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 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 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

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

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 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

Questions? American Legion Auxiliary Department Office 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

First District Girls State Chairman Mary Andersen Please feel free to contact me with questions! I will be ing you a copy of this presentation (sharing with Google docs)