How many people in this Role?
10 Senate Chairs
Who can run for this Role?
Must be a Junior or Senior. Must have at least 1 year of experience participating in Youth and Government.
Main Role and Responsibilities
At the Maine YMCA Youth and Government conference, the Senate Committee Chair is one of the student leaders responsible for running a Senate committee during the legislative process. The position is designed to mirror the role of a committee chair in the real Maine Legislature.
Responsibilities include:
- Presiding over committee hearings by opening and closing sessions, recognizing speakers, and maintaining order.
- Leading debate on bills assigned to the committee, ensuring discussion is fair, respectful, and follows parliamentary procedure.
- Managing the legislative process by moving bills through public hearings, work sessions, amendments, and committee votes before they reach the Senate floor.
- Ensuring all delegates have an opportunity to participate, including bill sponsors, supporters, opponents, and committee members.
- Applying parliamentary procedure correctly and making rulings on committee business.
- Representing the committee's actions by reporting which bills receive favorable or unfavorable recommendations to the full Senate.
What skills are important for this Role?
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Confident public speaker.
- Can manage respectful debate, even during disagreements.
- Highly organized.
- Knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure.
- Can remain neutral while ensuring every delegate is heard.
- Calm and professional under pressure.
Does this Role attend the Leadership Training beginning on Thursday?
Yes!
Election/Selection Procedure
The Senate Committee Chairs are appointed positions, selected by the Youth Governor and Program Advisors. You must apply for the position by:
- Complete the Senate Committee Chair Google Application.
- Deadline is Tuesday after Ingenious People Day at 5:00 PM
- A committee of Advisors and the Youth Governor will make selections and announce winners at Caucus B.
- If all Roles are not filled, an election will be held at Caucus C.
- One (1) alternate Committee Chair will be selected in the event a delegate with the Role is unable to attend.
