Superior Days 2017 Youth Training

Welcome to Superior Days 2017

Training Session #1November 7, 2016

www.superiordays.com

http://www.superiordays.com/


Today’s Objectives:

Review Superior Days history Issues: Legislative vs. Agency What to Expect in Madison Next Steps Issues: Begin to Brainstorm




Youth Delegation Objectives: Increase knowledge of local & regional issues Growth in awareness of how local & state

governments operate Develop leadership skills Help facilitate change by influencing elected

officials Network Increase community involvement & civic

engagement



Superior DaysAn annual grassroots community-based effort to

bring issues of importance in Northwest Wisconsin to the attention of state officials.

Superior Days began in 1985.

It’s about action and change.Messages are delivered directly and personally throughout party lines. Youth play a key role in

messages being heard!

The process enhances local knowledge of issues in need of resolution, local leadership, and regional cooperation between citizens and

government leaders to solve problems.

What is it?



Youth Delegation

Youth delegates come from schools, 4-H clubs and Youth in Governance programs.

Each youth group has adult chaperones. They arrange and pay for transportation and hotel rooms.

Students must register themselves on the Superior Days website.

Students pay for any extra activities such as shopping and dining on State Street and may have to also buy

food while traveling.

What is it?



Youth Delegation

While in Madison youth delegates will lobby alongside adults, talking to elected officials

about issues researched beforehand.

Members of the adult delegation will help you practice your lobbying skills before

meeting with legislators.

Other opportunities for youth delegates besides lobbying may include job shadowing, attending agency meetings, touring Madison

and checking out the UW campus.

What is it?



It Makes a DifferenceExamples of past accomplishments:

~ 1986 Increased State Funding for Tourism Promotion

~ 1990 MN/WI Reciprocity for Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Services

~ 1995 Expansion of U.S. Highway 53~ 1995 Northern Lakes Visitor Center

~ 2005 Controlling the Spread of Invasive Species~ 2010 Lake Superior National Estuarine Research

Reserve

Why do it?

For a more comprehensive list, go to:http://superiordays.com/welcome-to-superior-days/achievements-3/


http://superiordays.com/welcome-to-superior-days/achievements-3/


It Makes a DifferenceTake a moment to discuss the impact of at least 3 of these

issues.Why are they important? What good are they doing?

~ 1986 Increased State Funding for Tourism Promotion~1990 MN/WI Reciprocity for Mental Health & Chemical

Dependency Services~ 1995 Expansion of U.S. Highway 53~ 1995 Northern Lakes Visitor Center

~ 2005 Controlling the Spread of Invasive Species~ 2010 Lake Superior National Estuarine Research

Reserve

Why do it?



http://www.northerngreatlakescenter.org/

http://lsnerr.uwex.edu/

http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/research/economic-impact

Legislative vs. Agency Issues

Legislative issues have a widespread impact on Northern Wisconsin and require support from the

state legislature. In short, a law must be passed or amended to create change.

Issues




Agency issues do not require legislative action, only the support of the respective agency.

Most of the agencies are within state departments and issues may be either regional or more local.

Examples:Department of Public Instruction (DPI)Department of Natural Resources (DNR)Department of Agriculture, Trade

& Consumer Protection (DATCP)Department of Health Services (DHS)

Issues



http://dnr.wi.gov/

http://dpi.wi.gov/

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/

Legislative vs. Agency IssuesWhich kind of issues are these?

Who would you lobby for change?

Example #1A company is interested in mining in the area and

there are concerns about the environmental impact.

Example #2A change in the state tax formula has resulted in

less state dollars for school funding.

Issues



Legislative vs. Agency IssuesWhich kind of issues are these?

Who would you lobby for change?

Example #3Regulations regarding lake shoreline

development.

Example #4Your community is experiencing an increasing demand for mental health services among its

youth.

Issues




The youth & adult delegations always combine for legislative issues. Teams of 4 – 7 people are

formed and assigned to call on several offices at the Capitol. There is a specific time frame when

everyone visits with representatives and senators, but officials will sometimes spend extra time with

youth. Consider contacting your area representative to set up a separate meeting to

learn more about what he/she is working on that will benefit your community. They may even be

willing to meet with you in the evening.

How to lobby




Agency visits often times consist of attending agency meetings, not lobbying a specific official.

Superior Days 2016 saw a reduced schedule for Superior Days in order to attract more business

partners. This resulted in fewer agency meetings in general and none were organized for members of the

youth delegation.We are waiting to see if we have room for agency

visits in 2017.

How to lobby



Presentation Tips

Youth voices are equal to those of adults while lobbying. Actually, youth voices often have a greater impact!

Each of you will be the main presenter for an issue of your choosing, either a youth issue or one of the adults’.

State officials enjoy seeing youth participating in civic engagement and tend to listen more attentively to what you have to say. They appreciate authenticity and lack of “spin”. Plan a short conversation rather than a big

presentation.

That being said, you still have to be prepared!

How to lobby



Presentation Tips

Look people in the eye and shake hands

Be respectful despite party ties

Know who you’re talking to

Appearances Matter

Know your stuff

Tell a story

How to lobby



Job Shadowing

In past years students have had the opportunity to follow an adult for a couple of hours to get a

glimpse of what their job is like. Elected officials and their office staff have been the most common but agency personnel or business employees have

also offered their time.

Job shadowing assignments are usually made by Douglas County staff and available as the

schedule allows.

OtherEvents in Madison



Youth Banquet

Held on Monday night, the Youth Banquet is a nice dinner at our hotel that features a Keynote

Speaker of your choosing.

Past Keynotes have included Senators, State Representatives, Supreme Court justices, agency

department heads and business leaders.




Youth Introduction of Keynote Speakers

Youth introduce all of the Keynote Speakers during Superior Days: The opening presentation on

Monday, the youth banquet Monday night and the main Keynote Speaker on Tuesday. The governor is always the first person invited to speak as the main

Keynote.

Youth who introduce speakers will need to prepare a short introduction highlighting the speaker’s

background. They are expected to dress well and stay up front to shake hands with the speaker as

they step to the podium.




Tours & ActivitiesMadison has many sightseeing and learning opportunities that are free, and most do not

need to be scheduled.

Groups are welcome to arrive in Madison early (or stay later) in order to make time for more of

these activities.

There will be a sign-up sheet at the December meeting for activities that have limited space.




http://dcsmithgreenhouse.cals.wisc.edu/

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/2015/8/21/GEN_2014010149.aspx

Tours & ActivitiesCapitol Building Legislative Session

Geology Museum UW Biotechnology

Chazen Art Museum Physics Museum

Overture Theater tour PBS studio tour

Natural History Museum War Museum

D.C. Smith Greenhouse (features interiorscaping)

Other: Suggestions Welcome!




http://www.overture.org/

State Street

State Street is a mile and half long and extends from the Capitol Building to the UW-Madison

campus.

Most of it is a pedestrian mall and features many shops and restaurants. It is a fun place to go and most youth delegation members head there after

the Youth Banquet.

Our lodging, the Concourse Hotel, is 1 block away.




http://www.visitdowntownmadison.com/visitor/index.php

Training #2Monday, December 5th

6:00 – 8:00 pmAgenda:~ Overview of Superior Days 2017 schedule~ Review of expectations~ Youth Issue (s) will be chosen~ Keynote Speaker for Youth Banquet chosen~ Sign up if interested in introducing speakers~ Sign up for possible tours and job shadowing

Mandatory for all youth delegation members

NextSteps



What you should be doing as an individual:

~ Check your email for updates.

~ Pay special attention to local & regional news.

~ Try to attend a city council or county board meeting. Or ask to meet with an elected official, local business owner, school board member, or an employee of an agency that is directly effected by the issue you’re interested in.

NextSteps

Douglas County Board


Bayfield County Board Ashland County Board

Iron County Board


http://www.douglascountywi.org/

http://www.bayfieldcounty.org/295/Board-of-Supervisors

http://www.co.ashland.wi.us/county-board

http://www.co.iron.wi.gov/Localgov_council.asp?locid=180

Possible Issues

Before leaving, take some time to discuss possible issues.

~ Have an idea for an issue? Post it on the Superior Days website! mailto:[email protected]

Your issue will have more traction if you do some research.

NextSteps


Check our website for past issues you might want to revisit.

Bayfield County Large-Scale Livestock Study Committee Report and Recommendations to the Bayfield Bounty Board http://bayfield.uwex.edu/files/2015/12/Preliminary-Committee-Report_Dec-3.pdf

mailto:[email protected]


http://bayfield.uwex.edu/files/2015/12/Preliminary-Committee-Report_Dec-3.pdf

http://bayfield.uwex.edu/files/2015/12/Preliminary-Committee-Report_Dec-3.pdf

http://superiordays.com/issues-2/past-superior-days-issues/2016-issues/douglas-county-superior-days-2016-focus-issues/

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Superior Days 2017 Youth Training

Government & Nonprofit