PREPARE FOR YOUR ROLE

Similar to real life, all LEG participants will choose and register as a member of a Florida 4-H political party.

Political Parties

• The 4-H Legislature has two parties: the Green Party and the Gold Party

• Each party has a leader who will work to educate 4-H Legislature participants about the party platforms and encourage partici­pants to join their party

• The party platforms will include the general perspective of the parties and the bills that they support and do not support.

• This party system is provided to emulate real life experienc­es and to promote active participation

• Political party role play is to be done in good spirit and should not become a cause of division or polarization of 4-H Legislature participants

• In the spirit fairness and cooperation, no party materials or party campaigning will be done prior to delegates ar­rival at 4-H Legislature

Voter Registration

•  During the first day, everyone will declare a political party affiliation on their voter registration form

• This process notes the parties with the most and least registered members and uses that to determine the “majority” and “minority” parties for the Florida 4-H Legislature

• The "majority" and "minority" parties will dictate legislator seating assignments in the chambers and influence how bills are discussed and voted on throughout the week.

This group is tasked with:

• • • Investigating Florida 4-H Legislature happenings as assigned by the Chief Public Relations Officer

    • Finding news stories at Florida 4-H Legislature and new angles of interest

    • Assembling and publishing social media posts for Florida 4-H platforms

    • Developing a slideshow to highlight memories from the week at the banquet on Thursday evening

All Florida 4-H Legislature Youth Planning members are expected to provide general leadership throughout the event to help all participants belong and have the support they need to succeed.

The following leadership roles will be filled by these members:

• 1. Florida 4-H Governor

     • The President of the Florida 4-H State Council functions as the Governor for Legislature.

     • Promote a platform of interests that are communicated to legislators. 

     • Sign, veto, or allow bills to become law.

       1. Without the support of their signature, a bill does not become law.

  2. Florida 4-H Lieutenant Governor

     • The Chair of the 4-H Legislature Planning Committee serves as the Florida 4-H Lt. Gover­nor.

     • In the government process the Lt Governor is a part of the Executive Branch. 

     • Act as a liaison between interests of the legislators, lobbyists, and Governor. 

     • Can preside over either chamber or joint session of the Florida 4-H Legislature. 

  3. Speaker of the House & President of the Senate

     • Presiding Officers

     • Call legislators to order

     • Ascertain the presence of quorum

     • Present order of business

     • Maintain decorum in the chamber

     • Can vote on all legislation, though typically reserved for breaking tie votes.

  4. Clerk of the House & Secretary of the Senate

     • Assist the presiding officers in maintaining control of the procedures in their respective chambers by:

       1. Announcing if a quorum is present

       2. Announcing bill calendar

       3. Reading bills

       4. Controlling voting machines

       5. Keeping and calling time during debates

       6. Keeping a record of the minutes of the House proceedings

  5. Committee Chairs

     • Preside over committee meetings

     • Call meetings to order

     • Present order of business

     • Maintain decorum during meetings

     • Assign a secretary to assist with the business of the committee

  6. Party Leaders

     • Work to educate participants about the party platforms

     • Encourage participants to join and vote with their party.

  7. Head Lobbyist

     • Oversee and support the lobbyists by:

       1. Helping them prepare to speak during committee meetings and lobbying hours

       2. Advocating for them during the selection of legislative aides, media correspondents, and pages

       3. Guiding them on their offsite tours

  8. Chief Public Relations Officer

     • Oversee and support the media correspondents in reporting on matters and issues important to LEG participants.

     • Lead the development of content that covers daily happenings of the Florida 4-H Legislature. This includes:

       1. Photos and video for social media

       2. Newsletters to summarize daily highlights

       3. Slideshow to highlight memories from the week at the banquet on Thursday evening