FAQ

There are three virtual opportunities to connect with Florida 4-H to learn more about the event and how to prepare. 

1. Virtual Short Term Club: Join us for Leap into Legislature to learn about topics related to legislature and help you prepare for LEG!

   • • Dates: Every other Monday from February 26 through May 20

     • Time: 6:30P ET/5:30P CT

     • Register: Through 4-H Online; contact your county 4-H professional for assistance.

     • Topics Covered:

       1. Branches of government

       2. How a bill becomes law

       3. Understanding self and others

       4. Civil discourse

       5. 4-H LEG roles 

       6. In-depth prep for LEG

2. Q+A Session: Join us for Ask 4-H About Florida 4-H Legislature to get all your questions answered around this event. We want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible registering and being with us in Tallahassee!

   • • Date: Tuesday April 30, 2024

     • Time: 7:00P ET/6:00P CT

     • Click on the following link to register for the webinar, Registration for Ask 4-H About LEG (ufl.zoom.us).

     • Once registered for the webinar, you will receive the Zoom logon information through the email you provide.

3. Prep Session

   • • Date: Tuesday June 4, 2024

     • Time: 7:00P ET/ 6:00P CT

     • Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants. 

All information related to registration and basic event information can be found by clicking on the following link, FL 4-H Legislature (Florida4-H.org).

1. Where do I register for this event?

   • • You can register for this event through by clicking on the following link, Legislature Registration (4honline.com). [COMING SOON]

     • For more information on 4-H Online and registering for events, contact your local 4-H professionals. You can find their contact information at Find Your Local Office (Florida4-H.org).

2. What does my registration fee cover?

   • • Your registration fee covers lodging, breakfasts, dinners, and all activities during the event.

     • Your registration fee does not cover lunches. You will need to bring additional money to pay for your lunches at locations around the Capitol.

3. Are there scholarships available?

   • • There is support available through our State Event Scholarships. Find out more information at [COMING SOON].

     • Your counties may also have funding available to assist you in covering your fees. You can find their contact information at Find Your Local Office (Florida4-H.org).

All information related to preparing to be in Tallahassee can be found at Planning for Success (Google Sites).

1. Is there transportation available to this event?

   • • There will be at least one bus that will start down at 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, FL.

     • Depending on location of those riding the bus, the bus will make multiple stops on the way to Tallahassee.

     • More information will be available as we get closer to the event.

2. What should I pack for the week?

   • • You can find a suggested packing list at FL 4-H LEG Packing List (Google Drive).

     • You are packing for an empty dorm room, so whatever toiletries and bedding you need for a week.

3. What is the expected attire each day?

   • • You can find the dress code for this event at FL 4-H LEG Dress Code (Google Drive).

     • Be prepared with professional attire and casual clothes for each day. You will have the opportunity to change when we get back from the Capitol.

     • Be prepared with formal attire for our Thursday night closing banquet.

4. Where will we be sleeping?

   • • We will be housed in FSU dorms.

5. Who will I be rooming with?

   • • You will be rooming with someone who is similar in LEG role, gender, and age to you.

     • You will have one roommate in the same room as you and two others in a room connected to the same bathroom.

     • Roommate requests can be made through your 4-H Online registration.

6. What will adult supervision look like at this event?

   • • Each youth will have an Adult in Charge (AIC) that they will check-in with throughout each day to ensure that they are having a good week.

     • Dorm security and night watch will be monitoring the dorms at all times.

     • All participants of LEG will travel together in assigned busses to and from the Capitol and other program locations.

     • Youth are required to eat lunch in groups when traveling around the Capitol and Tallahassee.

     • For more information on the specific policies we follow to comply with youth protection through UF and the law, visit UF Youth Compliance (ufl.edu).

All information related to meals during this event can be found at Planning for Success - Meals & Lunch on Your Own (Google Sites).

1. What meals are covered by my registration fee?

   • • All dinners and breakfasts while at the event are covered by your registration fee.

2.  How will lunch work while at the Capitol?

   • • Participants are responsible for their lunch and should bring money to cover their costs.

     • Lunch can be had at the Capitol cafeteria or local downtown restaurants

3. Can I eat alone?

   • • No. You must always eat with a group, even if staying at the Capitol.

4. Can I get a ride or drive anywhere for lunch?

   • • No. You must go to a location within walking distance that allows you to get back by the next scheduled activity in the Capitol.

5. Can I order food to the Capitol?

   • • No. You can go to the Capitol cafeteria if you would like to stay at the Capitol.

All information related to your role at LEG can be found at Prepare for Your Role (Google Sites).

For the best experience, we recommend preparing for your role prior to the event. You may feel frustrated and discouraged if you show up to LEG with no preparation.

1. How do I know what role I have at LEG?

   • • You will receive an email in the weeks leading up to the event that confirms your role.

     • Your role typically depends on your age and experience with FL 4-H LEG.

       1. If it's your first year, you will likely be a lobbyist.

       2. If it's your second year, you will likely be a Representative.

       3. If it's your third year, you may be a Representative or Senator.

       4. If it's your fourth year, you will likely be a Senator.

2. How do I prepare as a lobbyist?

   • • Confirm the lobby group that you have been assigned to by checking your email.

     • Find the "Lobby Bill Pro/Con Chart" page in Manual II. This can be found in the "Please Print to Have at Legislature" section on the Home page of this resource site.

     • Research the bills that your lobby group favors and opposes.

     • Prepare a short one to two minute speech about one or two bills that you want to speak for or against in front of the legislators.

     • Be ready to answer impromptu questions from legislators related to the bills you speak about. An answer of "I am not sure, but I can get back to you on that" is always acceptable.

     • For full information on this, go to Prepare for Your Role - Lobbyists & Beyond (Google Sites).

3. What does it mean that I'm part of a lobby group?

   • • Your lobby group helps narrow down the bills that you need to be concered about. 

     • Find the "Lobby Bill Pro/Con Chart" page in Manual II. This can be found in the "Please Print to Have at Legislature" section on the Home page of this resource site.

     • This list includes which bills that your lobby group favor and oppose.

     • If you are interested in a bill that is not noted by your lobby group, talk with your Head Lobbyist to discuss options to speak on that bill.

     • You should pick at least one from your lobby group to either speak for or against.

4. What will I do at LEG as a lobbyist?

   • • You will give your prepared speech and ready to answer impromptu questions during committee meetings and lobby hours on Tuesday. 

     • You will visit the Supreme Court starting Wednesday.

     • You will have the opportunity to become a Legislative Aide, Media Correspondent, or Page starting on Wednesday.

5. How do I become a Legislative Aide, Media Correspondent, or Page?

   • These roles come after you have completed your responsibilities as a lobbyist, giving your prepared speech to legislators to let them know how your lobby group favors or opposes certain legislation.

6. How do I prepare as a representative or senator?

   • • Confirm the legislative committee that you have been assigned to by checking your email.

     • Find the "Bill Titles by Committee" page in Manual II. This can be found in the "Please Print to Have at Legislature" section on the Home page of this resource site.

     • Research the bills that are originating from your committee.

     • Decide on a bill or two that you would be willing to sponsor.

     • You will become the bill sponsor for these bills with specific spots in the committee meeting and legislative session scripts to speak.

     • Prepare a short one to two minute speech about the bills you are willing to sponsor. These will be given during committee meetings and legislative sessions when your bill is being considered.

     • Be ready to answer impromptu questions from legislators related to the bills you speak about. An answer of "I am not sure, but I can get back to you on that" is always acceptable.

     • Become familiar with the agendas and scripts for committee meetings and legislative sessions so that you know how your role as bill sponsor fits into the flow of the week. You can find all of this at Know How to Engage (Google Sites).

     • For full information on this, go to Prepare for Your Role - Representatives & Senators (Google Sites).