THE MODEL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Dates: April 16-18, 2023
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 2023 MGA are eligible to run for office for the 2024 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 YMCA and the Virginia Alliance of YMCA’s have partnered together to create an interactive and educational program for teens to experience the YMCA’s advocacy day in action. Students will get an opportunity to network with legislators, lobbyists, and other governmental officials. They will learn what the strategic and legislative goals for the YMCA are while learning about the differences between advocacy and lobbying. Students can only be considered for this program by application and if they are registered for the Modern General Assembly for the upcoming year. Please see the flyer for more information about the program, deadlines, and what is included.
The event is an interactive and educational program for teens to experience lobbying and organizational advocacy during the legislative session. Students will get an opportunity to network with legislators, lobbyists, and other governmental officials. They will learn what the strategic and legislative goals of the YMCA are while learning about the differences between advocacy and lobbying. Students can only be considered for this program by application and if they are registered for the Model General Assembly for the upcoming year. Please see the flyer for more information about the program, deadlines, and what is included.