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The Junior State of America (formerly Junior Statesmen of America) (“JSA”) is an American non-partisan student-run youth organization. The purpose of the JSA is to help high school students acquire leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to be effective citizens and voters. The JSA is sponsored by the Junior Statesmen Foundation (“JSF”), which also assists in the operation of the JSA Summer Schools. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Partisan may refer to: A member of a lightly-equipped irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Overview

The JSA is the largest student-run organization in the United States (second is Future Homemakers of America). Students organize every aspect of the organization, from the local chapter level to the multi-state level. The members elect leaders to organize JSA conventions, conferences, and political awareness events.

JSA is both a local and a national organization. The JSA is organized by "states", somewhat congruous with the real U.S. states. At the high school chapter level, chapter presidents organize local activities and meetings. On the regional level, "Mayors" and "Vice-Mayors" organize one-day regional conferences and coordinate chapter communication. On the state level, "Governors" and "Lieutenant Governors" organize overnight conventions and other activities. On the national level, Governors are in communication with each other planning convention themes and steering the direction of the organization. This national power has no judicial or legislative checks and balances. Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... The judiciary, also referred to as the judicature, consists of justices, judges and magistrates among other types of adjudicators. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The doctrine and practice of dispersing political power and creating mutual accountability between political entities such as the courts, the president or prime minister, the legislature, and the citizens. ...

The JSA program includes debates, “thought talks”, problem solving, and a variety of simulations designed to provide members with an informed viewpoint and the ability to analyse important issues. Simulations include, for example, model United Nations, model Congress (with a Senate and House of Representatives), crisis simulations, and other activities. JSA provides an opportunity to meet other students from outside their home communities who share similar interests; furthermore, debate conventions usually include various evening activities like dining downtown or impromptu debate. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... The United States House of Representatives (or simply the House) is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. ... Impromptu debate is a type of formalized academic debate. ...

In addition to sponsoring the JSA, the JSF sponsors 3- and 4-week "Summer School" sessions for JSA members. These are held at Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and Georgetown and week-long symposium on state and local politics in several states. The revenue from these programs help fund the school-year JSA program. “Yale” redirects here. ... Princeton University is a private coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, in the United States of America. ... Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly known as Stanford University (or simply Stanford), is a private university located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco and approximately 20 miles northwest of San José in Stanford, California. ... Georgetown University, incorporated as the The President and Directors of the College of Georgetown, is a private university in the United States, located in Georgetown, a historic neighborhood of Washington, D.C. With roots extending back to March 25, 1634 and founded in its current form on January 23, 1789...

History

The JSA was founded in 1934 by Professor E.A. Rogers (affectionately referred to as "Prof Rogers" by JSA enthusiasts) at the Montezuma Mountain School in Los Gatos, California, as an experiment in self-government. Students at the Montezuma Mountain School set up their own tree-branch government, complete with a student court, police force, executive officer, and legislative branch. The students would draft, pass, and enforce their own rules. Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Los Gatos is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

The JSA has had liaisons with other similar organizations outside of the United States. For example, throughout the 1980s the Pacific-Northwest State developed close ties with the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP). "Ambassadors" were invited from the Pacific-Northwest State to attend the December BCYP legislative session in Victoria, British Columbia, as well a number of BCYP sponsored events, including the "Vernon Conference" held in 1985, a project to celebrate the U.N. International Year of the Youth, involving the BCYP, the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta, and the JSA. In turn, the BCYP would send delegates to attend Pacific-Northwest Spring and Fall State. The Southern California state also added the American School in Honduras as a chapter in 2006 and the school's chapter attended the annual Congress convention. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... BCYP (British Columbia Youth Parliament) is a youth organization that operates in the Canadian province of British Columbia. ... Location of Victoria within the Capital Regional District in British Columbia, Canada Country Canada Province British Columbia Regional District Capital Incorporated 1862[1] Government  - Mayor Alan Lowe (past mayors)  - Governing body Victoria City Council  - MP Denise Savoie  - MLAs Carole James, Rob Fleming Area [2]  - City 19. ... Vernon is a city in the south central region of British Columbia called the Okanagan at the north end of Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... International Youth Year (IYY) was held in 1985, to focus attention on issues of concern to and relating to youth. ... The TUXIS Parliament of Alberta (“TPA”) is one of a number of provincial model youth parliaments that has its origins in the boys work movement of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ...

Since its inception in 1934, more than 500,000 student members have participated in the JSA. Former members include Mike McCurry (press secretary under Bill Clinton), Edwin Meese (Attorney General under Reagan), and businessman Charles Schwab. Mike McCurry conducts a White House press conference Mike McCurry (born 27 October 1954) is best known as the former press secretary for Bill Clintons administration. ... Edwin Meese III Edwin Ed Meese III (born December 2, 1931 in Oakland, California) served as the seventy-fifth Attorney General of the United States (1985-1988). ... Charles Schwab can refer to: Charles M. Schwab, 19th century industrialist and financier. ...

Structure

For practical purposes, the JSA is broken down into nine different tree-level branches. Most of these top-level branches are called States, others are Territories, and more are Regions. States are the most advanced and contain the most members, then territories, and then regions. When a region contains a pre-specified number of chapters and members, it may petition the Council of Governors (composed of the Governors from all States) to become a territory. When a territory attains a certain number of members and chapters, it may petition the Council of Governors for statehood.

The current top-level branches of JSA are:

• Northern California State
• Northeast State
• Mid-Atlantic State
• Florida Territory
• Midwest Territory
• Ohio River Valley State
• Texas State
• Pacific-Northwest State
• Southern California State

When a state becomes too large, the Council of Governors (the national executive branch, consisting of governors from every state) as well as the legislative branch of the state-at-hand can break the state into two or more parts. The parts that break off of the state are known as territories, and gain statehood upon reaching a certain number of constituents and approval of the Council of Governors. JSA also includes an international chapter in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Tegucigalpa IPA: (Tegus for short), population 1,200,000 (2006) (metro area), is the capital of Honduras (together with Comayagüela), and the countrys largest city. ...

In addition, substructures of states are regions, such as in the Northeast State with the Northeast Region (NER) and the Empire Constitution Region (ECR).

The sponsoring JSF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an adult board of trustees and paid staff. The JSA receives administrative and programming support from the JSF. A non-profit organization (abbreviated NPO, or non-profit or not-for-profit) is an organization whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes, without concern for monetary profit. ... The word trustee is a legal term that refers to a member of a trust, which can be set up for any of a variety of purposes, and is entrusted with the administration of property on behalf of others. ...

JSA events

Fall and spring state conventions

Fall and Spring State are state-wide overnight conventions at regional hotels and convention centers. Both consist of debates, thought talks, and special activities, including political fairs and a casual dance. Fall State is one night, students topically arrive at the hotel on a Saturday and return home the following day. Spring State, by comparison, usually takes place over three days, students arriving at the hotel on a Friday and retuning on Sunday. At this longer spring convention JSA members in attendance elect regional leaders for the upcoming year. Both Fall and Spring State conventions are highlighted by prestigious keynote speakers. Past speakers at the Northern California Region's Conventions include Stanley "Tookie" Williams (in attendance by telephone), Snoop Dogg, and William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense under Bill Clinton (94-97). Speakers at Mid-Atlantic, and more recently the Pacific Coast, Region Conventions include Ralph Nader. Stanley Tookie Williams III (December 29, 1953 – December 13, 2005), born in Monroe, Louisiana, was a convicted murderer and an early leader of the Crips, a notorious American street gang which had its roots in South Central Los Angeles in 1971. ... Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. ... Alternative meaning: William Perry (football) William James Perry (born October 11, 1927) was the U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from February 3, 1994 to January 23, 1997. ...

Winter Congress convention

Winter Congress is structured more like an actual Congress: students are divided into Senate and House of Representative committees. Each student then goes to their assigned house and passes or rejects bills, depending on how well the debaters perform and what the students support. The bills that pass both houses of the Congress may then be introduced into a "full session" of Congress if a Senator or Representative chooses to sponsor the bill. At certain Congress conventions, students join political parties during Winter Congress which have platforms on all of the bills up for debate. Candidate declarations are also held during Winter State, beginning the election season. Past speakers have included Joe Trippi, former Congressman Bob Barr, Senator Orrin Hatch, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, His Excellency Imad Moustapha (Syrian Ambassador to the United States), and Qubad Talabani (Son of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani)

Regional conferences

There are also smaller, regional conferences and mini-conferences ("minicons") which occur on a local level. Regionals are run by the Mayors and Vice-Mayors of Regions along with the Regional Cabinet members that they appoint. Minicons are usually hosted by chapters at individual schools and are not officially JSA-sponsored events.

Elected positions and cabinet

As a student-run organization, the JSA leadership consists of students elected to the various JSA offices. Elections occur each year at the Spring State convention and are major events. Races are regulated by a Fair Elections Committee (FEC) that sets spending limits and regulates campaigning.

Once elected, elected officials may appoint a "Cabinet" to help run the organization. Prospective cabinet members often need to complete an application to be considered for a position. In some states cabinet members need to be approved by the Senate or State Assembly. These appointments range from Convention Coordinator, CIA Director, REC Director, and varying positions under those such as Director of Logistics, CIA and REC agents who facilitate communication with individual JSA chapters. A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ...

State top officials

The State elected officials lead the top-level branches of JSA.

Governor

The position of governor is the highest elected position in JSA. The governor has the job of appointing a state cabinet, (among other things) that gets work done at the JSA state level.

The Council of Governors (COG) is an assembly of all Governors to run JSA at the national level. The COG has the authority to determine if territories can become states. One serves on the JSF as a trustee.

Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor is second-in-command to the Governor. He or she also runs the Fair Elections Committee (FEC). In some states, the Lieutenant Governor is also in charge of the Senate or State Assembly.

Convention Coordinator

The Convention Coordinator controls all three conventions throughout the year. He or she is responsible for planning events and logistical organization ensuring the overall success of conventions. CC is also in charge of making sure that every convention staff is up-to-date and is getting his or her job done. It is also the responsibility of the CC to write the agenda for the conventions with limited oversight from the JSA paid staff.

Director of Debate

The DoD works in conjunction with the CC. The DoD drafts debate resolutions, thought talks, and other activities with oversight from the CC and Governor. He or she is also responsible for signing up speakers at the conventions. Although the DoD is allowed to participate in election campaigns, he or she is frequently prepared by cabinet to take over as CC the following year as a senior. In some states, however, the DoD is totally independent of the Convention Department and, thus, serves as an equal peer of the CC, such as in the Ohio River Valley.

Speaker

The position of speaker exists only in the states of Northern California, Southern California, and Texas. The Speaker presides over the State Assembly. In other states, that job defaults to the Lieutenant Governor who, in some states, appoints a President Pro-Tempore from the Assembly Representatives to jointly run the body. Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

Regional elected officials

Every top-level JSA branch is divided into a few parts, called "Regions". Every Region has a Mayor and a Vice-Mayor. Some Regions also have Senators.

Mayor

The Mayor is a very important and critical part of a state. He or she leads the entire region, which ranges from a large city area to a combination of parts of several states. He or she is responsible for the well-being of his or her region, as well as planning and executing the one-day regional conferences and helping with the over-night conventions.

Vice Mayor

This officer assists the Mayor, and takes his or her place in case of absence or resignation. A primary role of the Vice Mayor is to keep up on the status of all chapters within the region, and make sure the Chapter Presidents have everything they need to succeed.

Senator

Most of the regions each elect a certain number of senators, depending on the state. These work under their regional mayors as well as the state Lt. Governor and represent their regions on the state level. Once again, not all regions do this. In some states each senator does a Personal Outreach Project, or a POP, which the senator has their project to assist the average JSA member become more involved.

Summer events

After the school year is over, JSA chapter members can participate in numerous student-run events over the summer. The biggest events, which are held at prestigious universities, are the JSA Summer Schools. The Summer Schools, conducted by the JSF, offer students an opportunity to study local, state, or national government at an advanced level. These programs prepare young leaders for active participation in public affairs.

These programs, at which students take a full semester each of two courses over four weeks (with the exception of the Georgetown programs, lasting three weeks), for which they can receive high school credit, take place at Stanford, Georgetown, Princeton, Yale, and Northwestern. Past speakers have included Mike McCurry, Andy Card, Lee Hamilton, Norman Mineta, Joe Trippi, Dennis Kucinich, John Kerry, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Ted Rall, George H.W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Brian Williams and Karl Rove. Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly known as Stanford University (or simply Stanford), is a private university located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco and approximately 20 miles northwest of San José in Stanford, California. ... Georgetown University, incorporated as the The President and Directors of the College of Georgetown, is a private university in the United States, located in Georgetown, a historic neighborhood of Washington, D.C. With roots extending back to March 25, 1634 and founded in its current form on January 23, 1789... Princeton University is a private coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, in the United States of America. ... “Yale” redirects here. ... Northwestern University is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian research university located in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois. ... Mike McCurry conducts a White House press conference Mike McCurry (born 27 October 1954) is best known as the former press secretary for Bill Clintons administration. ... Andrew Hill Card Jr. ... Lee Herbert Hamilton is the vice chair of the 9-11 Commission and currently serves on the Presidents Homeland Security Advisory Council. ... Norman Yoshio Mineta (born November 12, 1931) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. ... Joe Trippi is the worlds foremost authority on Diet Pepsi, a fact that dismays the Cocal Cola company to no end. ... Dennis John Kucinich (born October 8, 1946) is an American politician of the Democratic party and a candidate for President of the United States in both 2004 and 2008. ... John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from Massachusetts, in his fourth term of office. ... Harry Mason Reid (born December 2, 1939) is the senior United States Senator from Nevada and a member of the Democratic Party. ... Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party. ... Bold text A Ted Rall cartoon depicting John Kerry and George W. Bush. ... Order: 41st President Vice President: Dan Quayle Term of office: January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 Preceded by: Ronald Reagan Succeeded by: Bill Clinton Date of birth: June 12, 1924 Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush Political party: Republican George Herbert Walker Bush, KBE (born... Condoleezza Rice (born November 14, 1954) is the 66th United States Secretary of State, and the second in the administration of President George W. Bush to hold the office. ... This article is about the American journalist. ... Karl Christian Rove (born December 25, 1950) is Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. ...

Summer symposiums are also held in different regions, such as the summer school symposium of Ohio State University, University of Washington and University of Southern California. These events are one- to two-weeks long and venture into politics, world studies, history, and discussions of current events. Originally, the term symposium referred to a drinking party; the Greek verb sympotein means to drink together. The term has since come to refer to any academic conference, irrespective of drinking. ... Ohio State University (OSU) is a coeducational public research university in the state of Ohio. ... The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is a public research university in Seattle, Washington. ... The Trojan Shrine, better known as Tommy Trojan in June 2006. ...

Every summer, the newly elected governors each choose a select few from his or her state/territory to attend the Montezuma National Leadership Summit (affectionately known as "Zuma"). The summit is held in early-to-mid August at Presentation Center in Los Gatos, California, the former site of the Montezuma Mountain School where JSA was founded in 1934. Students ("Zumans") at this summit learn more about the history and national dynamics of JSA and attendance is considered an honor. Los Gatos is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. ...

External links

• The JSA Website
• Midwest JSA Region Website
• The Northeast State Website
• The Mid-Atlantic State Website
• The Texas State Website