delegate Gerald Baliles that MJP has worked to educate Virginia’s youth with a hands-on experience in Virginia’s judicial system.
MJP is composed of three different levels; Trial, Appellate, and Supreme Court. Students will have the opportunity to portray attorneys, witnesses and jurors while arguing cases in real court rooms with real judges/justices. These rounds culminate to the Supreme Court round where top arguments from the Appellate round argue constitutionality in the Virginia Supreme Court with Virginia Supreme Court Justices.
Teen Leadership Conferences are designed to introduce 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to Virginia State Government, especially the legislative branch. Leadership and character development activities are also included, along with a healthy dose of fun. Typically, TLC’s are held in certain counties for a certain grade level within the county. We have also provided TLCs for certain high schools. To bring a TLC to your county, please Contact the Virginia YMCA
The Virginia Youth Advocate Program provides students with an interactive and educational experience in how organizations and individuals advocate for the General Assembly, Governor, and other state government officials to support efforts they believe in. Students will be trained in advocacy, work with lobbyists, meet with government officials, and experience an organization’s Advocacy Day in action. Every step of the way, students will engage in the process and learn how they can advocate for change as citizens.
2024 Info COMING SOON
Y-Corps is a service learning program that teaches high school teens how to be servant leaders and the importance of volunteerism. They’ll complete a curriculum that includes a passion project for their community, what it means to be a servant leader, how to fundraise for their causes, and how to actively make a difference. The program begins with virtual training and local implementation of their project and culminates in a service trip to West Virginia. Participants will work with other teens across Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and New Jersey.
More details about the program are coming soon. If you’re interested, please fill out the interest form.