iowa girls state information for citizens and parents

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Page 1: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents
Page 2: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Iowa Girls StateInformation for Citizens and Parents

Page 3: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Welcome!

Congratulations on your selection to Iowa Girls State, one of the premiere programs of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary.

This presentation will prepare you to attend the Girls State session this summer, and attempt to answer any questions you might have at this time.

Page 4: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

The first Girls State was held in 1946, so you will become part of a rich tradition.

This year's session is

June 17-22

Held at

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa

Meetings in Scheman Building

Eating/Sleeping in Maple-Willow-Larch complex

Page 5: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Registration

Sunday, June 17 from 10:AM to Noon

Scheman Building

This includes:

time to register

go to your dorm room to unload your belongings

lunch (on your own!)

time to change into a skirt/dress

Plan to arrive early - NO late registrations!

Page 6: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Most floors meet together around 12:30 so they can all walk together to the Scheman building for Opening Ceremonies.

Again, arrive with plenty of time before your first meeting - sometimes what takes the longest is getting to your room - elevators and stairwells can only accommodate so many people at once!

Page 7: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Party District Caucus

One of your first meetings at Girls State

Based on your assigned (fictitious) political party

All members of same party

Your "neighborhood"

About 10 people

Get to know each other - you will spend a lot of time with this group!

Select State Central committeewoman, District Secretary, Election Official, City Reporter

Page 8: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Selected at District Caucus

State Central Committee

This citizen represents your small group on the state central committee, who will develop the party platform (list of most important issues that your party supports)

These citizens often go on to run for Governor or other state officials - they know what their party wants and what issues are important

Anyone interested?

Page 9: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

District Secretary

Fills out forms at this meeting

Can go on to fill any other office after this meeting

Page 10: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Election Official

Prepares poll books, works the polls at the elections

Counts the ballots at each election

Responsible for keeping results a secret until publicized

Name cannot be on the ballot, so cannot run for any office

Page 11: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

City Reporter

Also selected on Sunday afternoon

Writes for the Hawkeye Herald, the state newspaper of Girls State

Cannot be an Election Official or State Central Committee (meetings are at the same time)

Questions candidates during campaign stops

Page 12: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Your First Afternoon

SO many ways to get involved!

All of the former Governors and citizens of Girls State say you get out of the experience what you put into it - take the opportunity to get involved on Sunday afternoon.

Don't just sit back and watch - become government in action!

Take a moment to discuss with a partner what office you might consider on that first day.

Page 13: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Girls State Schedule Overview

Guest Speakers: amazing women who are former Girls Staters and an assortment of elected and appointed government officials from across the state of Iowa

Chorus rehearsal: Everyone sings! You will be amazed at how wonderful the chorus sounds at the end of the week as part of the Inauguration ceremony

Messages from the Girls State Governor and President of the Iowa Department of American Legion Auxiliary

Government! District on Sunday; City starts on Monday; State/County starts on Tuesday

Walking back and forth from the dorm to Scheman - wear comfortable shoes!

Food, fun, and friends!

Page 14: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Flag Ceremony

Iowa Girls State is sponsored by the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary, a patriotic organization.

Each day, Girls State citizens raise and lower the flag in a special ceremony.

Please invite your family to attend the final flag lowering on Friday evening at 5:00, at our flag pole near CY Stephens Auditorium, after which we will hold our Inauguration of the State Officials and presentation of scholarships.

Page 15: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Service Projects

Please bring bags of white, unpopped (NOT microwave) popcorn for the Iowa Veterans Home

Please bring $2 for materials to make storybooks for Operation Military Kids

We will be able to present our gifts to those organizations when their representative visits Girls State

Page 16: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

The Power of Your Vote

Your vote is powerful

Every vote counts, and at Girls State, every citizen votes in every election

Many races are decided by only one vote

Wouldn't it be amazing if all elections had 100% participation?

Page 17: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Packing for Girls State

• Umbrella

• Jacket

• Sunglasses

• Camera

• Alarm clock

• Water Bottle

• Samsung Scholarship documents (if you qualify to apply - remember ALL documents!)

• Cell phone (but NEVER use it during meetings)

• Comfortable shoes

Page 18: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

• Towels/wash cloth/pillow (the University does provide linens, but only 2 towels, 1 wash cloth, bedding/pillow)

• At least 4 dresses/skirts, plus 3 pairs dress pants (or more dresses/skirts)

• You must wear a skirt/dress when guest speakers are present, and you'll want to look professional when running for office

• Dress down does not mean athletic shorts or jeans/jean shorts - bring khaki shorts or something similar

Page 19: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

• Evenings after meetings and free time in the dorms you can wear casual clothes (athletic shorts, sweats, etc)

• Prom dress for Inauguration

• Money for Wednesday lunch, ISU bookstore

• Money for snacks, or items at the Girls State store (the Girls State store is open Sunday during registration for parent shopping, too)

• DO NOT bring pre-printed campaign material! Campaign supplies are provided.

Page 20: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Other Points of Interest

Lights out is at 11:PM - get your sleep, because each day is packed with activity!

All citizens attend all sessions, including flag ceremonies, meetings, and meals

There is little free time between meetings, so visitors are discouraged

Staff members are volunteers - either members of the American Legion Auxiliary or former Girls Staters

Page 21: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Iowa Girls State

• is an educational opportunity which will make government and politics come alive

• is run as close to Iowa law as possible

• has a stellar reputation, and the expectation that you will act accordingly to maintain our image

• is a once in a lifetime experience where you will learn a great deal about government, about yourself, and about some new people who will become close friends by the time you leave on Friday

Page 22: Iowa Girls State Information for Citizens and Parents

Questions?

American Legion Auxiliary Department Office

515-282-7987

[email protected]

ia.legion.org/ala (click on the Girls State tab on the upper left part of the menu)

Girls State Board Members:

Wendy Riggle, director

Bev Copple, Mary Andersen

Martha Travis, Department President

Marlene Valentine, Department Secretary/Treasurer