CLCGovtClub

Upcoming Govt Club Meetings/PracticesTeams

2011-09-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

We only have 5 meetings between now and our November scrimmages!
During our next meeting (September 28) we hope to go over directs and themes for each side. (Lawyers should still be working on their crosses during this time.)
Our current October schedule is to fine tune Crosses the first week in October, focus on objections during the second week, and openings and closings during the third. (That gives us one week between those and the scrimmages.)

The Montgomery Defense team is planning to practice at CLC at 1:00 on Mondays. We still need to set a time for the Montgomery Prosecution team.

The parts we currently have assigned are:

Montgomery Defense team:
Heidi - Defendant
Cara - Parent
Eli - Gunsmith
Ben - Cross Taylor ("friend")
Kayleigh - Cross Police Officer
Tori - Cross ATF Agent

Montgomery Prosecution team:
Maggie - Taylor
Gaelin - Police Officer
Kemper or Aaron - ATF Agent
Aaron or Kemper - Cross Gunsmith
Katie cross?
Jacob - cross?

Scrimmage Defense team:
Mitch - Defendant
Vincent - Parent
Mary - Gunsmith
Lissa - cross Taylor
Brad - cross Police Officer
Destiny - cross ATF Agent

Scrimmage Prosecution team:
Chloe - Taylor
Brandon - Police Officer
Kirsta - ATF Agent
Sonia - cross Defendant
Sam - cross Parent
Micha - cross Gunsmith

Mock Trial teams - latest

2011-09-08T06:58:00.001-07:00

Thank you all (well, mostly all!) for being nice to my substitute yesterday while I was at the hospital with my daughter. She's on the road to recovery.

We're trying to get closer on our determination of teams. We got a list yesterday of people who wanted to go to Montgomery - but I forgot to tell them to ask about whether students wanted to be lawyers or witnesses...So, if you can post here which you want or if you don't want a preference, that would be great.

Thanks.
Mrs. Jaime

Mock Trial teams

2011-08-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

We will need to get an exact count of people wanting to be on Mock Trial teams this year as soon as possible. (Last year the YMCA filled all their spots within a week or two of opening registration.) Especially those of you who have been on teams, if you can know by the Open House on Wednesday, that would be great!

2011 - 2012 Open House

2011-07-30T16:34:00.001-07:00

We will be having our Open House at CLC on Wednesday, August 31 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Please mark your calendars. More details to follow.

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Board

2011-05-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

New officers:
President - Ben
VP - Kemper
Treasurer - Maggie
Secretary - Kayleigh
Historian/Chaplain - Victoria

Congratulations all.

Power is back at CLC

2011-05-03T07:05:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is doing well after the storm. We are still without power at our home, but the power and internet is back up at CLC. So we will plan to have Govt Club and Wednesday classes this week. If you can make it fine, but if you are still dealing with after storm issues, and getting here is tough, please don't stress about it. We will plan to hold the presidential elections tomorrow as planned, but remember you can email me your votes if you can't attend.

Again, I hope everyone is safe and relatively unscathed by the storm. Our prayers go out to the families that suffered great loss.

Upcoming Election

2011-04-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

We will be voting for President next Wednesday (May 4). Victoria, Ben, and Jacob are running for President. (We will be electing the other officers the following week.) A vote was taken today to allow absentee voting. If you are an active member of the Govt Club and cannot be present on May 4 or May 11, you may vote in advance for the officers. In order to do so, email me with your vote(s) before Government Club starts that week.

If you are voting for President, please send me your first choice and your second choice. (Your first choice will be your vote in the election. Your second choice will only be used if there is a run-off election and your first choice happens not to be in the run-off.)

April 27

2011-04-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

As of 6 a.m. this morning, Madison City Schools are delayed because of severe weather. We will keep an eye on the weather as the morning progresses - but if the weather stays bad, please stay home! More as I know more.

Today's plans are to watch Mr. Smith goes to Washington - if weather keeps up, we can move that to next week. Also, we need to announce who is running for President. If you haven't contacted me yet, please do so this morning. I will post it here by lunch time if we don't have Govt Club today.

youth leg/mock trial/D.C.

2011-02-28T07:50:00.001-08:00

Great job everyone at Youth Legislature! I am very proud of everyone. I hope a good time was had by all, and that you all learned LOTS in the process! Special recognition goes to Sonia Jaime for an award for an outstanding delegate in Junior Youth Leg, to Kemper Gokeman for being an outstanding delegate in First Year, to Aaron Cecil for one of the outstanding bills in the House, and Ben Hubbard for being THE best Senator (an award our delegation has never gotten!)

We've been invited to go to Birmingham for a Mock Trial Tournament in April! We will go down on Friday, April 8, and compete on Saturday, April 9. Registration costs are $30 per student and additional costs will be determined when we make our hotel reservations and figure out which vehicles we're driving down, but should be roughly $40 to $50 each.

Sorry for the rush, but we need to figure out teams and get started this week. If at all possible, please know by Wednesday whether you plan to commit to be on a team. As usual, we won't need the additional money until we go, but we need to get the $30 registration paid by next week, so either this Wednesday or next, please plan to bring that.

Speaking of April and money, we have talked about the possibility of another Government Club trip to Washington, D.C. The only dates I see that are even possibilities are the weekend after the Mock Trial competition, most likely Thursday, April 14 through Monday, April 18. It's very difficult to give precise figures for total costs until we have a better idea of how many are going, vehicles, etc. But based on our last two D.C. trips, I expect it to be in the $300/student range. I would like an initial count on who things they would be interested/available to go in the next week or two, and then I can narrow more of that down.

More Youth Leg Details

2011-02-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

Final details (I hope):
Dress code for travel is casual. Dress code for the event is Suit and Tie, dress pants, or skirts (only if pre-approved by Mrs. Jaime).

Dress code for walking around in the evening is jeans and a t-shirt.

Thursday’s schedule:
1:30 Arrive at CLC (ALREADY HAVE EATEN LUNCH)
2:00 Leave here
3:15 Leave rest area
4:30 Arrive at Peach Park
5:30 Leave Peach Park (we will be eating dinner there)
6:30 Arrive at the Hotel
7:00 or 7:30 practice debate for their Officers.

Bring $100.00 in small bills ($20s are fine) on Thursday or bring a check made out to “Catherine Jaime” next Wednesday 2/23. The $100 covers our gas, the two meals while we’re traveling, and our extra night in the hotel.

Bring your own breakfast. Hotel does not provide breakfast. No microwaves or refrigerators either. We suggest you bring instant oatmeal, hot chocolate or hot cider, granola bars, etc.

Remember NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES, NOTHING WITH AN “ON” AND “OFF” STICH OR PLUG. Mrs. Jaime WILL confiscate them! If your parents need to get ahold of you see Mrs. Jaime to get her cell phone number.

Bills

2011-01-25T17:27:00.001-08:00

Bills need to be finished this week!!!

You can upload a completed bill here: http://www.ygtech.org/bills/al_high/

Huntsville Homeschool Prom

2011-01-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

For those that are interested:

It's getting closer and closer to time for the Huntsville Homeschool Prom. As many of you know, this is the second year we've held the prom, and last year was a huge success. We expect this year to be even better. This is to let you know that members of the prom committee will be at Creative Learning Connection this Wednesday, January 26th. We will be selling prom tickets, so please have your students bring their money if they are interested in attending. Remember, the price goes up the closer we get to the date of the prom, so please buy your tickets early. For more information about prices, etc, please go to www.huntsvilleprom.info

More Youth Leg Details

2011-01-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

The price goes up again on January 28, and bills have to be submitted in their final bill by then. Soooo...I need anyone still planning to register for Youth Leg to do so ASAP -- but next Wednesday, January 26. And I need bills submitted by then too! Email me if you have any questions.

(BTW - TN Mock Trial is the same weekend as Youth Leg this year, so we will not be doing TN Mock Trial this year, sorry.)

January Classes Begin...???

2011-01-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Classes/Govt Club will now resume at CLC when the weather permits! If Madison City Schools cancel because of weather, we cancel our classes, too. See you guys sometime soon!

Our first government club meeting will be about writing bills, whichever week it is, and then we'll schedule from there...

Govt Club Christmas Party

2010-12-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

December 8th, Ho ho ho…
9:00-1:00, Ho ho ho…

Dirty Santa(gift exchange), ho ho ho…
Bring a $5-$10 gift, ho ho ho…
We’ll play super mega amazing games, ho ho ho… such as apples to apples, ninja,mafia,ect. Ho ho ho…

Must bring: ho ho ho…
If yo last name starts with: ho ho ho…

A-H: Drinks
I-Q: Snacks
R-Z: Desserts

Veterans are welcome!!! Ho ho ho…
Government club, constitution, And every other class welcome! Ho ho ho…

(And we will be having Constitution Class and Shakespeare class after the party -- and this is our last week for Wednesday club, classes, etc., until January 12.)

Fundraisers

2010-12-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

There is an Arts and Crafts Sale at Creative Learning Connection next Tuesday evening, December 7 from 7 pm to 9 pm. There will be a table for baked goods (fundraiser for the entire club) and a table for crafts (fundraiser for individuals who participate). Please let Mrs. Jaime or Maggie know if you are participating in either or both.

Youth Leg Details

2010-12-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

It looks like we will be taking students to Youth Leg this year. We would leave on February 24 and return on February 27. The price goes up on December 21, so I strongly encourage students to sign up by December 20.

Prices and sign up links can be found at http://www.alyig.org/leg/index.html

We have discussed in club meetings that it will be necessary for me to meet with a parent from each family before we go, so please understand that before you register your student. I will be scheduling a meeting for sometime in January, and will be available to meet privately with any parents who cannot attend a meeting. But it is critical to me that we are all on the same sheet of music on the importance of rules, in particular the new ones -- for instance, students will no longer be allowed to take anything electronic -- to include, but not limited to, cell phones and laptops.

Last Minute Mock Trial Details

2010-11-11T08:38:00.001-08:00

We are leaving from our house (off Slaughter -- email if you need more specifics) on Friday morning. Please plan to arrive at 10:30. (No earlier, I will still be shopping/packing up until the last minute!)

If you haven't already emailed me copies of your directs, crosses, statements...Please do so today before 5:00 so I can print copies at CLC before I leave today. Now would be better!

We should arrive home on Monday evening, sometime in the 6 p.m. time period. We can call enroute and give a more specific time.

For those who haven't paid the weekend expenses, please remember, if you are paying today (Thursday) a check made out to me is fine. If you are paying on Friday, cash is preferred. For those who did not participate in the Silent Auction, the cost is $90. For those who did, the cost is $65. Please bring exact change, I don't want to be making change for $100 bills!

Any last minute questions, don't hesitate to call or email.

Recap on Lunch at Scrimmage

2010-11-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

We were able to lower the price for lunch next week for our second scrimmage. Costs for both weeks are being based on $1/slice of pizza (should be enough to also cover the ice, sodas, and paper products). Most students will owe $3 on Wednesday (those that ordered 4 slices each week, and paid the $5 this week...everyone else should be able to figure it out from there...)

Next two Wednesdays:

2010-10-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

No Constitution Class either of the 1st 2 Wednesdays in November.
Please bring $5 both weeks for pizza and soda:

Our first set of scrimmages is next week:
Wednesday, November 3
Living Hope Church
2614 Pulaski Pike
Huntsville (just off from the Sparkman/Pulaski Pike exit – North of University)
Plan to be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(The first scrimmage will be the Defense Scrimmage team and the Montgomery Plaintiff team.)

Wednesday, November 10
Dress Rehearsal
Central Assembly of God
1701 Sparkman Dr. (North of University, on the west side)
Huntsville
Plan to be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(The first scrimmage will be the two scrimmage teams.)

Mock Trial Registration and Payments

2010-10-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to say that everyone registered on time this year. Probably a first. And almost everyone has paid. The YMCA has 4 students listed as not paid yet. We need to have everyone paid by October 20, so you have just over two weeks to take care of that if you haven't paid yet.

Govt Club Meeting: Wednesday, September 29

2010-09-24T05:48:00.000-07:00

The primary focus of our last Govt Club Meeting was to get the teams made, and we primarily succeeded in that effort. We have filled two Montgomery teams and two scrimmage teams at this point, and we can put together a third scrimmage team if we have the interest. (So don't worry if you aren't on a Scrimmage team yet and want to be.)

The main purpose of the next meeting is a Mock Trial practice -- with the emphasis on the Scrimmage teams...For those of you on a Montgomery team, I would still like you to attend on the 29th -- but with the understanding that you are there to help! (And three of you need to turn in paperwork by then, also!) Montgomery team members need to determine one or more weekly practice times that work for you guys, and get back to me...My preferences are Monday, Thursday, or Friday...

So for all of you on Scrimmage teams that left Wednesday feeling a little overwhelmed, we're not expecting you to figure this all out on your own. Come back Wednesday with your cases and we'll see if we can bring more of this into focus for you. And if you aren't on a team yet, and want to be, the 29th would be the day to take care of that.

Questions, contact me at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Montgomery Teams

2010-09-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

We formed the two competitive teams today. That is all the spots we have, we cannot form a third team. In order to keep a spot on one of those teams, two things MUST be done by next Wednesday, September 29. I MUST have the alyig form turned in to me, and the student MUST pre-register on the www.alyig.org website. Click on the "Register Now" button on the right side, and follow the steps. You may pay with a credit card at the same time you register, or you can click the "pay by check" option. If you click that, you will be offered the option to make payments, if you prefer.

A student does not need to be paid for by next Wednesday, but they do need to have registered.

I have a student on the waiting list, and will be happy to replace anyone that doesn't really want to do this....

Fundraisers in October

2010-09-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

We have two fundraisers on the schedule now for October. They may be too late to help raise money for the YMCA portion of your fees, but it will be in plenty of time to help with the $100 November portion. (Students who are not going to Montgomery for Mock Trial can still participate in the fundraisers -- they can get ahead in raising money for other upcoming events.)

We will be hosting a Silent Auction at CLC from October 12 through October 19. Pick up a form this week at Govt Club that you can give to each of the businesses that you ask for donations from. We will need donations brought by Wednesday, October 6. Everyone who brings in three or more donations for the auction will get an equal portion of the funds raised. The more (and better) donations we have, the more money we will be able to raise.

The second fundraiser will be a Craft Sale the evening of October 19. CLC will be renting tables (like we do at the Used Book Sales) for people to come in and sell their own crafts. We will be setting aside at least two tables that night for the Govt Club -- one for a Bake Sale and one for any "crafty" govt club students to bring in and sell their own crafts. Anyone who brings in food for the bake sale will get a portion of the funds raised by that; but we will do the craft portion differently (individuals will receive the money they make from selling their own crafts).

We'll talk about all of this briefly at the Govt Club meeting this Wednesday, so if you have any questions, ask then.

District Meeting, Sunday 19 Sept (cont)

2010-09-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Dress for the meeting is slightly above t-shirts and jeans...

If you're planning to join us, and haven't let me know yet, please do, so we know who to expect tomorrow. And please be at CLC by 11:30.

Mock Trial Teams

2010-09-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

We would like firm commitments at next Wednesday's Govt Club Meeting (September 22) for those who would like to be on either a Montgomery team or a Scrimmage team. The price goes up on October 1 for registration, so we would love to see everyone that is going to Montgomery signed up before then. (This costs enough, without paying late fees!!!)

District Meeting, Sunday 19 Sept

2010-09-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

District Meeting, Sunday 19 Sept

We are meeting at CLC at 11:30 on Sunday. My apologies for cutting into church times, but I don't set the times of these things.

We do have a second vehicle available, so if all the "maybes" turn into "yes", we should still be fine.

There is no cost to attend District Meeting, but students need to bring $10 - $5 for gas and $5 for lunch on the way to the meeting.

Mock Trial Costs

2010-09-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

There is a $10 registration fee to be on either a Scrimmage Team or a Competition Team. (That includes one copy of the case; there will be a $1 fee for each case that I have to replace because students lose or forget their cases.)

To confirm space on either type of team, I need the $10 payment and the signed participation form from the alyig website: http://www.alyig.org/register/11registrationForm.pdf

The registration fee will be the only cost for students on the Scrimmage teams. Members of the Competition teams will need to pay $220 - $245 in advance to the YMCA (depending on which deadline they meet), and an additional $100 to the Club the weekend of the event. The YMCA fee includes the price for attending the competition, two of our nights in Montgomery, most of our meals, and a t-shirt. The $100 that the Club collects pays for our other night in the hotel, an additional couple of meals, and our gas.

Questions, just ask: Cathy at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Mock Trial Meetings

2010-09-01T14:09:00.001-07:00

For those who want to participate in Mock Trial (on a Competition team or a Scrimmage team), the following Wednesdays are reserved for Mock Trial related events:
September 8 -- we will be going over the case, and seeing who's interested in being on which type of team.
September 22 -- we hope to officially form the teams and set practice times for the Competition teams.
September 29 -- a practice dedicated to the Scrimmage teams.
October 6 -- a practice dedicated to all of the Witnesses.
October 13 -- a practice dedicated to the Scrimmage teams.
October 20 -- a practice dedicated to all of the Lawyers.
All of the above meetings are at CLC from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

The following days we may go later than noon, depending on the number of teams we have, and they may be somewhere else besides CLC:

November 3 -- all of our teams will scrimmage.
November 10 -- Dress Rehearsal/Scrimmages

The Montgomery teams will be in Montgomery from November 12 - 15.

On November 17 we will have a Mock Trial Debrief and a Bill Writing Workshop to start getting ready for Youth Legislature.

General Meetings 2010 - 2011

2010-09-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

These are the weeks we currently have scheduled for General Meetings:
Sept 15, Oct 27, Dec 1, Jan 26, Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 6.
Those are the meetings where we focus on current events, politics, etc.

Meetings are here at CLC from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Harvard Mock Trial

2010-09-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

We are we going to try to take a group to the Harvard Mock Trial training in October. If you are interested, let me know, preferably BEFORE you sign up, so we can see what type of arrangements we can make in Massachusetts. The information for the training can be found here.

Pre-Youth Judicial

2010-09-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

We would like to take a group to Birmingham on Sunday, September 19. I don't have times yet. If you are interested in joining us, drop me a line as soon as possible: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu.

Youth in Government

2010-09-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Our club works in conjunction with the YMCA out of Montgomery. Their website is www.alyig.org. That is where you will go to register. Warning, they call Mock Trial "Youth Judicial", it's the same thing.

2010 - 2011 Open House

2010-06-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

We will have our Government Club Open House on Wednesday, September 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and have our first regular meeting the following week, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Please join us for the Open House, and feel free to bring a snack or drink to share!

Next Year's Tentative Calander for Big Events

2010-04-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Harvard in October (~$300+air fare)
Mock Trial November 12 - 15 (~$200 due in October, another $100 due in November)
Tennessee Mock Trial (?) in February ~$50
Youth Leg in February (~$200 due in January, another $100 due in February)
Washington, D.C. in April (?) ~$300

Final Elections for the 2010 - 2011 School Year

2010-04-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Victoria Jaime, our new President.

We had many qualified candidates running for each office.

Congratulations to the following officers as well.
Vice President: Ben Hubbard

Treasurer: Maggie McKamey

Secretary: Katie Kratsch

Chaplain: Jacob Cecil

I am confident that next year will be as good or better than this year!

Presidential Elections

2010-04-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Next Wednesday (April 21), we will be voting on next year's Govt Club President. The following people have been nominated: Victoria, Elijah, Ben, Kayleigh, and Jacob.

We will take nominations for the other offices after that election: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.

It has been proposed that we have an end of year party -- if there is interest, that will be on April 28 -- but only if interest is expressed soon!

Virginia Trip

2010-04-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Is coming up soon...I need money in check form by tomorrow, Thursday, April 15, or in cash on Friday morning.. We are meeting at my house Friday morning at 7:00 A.M. Please try to be on time! Questions, let me know: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Republican Congressional Forum

2010-04-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

April 12th: A Republican Congressional Forum will take place on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The hosting organization, The Consortium of Students for Justice and Liberty, is inviting the public to attend this free of charge event. North Alabama's 5th Congressional District candidates, Mo Brooks, Parker Griffith, and Les Phillip have confirmed their participation in this event. The Consortium of Students for Justice and Liberty, an association of middle and high school students, will solicit questions for the forum from organizations around town and from several area schools. This is not an opportunity to protest, but instead a time to listen and hear what the candidates have to say.

The forum will be held in the University Center/Admissions Building on the UA Huntsville Campus. The doors will be opened to the public at 6:30 pm with the program beginning at 6:45 pm. The forum will begin at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm. A straw poll will be taken and the results will be announced at the end of the forum. Members of the media are invited to attend.

Upcoming Hunstville TEA Party events

2010-03-30T14:37:00.001-07:00

Sunday, April 4th:
Tea Party Express is coming to the Space & Rocket Center
at 2:00 PM. They are providing the speakers. It should be good. (Though Easter Sunday is not the best time for such an event! I hope to make it to at least some of this, but I'm not sure at this point.)

Thursday, April 15th:
We want to have a HUGE turnout for our April 15th Tax Day Protest.
Tell all of your friends, email everyone you know, post it on
Facebook, anything you can think of to help us get people out. April
15th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the parking lot on Clinton street across
from the Post Office. We have great speakers lined up. Mike Leahy, Dr.
John Fanning, and Gary Palmer from the Alabama Policy Institute.

Bring your signs!

(I do plan to make it to the April 15th Protest - we plan to leave CLC by 4:00 that day if you want to go downtown with us.)

Saturday, May 15th:
Making of America - Constitution Seminar. 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS EVENT. Once again we are having an
excellent instructor from the National Center for Constitutional
Studies (NCCS) come and teach us about the principles of the
constitution. Cost is $15 per person. Intended audience is 8th graders
through adults. Location to be announced soon. The deadline for
payment is April 20th. Please make checks payable to "The Huntsville
Tea Party Movement" and mail them to Chad at: 105 Pinckney Rd Harvest, AL 35749

I do hope to make it to the Constitution Seminar also.

Virginia Plan

2010-03-17T10:30:00.001-07:00

The Virginia Plan
Here are some of the long awaited details for the Govt Club/Shakespeare trip to Virginia:

Dates: Friday, April 16 -- Monday, April 19

Plan is to spend the nights in Staunton, VA;
We will attend 3 Shakespeare plays, 1 Friday night, and 2 on Saturday
Sunday we will be driving to Orange, Va, and spending the day at James Madison's home.
Monday we will be driving home

Costs will include Gas; Meals; Hotel; Shakespeare Plays and entrance into Madison's home

Here are the tentative breakdowns, based on current information, and based on 12- 15 of us going.

per student:
Gas $20
Hotel, 3 nights $60
Shakespeare Tickets $60
Entrance to Madison $10
Meals $50
$200

These are approximate figures based on the information and numbers I have now.
If anything the prices should go down a little, not up.

Any questions, just ask: Cathy at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu or 235-3305

I need to know by next Wednesday, March 24th which students plan to join us.

March Meetings

2010-03-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

The 1st & 3rd Meetings of March will be Youth Legislature related...We want to discuss/debate some of the bills from last weekend, and get started on righting some new ones while we're "in the mode".

The 2nd and 4th meetings of March we'll combine work on another mini Mock Trial and a general meeting.

And we hope to "try the case" at the 5th meeting in March...

Youth Leg Follow Up

2010-03-01T08:47:00.001-08:00

Well, we had a small group do Youth Leg this year, but I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all. Katie had the privilege of arguing her bill before the Supreme Court, Victoria had the excitement of having a lobbyist pick her bill to campaign against, and Ben was chosen as an alternate to National Affairs. (Katie had that honor last year as well.) Since I wasn't in the Supreme Court this year, I was able to watch much of the debating, and enjoyed seeing all three of them in action, including seeing Victoria explain very clearly that the world around us couldn't have come into being through random accidents.

I was very proud of them, and I am re-energized to keep "fighting the good fight" in the Legislative process there.

Youth Leg

2010-02-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

We need to leave CLC on Thursday as close to 5:00 p.m. as possible for Youth Leg. Ben and Katie, you may get dropped off anytime during the afternoon that works for you/your parents.

We had planned on the usual $100 extra for the two extra meals we will be getting, gas, and the extra hotel night, and for a little while I was concerned that because of our numbers that figure would be too low. But the good news is that it might be too high! I'm waiting for a final figure from the YMCA on our extra hotel night, but it could be more like $75 or $80 each. Please bring that Wednesday if you are bringing a check, so I have time to deposit it, or Wednesday or Thursday if you are bringing cash.

We are planning to eat dinner on our way to Montgomery -- probably at Peach Park. And we'll be going out for dinner on Saturday evening to a buffet place. Those meals are included in the above figures. I plan on $10 for each of us for each of those -- and will just give the students their change if they spend less than that.

Any questions let me know, and again, great job last Saturday in Tennessee!

Congratulations to our Mock Trial team

2010-02-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

3rd Place team...Best Witness (Maggie) and Best Attorney (Victoria) in the region!
Excellent job everyone, especially for the amount of time we had! I was proud of everyone.

Winter Weather

2010-02-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

If the Madison City School cancel classes because of the weather, I will cancel classes/practices because of the weather. If in doubt, please check back here.

Next Week's Mock Trial

2010-02-13T08:50:00.001-08:00

We will scrimmage Wednesday morning at CLC (from 10 till Noon). It is NOT a dress rehearsal, so dressing up is not required. (I need everyone to email me their questions by then, so we make sure we have them!)

We will have someone else do Ariella and Heidi's parts Wednesday morning for the scrimmage, and then they will get to practice their parts Wednesday afternoon between 4 and 5. Witnesses need to be ready to do their answers without papers!

Then we have one more practice, on Thursday, from 10 till..., to finish up any loose ends.

That's the good news...The bad news is that we need to be in Columbia by 7:30 a.m. next Saturday for the competition. Which means we need to have folks at our house between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m....All of the girls are invited to spend the night, in case that helps. (We're farming out Tori's brothers that night...) We HAVE to be on the road by 6:00!

If anyone needs directions or has any questions, email me at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu.

Please plan to bring $20 on Saturday -- $10 for gas and $10 for food...

We should be getting back to my house about 9 p.m. that evening...

February Govt Club Meetings

2010-02-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

Feb 3 -- General Meeting
Feb 10 -- Mock Trial practice
Feb 17 -- Mock Trial scrimmage
Feb 24 -- Debate bills

Picture Fundraiser

2010-02-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

The picture fundraiser for this month has been cancelled. To the couple of people who did sell a couple of pictures, my apologies, but we just weren't getting the participation we needed. Please return the money to the folks you've collected it from, and apologize. We may try again in the early fall.

Govt Club Dress Code

2010-01-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

New dress code policy effective immediately: For our competitions/events, all girls will be expected to wear dress slacks, not skirts. (If we have someone in the future who does not ever wear slacks for religious reasons, we will make an exception, but I don't believe we have any females currently in the group to which that would apply.)

Questions, just ask.
Mrs. Jaime

TN Mock Trial

2010-01-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

Witnesses:
Grace -- Rowan
Maggie -- Taylor
Katie -- Blake
Tess -- Emerson
Ben -- Elliot
Heidi -- Ronni

Lawyers:
Ariella is starting the crosses for Elliot and Emerson;
Tori is starting the crosses for Ronnie and Rowan;
Connor has Blake Allford and Taylor Fisher.

For statements, I'm thinking one closing for Ariella, the other for Connor, and both openings for Tori...Let me know if that works, and we'll go from there. We have a week or two to figure that out.

For now, we will plan on practices on Wednesday from 4 - 5, and Thursday from 10 till we're done...(Unless folks are available earlier than 10...Is there anyone who would be available to start practice at 9 or 9.30 on Thursdays?) Please plan to be at at least ONE of the practices each week, and please let me know which one(s) you plan to attend.

By next week we need rough drafts on our first sets of questions from everybody.

Questions, let me know: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Mock Trial in TN?

2010-01-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we can't do National Mock Trial. But, now that we have a student living in TN, it looks like we my be able to compete in Mock Trial in TN. We're behind - the case was released in November -- but if we would like to compete this year, we can put together team now, and compete in Columbia, TN on February 20. Case materials are available at: http://www.tba.org/MockTrial/

Good news -- cost is basically nil: gas and meals for the day should be it. But we would have to kick into high gear. Who's interested? If we're going to do it, I would like us to start this week, so let me know if you haven't had enough of Mock Trial for this year! Email me: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu, or leave me a message here or on Facebook.

1st Meeting of 2010/Plans for Next Week

2010-01-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

We started the Year primarily focusing on bills for Youth Legislature. We spent much of the meeting debating bills from a previous year's bill book.

I have 6 students tentatively interested in attending Youth Leg the end of February. The price goes up next week, on January 14, so I highly recommend students sign up by next Wednesday. I would like a final headcount by next Wednesday anyway, so I can make sure we have enough transportation for the trip to and from Montgomery.

The decision has been made to do some "mini Mock Trials" on our other Wednesday mornings -- 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month. That will start next Wednesday, January 13.

AMTI -- National Mock Trial/fundraiser

2009-12-30T15:54:00.000-08:00

I don't even know where to begin on this post -- but I got the distressing news last week that the folks organizing AMTI (the invitational nationals we were planning to attend) have decided to no longer hold their competition. Now that the other national organization has decided that they WILL honor religious convictions, AMTI feels it is no longer necessary to offer the other opportunity. I am very disappointed, as I would imagine many of you are. I am very proud of all of you, and had looked forward to taking you to Nationals.

That makes the fundraiser we were planning to do next month not as critical -- but I would strongly recommend we go ahead and do it -- we could earn money towards Youth Leg and next fall's Mock Trial activities IN ADVANCE!

I'm sorry to end the year with such bad news, but figured now that we're past Christ-mas, sooner was better than later.

Practices for Nationals

2009-12-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

Before we get the case (probably January -- March), we will have two practice times: Wednesdays from 4 - 5 p.m., and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings from 10 -12. Everyone going to Nationals needs to come to at least one of those time slots (either the Wednesday afternoons or the Wednesday mornings). Anyone not going to nationals is also welcome to attend -- we will be working on general, keep Mock Trial fresh, types of things during that time.

Once we get the case (usually about April 1), we will practice on Thursdays from 10 - 2, and expect that everyone will be able to make it to at least an hour and a half of that time frame. We can decide then whether the Thursday practices are in addition to or instead of the Wednesday practices, but I'm guessing we're going to want to do both times!

Nationals Fundraiser

2009-12-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

Joel is getting information on a fundraiser where we will sell coupons in January for family photographs (probably to be taken in February). We can potentially cover the entire cost of Nationals with this fundraiser!

He should have more information at the CHRISTmas party in a couple of weeks.

We really need a volunteer to help set up the scheduling for the pictures. I do not have time to do that. Any volunteers?

Youth Leg

2009-12-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

I need a head count by the meeting on January 6 for who's going to Youth Leg in February. And it would be a good idea to get on the www.alyig.org website by then and pre-register, because the price goes up the following week.

Upcoming Govt Club Meetings/CHRISTmas party

2009-12-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

One "meeting" left for December -- it is December 16th -- CHRISTmas party from 10 - 2. Please bring a $5 wrapped gift for the Dirty Santa exchange, and a food/drink to share.

We will have two meetings in January ---January 6 & 20, and should be on the usual, 1st & 3rd Wednesdays for the rest of the spring (through April).

Congratulations/Wednesday Celebration/Debrief

2009-11-17T16:51:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to both Mock Trial teams! I am so proud of all of you! I cannot imagine a better weekend of Mock Trial.

We will be getting together Wednesday, November 18 (tomorrow) at 2:00 p.m., since it sounded like that time worked for everyone. I have copies of score sheets for everyone. I will also have some initial information about the AMTI National Mock Trial competition in May.

Paperwork need signed

2009-11-12T17:10:00.000-08:00

I need this form signed for each student. (Just found ou this afternoon!). If possible, please print and bring Friday morning.
http://www.alyig.org/register/10registrationForm.pdf

Some more details for trip to Montgomery

2009-11-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

Several students have already paid their $100 "extra" money...If you have not, please try to bring it to the scrimmage on Wednesday (check to WHCS Govt Club on Wednesday).

We will be meeting at Creative Learning Connection on Friday morning at 11:00 to depart for Montgomery. We WILL be stopping at the Art Museum on our way to Montgomery to see their "Art, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" exhibit. The tickets will only cost $6 each, and we are covering that out of the "extras" money.

We will also be stopping for lunch and dinner on our way down to Montgomery Friday; both of those are also covered in the money we're collecting.

I'll post more as I think of -- let me know if you have any questions: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

2nd Scrimmage Note

2009-11-06T10:49:00.001-08:00

For the Scrimmages next week, I would like everyone to plan to be there the entire time (regardless of which time slot you are scrimmaging in). The Montgomery folks should be there in the morning to encourage the Scrimmage folks, and vice versa.

We will be getting pizza again between the 2 scrimmages. Thank you to everyone who paid their $5 last week -- that will be enough to cover lunch for both weeks.

If you have not emailed me your direct/cross/statements, please do it ASAP!
cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Thanks.

See everyone Wednesday

November 11 Scrimmage

2009-11-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Our second set of scrimmages will be at Grace United Methodist (2113 Old Monrovia Rd.
Huntsville, AL 35806) The church is very easy to get to from University. Go North at the light for Providence Main (used to be called Indian Creek). It is a left turn if you are coming from Madison. Go through the little "Providence Main" section to the round about. The third exit off the round about is Old Monrovia, heading toward the church. Go about two blocks, and Grace United Methodist will be on your left.

The scrimmage teams will go first, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Montgomery teams will scrimmage at 1:00.

Friends and family are welcome to join us for either or both of these.

We will be having pizzas for lunch in between the two. If you paid your $5 the first week, you do NOT have to pay again, you are covered for both weeks.

Any questions, let me know: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

Notes for 1st Scrimmage

2009-11-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

I will be at CLC to meet someone else between 8:30 and 9, if anyone would rather meet me there instead of meeting us at the church. I would like to be leaving AT 9 to head to the church.

We will be ordering pizzas for lunch. If each student will bring $5 either this week or next, we should have enough money to cover lunch both days. (Two of our students donated sodas, water, and chips for us to sell at the store, and the money from those is helping bring down the costs for these two lunches. Thank you guys.)

Email me!

2009-10-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

I need Statements, Directs, and Crosses emailed to me by Tuesday afternoon: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu.

Thank you.
Mrs. Jaime

Color Choices for Montgomery/Dress Scrimmage

2009-10-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Both teams are using black as their base color (suits for the guys, dress slacks and/or skirts for the girls).

Defense team has decided on:
Red for Saturday, Blue for the girls and Black for the guys on Sunday, and White for Monday. They've also chosen White for the Dress Scrimmage on Wednesday, November 11.

Prosecution team has decided on:
Red for Saturday and White for Sunday. They are leaving Monday as an individual choice.

Nov 4 -- First money is due!

2009-10-29T18:46:00.001-07:00

The YMCA would like to get our $220/person next week. 4 students have already paid on-line, thank you! I need the other 8 to send their money in directly, or bring it to the Scrimmage on Wednesday.

We also need to finalize which adults are going with us. I've had a couple of parents express interest in going -- but we need to finalize who is and isn't joining us.

Nov 4 Scrimmage

2009-10-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

November 4 Scrimmage will be at Central Assembly Church, 1701 Sparkman Dr. (Huntsville). One scrimmage will be from 10 - 12 noon, followed by pizza for lunch, and the 2nd scrimmage from 1 to 3. This one is casual (no dress clothes necessary).

This week's assignments (for Oct 14)

2009-10-11T14:59:00.001-07:00

This week, we need all witnesses and lawyers on Montgomery teams to bring their questions (Direct or Cross) with them to Wednesday morning's practice. We will be copying them to share with the students on the scrimmage teams.

If you will not be there Wednesday morning, please email me a copy before then: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu.

Students on the scrimmage teams are free to modify the questions they receive as little or as much as they like.

This week, in addition to sharing Cross and Direct questions, we will be focusing on Objections: what they are, when they are used, and how to respond to them.

Hamlet quotes

2009-10-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." Hamlet quote (Act II, Scene II).

"That it should come to this!". Hamlet quote (Act I, Scene II).

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" Hamlet quote (Act II, Sc. II).

"I will speak daggers to her, but use none". - (Hamlet Quote Act III, Sc. II).

Fundraiser Letter Update

2009-10-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

For everyone going to Montgomery, we will need to collect the $220 per person that we owe the YMCA by the end of October. The remaining $100 or so needs to be paid by time we leave on 13 November. If you have not sent out letters, it's not too late. (But I wouldn't wait much longer!)

Several of the students have sent out Fundraiser letters and are getting checks to help with the above costs. Their collections will go to pay their own expenses first (minus stamps if the club purchased the stamps). If anyone raises more than their own costs through the letters -- it will be applied to the group's expenses (such as the gas, extra hotel night, etc.)

Letters may be sent via snail mail, or via email, students have successfully done both at this point.

Any questions, let me know.
Cathy/Mrs. Jaime, Adviser
cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu 256-325-3305

Montgomery Team Practice Suggestions

2009-10-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

It has been suggested that the Prosecution team meet at CLC to practice on Thursday from 10 - 12 (beginning next Thursday, Oct 15).

And that that we move the Defense team practices to Thursdays from 12 - 2 pm (starting Oct 15) We will still have one more Friday practice (this Friday, Oct 9 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

November Scrimmage Notes

2009-10-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

We will have two scrimmage days in November, one on Wednesday, November 4 and one on Wednesday, November 11. Plan on both of those days going from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (We will bring drinks, and order pizza for those days.) The scrimmages will NOT be at CLC; we are working on getting two churches in the Madison/Huntsville area to have those at.

Family and friends are welcome to attend either or both of the scrimmages. The second one will be more formal.

For the first scrimmage, the students can just wear "everyday" clothes -- jeans, t-shirts, etc. For that scrimmage, we will have the Defense scrimmage team go against the Prosecution Montgomery team, and vise versa.

The second scrimmage is a Dress Rehearsal, especially for the Montgomery teams. The students on the scrimmage teams do NOT have to go out and buy special clothes for the Dress Rehearsal. But I would like them to come reasonably dressed up -- khakis and a dress shirt or polo would be fine.

For that scrimmage the scrimmage teams will scrimmage each other and the Montgomery teams will scrimmage each other.

Other notes from today's Govt Club

2009-09-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

We got all members of the Montgomery teams registered on time!
www.alyig.org

For ALL team members:
The next meeting (Oct 7) we will have half the meeting as a General Meeting and half the meeting as Mock Trial -- Please bring at least a rough draft of direct questions if you are a witness and cross questions if you are a lawyer.

The following week, October 14, we will primarily be going over Objections. Witnesses from all the teams are welcome to attend, but we especially need all of the lawyers to attend.

Prosecution Team (Scrimmage)

2009-09-23T10:47:00.001-07:00

Opening -- Aaron
Closing -- Tess

Witnesses
Shelby -- ?? (Directed by Micah)
Jamie -- ?? (Directed by Tess)
Police -- John (Directed by Aaron)

Crosses
Pat -- Micah
Kinsley -- Tess
Loren -- Aaron

Defese Team (Scrimmage)

2009-09-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Opening -- Holden
Closing -- Eli

Loren -- Hannah (Directed by Eli)
Kinsley -- Brad (Directed by Holden)
Pat -- Ben (Directed by Tiffany)

Crosses
Police -- Tiffany
Jamie -- Eli
Shelby -- Holden

Prosecution Team (Montgomery)

2009-09-23T10:42:00.001-07:00

Opening -- Connor
Closing -- Jacob

Shelby -- Pearl (Directed by Kayleigh)
Jamie -- Maggie (Directed by Jacob)
Police Officer -- Katie (Directed by Connor)

Crosses
Kayleigh -- Loren
Jacob -- Pat
Connor -- Kinsley

Defense Team (Montgomery)

2009-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

For right now, will be practicing on Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Opening -- Tori
Closing -- Joel

Witnesses
Pat -- Heidi (Directed by Ariella)
Loren -- Lee (Directed by Joel)
Kinsley -- Noah (Directed by Tori)

Crosses:
Ariella -- Shelby
Joel -- Jamie
Tori -- Police Officer

Fundraiser Letter - be sure to insert phone number/names/email addresses

2009-09-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

October 2009

Dear

We are members of the Way Home Christian School (WHCS) Government Club. We are writing today to ask for your support for our important upcoming events.

Each year our club sends teams to the statewide Youth Judicial (Mock Trial) competition in Montgomery, Alabama, which is hosted by the YMCA Youth in Government program. The YMCA Youth Judicial program allows high school students (Grades 9 -12) the opportunity to learn about law though preparation and presentation of a mock case. Students are on teams of 6, with 3 youth lawyers and 3 youth witnesses. Teams prepare either the defense side of the case or plaintiff/prosecution. Other students in Alabama’s program go down as a judge, sheriff, or deputy sheriff. (No other states offer these other choices for participation or have youth as the scoring judges.) All participants receive a fictional case which has a case summary, evidence and affidavits for the plaintiff/prosecution and the defense.

In the last 12 years, the Club has taken 21 teams to Montgomery. Every year at least one team has placed in the top 10, and 8 of the years we had 1st place teams. (We take our Mock Trial seriously and yet still have fun as we prepare our cases.) Additionally, 15 of our students have participated in national Mock Trial competitions over the years. Several of those students went on to do College Mock Trial and one is starting his final year at NYU Law School.

Altogether our Club needs to raise $5000 for this event in order to cover program fees, transportation, lodging and food expenses for the teams and advisors. Additionally, we have several students who are planning to attend the Harvard Mock Trial Training weekend in October, many who would like to go to Youth Legislature in February, and numerous more who hope to attend our Government Club Field Trip to Philadelphia in March.

Any size donation would be greatly appreciated and your entire donation is tax deductible as well.

Please send your contribution in the form of check or money order made payable to the Way Home Christian School (WHCS) to the following address:
WHCS Govt Club Fundraiser
8006 Old Madison Pike, Ste 11-a
Madison, AL 35758

If you would like to learn more about our group or have any questions regarding this letter, please feel free to contact me at (insert phone number). Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Insert Names Here
WHCS Government Club
cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

16 Sept General Meeting

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Our general meetings will be spent discussing current events that are related to government. This week's Meeting was easy -- we spent almost the entire time discussing last weekend's 9/12 March/Rally in D.C. (My apologies for not mentioning in advance that Dee and I were going to that!)

We went through the pictures we had taken, the speeches, the media coverage, the reasons for it, and more.

Harvard Mock Trial Training

2009-09-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

It looks like only 2 of us will be attending the Mock Trial Training in Harvard this year. But don't worry, we will come back with lots of good information to share with everyone!

Fall Meeting Dates Modified

2009-09-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

I had these posted earlier, but made some changes to it, so I'm posting it again with the corrections:

General Govt Club Meetings are usually the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the month, beginning on September 16. (The exception will be November 4, since we will be having a Mock Trial Scrimmage that day, instead of a General Meeting.)

So, the fall general government meetings are scheduled for: September 16 & 30, October 7 & 21, and December 2. (The November General Meeting has been canceled -- it is too close to our potential departure for the Thanksgiving holidays...So for the fall we will plan on two General Meetings in September, two in October and one in December.)

The semester ends with a Christmas Party on December 16 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mock Trial meetings are scheduled for September 9 & 23, and October 14 and 28. Then the first scrimmages are on November 4, and there is a Mock Trial Scrimmage/Dress Rehearsal on November 11. (The location will be announced on those -- we like to have at least the Dress Rehearsal somewhere larger, so it is easier for family and friends to come and watch.)

Additionally, we will try to have at least some of the Mock Trial teams get together to practice once a week, from mid-September through the beginning of November. (We will discuss that more at the September 9 meeting.

Mock Trial teams

2009-08-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

We're going to try something new this year for Mock Trial, so that more people can benefit from the Mock Trial experience. This year we are going to plan on having our "competition teams" that will go down to Montgomery and compete in November, as we usually do.

But, in addition to that, we would like to form 1 or 2 "scrimmage teams" - where we pass out the case, the parts, etc., students prepare as they would normally do, but they will finish with 1 or 2 local scrimmages in November...So there will be practically no costs involved in that, and no big pressure -- just the great experience of participating in Mock Trial!

Our first Mock Trial Meeting will be on the 2nd Wednesday morning in September, September 9th, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. If you would like to be on a competition team, a scrimmage team, or just have more questions about Mock Trial, please plan to attend. (We hope to start forming teams that day, so if you ARE interested, and won't make it to the Meeting on the 9th, definitely let us know!)

Any questions, be sure to ask the Advisor/Coach, Cathy Jaime -- cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu.

First Fundraiser Idea -- Box Tops for Edcation

2009-08-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Start saving those General Mills' Box Tops for Education and bring them to a Government Club Meeting. (You can even ask friends and family to save them for you.) I don't know how quickly they add up -- but figure every little bit will help!

Mock Trial case

2009-08-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

The 2009 case is available already! You can check it out at: http://www.alyig.org/judicial/case.pdf

Bowling Update -- Time Change

2009-08-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

The time for next week's bowling has been changed. The lanes are not available until 11:30. So we will be bowling from 11:30 - 1:30 instead of 9:30 to 11:30, I hope that doesn't cause any problems! Please let us know if you are planning to attend, so we make sure we have enough lanes reserved. (See the earlier post for date and location...)

Fundraiser Idea

2009-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

I apologize for all the high costs of all these events -- I wish they weren't so expensive, but most of the costs are outside of my control. We have done a fundraiser letter in the past that was very successful, and we are looking into the possibility of doing that again for this year. You may want to start compiling a list of names and addresses of family and friends that you could send that to, if we can work out the details. We hope to have that ready to roll by next week.

Harvard Mock Trial Association

2009-08-19T07:54:00.001-07:00

Last year we had a wonderful opportunity at the last minute to take several students to a Mock Trial training program run by the Harvard Mock Trial Association. This year's training weekend is October 17-18, which is before our competition, so if we have any students who can make it, it would be a great learning experience. It is not a cheap experience -- registration is $150 each, and then we have to get airplane tickets on top of that. (Good news is we can stay with a friend when we are up there.) Let me know if you are interested.

Dates and Info for Our YMCA events

2009-08-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

The place to see info on what is going on with the YMCA Youth in Government Program is www.alyig.org. When you register on their website, be sure to put down "Huntsville" for the delegation, and "Way Home Christian School" for the school (regardless of where you live and which homeschool group you are in -- that's who we're registered as).

We should get our case for the fall Youth Judicial/Mock Trial competition sometime in September. Pre-Youth Judicial will probably be Sunday afternoon, September 20 or September 27 in Anniston or Birmingham (more info on that when I have it). Pre-Youth Judicial is optional, but is a good idea for those who are new to the Judicial program. We will coordinate that once we have more information.

Registration for Judicial has already begun on the website, and the price goes up in October, so it is highly recommended that you register by the end of September.

They are doing something new this year, and only 52 experienced teams will be allowed to compete, so the sooner we get our teams firmed up and signed up, the better.

The competition itself is November 14 - 16, and we will head down on November 13. The cost that weekend,in addition to what we will have already paid, is usually about $100 per student. That includes the extra night in the hotel, extra meals before and after the meal ticket, and gas.

Youth Legislature is earlier this year than usual -- it will be held February 26 - 28. Registration for that begins right after Judicial.

Two Govt-Related Opportunities at CLC in August

2009-08-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

Are you wanting to keep up with what's going on in the political world these days, but having trouble knowing how? Join us Thursday, August 27th from 7 – 9 p.m. for a discussion/teaching on "How Do We Keep Up with Politics Today?"

This is geared toward the adults in the family, but older, interested students may also get something out of it. Come find out some great new ways to find out what’s going on in our Government – Come with questions and ideas. (Please RSVP to Cathy at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu so we have enough chairs.)

*****

Come out and meet Les Phillip! Les is running for Congress District 5 in 2010. http://www.lesphillip.com/ This is a great opportunity to meet and talk with Les. Let him know your concerns and find out what he will do if he becomes our next congressman.

Where: Creative Learning Connection, 8006 Madison Pike, Suite 11-A, Madison, AL 35758
When: August 31 at 7:00 pm

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Jan Nolin at janolin@comcast.net or 837-6364 (we need to make sure we have enough chairs set up).

If you have any questions, call or email Jan Nolin.

Fall Meeting Dates

2009-08-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

General Govt Club Meetings are usually the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the month, beginning on September 16. (The exception will be November 4, since we will be having a Mock Trial Scrimmage that day, instead of a General Meeting.)

So, the fall general government meetings are scheduled for: September 16 & 30, October 7 & 21, and December 2. (The November General Meeting has been canceled -- it is too close to our potential departure for the Thanksgiving holidays...So we will plan on two General Meetings in September, two in October and one in December.)

The semester ends with a Christmas Party on December 16 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mock Trial meetings are scheduled for September 9 & 23, and October 14 and 28. Then the first scrimmage is on November 4, and there is a Mock Trial Scrimmage/Dress Rehearsal on November 11.

Additionally, we will try to have each Mock Trial team get together to practice once a week, from mid-September through the beginning of November.

Govt Club Activity

2009-08-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

What: Bowling at the South Parkway AMF Bowling Center.
When: Wednesday, 26 August from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 for 2 hours of bowling and shoe rental

RSVP to Cathy at cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu

2009 - 2010 Open House

2009-05-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

We will have our Open House on Wednesday, August 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon, at Creative Learning Connection.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Catherine at: cmmjaime@alum.mit.edu or 325-3305.

Scrimmage Wednesday, May 6

2009-05-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Please meet at the church at 10 for the scrimmage, or at my house by 9:30 if you need a ride from the Madison area.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Directions to church:

I-565 to Sparkman. North on Sparkman. Pass under University. Church is on left.

Central Assembly
1701 Sparkman Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35816
837-7004

Final Govt Club Meeting Results

2009-04-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

After some hard fought elections, we have the following officers for next year:

President -- Elijah Jaime
Vice President -- Joel Burkes
Secretary -- Victoria Jaime
Treasurer -- Katie Kratsch
Chaplain -- to be announced

We have one more meeting for the year -- our mock Mock Trial next Wednesday, May 6th, from 10 to 12 at the Burkes' church, on Sparkman. Joel is supposed to be sending directions.

Decision was made that any clothes except shorts and t-shirts would be acceptable for the event.

Please let me know if you have signed up for this event and will NOT be attending...

Revised Mock Trial Parts

2009-04-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

We will have another Mock Trial class in 2 weeks, on April 22nd, and the Scrimmage on May 6.

Parts are now:
Prosecution team

Opening -- Victoria

Chris Taylor -- Ariella, directed by Heidi
Bailey Powell -- Kayleigh, directed by Lee
Jean Thomas -- Levi, directed by Joel

Noah crossing Henley Wells
Connor crossing Blake Williams
Joel crossing Miller Edwards

Closing -- Joel

****

Defense team

Opening -- Houston

Henley Wells -- Aaron, directed by Karl
Blake Williams -- Jacob, directed by Elijah
Miller Edwards -- Katie, directed by Niki

Steven crossing Chris Taylor
Houston crossing Bailey Powell
Adam crossing Jean Thomas

Closing -- Steven

Highlights of Youth Legislature

2009-04-06T07:17:00.001-07:00

All in all I think we would all agree that this was an exciting weekend at Youth Leg.
Alex spent much of Friday in the Senate, where she got to present her bill to require schools to teach both sides of the creation/evolution debate. It didn't pass, but it garnered more support than we expected. Alex also did a great job in Supreme Court -- often speaking up, so I didn't have to!
Joel's bill to require families to purchase an electric car did not pass in the House, but he was able to convince the Supreme Court it was constitutional, after amending it to allow families to still keep their gas powered cars if they owned at least one electric. (He was one of only a few bill authors who faced them that was able to accomplish that.)
Jacob's bill to ban the use of cell phones in cars did not pass in First Year, but he also convinced the Supreme Court that it was constitutional -- and gave them their best prepared argument of the day.
Aaron's bill to force public schools to allow participation in their activities by homeschoolers not only passed in First Year, it was signed into law by the Governor -- the first bill authored by a WHCS student to ever be signed into law at Youth Leg.
Elijah's bill passed in First Year, but was vetoed by the Governor. We never found out what he had against requiring first aid kits in cars...Throughout the weekend, Elijah made himself known as the one who would ask, "Do you have something against homeschoolers?"
Katie and Kayleigh were disappointed that their bill never made it to the floor in First Year to be debated, but they both enjoyed debating other bills. Kayleigh was recognized in the newspaper as one of those "who took a stand and completely shut down the chamber with their debate". And Katie helped amend the bill to improve it some.
Katie was also recognized as one of the top 16 debaters in the First Year, and then selected as the 12th alternate to National Affairs.

Hate Speech

2009-04-05T16:11:00.001-07:00

One of the bills the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional yesterday was one banning Hate Speech. It might be fair to say that the author had "good intentions", however the Supreme Court quickly ruled that his speech violated the first amendment anyway!

It was interesting today to then read in the Secular Right of a real issue with "UN-free Speech". I really enjoyed this portion: "It’s certainly to be hoped that (at least when it is deserved) some degree of good manners be shown when discussing matters of religion, but the essence of good manners are that they are voluntary." Sounded much like the discussions we were having yesterday. And disturbing to think that adults, in an international role, are pushing the same types of attacks on our free speech as some of the Youth in Government students.

2nd Day at Youth Leg

2009-04-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

Another fun-filled day of debating in the various chambers and in the Supreme Court. Our Attorney Generals did a great job arguing for the constitutionality issues with various bills they brought before us. In the morning session, the Supreme Court only ruled constitutional on 2 out of 6 bills -- the one written by Joel and the one written by Jacob.

The morning ended with some extra excitement when the patron of one unconstitutional bill chose to throw his pocket constitution at the Supreme Court on his way out of our room.

The afternoon session saw six more bills get ruled on, with only one of those getting a constitutional pass (without much discussion, since it was basically a Senate version of Jacob's bill). Three additional bills, dealing with bringing a lottery to Alabama, caused issues since the Alabama constitution does not allow the lottery in our state. After much discussion, and some help from a legal scholar, it was decided that all three of those bills would have been unconstitutional if and only if the Constitution had already been amended to allow the lottery.

Most of the Supreme Court rulings were unanimous, 5-0, and then later 4-0 after one of the Justices had to depart. Only one bill caused much disagreement between the Justices, one dealing with illegal cell phones in jails brought a divided Court at 3-2.

1st Day at Youth Leg

2009-04-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Bad weather turned our 3 hour trip to Montgomery into a 5 hour one, but we finally arrived safely. Shortly after arrival, we made the Government Club's first trip to an Emergency Room, with Elijah's freshly broken finger/hand.

But Friday was an exciting day anyway. The Attorney Generals have found almost 20 "unconstitutional" bills to bring before the Supreme Court tomorrow, mostly dealing with free speech, search and seizure, and cruel and unusual punishment issues. The Supreme Court anxiously awaits hearing from the bills' authors, including Joel and Jacob.

Our 5 first year students enjoyed their first day of debate -- including passing Elijah, Jacob, and Aaron's bills.

Joel was disappointed that his House bill to force change to electric cars was shut down, while Alex was pleasantly surprised that her Senate bill to force schools to teach Creation in addition to Evolution garnered as much support as it did.

The day is winding down to the first game of the trip, Apples to Apples.