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Dear Girls State Delegate and Parents:

Congratulations! Your local American Legion Auxiliary Unit has selected you to attend the 70th session of the Idaho Syringa Girls State, which will be held at Northwest Nazarene University

(NNU) in Nampa, Idaho on June 11 - 16, 2017. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the Girls State program in 49 states across the country. This unique program gives young women,

like you, the opportunity to learn how city, county, and state government functions, as well as

how political parties work. Through this program, our hope is that you will learn to become a

more involved citizen.

The ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary will be responsible for you during your stay at Girls

State. For this reason, please read through all the contents of this packet. It contains vital

information about your Girls State experience. This will be the only information that you will be

receiving prior to your departure to Girls State.

1. REGISTRATION: Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Culver Hall on the campus of NNU on Sunday, June 11th

. All Girls State Delegates must be registered by 11:00 a.m. on that day and will not be able to leave for any reason until the evening of June 16th

. If you will not be able to attend the entire session, you need to contact your local American Legion Auxiliary Unit, as well as the Session Coordinator (contact info listed below) prior

to May 12, 2017, in order for you or your sponsor to be eligible to receive the refundable

portion of your registration fee. (Please note that refunds are at the discretion of the

Board, and are not guaranteed.)

2. TRAVEL:

Private Vehicles:

Delegates who live within 100 miles of Boise are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the session. Delegates ARE NOT allowed to drive

themselves to Girls State and/or NNU.

Buses:

Arrival: If you live more than 100 miles from the Boise area, you will be arriving by chartered bus. The bus will arrive on campus between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00

a.m. on Sunday, June 11th. The bus arriving from northern Idaho will be picking up some delegates on Saturday, June 10th. Please check and recheck your schedule for the correct date and time!

American Legion Auxiliary Idaho Syringa Girls State

Department of Idaho

570 Richland AvePocatello, ID 83201idahoalasecretary@gmail.com

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Departure:

Girls State session will end on Friday evening (June 16th) after the Inauguration

Ceremony. The buses will depart the campus at approximately 11:00 p.m. Many

of you will be returning home in the early morning hours. We recommend that

you do not schedule any appointments or college tests on June 17th. Please note

the time of the buses arrival and have a designated person there to pick you up.

Please wear comfortable clothing on the bus. Enclosed is your bus assignment

and departure/arrival information. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early – the bus

will not wait for you. Any meals and/or snacks en-route to/from Girls State are

your responsibility, and you should plan accordingly.

If you arrive on the bus, you must return on the bus unless the Session

Coordinator has received signed, written consent from your parents/guardian

regarding your mode of transportation home. This written permission must be

received prior to June 1, 2017. NO EXCEPTIONS!

3. ARTICLES TO BRING:

Please mark all items that you bring with your name. Girls State cannot be held

responsible for lost or stolen items.

Bedding/Room

items

Pillow and light sleeping bag or twin size sheets and a blanket.

Small alarm clock (you may use the alarm on your cell phone).

Toiletries Towels, washcloths, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cosmetics, hair care,

band-aids for blisters, required medications, etc. Please bring feminine hygiene products; the long days, short nights,

and heat can change your monthly schedule.

Clothing

Requirements

Light coat/sweater, undergarments, stockings, slips, etc.

Sleepwear, robe, slippers, and shower sandals if desired.

A Formal Dress for Inauguration – Many girls like to wear a formal

for Inauguration. If you do not have a formal, please don’t feel

obligated to buy one. A nice Sunday dress will be fine.

Several Dresses/skirts - A dress/skirt is required on Sunday and on

Thursday, when we go to the Capitol. It is also suggested that you

wear them if campaigning on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Several Nice Pant Outfits - These should be business/professional

attire.

Casual Clothing - Such as you would wear to school, modest

sportswear to wear during some city meetings, talent night, and

recreation night.

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Shoes Comfortable shoes are a must! You will be doing a lot of walking, so

please do not bring any new shoes that hasn’t been broken-in. High-

heeled shoes are not prohibited, but not recommended (trust us).

Closed toe shoes are required on Thursday, which is our day at the

Idaho State Capitol.

Camera There are lots of photo ops. You may use the camera on your cell

phone, but please remember that texting, calling, charging can only be

done at night after all activities are finished. Also, there is no wi-fi

access at NNU.

Money/Misc. You may wish to bring some cash to purchase items at the Girls State

store, snacks from the vending machines, or important items that you

forgot at home.

You may bring your own favorite snacks with you!

Photo ID Please bring a state issued photo ID or school identification card.

4. WHAT NOT TO BRING: Please leave any valuable jewelry and other items at home. Girls State cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items. Also, you may not bring any prepared campaign items such as posters, pins, etc.

5. SERVICE PROJECT: This year, the delegates will be making scrapbooks for the residents at one of our three Veterans Homes. We will be collecting baseball caps for the Veterans Homes. If you would like to donate, please bring one with you to Girls State and give them to your City Counselor on Sunday.

6. MUSICAL/TALENT: Delegates will have opportunities throughout the week to share their musical talents. On Thursday we have a talent show, with each city providing 2 talents. We also have designated delegates accompanying the choir, singing in the choir, playing the piano during Inauguration, and playing the drums during Flag Ceremony.

7. CITIZENSHIP: Prior to coming to Girls State, you may want to attend a City Council meeting in your area or visit your local courthouse. Keeping track of current events is encouraged. A working knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure will be extremely helpful at Girls State. Any opportunities that you have to study and learn about Parliamentary Procedure (Parli Pro) will benefit you. Please visit the links on our website under Delegates/Other Information and Opportunities for more information.

8. BILLS AND LEGISLATION: Girls State Delegates are encouraged to prepare and submit legislative bills prior to Girls State. There is information, samples and templates on our website under Delegates/Writing Your Bill. You may want to contact your local legislator or high school government teacher for assistance in coming up with a potential subject. Please email your bills to idahogirlsstatebills@gmail.com by June 1, 2017 as a Word Document. Please reference Girls State Bill in the subject line of your email. Due to the amount of work involved by our staff to get your bills ready for Girls State, we

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cannot accept any bills after June 1st. Please be sure and bring an electronic copy of your

bill on a flash drive to Girls State, in case of errors during submission.

9. MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Idaho Syringa Girls State program sponsored by the

American Legion Auxiliary provides additional insurance coverage for each citizen

during her stay at Girls State. Every precaution is taken to avoid accidents and illnesses

at Girls State. Our coverage is additional coverage to any other valid and collectible

group insurance plan. If at any time you feel ill or are injured, please report to the

counselor.

10. PHOTOS/YEARBOOKS: On Sunday, after the Opening Ceremony, a professional

photographer will take photos of each of the cities, as well as a photo of the entire

delegation. A yearbook filled with photos and memories will also be published and

available to purchase. Information about ordering is available on our website under

Delegates/Other Information and Opportunities. If ordered before June 11, 2017 the cost

of the photos and yearbook is $30.00. Order Forms will also be available at Girls State.

Last day to order is Friday, June 16, 2017.

11. ADDITIONAL ITEMS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE: We have several items that

the girls will be able to purchase at the Girls State Store. These items are optional.....but

fun to have! The Store will be open during registration and during lunch and dinner for a

short time.

T-shirts - $10.00

Polo Shirts - $10.00

Water Bottles - $4.00

Hoodies - $25.00

Nylon Drawstring Tote Bags - $6.00

Most girls purchase the tote bag to

carry their Girls State materials

Political Party T-Shirt - $10.00

You will be assigned to a political party

upon arrival.

12. INAUGURATION: Inauguration is Friday, June 16, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. Each delegate will be recognized for her participation and awarded a Girls State certificate and pin. Your family and friends are invited to attend this special event as well as the Flag Ceremony immediately preceding the Inauguration, at approximately 7:00 p.m. Inauguration will be held in the Brandt Center on the NNU Campus. There will be time after the ceremony for visiting and taking pictures. The buses are scheduled to leave at approximately 11:00

p.m.

13. CAMPUS: You will be staying in the dormitories on the campus of Northwest Nazarene University. Please be respectful and courteous at all times. We appreciate NNU and their staff, and all of the hard work they put into making your Girls State experience successful and comfortable. Vending machines are located throughout the dorms. Please bring your own money if you wish to purchase items from the machines. Each dorm has a phone in the lobby that delegates may use.

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14. MESSAGES FROM HOME: From time to time, we have had delegates get homesick.

If your parents, family and friends would like to write to you, your address at Girls State

will be:

CITIZEN’S NAME

Idaho Syringa Girls State

Northwest Nazarene University

623 Holly Street

Nampa, ID 83686

Any items should be mailed prior to Wednesday, June 14, 2017 and should include a return address.

15. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:

208-467-8376 (Campus)

208-521-9872 (Toni Gimpel, Chairman)

208-716-1501 (Kaylene Burtenshaw, Director)

16. CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: You will have many opportunities throughout the week to

campaign for various city, county, state, and party offices. No prepared campaign

materials may be brought with you! The Girls State program will provide all campaign

materials, such as paper and markers. All materials must be prepared during the Girls

State Session.

17. FLOWERS: Please inform your family and friends that you cannot accept flowers,

including corsages and bouquets, during your stay at Girls State.

18. VISITORS: Family and friends are encouraged to join us for the Inauguration on Friday,

June 16, 2017. Visitors and guests are NOT allowed at any other time during the session.

You will be very busy with meetings and events throughout the day and evening.

ABSOLUTELY NO MALES ARE ALLOWED EXCEPT AT INAUGURATION.

19. GIRLS STATE RULES: During your application process, you have already signed a

form stating that you will follow the Girls State Rules. A copy of the rules is available on

the website for your review. Any girl who violates any Girls State rule will be disciplined

accordingly and if she is sent home, she must pay for her own transportation.

20. COUNSELORS AND STAFF: Keep in mind that the counselors and staff of Girls State

are volunteers. Please take a moment to thank them. Always act with respect and

kindness towards them. They are here because they believe in you and in the Girls State

program. Upon arrival on Sunday, you will be assigned to one of nine cities. Each city

has a counselor. She will become your “Girls State Mom”. She is responsible for you

during your stay. She should be notified immediately of any problems, illnesses or

injuries. She must also know where you are at all times.

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21. GIRLS NATION: Girls Nation is also sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and will be held in Washington, D.C. in July, 2017. It is an outstanding opportunity for young women to learn about how the Federal Government operates. Each citizen who attends Idaho Syringa Girls State is eligible to attend Girls Nation. Throughout the week, you will

get to know many outstanding young women. Thursday evening you will nominate a fellow citizen from your city that you feel is a good candidate to attend Girls Nation. The nine (9) nominees (one from each city) will go through a selection process by a committee appointed by the Director. Two girls will be selected to attend Girls Nation by that committee. They will be announced at Inauguration on Friday night. They will also come back to the Girls State session the following year to act as “Senators”.

22. MEALS: All meals will be provided during your stay at Girls State. Each delegate is required to attend all meal times in the dining hall.

23. SPECIAL GUESTS: During your week at Girls State, there will be several special guests. Please be courteous and respectful as well as attentive to them. They are volunteering their time to join us.

24. TELEPHONE USAGE: If you bring a cell phone, usage is limited to taking photos during the day. You may use your cell phone to make calls or text after all activities are done for the day. Please only charge your cell phone at night in your room. Cell phones may be confiscated if the rules aren't being followed. Please review the rules and follow guidance provided by the Journalism staff regarding social media.

25. SCHOLARSHIPS:

College Scholarships – Being a Girls State Citizen is a unique and highly recognized accomplishment that should be listed on any College Scholarship application. Check with your scholarship office at universities and colleges for scholarships and special opportunities that are unique to you as a Girls State Citizens.

Samsung Scholarship – Each Girls State citizen has the opportunity to apply for the

Samsung American Legion Scholarship. All applications must be submitted online.

No new applications will be accepted on site, only applications submitted online

before midnight on June 11, 2017 will be accepted. For more information, please

visit http://www.legion.org/samsung-scholarship-application.

26. COLLEGE CREDITS: As a citizen of Idaho Syringa Girls State, you have the opportunity to earn college credits.

Northwest Nazarene University: NNU is offering a two (2) – college credits to Girls State Citizens and staff. You must complete the week of Girls State and attend two (2) one-hour lectures (scheduled during the week of Girls State). This is a PS100 Introduction to American Government Class. If you are interested in taking the class you must contact your high school counselor apply for funds.

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Although first opportunity will be given to those who submit their registration

form by June 1st, you may also bring the completed registration form, and your

social security number with you to Girls State. These are fully transferablecollege credits.

In conclusion, we are looking forward to having you at Girls State. If you have any questions

or concerns, please email us at IdahoALASecretary@gmail.com or call the office at

208-589-2956.

Sincerely,

Cindy WoodmanGirls State Session Coordinator