Transcript Document

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.
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
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!
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!
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
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?
District Secretary
Fills out forms at this meeting
Can go on to fill any other office after this
meeting
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
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
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.
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!
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.
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
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?
Packing for Girls State
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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
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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
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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.
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
Iowa Girls State
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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
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