PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

This page includes information on: 

• Greetings from Your LEG Planning Chair

• Packing List, Dress Code, Schedule, Capitol Map

• What is Florida 4-H LEG?

• Dorms & Rooming

• Meals & Lunch on Your Own

• Safety

• State Capitol Decorum

• Special Awards & Florida 4-H LEG Through the Years

Since 1973, Florida 4-H Legislature (4-H LEG) provides a learn-by-doing experience of the state legislative process. Each summer, 200 teens gather in our State’s Capitol to serve as senators, representatives, lobbyists, media correspondents, Lt. Governor, and Governor in this mock legislative session. 

Participants experience the legislative process at all three branches of Florida’s government: Executive, Legisla­tive, and Judicial including bill writing, voter registration, lobbying, committees, sessions in chambers, and bill signing. 

The program is coordinated through the efforts of a youth led planning committee as part of Florida 4-H’s Executive Board, a programming body comprised of youth representatives from across the state. Alongside an adult chair and leaders, the committee youth leaders write the bills and take on the legislative leadership roles; including presiding officer roles of President and Secretary of the Senate, Speaker and Clerk of the House, party leaders, committee chairs, head lobbyist, and Chief Public Relations Officer. 

Through participation in this premier educational program, participants at all levels gain skills and knowledge for shaping public policy and representing public voice as a leader in their community and state.  

Florida 4-H Legislature is hosted in Tallahassee, Florida at the State Capitol building.

DORMS

• All participants, youth and adults, are housed at the FSU dorms.

• For this year, we will be in either of the following FSU dorms: Dorman Hall | Deviney Hall

ROOMING

• Youth are roomed by LEG role, gender, and age 

• 2 youth share one room with an adjoining bathroom with another room. (4 youth share one bathroom) 

• Roommate requests are accommodated when possible and should be indicated within your registration

• Par­ticipants are expected to be respectful and courteous to those who work at the facilities we use and who assist us in making the Florida 4-H Legislature program possible.

PROVIDED MEALS

These meals are covered within your registration fee:

• Dinner Monday through Thursday

• Breakfast Tuesday through Friday 

LUNCH

During the day participants are responsible for their lunch.

• Bring money for lunch costs 

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

• For safety reasons, youth must eat in groups; never alone

• No ubering (or other ride sharing) to restaurant locations outside of walking distances 

• No ordering food to the Capitol 

• Youth lunch groups are responsible for arriving back to the Capitol to their assigned locations on time

ADULTS IN CHARGE & DORM SECURITY

• • Each youth will have an Adult in Charge (AIC).

  • This is assigned by your county 4-H professional when they approve your registration.

  • The AIC is responsible for their assigned youth, answers any questions, and making sure the youth have a successful and fun week at LEG.

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

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Youth and adults are expected to treat each other with the same respect and courtesy they would expect to receive. 

• Florida 4-H Legislature is a youth-led event and youth are encouraged to practice self-discipline and self-reliance.

• Youth will wear assigned name-tags at all times.

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

During the week of LEG, the program is fortunate to be able to use several facilities provided by our State Capitol. The Historic Capitol, New Capitol, House and Senate office buildings, Supreme Court and other historic and public buildings will be used. It is important that participants treat the buildings and facilities with care and respect.

POLICIES AT THE CAPITOL

• As good citizens, each participant is responsible to keep the Capitol facilities, lodging facilities and transport vehicles in good condition. Purposeful damage will be charged to the participant(s) who caused damage.

• Everyone will go through a security checkpoint to enter the new Capitol building. DO NOT joke about security issues. All comments are taken seriously.

• The security checkpoint includes a metal detector. Pocket knives, firearms, box cutters or anything that is — or might be considered — a weapon will be confiscated.

• Do not experiment with the “voting” buttons at the desks in the House or Senate Chambers. This technology will be turned on when it is appropriate for you to use them.

• Do not disturb the telephones placed at the desks in the Chambers. The electronic set-up is delicate, picking up the phone causes it to ring in that legislator’s office.

• Cell phones must be turned off or on “silent” ring during all program events at the Capitol and formal banquet.

• Do not block hallways or doorways at the Capitol. Be very aware of staffers who need to move through the buildings quickly to do their jobs. Many other people visit these public buildings every day.

• Do not visit the Executive offices or loiter in hallways outside Executive offices.

• No food, chewing gum or drinks are allowed in the Capitol committee meetings rooms or chambers (Do use the water fountains often).

• Do not use any laptop or tablet in the chambers or committee for recreational use; only for conducting research and/or legislative business.

• Remember: we are guests at the Capitol — be on your best behavior!

Co-Founder Adult Participant Awards

Two adult awards are given to recognize those who were instrumental in initiating the Florida 4-H Legislature program.

1. Volunteer Founder’s Award

   • In memory of Herb Morgan, Jim Brasher and in honor of Ruth Milton

   • This individual is selected, by program participants, from volunteers who are attending the Florida 4-H Legislature.  

   • The criteria for selection include being:

     1. 1. Present during the week of the program

        2. Actively involved with youth participants, encouraging and supportive

        3. A role model

        4. Willing to go the “extra mile"

   • Recipients: Michael Wickersheim, 2004; Denise Crawford, 2005; David Morrow, 2006; Marsha Bechtel, 2007; Liz Burris, 2008; Jaimie Hudson, 2009; Andy & Jaime Hogue, 2010; Valerie Ansell, 2011; Lauren Pace, Chad Morrow, Jeremiah Hall, 2012.

2. Friend of Florida 4-H Legislature Award

   • In memory of Damon Miller

   • This award will be presented by the current Florida 4-H Legislature Committee to anyone who has promoted the program by giving generously of time, talent, or resources. 

   • The person(s) selected for this recognition will have shown that they value: 

     1. 1. Youth participation and involvement in the Florida 4-H Legislature program

        2. Civic education and the governmental process

   • Recipients: Damon Miller, 2004; Barbara Payne, 2005; Capitol Nurses, 2006

Florida 4-H Legislature Timeline

• 1973: 1st session of Florida 4-H Legislature

• 1973 - late 80’s: Ruth Milton & Herb Morgan lead program, along with assistance from then-Florida legislator, Bill Nelson

• 1974: Moved mock session to new capitol House chambers

• Late 80’s: salt award initiated to acknowledge the first bill that fails during session

• 1979: hot sauce award initiated to acknowledge the first bill that passes during session

• Late 80’s: Wednesday’s political picnic moved from McClay Gardens to FSU Reservation

• 1979: Thursday night banquet held at FSU ballroom

• 1980: Thursday night banquet moved to Holiday Inn

• 1984-2000: Dr John Rutledge becomes lead adult for program with Damon Miller

• Mid-80’s: Thursday night banquet moved to Silver Slipper

• 1993: Wednesday’s political picnic moved from FSU Reservation to Wakulla Springs

• Late 90’s: The Capitol Letter became Legislative Times

• 2001: Thursday night banquet moved to Tallahassee Country Club

• 2001-03: Ami Neiberger-Miller becomes lead adult for program with Damon Miller

• 2003: Judicial System/Supreme Court Experience for Lobbyists Added

• 2003: Became a bi-cameral event

• 2003: Real Florida Legislature Special session “bumped” us to the Old Capitol chambers

• 2004: Debbie Nistler joins steering committee.

• 2004-06: Dr. Marilyn Lesmeister becomes lead adult for program

• 2004: Founders Award initiated

• 2005: 35th session of 4-H Legislature resolution proclaimed & founders invited to visit program

• 2005: Thursday night banquet moved to Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center

• 2005: Adult Steering Committee Formed

• 2005: 4-H LEG planning chair becomes known as “Lt. Governor”

• 2005: moved housing to the Double Tree Hotel with additional funding from Homeland Security grant; ugly shoes contest initiated until 2007

• 2007: Moved back to FSU dorms for housing

• 2007: Vickie Mullins becomes lead adult for program with Michael Wickersheim, 4-H volunteer, and Debbie Nistler, Bradford County 4-H Agent

• 2007-2013: Wednesday’s political picnic at Jack McLean City Park

• 2008: Super Committees formed

• 2012: 40th Session of 4-H Legislature celebrated with Alumni event

• 2012: Tracy Tesdall becomes lead adult for program with Michael Wickersheim, 4-H volunteer, and Debbie Nistler, Bradford County 4-H Agent

• 2014: present Wednesday’s political picnic location varies from year to year

• 2016: Dr. Debbie Nistler becomes lead adult for program with Michael Wickersheim and Jeremy Hall.

• 2018: Kelsey Cook (Haupt) joins steering committee.

• 2019: Charlie Poliseno joins steering committee.

• 2020: LEG become virtual because of covid-19 pandemic. Kelsey Cook (Haupt) becomes lead adult for program. Sara Brake joins steering committee

• 2021: Program remains virtual with a one-day in-person event at the University of Florida due to the covid-19 pandemic

• 2022: LEG resumes normal programming at State Capitol and FSU Dorms. LEG Celebrates 50th session with alumni event