Start a YAG Program
In Your Community
Students starting YAG
We love to see new Youth and Government programs start with a single student! The YAG team is here to help. Make sure to click the link above to schedule a strategy session. We’ll point you in the right direction to launch a Delegation!
- Secure a sponsor for the Delegation. Try these options and let us know if you’d like someone from the YAG staff to join a meeting.
- Meet with your High School Activities Director
- Contact your Local YMCA
- Reach out to your local government (city council, county clerk, village board)
- Research Non-Profit Organization that invests in students in your area
- Find an Advisor. You need an adult to help organize, work with and chaperone the students of a delegation. We have materials to walk them through the year and to help along the way. Look for:
- A Teacher (social studies, government, econ)
- A parent with a passion for civic engagement
- Local attorney
- Retired educator, judge, council member
- Contact Illinois YMCA Youth and Government state office with intent to participate
- Start recruiting! Spread the word about your new club by word-of-mouth, flyers, and/or presentations so that many students have a chance to learn what Youth and Government in Illinois is all about.
- Build a Student Leadership Team. Youth and Government is student led and works best as a team. Make sure to empower the student delegates to lead the club.
Starting a YAG in your High School
The majority of our delegations are sponsored by local High Schools. Reach out to our state Youth and Government office to talk about the best way to help you set one up! Here are a few steps to get you started:
- Find an Advisor. You’ll need an adult to help organize, work with and chaperone the students of a delegation. We have materials to walk you through the year and to help along the way. Hopefully that’s you!
- Find a Student Champion.. The most successful launches have an enthusiastic adult and student banging the drum.
- Contact Illinois YMCA Youth and Government state office with intent to participate.
- Start recruiting! Spread the word about your new club by word-of-mouth, flyers, and/or presentations so that many students have a chance to learn what Youth and Government in Illinois is all about.
- Start registering your delegation!
- Build a Student Leadership Team. Youth and Government is student led and works best as a team. Make sure to empower the student delegates to lead the club.
Adults starting YAG
We love to see new Youth and Government programs start with a passionate adult! The YAG team is here to help. Make sure to click the link above to schedule a strategy session. We’ll point you in the right direction to launch a Delegation!
- Secure a sponsor for the Delegation. Try these options and let us know if you’d like someone from the YAG staff to join a meeting.
- Meet with your local High School Activities Director
- Contact your Local YMCA
- Reach out to your local government (city council, county clerk, village board)
- Research Non-Profit Organization that invests in students in your area
- Find an Advisor. You need an adult to help organize, work with and chaperone the students of a delegation. We have materials to walk them through the year and to help along the way. We hope this is you, but if not, look for:
- A Teacher (social studies, government, economics)
- A parent with a passion for civic engagement
- Local attorney
- Retired educator, judge, council member
- Contact Illinois YMCA Youth and Government state office with intent to participate
- Start recruiting! Spread the word about your new club by word-of-mouth, flyers, and/or presentations so that many students have a chance to learn what Youth and Government in Illinois is all about.
- Build a Student Leadership Team. Youth & Government is student led and works best as a team. Make sure to empower the student delegates to lead the club.
Investing in Leaders
