Citizenship Seminar & Summer 2023 National Citizenship Washington Focus

Citizenship Seminar

Montana Citizenship Seminar is designed to inspire 4-H youth as they learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Youth delegates gain hands-on experience with the legislative process by participating in a mock legislature, create and debate bills, work with other youth from across the state, meet with elected officials, tour the capitol, and participate in a service-learning project.

Delegates will also attend the Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.   

Citizenship Seminar is traditionally held in Helena in the years when the legislature is in session. It is held in conjunction with Legislative Breakfast, which is hosted on January 17 by Montanans for 4-H.  

Event Details

Dates & Times

Citizenship Seminar will be held Sunday, January 15- Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

The seminar will begin on Sunday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. and end on Tuesday, January 17 sometime in the early afternoon, around 1:30 p.m. 

Location

Helena, Montana – Seminar activities will take place at the Delta Colonial Hotel in conjunction with Legislative Breakfast, the Bill Hamilton Building as well as the state capitol complex. 

Youth Eligibility

4-H members must be 13 years of age by October 1, 2022.

Chaperones

Each delegate must have a designated (adult) chaperone.

Certified chaperones must be 21 years of age or older.

Counties may combine with other counties to reach a desired 1:10 ratio of adults to youth.

Chaperones will be asked to participate in the seminar by acting as lobbyists during the legislative process.

Any adults with special skills or interests please email [email protected] if you would like to assist in any way. 

Accommodations

Each individual/county must make their own guest room reservations.

A block of rooms is reserved at the Delta Colonial Hotel (2301 Colonial Drive, Helena).Call (406) 443-2100 and request a room under "Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar."

The block will be open from November 28, 2022 – January 5, 2023.

The rate is $107.00 per room plus tax (single/double occupancy) or $123.00 per room plus tax (triple/quad occupancy). 

Reserve your hotel room by January 1, 2023 or earlier.

Program Fee

There is an $85 registration fee per youth and adult to offset the seminar program costs.

Check with your county office to confirm amount before paying.

The Montana 4-H Foundation contributes $3,000.

The program fee includes all meals for both Montana Citizenship Seminar and the Legislative Breakfast. 

Registration

Both youth and adults: Log into your ZSuite Profile and register under Events.

Registration is open November 28, 2022 – January 2, 2023.

Register by January 2, 2023 or earlier.

Please check with your county office to confirm the amount before paying.  

Transportation

Transportation to and from the seminar and shuttling youth delegates between activities is the county’s responsibility.   

Legislative Bill

Each delegate is expected to sponsor one “bill” suitable for the 4-H Legislature.

Submit bills electronically to Christine Sommers-Austin [email protected]  by January 2, 2023.

The bills will be reviewed and grouped by topic area into committees prior to the seminar.

Please see the template in the ZSuite registration for information on how to write a bill.  

Service Project

Each delegate and county will have the opportunity to contribute to a service project that is yet to be determined.  

History Bowl

Each delegate will have the opportunity to compete in the Montana History Bowl.

The first round of the History Bowl will be a written form given on Sunday, January 15 during the seminar's check-in to determine the participates who will compete in the second and final rounds throughout the event.  

Checklist

_____ Reserve your hotel room by January 1, 2023 or earlier

_____ Registration through ZSuite by January 2, 2023 or earlier

_____ Check with your county office to confirm amount before paying

_____ Email your mock legislative bill to [email protected] by January 2, 2023 or earlier

Summer 2023 National Citizenship Washington Focus

Join us for a one-week summer program in Washington D.C. where teens experience the capital as their classroom and connect with young leaders from across the country to gain skills necessary to be effective change agents.

Save the Dates

Montana is sending two Delegations:

Session 1: June 11-16, 2023

Session 4: July 2-7, 2023