Transcript OCONUS 2014 - Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

The American Legion
Boys State of Missouri
2015 Session
Democracy Depends On Me
Purpose
To offer a unique leadership and citizenship
opportunity for selected young men who
have successfully completed their junior
year of high school and who are attending
high schools Outside the Continental United
States (OCONUS).
We have up to eight slots for
male military dependent students
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An Immersion Civics Experience
• Participation in Missouri Boys State provides a
unique opportunity for young men who are military
dependent students living OCONUS – gives them
similar opportunities as their Stateside peers
• Immersion of future leaders into a motivating and
fulfilling program
• Expansion of the horizons of the youth of Missouri
to the challenges experienced by Military
Dependents – AND vice versa
• Strengthen the bonds between “Heartland
America” and America’s military families stationed
outside the Continental United States
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MBS – “What We Are”
• A hands-on government-in-action experience
• A fast-moving and dynamic immersion into a
“mythical 51st State”
• An evolving and energetic program established
in 1938
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MBS – “What We Are”
Without question, the finest leadership
experience in the country
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Participation Benefits
• Enhance leadership skills
• Develop an understanding of the privileges,
rights, and responsibilities as citizens
• Increase knowledge and appreciation for the
workings and individual involvement in
government, starting at the local level
• Opportunity for 2 or 3 hours of college credit
• Opportunity for college scholarship funds
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Where and When?
• June 13 through June 20, 2015
• University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
• About 45 minutes east of Kansas City
• About 90 minutes east of Kansas City Int’l Airport
(MCI)
• About 10 minutes west of Whiteman AFB
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The Program
960+ young men from Missouri high schools
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Two political parties: Nationalist & Federalist
16 Cities (with 3 wards) of 60 citizens
8 Counties of 2 Cities
Complete Political Party Organizations
• Ward
• City
• County
• State
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The Program – Cities & Counties
• 16 Cities of 60 citizens each
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Mayor & City Council
Municipal Court
Chief of Police
City Reporter
• 8 Counties of 2 Cities each
• County Commission (executive body)
• Circuit Judge
• County Sheriff
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The Program - Media
• Television
• Daily taped broadcast shown at each
evening general assembly (Supported by UCM)
• Radio
• Nightly broadcast on KCMW-FM the
University station (Supported by UCM)
• Newspaper
• MBS Record is the daily newspaper
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The Program - State
• Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney
General, etc.
• All elected and appointed
executive positions
• State Legislature
• Senate (3 elected from each city)
• House of Representatives (6 elected from each city)
• State Supreme Court
• State Highway Patrol
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Schools of Instruction
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Campaigning & Political Operations
Law
Legislative
Law Enforcement
Media
Public Administration
Some Past Keynote Speakers
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Lt. General Robert “Boomer” E. Milstead, Jr.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
Kansas City Mayor Sly James
Presidential Advisor David Axelrod
Senator Roy Blunt
Secretary of State Jason Kander
White House Fellow Eric Greitens
Speakers from Previous Years
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Bob Woodward
Senator John C. Danforth
Honorable Richard Armitage
Governor Mike Huckabee
Honorable Robert M. Gates
General Wesley Clark
Senator Bill Bradley
Honorable William S. Cohen
Honorable William Perry
Ms. Lisa Myers
Mr. David Gergen
Representative J. C. Watts
Mr. Paul Begala
Governor Bob Holden
Mr. Mike Peters
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Honorable John Bolton
Representative Emanuel Cleaver
Governor Matt Blunt
Senator William Proxmire
Senator Paul Tsongas
Senator Lamar Alexander
Senator Kit Bond
Honorable Stephen Limbaugh
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
Mr. James Carville
General Ed Eberhart
Lieutenant General Martin Steele
Major General Charles Bolden
Honorable Edward “Chip” Robertson
- Missouri Boys State Alumnus
- Other Boys State Alumnus
MBS Staff
• A volunteer organization
• Only two full-time positions in MBS Headquarters at
the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO
• During each June MBS session our staff surges
to over 130 dedicated volunteers - nearly all
staff are former MBS citizens
• Attorneys, Businessmen, Educators, Doctors, Military
Officers (active and retired)
• Judges, Highway Patrolmen, Political Consultants
• College Students
• UCM Faculty and Administrative personnel
• American Legionnaires
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MBS Staff
• Two or more Counselors full-time with each MBS City
• City Counselors typically have
3-10 years MBS staff experience
• Assistant City Counselors have
1-2 years MBS staff experience
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Additional Opportunities
• Over $2,000,000 in Scholarships available to
MBS citizens
• Opportunity for 2 or 3 hours college credit
from the University of Central Missouri
• Two MBS Citizens chosen to represent Missouri
at Boys Nation during the July event in
Washington, DC
• One MBS Citizen chosen as Citizen of the
Week earning an $8,000 scholarship
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MBS – What We Are NOT
• An athletic camp
• A mini Boot Camp or OCS
• A passive learning experience
• A classroom-oriented workshop
(computer camp)
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Participation
• Open to OCONUS male military dependent
students regardless of their parents’ home
state – we do NOT limit applications to
Missouri residents
• Offered to OCONOUS schools only;
“mainland” (CONUS) schools must utilize their
local Boys State programs
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MBS Citizens’ Views
Alex Frangoulis, MBS 2004
“I also learned so much not only at becoming a better leader, but
also about Grady Pennell’s (Kadena) culture and background. Grady
came from a background that was very unfamiliar to most of us and
it was interesting to hear about it. I felt I gained more knowledge
about different people's lifestyles from him. It is because of these
reasons that I feel that it is very important to continue having
military dependents attend Missouri Boys State. The reason is they
are not only great leaders and can teach us all about great leadership
qualities, but they also can enlighten us all about different cultures
and lifestyles they may have encountered. I hope you continue to
have military dependents attend Missouri Boys State, and know that I
am strongly in favor of it.”
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MBS Citizens’ Views
Justin Lueck, MBS 2004
“I feel that it is very important to allow overseas citizens to attend
MBS. It gives them an opportunity to interact with Missourians, and it
also gives us a chance to ask him about where he lives. Grady was
an awesome guy to be around. He was very interested in Boys State
and was very active.”
Charlie Rusher, MBS 2004
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“I think the DoDEA program that Missouri Boys State offers is a great
idea. I think giving the kids who are overseas the same opportunity
as we have is a very important thing. I feel that this is important
because having Grady Pennell (Kadena), not only in my city but also
as my roommate, made me really appreciate the program and the
experience that it offers. Talking to Grady, I learned where he was
from, how similar we both really are, and some of the differences in
culture of the place that he lives. I think he really got a lot out of
the program and was very thankful for the opportunity that Boys
State had to offer.”
MBS Citizens’ Views
Rob Hicklin, MBS 2004
“I feel that it is important for young Americans everywhere to have a
chance to see how our government works. I thought that it was cool
that Daniel Storm (Rota) could go to MBS and he added to the
"melting pot" of diversity at Boys State. I hope that in the future it will
be possible for other overseas Americans will be able to attend Boys
State.”
Jacob Colbert, MBS 2004
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“I think it is vitally important that all citizens of America be given the
opportunity to attend a Boys State Program somewhere in the
country. If they live on a military base, each adult citizen is given the
chance to vote, so each youth needs the chance to learn that
"Democracy Depends on Me." It benefits the other members of Boys
State by allowing them to get a new perspective on what it is like to
be a U.S. citizen in a foreign country.”
MBS Counselor View
Tanner Bone, MBS 2014 Boone City Counselor
“Christopher was a pleasure to have in the city. Though quiet at first,
he really came into his own by the end of the week. Being from a
military family stationed in a foreign country, Christopher certainly
brought something different to the table that many of his peers were
interested in. I was able to see many of the citizens ask Christopher
about his life in Korea (he even taught them a few Korean words!),
and he was able to learn a great deal from his peers as well. The
uniqueness of a citizen from a military stationed family is an
experience many citizens would not experience otherwise, and is
certainly a valuable addition to the Missouri Boys State program.”
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Military Dependent
MBS Citizens’ Views
• Missouri Boys State was life changing!! I learned so much! It’s amazing
how much can be taught in one week! Coming from Spain and going to
Missouri (where I had never been) was extremely hard, but MBS ended
up changing my life. Not only was I exposed to leadership opportunities,
but I also made TONS of friends!
• I already know a few people that want to go back to MBS. It’s a
program that every junior in high school would want to get involved
with. I’ll be sure to get a bunch of people to apply for it this year,
hopefully we can have Rota represented again next summer!!
Daniel Storm, Carver City, MBS 2004
DGF High School, Rota, Spain
Daniel Storm was sponsored by the Iberian Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa
• This week proved to be one to shape a lifetime. At MBS I learned many
things. In that week I found things out about myself. I found that I am
not afraid to take charge of a situation; I also found that I am able to
speak to large groups of people with relative ease.
Ian Payne, Blair City, MBS 2007
DGF High School, Rota, Spain
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Parents’ View
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We are back in Spain and getting ready to start a new school year. It is always with
mixed feelings that we return abroad (Spain), leaving extended family and friends
back in the States.
Daniel's summer, this year, was certainly punctuated by his participation in Missouri
Boys State. He enthusiastically expressed that MBS helped him gain leadership
skills, become part of a community with stateside peers, and experience American
government in action. Daniel has lived in an overseas military community all of his
life, he has studied American government and participated in a high school
curriculum that is very similar to stateside students. Yet, he has never seen a
community elect a mayor or congressman. He was awestruck by democracy in
action and came back as one proud American citizen.
We thank you for opening your program to boys that are from DoDDs overseas
locations. Your ongoing communication, careful transportation planning, and warm
welcome for Daniel made him feel a part of the "Missouri community"
immediately. Without hesitation we will encourage Rota High School to sponsor a
student with support of a local organization.
Please extend our appreciation to all those that made Daniel's participation
possible. Your team must be a fabulous group of caring and committed MBS admin.
and staff! There is now a fond place in Daniel's heart for Missouri!
Kindest regards, Jill and Richard Storm, 2004
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Past Participation
2014
2010
2008
2007
2007
2006
2005
- Christopher Hyde, Seoul HS, Korea (DSF, sponsor)
- Stephen Schaefer, DGF HS, Rota, Spain (Phi Delta Kappa, sponsor)
- Luke Moragne, DGF HS, Rota, Spain (Phi Delta Kappa, sponsor)
- Zachary Collins, DGF HS, Rota, Spain (Officers and Civilians Spouses’
Club; Overseas Federation of Teachers; Phi Delta Kappa, all
sponsors)
- Ian Payne, DGF HS, Rota, Spain (Phi Delta Kappa, sponsor)
- Aaron Ellison, Hanau HS, Germany (Pioneer Military Loans, sponsor)
- Christopher McGlamery, DGF HS, Rota, Spain
(Phi Delta Kappa, sponsor)
 Christopher was selected as first runner-up for Citizen of the Week; he was
nominated by his MBS city (60 citizens) as best representing MBS during the
week; then he competed against 15 other city nominees for the honor of
“Citizen of the Week”. The Citizen of the Week qualifies for an $8,000
scholarship.
2005
2004
2003
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- Jonathan Hersack, Osan HS, Korea (VFW Post #10216, sponsor)
- Daniel Storm, DGF HS, Rota, Spain
- Grady Pennell, Kadena HS, Okinawa, Japan
- Herald Oertwig, Osan HS, Korea
The Preferred Selection Process
• High School Principal or Counselor
chairs a nomination committee
• Experience has shown that classmate popular
vote is not a good selection process
• Criteria can be boiled down to:
• Demonstrated leadership
• Demonstrated academic achievement
• Demonstrated desire to attend MBS
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The Preferred Selection Process
• The Sponsor
• Provides the $550 MBS Session fee
• Can be a community service organization,
commercial enterprise
• Can NOT be individuals related to the
selected candidate
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The Preferred Selection Process
• Do not allow sponsors, parents, other
relatives or friends to influence the selection
process
• Bottom Line: The acquisition of a Sponsor
must be separate and distinct from the
selection of an individual student.
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After Selection
• Propose one Primary and one Alternate
• Have Primary Candidate and Alternate complete
an application (available on our website –
www.moboysstate.org)
• Send proposed candidates’ applications with
two photographs directly to MBS Headquarters
for formal approval early in 2015 but no later
than March 1st
• The photographs will be used for positive
identification when they arrive at MBS
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The Cost Is The Challenge
2015 MBS Fee for OCONUS military dependent
participants is $550
• Full MBS Program
• Food, Dormitory, and Group Accident Insurance
• Transportation to/from Kansas City International
Airport (MCI)
Travel to/from MBS must be funded by either the
family or other sources.
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The Cost Is The Challenge
• A Sponsor must be secured to cover the MBS fee
• MBS fee may be acquired from one or a
combination of sponsors
• Sponsor contributions are recognized in the
annual yearbook, A Week to Shape A Lifetime,
and on our website
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The Cost Is The Challenge
• Recommend about $50 spending money
• MBS T-shirt
• Other MBS logo items
• Sodas/snacks
• Recommend overseas military dependents
travel with US Dollars and a means to
communicate with Missouri Boys State staff
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The Cost Is The Challenge
• MBS can NOT cover Citizen’s airfare
• Airfare must be provided either by the sponsor
or the MBS Citizen’s family
• MBS can and will arrange/provide
transportation to/from KC International
Airport
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The Cost Is The Challenge
• Individual OCONUS schools and their
community groups must find sponsors for:
• The $550 fee
• Some assistance for overseas travel expenses
• Fundraising must start early
• To date, participation has been limited solely
due to money, while interest has been
consistently high
• Some families have scheduled their college
visits around the MBS session, saving a
second summer trip to the states
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Possible Sources of Funding
• Headquarters/Units
• Officers/SNCO Wives Clubs
• Local military service Chapters
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American Legion
VFW
AUSA and/or USMA Association of Graduates
AFA and/or USAFA Alumni Association
Navy League and/or USNA Alumni Association
Marine Corps League
PTA
Student Government
Phi Delta Kappa, Honor Societies
Rotary, Kiwanis, Toastmasters, etc.
Targeted fundraising
Local civilian corporate sponsors
Others
• Combinations of
sponsors can and
should be considered
in order to achieve
the required funding
• Start fundraising well
before the nominees
are selected
Missouri Boys State 2015
• We are striving to expand our outreach to more
OCONUS high schools
• We can accommodate up to 8 qualified young
men from OCONUS high schools
MBS will review and accept qualified applicants
on a first come, first served basis.
OCONUS Applications are due to MBS HQ by
March 1st
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MBS Program Details
• Our web site contains more information:
http://www.moboysstate.org
• Information on other Boys State and Girls State
programs can be found at:
http://www.boysandgirlsstate.org
• Our publication, A Week To Shape A Lifetime,
may be requested from our Headquarters:
The American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Inc.
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P.O. Box 667
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 429-2761
(877) DIAL-MBS (toll free)
(660) 429-2753 (fax)
[email protected]
Points of Contact
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Bettie Rusher, MBS Manager, Development and Administration
The American Legion Boys State of Missouri
P.O. Box 667
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 429-2761 Office
[email protected]
(877) 342-5627 (DIAL-MBS) Toll Free
(660) 429-2753 Fax
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Mike Plunkett, MBS Director
(913) 314-3825
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Rusty Jones, MBS Board of Directors – Colonel, USMC (Ret)
(703) 395-1113
[email protected]
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Garry Haase, MBS Board of Directors and Senior Staff – LtCol, USAF
(850) 882-8033
[email protected]
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M. Denton Mitcham, MBS Board of Directors and Senior Staff – CPT, Army (Iraq Vet)
(256) 289-0915
[email protected]
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[email protected]
Thank you!
Background Information
Relationships with Other Programs
• National overview: www.boysandgirlsstate.org
• Each Boys State program is unique to its home state
• Within each state, the Boys and Girls State programs are run
independently of the other
• The American Legion has a National HQ, but does not direct or
control individual Boys State programs
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• Girls State programs are administered by the American
Legion Auxiliary, and not the American Legion
• Missouri Boys State is incorporated independently from
the American Legion Department of Missouri. We work
as a close team to maintain a first-class program
• This initiative is offered only to OCONUS military
dependents and not to DoDEA schools in the
Continental U.S. (CONUS) – students in CONUS DoDEA
schools must apply to their home state programs