Teen Gov

Check Both Sides Of A Political Debate

admin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Politics can be overwhelming if you do not understand how the game is played. It is important for people to be able to be unbiased when it comes to political issues. You should check both sides of a debate to see how you feel about an issue. Many people just hear what they want to hear when an issue is being debated. They do not take the time to really listen to what the opposing side has to say about an argument.Is this new to you? Catch up here

In politics, there is typically a winner or a loser. However, in today’s day and age it seems like more and more Americans want their politicians to listen to each other and be able to negotiate a compromise. Young people need to learn that political issues really do matter and they can impact your life for the better or the worse. Hot button issues like entitlement programs, abortion, gay marriage, unemployment, and immigration can really change the lives of people and how they are able to legally do things.

By listening to both sides of a debate people can become more educated about subjects and then be able to draw a knowledgeable conclusion based on the facts that have been presented to them. This improves politics for everyone and allows voters to be able to have their concerns heard and addressed.

Take A Friend To Your Local City Council Meeting

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One great idea for people to do is to take a friend along to a city council meeting. People should ask a good friend to come with them to a meeting so that they can learn about how their city operates behind the scenes. It is important to begin to learn about politics by seeing how things work at a local level. When you live in a city, the city council plays a big role in your life. For example, city ordinances and budgets really impact how a city is run. The city council has a lot of power and they can impact small businesses and others in the community. Politics can be very messy and for people to understand the political process, they need to get up close and personal and see how things are done. It is a good idea to bring a notebook and take notes about the items that are discussed.

By bringing a friend, it is easy to discuss the events that took place after the meeting has ended. People need to play a bigger role in the political process or else their wishes will not be respected. By learning about how a city council works, people can become more active in their community and become more involved in helping others to understand how politics impacts their lives. This can lead to community action programs that help communities rise up and have more prosperity in the future.

Student Body Government Is Great Experience

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Student Body Government or student council is an extra-curricular activity or club that helps students who are interested in politics learn about the democratic process in a fun, structured environment. Joining this group is a great way to help students develop their leadership skills as well as learn how to interact with faculty and staff on behalf of the student population. It loosely mimics government in that way, because elected government officials represent the citizens in their district so does student government officials. There is an election process where hopefuls campaign, much in the same way elected government officials do and an election is held where a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, Sergeant of Arms, and fundraising officer are selected from the pool of candidates.

Members of the Student Body Government learn teamwork as they share share the interests, ideas, and concerns of the student body to teachers and staff. They are the mouthpiece of the students. Many members develop friendships with people who share similar goals and ideas and they have the opportunity to learn from others who have divergent ideas as well. It is not all work, it can be a really fun experience in that you have the opportunity to take trips to regional seminars and workshops as well as create and organize many fundraising activities like bake sales and car washes.

Your Voice Can Be Heard

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

No matter whether you’re Republican, Democrat or Green, everyone has a right to be heard. Young people especially have the numbers to make their votes count. Your political affiliation should be based on your personal ideals and values, so make sure you look into the different options available. Satellite internet from http://www.wildbluedeals.com/ is a great resource for researching the latest news, as well as for connecting with other passionate young people.

In order to discuss the political issues of the day, you have to know what they are, so make sure you do your research. Then, go out and register when you’re able to vote. You can also get a feel for the world of voting by participating in student elections, as a candidate, campaigner, or constituent. There are also many groups at schools and colleges where you can connect with people to debate political views in a friendly and intelligent manner.

The important thing to remember is that everyone’s opinion matters, including yours. With satellite internet, you can find plenty of resources to aid you in your journey. You can also talk with your parents to learn more about their opinions, and discuss any questions that you may have.

Working When Out of Work

www.teengov.org — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

While the United States economy as a whole has shown promise as of late, unemployment figures have lagged significantly behind other metrics on the road to recovery. This trend is particularly alarming to younger members of the community, lacking the relevant work experience to contend for desirable jobs fresh out of school. So often qualified individuals, thanks to no fault of their own such as study habits or natural aptitude, find difficulty in securing career-oriented work (excluding bartending/waitressing fall back options) directly out of college. With less jobs available market-wide, it follows than employers are receiving heightened numbers of resumes, even for entry level positions, from applicants who have advanced well-beyond entry level status in their career arc. What can you do as a young person with eyes on employment?Campaigns and local politicians are always looking for volunteers, rarely having too little work to go around. One problem for those seeking employment is enduring times of inactivity with nothing to show for it. Though youth unemployment may be an epidemic, employers still like to see some sort of involvement as opposed to resigning to inactivity. While you may not be compensated in dollars (or even cents), working for a politician can be a great chance to gain a valuable reference going forward, while demonstrating strong character through championing a cause and building basic networking and communication skills. Phone banking, for example, is considering tedious work, but a wealth of experience in the practice shows a high level of commitment and willingness to put in work, proven assets to potential employers.In some instances, volunteer work can turn into full time employment, if a situation within the office calls for a new hire, possibly circumventing the job board circuit all together. If nothing else, political volunteerism will help you to both market yourself and build connections to enhance future employment prospects.

Under 18? Don’t Sit Around Come Election Time

www.teengov.org — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:15:08 +0000

Just because you aren’t technically old enough to cast your vote in a ballot box, doesn’t mean you automatically have no voice in the democratic process. As long as an individual is mature enough to develop well thought out judgments on political issues, there is no prerequisite age to make a difference. Here are just a few ways you can make a difference in months leading up to election day.Volunteer Every young person has ample training at talking on the phone. Well, making phone calls is just one of many important tasks that running a successful political campaign requires. Similar activities may include stuffing envelopes, handing out fliers/t-shirts/goodies, putting up signs and recruiting other volunteers. Don’t expect to walk into any major administrative role, but every contribution counts on the campaign trail, just like every vote counts toward each candidate’s total. Don’t think presidential campaigns are the only ones requiring work either. Local and state government officials also need help and are more likely to let competent high school students get involved.Donate Even if you can’t contribute your time due to a demanding course load or heavy schedule of extra-curricular activities, cash donations are equally well received. Understandably, most teens have less discretionary income as they are yet to enter the full-time workforce, however even the smallest of financial contributions fall into very appreciative hands. If you feel as though contributing to a national campaign would be like dropping water into the ocean, consider contributing on an individual cause basis, directly supporting issues that may go underfunded.Write The power of the written word goes beyond the boundaries of age. Whether its letters to congressmen, local politicians or newspaper editors, inspired young voices are beacons of hope and joy to any aging adult’s ears. Particularly in a time in which many teenagers seem more concerned with reality television than real world issues (not MTV’s Real World), a impassioned teenage mind is a refreshing change of pace. Not to mention, if you are a grammatically sound scribe with equally impressive analytical skills and a strong writing voice, your words are likely to make an even more profound impact, as people of all ages are naturally drawn to young talent and inclined to show it off in public forums.

Use the Internet/Social Media to Your Advantage

www.teengov.org — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:34:44 +0000

Never before has politics been subject to such a high level of all-inclusive interactivity. Without a viral presence, perhaps the 2008 Presidential election would have followed a different course. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, along with a wide variety of other platforms, have irreversibly changed the course of history, with older community members now struggling to keep up with what comes to younger crowds as second nature. If nothing else, follow a candidate or cause you support and get similarly aligned friends to do the same. Use skills you’ve honed in your free time to your advantage on the political front. To be honest, people over the age of 25 are only beginning to understand the power of mediums such as Facebook in the way that those who have grown up with regular access to social media are already accustomed to. If you can help to accrue an internet following by presenting well-articulated points and/or unique, original thoughts in a creative way, the news media and of-age voters will undoubtedly take notice. The key is illuminating your logic and rationale in a way that either has never been seen before or is distinctively memorable. This can be achieved using a variety of different strategies, whether via powerful emotional appeals, striking imagery or timely use of humor, to name a few, though finding a middle ground to relate to or persuade a wide range of viewers is easier said than done.On a more local level, say you want to start a petition in protest to an injustice you’ve witnessed in the local community. Social media gives you easy access to a network of people to whom you can reach out with just a few clicks. In previous generations, more tedious endeavors were required in order to get the ball rolling on even the most trivial issues. Spreading awareness and rallying likeminded activists together has been made substantially easier as a result of the millions of messages passed back and forth daily online, even among just the people you already know, and no one spends more time social networking than teens and young adults.

Why Get Involved? Build Character and a Resume

www.teengov.org — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:33:55 +0000

Not only can becoming politically involved at a young age make a tangible difference in the community around you, it can also alter the trajectory of your education. As you begin applying to colleges your senior year, not only will they look at your academic record, but a strong, diverse resume showcasing a well-balanced personality can go a long way. College admissions is growing more and more competitive across the board, with more than enough highly qualified applicants readily available to fill freshman slots at prestigious universities nationwide. GPA’s and SAT /ACT scores will always have a place in the process, but a unique background and breadth of life experience will continue to play an expanding role in admissions more selective positions and scholarship opportunities. Colleges love to see a capacity for leadership and a willingness to expand horizons beyond what’s normal for the typical high school student. This doesn’t mean sign up for every club listed on the first day of school and attend a meeting or two over the course of the year. It’s an invitation to get involved, in the truest sense of the word. What good is it to blanket your college application with a laundry list of obscure organizations if you can’t even muster a few authentic words about what the experience means to you in an interview or essay?Of course, hopefully a high level of involvement rewards participants on more than a superficial, self-promoting level. Putting yourself out there will also help to meet new people, whether at your school or in the community and open your eyes to the social and political issues surrounding you. No matter where you live in the United States, there is a multitude of worthy causes at your fingertips. A key aspect in coming of age is discovering who you are and what your passions are. Without exposing yourself to the concerns of the global community and delving into the wide world around you, how can you possibly hope to figure out what driving interests your life may hold?