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(county-level student government organizations): The applications for the county-level student govenment officers and staff are now available. For complete information click on MCR (high school) or MCJC (middle school).
Middle and high school students are needed to
serve on the Special Elections Committee. This committee
handles the logistical details for running the election
of the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB),
a public official!Go to
the Special Elections
Web page for detailed information.
This
site has great preapproved opportunities for service
learning!
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Maryland Youth Action Corps - (visit
their web
site) For more information on MYAC, contact Teresa
Garcia of the GOSV at 410.767.6338 or tgarcia@gosv.state.md.us
The Challenge: Seeing young men
and women as valuable, energetic resources, both in
direct service and leadership in the community, MYAC
(the Maryland Youth Action Corps) was launched in 1995
as a pilot program of the Maryland Governor's Office
on Service and Volunteerism. The intention was to provide
a place for youth to advocate for youth concerns, develop
a membership and involve youth in service and leadership
throughout Maryland.
Recent Developments: The students,
mentors and staff have been growing in number since
1995. They have been working to form a stronger and
larger group of youth who are taking leadership roles
and doing service projects across the State. Because
of this growth from a committee to a body of youth,
adults, and Volunteer Centers, it is now proposed for
MYAC to be renamed "Maryland's YouthActionCorps". This
change follows one of the ideas proposed in the "Call
to Action" drafted by the Youth Commissioners at their
August 2001 meeting in Washington, DC.
Youth Action Corps Mission Statement:
The mission of Maryland's YouthActionCorps is to:
- Create direct service opportunities,
- Promote leadership opportunities
and training, and
- Support a forum for contact with
other youth and adult mentors.
Gaining Momentum in Growth and Vision:
To achieve this goal of promoting youth service and
leadership in Maryland, the GOSV is working with the
growing number of volunteer centers across the State
to engage Youth Action Corps members in service and
leadership in their local communities.
Benefits of Membership - As a member,
you will have the opportunity to:
- Provide direct service in your
community.
- Serve on one or more YAC project
teams of your choice, helping to plan the year's events.
- Hold and advocate for youth leadership
roles in your community organizations.
- Attend a Youth Action Corps retreat
to plan activities for your chapter.
- Host a Ravens football game with
other members and youth volunteers.
- Learn about and coordinate with
AmeriCorps programs and the "Maryland's Promise" goals.
- Evaluate proposals and award the
Maryland Youth Leadership Grant for youth designed
projects.
- Have the chance to meet with other
YAC members in your community and around Maryland.
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- will be accepting applications in December for the next session.....
What is Teen Court? -Teen Court
is an year-round program that offers teenage offenders
an important second chance - a chance to learn from
their mistakes without the high cost of a criminal record.
Teen Court is a justice program run by teens for teens.
Juveniles aged 12 through 17 who have committed a nonviolent
minor crime appear before a jury of their peers. Teen
Court is offered as a voluntary, positive experience
to divert teen offenders away from a pattern of criminal
behavior. Cases hear in Teen Court involve crimes such
as shoplifting, disorderly conduct, destruction of property
and possession of alcohol. The offender must admit guilt
since this is a disposition hearing to determine consequences.
Who Participates and What is the
Process? - In Teen Court, volunteer teens perform the
roles of the prosecuting and defense attorneys, bailiff,
clerk, and jury. The judge is the only adult directly
involved in the court proceedings. Cases are referred
to Teen Court by the Montgomery County Police Department
and the State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice.
The case is presented to the teen jury for determining
consequences for the offender. After careful consideration
of the facts, the jury decides upon a constructive sentence
which will include a minimum number of community service
hours as well as service on other teen juries. Also,
there might be educational programs, essays, and/or
apology letters. There is a graduated set of guidelines
designed for various offense levels. The offender will
be allowed up to sixty days to complete the program.
When this is accomplished, the charges will be dismissed.
Failure to comply with the sanctions within the allotted
time will result in notification to the referring agency
and possible court action.
Who Can Volunteer? - Teen Court
is seeking Montgomery County students in grades 9-12.
Teen Court is generally held bimonthly on Wednesday
evenings from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Benefits in volunteering:
- Learn valuable skills including
public speaking, logical thinking and the operation
of the judicial system
- Earn Student Service Learning
hours
Where is Teen Court Held? - Teen
court meets on Wednesday evenings in the Circuit Court
Building, The Judicial Center, 50 Maryland Avenue, 4th
Floor Jury Lounge, Rockville, Maryland 20850
Who Oversees Teen Court? - Teen
Court is a community partnership administered by the
Montgomery county State's Attorney's Office and supervised
by a Coordinator who manages and directs the overall
activities of the Court. An Advisory Board (comprised
of representatives from the judiciary, Montgomery County
Public Schools, private bar, State's Attorney's Office,
Montgomery County Police Department, State of Maryland
Department of Juvenile Justice, and student representatives)
assists in planning and executing the Court's purpose.
Questions? - Questions regarding
Teen Court should be directed to Georgene DeBord, Coordinator,
at 240-777-7344 or Georgine.DeBord@montgomerycountymd.gov
(www.communityprosecution.org)
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