Purpose

The purpose of the press corps program is to provide YMCA Youth & Government delegates with an opportunity to understand the role of media in the government.  Through the weekend of learning by doing, Press Corps members become involved with the actual skills of newspaper production: writing, interviewing, commentary, editing, layout, photography, graphics, production and circulation.

District Training Program

A special training program for Press Corps should be held in each district prior to the Albany Model Legislative weekend.  All delegates wishing to attend the State program are required to participate in the district conference during the same year.   The agenda for the district conference press training includes learning to write, interview techniques, photography and layout.   Each delegate must submit an article about their district conference, to the State Office when all other materials are due.

Structure of the Program

The Press Corps members work as part of a newspaper staff.   Each member must complete the following assignment by email to the Editor (John Wikiera Jwikiera2016@gmail.com) and State Director (Mark Rutkowski markr@rochesterymca.org)

By November 14, 2015 submit a news or blog article to the Editor and State Director

By December 19, 2015submit a news or blog article to the Editor and State Director

By January 24^, 2016 submit a news or blog article to the Editor and State Director

By February 21, 2016 submit a news or blog article to the Editor and State Director

At the State Conference an initial organizational meeting, the group’s individual resources are identified and a structure is developed to cover various functions of the paper.   These areas include:

• Management: Administration, story assignment, editing
• Reporting: Interviewing, covering activities, events, individuals and issues as assigned, developing articles.
• Graphics & Layout: Artwork, headlines, and layout for production.
• Photography: providing photo coverage through prints to record the weekend.
• Production: Printing, collating, distributing newspapers.
• Governor & Lt. Governor Elections: Develop 3-4 universal questions to be asked of each delegate.
• Blog discussion: Press will coordinate and maintain a blog page for the duration of the program, September – March.

Following the initial organizational work and assignment of roles, the Press Corps functions in the morning, afternoon and evening work sessions as outlined in the official conference schedule.  In addition to each district’s pre-conference edition, the Press Corps is responsible for producing a newspaper (The Dialectic) for the weekend, The Postie (post conference newsletter on-line), and photos for the closing slide program.

Types of Participation:

The Press Corps program like the other special purpose groups demands considerable individual initiative and responsibility.  The student must be highly motivated since many assignments are given over the course of the weekend.  Press Corps members are responsible for reporting in at the beginning of each work session and deadline.

1. Graphics and layout editors

    Qualification

• Skills and some background in artwork and layout.

Duties:

• Persons having this job will be in-charge of the physical construction of the newspaper.

b . Photographes

Qualification:

• Skills in operating a camera and basic knowledge of photography

Duties

• Provide photographic coverage of the different events at the State Model

Legislative Weekend upon assignment by the editorial staff.

1. Reporters

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of interviewing and reporting techniques by attending District Training Session.
• Ability to keep accurate notes and to meet deadlines.
• Possess a sense of fair reporting of the news.
• Ability to write clear concise, imaginative articles.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others on the staff.

Duties

• Covers the events of the Albany Weekend upon assignment by the Editorial staff.
• Meet deadlines set by the Editor(s)

1. Editorial Staff

Qualifications

• Knowledge of interviewing, reporting, and editing techniques.
• Ability to supervise each reporter assigned to his/her group.

Duties

• Utilize materials gathered by reporters as well as input from delegates.
• Determine content of press Corps publications by planning and editing articles.
• Is responsible for meeting deadlines and making sure reporters meet deadlines.

1. Editor-in-Chief

     This position has the rank of a Senior Officer of the Youth & Government program as indicated in Chapter One of this handbook.

Qualifications:

• At least a junior in high school when assuming position.
• Recognized leadership in school, community or YMCA activities.
• Good knowledge of journalism and training in the field.
• The ability to organize and orient newspaper staff and delegate power.

Duties

• Serve as presiding officer of the Press Corps group and integral member of the conference officer team attending all statewide meetings during the year.
• Supervises and orients all newspaper staff.
• Sets and is responsible for meeting deadlines.
• Coordinates production of newspaper.
• Plans for and supervises newspaper distribution.
• Writes one of the editorials for the newspaper.
• Chooses the managing and assistant editor as well as any other editor positions.
• Provides supportive guidance to the Editor candidates in the creation of the Postie
• Provided supportive leadership to the team responsible for developing a slide show summary of the conference.
• Provides supportive leadership to district press staff developing yearlong correspondence among delegates.
• Serve as presiding officer of the Press Corps group.
• Supervises and orients all newspaper staff.
• Sets and is responsible for meeting deadlines.
• Coordinates production of newspaper.
• Plans for and supervises newspaper distribution.
• Writes one of the editorials for the newspaper.
• Chooses the managing and assistant editor as well as any other editor positions.

PRESS CORPS AWARD

Members of the press corps will select through voting, a fellow member who they feel has made the outstanding contribution to this year’s Press Corps program.  This person will be presented with the Press Corps Member Award at the Closing Session.