The Wisconsin YMCA Youth & Government program holds the belief that “democracy must be learned by each generation”; that democracy and all it represents will remain only so long as its youth are exposed to its ideals and potential; and that engaged citizens should exemplify the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Find a delegation near you.
PROGRAM SEASON OVERVIEW
RECRUITMENT
August – October
REGISTRATION
October – December
- Judicial, Media and Senate Registration Closes on November 18, 2026
- Assembly Registration Closes on December 9, 2026
MATERIALS PREP
December – Assignments are finalized
January – Legislative and Media materials due
February – Judicial materials due
CONFERENCE PREP
Pre-Gov Session
January 30, 2027
CONFERENCE
Model Government Conference
March 5-7, 2027
LEGISLATIVE
The legislative branch at Youth & Government consists of four different bodies:
Senate, Phillips, Nelson Assembly and Harvey Assembly.
The Legislative program gives delegates the ability to make their voices heard as delegates work to create laws that are important and will benefit the citizens of our state.
Legislative delegates will:
– Research and author a bill.
– Debate and defend the bill.
– Meet all deadlines.
– Be aware and informed of legislative rules and procedures.
– Attend Pre-Gov.
– Present a bill at Model Gov and work to get it passed.
– Adhere to the Code of Conduct.
Delegates will research and write bills on topics that are important to them.
Delegates will present their bills in a committee hearing at Pre-Gov and determine the initial docket for Model Gov.
Delegates will debate on the floor of the Senate or Assembly during Model Gov. A bill may even get to the Youth Governor, where it might be signed into law.
Bills that are signed will be sent to the state legislators of the author and to the Wisconsin Governor!
Get Ready to be a Legislator:
Legislative Guide PDF
Teaching presentation from 2026 Youth Senate President
Video of 2025/2026 Legislative Workshop
Priorities from the desk of the 2026 Youth Governor
Contact Legislative Leaders
Conference Resources:
Pre-Gov Legislative Procedures
Model Gov Legislative Procedures
Legislative Docket will go live Friday morning of the Model Gov Conference.
Candidate Information
JUDICIAL
There are two options for students wishing to learn more about the courts system:
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
Judicial delegates will defend a position or decision in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals by interpreting the Constitution and creating a persuasive case.
Judicial delegates will:
– Study a case, apply the existing law and prepare a court document.
– Prepare an oral argument.
– Meet all deadlines.
– Be aware and informed of judicial rules and procedures.
– Attend Pre-Gov.
– Present your oral argument before a panel of justices or judges at Model Gov.
– Act as a justice or judge at Model Gov.
– Adhere to the Code of Conduct.
Judicial delegates will review the cases and prepare a formal brief and an oral argument.
A brief is a factual, written argument, similar to a research paper, summarizing your stance on the issues of the case. The brief is reviewed by the justices prior to the case hearing.
An oral argument is both facts and emotional appeals. You can add biased statements and things that will sway the justices to your side.
Get Ready to be an Attorney:
Judicial Guide PDF
Teaching presentation
2025-2026 Cases
2025-2026 Case Assignments
Contact Judicial Leaders
Conference Resources:
Judicial Procedures
Opinions
Candidate Information
MEDIA
The Media is an integral part of the YG conference. Media students develop and produce daily videos, podcasts, newspapers and social media coverage of important events and hot topics at the conference.
Media delegates will:
– Submit an application for Media.
– Cover events and create content at the local level.
– Complete 2-3 assignments:
– YG Promo
– YG Op-Ed
– YG Delegation Profile
– YG Research Short
– Meet all deadlines.
– Attend Pre-Gov.
– Cover events and create content at Model Gov.
– Adhere to the Code of Conduct.
Delegates will understand and practice the role of media in the government.
Through this process of “learning by doing,” delegates can choose from newspaper, broadcast, podcast, or social media.
Each position revolves around working on some aspect of media production: reporting the facts, writing, interviewing, commentary, layout and graphic design, photography, editing and production.
This program area is highly competitive, and students must fill out an application, as well as submit a sample of their work, to be considered for the team. Media selection will be made by the student Media Director and Specialist. Delegation Director approval is also required. Due to high demand, Media may be limited.
Get Ready to be a Media Delegate:
Media Guide PDF
Teaching presentation
Media content
Contact Media Leaders
Conference Resources:
Guidelines and Roles from 2026
Media Team Assignments – coming soon
Candidate Information
EXECUTIVE
These elected officials serve as student leaders for the entire program: Youth Governor, Youth Lieutenant Governor, Youth Secretary of State.
These elected officials are supported by the Governor’s Cabinet and the SOS Staff.
Get Ready to be an Executive Official:
Executive Guide PDF
Contact the Youth Governor
Conference Resources:
Priorities from the desk of the 2027 Youth Governor – coming soon
Governor’s Cabinet forms
Candidate Information
DELEGATE LEADERSHIP & STEERING COMMITTEE
2026/2027 Elected Positions
- Governor and Lt. Governor
- Audrey Jenkins / Elise Jackson
- Secretary of State
- Simon Moore
- President of the Senate
- Genny Polmatier
- Speaker of the Nelson Assembly
- Iris O’Reilly
- Speaker of the Harvey Assembly
- Riaan Abbi
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
- Ada Vieaux
- Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals
- Emily Ness
- Media Director
- Ayden Ruppel
Steering Committee
The steering committee is the student governing body of WI YG. All program changes first must be brought to the steering committee for the deliberation of the program participants. The intention of the steering committee is to give participants input over the direction of the program.
Read the WI YG Bylaws
Suggest changes to the WI YG Program Bylaws with this form:
DELEGATION DIRECTOR RESOURCES
Delegation Resources:
Program Area Guides: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Media
FAQs
Delegation Development Guide: info about getting started, finances, logistics
Delegation Planning Guide: calendars/schedules, informational meeting ideas, activity ideas
Delegations will:
- Serve as a local connection to WI YG for delegates.
- Provide leadership opportunities and practice for delegates.
- Offer resources and aid to prepare delegates to be successful at WI YG conferences.
State Office will:
- Keep official records and rosters for delegates and adults.
- Set and collect program dues.
- Set program dates and locations.
- Prepare program materials: program area toolkits, legislative dockets, judicial cases, media organization.
- Organize and run elections.
Adult Leadership (more info)
Local Delegation Roles
Delegation Director: Each delegation is headed by a Delegation Director. They are the direct contact with the YG State Office.
The Delegation Director’s job is to facilitate a learning experience for youth that develops the individuality of each participant. The Delegation Director’s job is also to facilitate a positive experience for the young people who participate in the program. Delegation Directors are always present to act as resources in assisting youth in carrying out their roles.
Delegations require additional adults to support meetings and conferences.
Roles and responsibilities will be determined by the Delegation Director. Additional adults also provide an adult presence for safety and Youth & Government Delegation Directors and adults must be knowledgeable, prepared, organized, and responsible. An overall knowledge of state government is far less important in this case than the ability to interact with and relate to the delegates in a responsible, professional, and organized way.
Conference Roles
Program Specialist: Specialists have the responsibility of managing all delegates and YG Volunteers in their program area. They provide supervision and assistance to all delegates in their program area, including the Elected/Appointed Officials, and manage more program specific information and tasks.
YG Volunteer: YG Volunteers provide overall supervision and assistance to all delegates, as well as assistance to Program Specialists.
Chaperone: Chaperones have the responsibility of managing their individual delegates and other tasks at the direction of their Delegation Director.
Delegations must have 1 adult for every 10 youth. Adults may be full-time program staff, part-time staff, or volunteers, although all volunteers must undergo a background check annually.
Plan to attend the following events. Check with the state office for exact dates, as they change annually.
-Pre-Government Session
-Model Government Conference
NOTE: Adults are also needed to work with students to supervise/chaperone national events, including the Conference on National Affairs (CONA) in North Carolina, the National Judicial Competition, National Advocacy Days in Washington DC, and more. If you are interested in assisting, please contact the State Director.