British Columbia Youth Parliament Application Form

British Columbia Youth Parliament

Parliamentary Session December 27 - 31, 2017, Victoria, BC

Information and Application Form 89th Parliament 2017-2018

WHAT IS BCYP?

British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) is a youth organization that recognizes every young person's potential to lead and serve in the community. Since 1924, BCYP has provided a forum for young people to develop skills in leadership, organization, public speaking, and the parliamentary process, and to put these skills into practice through service to youth in their local communities.

BCYP is not affiliated with any political party and is a non-profit organization.

Membership in BCYP begins with attending the Parliamentary Session in Victoria and continues throughout 2018. For detailed information about BCYP's activities, visit our website, www.bcyp.org.

BCYP'S ACTIVITIES

BCYP's year begins with the Parliamentary Session from December 27 – 31, 2017. Members sit in the Legislative Assembly in Victoria and use the parliamentary style of debate to plan educational and service projects, establish BCYP's financial commitments, and amend BCYP's governing legislation.

At Session, Members:

• Meet young people from all over the province;
• Debate Cabinet's legislation which sets out BCYP's activities for 2018;
• Debate current local, national, and international issues;
• Learn about debating and the rules of parliamentary procedure;
• Elect BCYP's Premier, Deputy Speaker, and Leader of the Opposition for the 90th Parliament.

After Session, Members put into action the plans made at Session, which usually include:

• Volunteer service projects in their home communities;
• Group volunteer service projects with summer camps, food banks charity walks, soup kitchens, and other service groups;
• Special projects which vary depending on annual legislation but have included summer festivals, children’s day camps and Camp Phoenix;
• Regional Youth Parliaments;
• Fundraising events;
• Social activities with other Members.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Each year 97 youth are "elected" to BCYP as representatives of their communities. Each applicant must be nominated by an organization committed to youth (i.e. a school, community group, club or church). Five members of that group must indicate their support by signing the application form.

To be eligible for membership you must be:

• Age 16 – 21 (inclusive) as of Dec. 31, 2017;
• A resident of British Columbia;
• Nominated by an organization committed to youth;
• Willing and able to participate in BCYP's activities for one year.

Due to the limited number of seats in the Provincial Legislature, only 97 applicants will be selected to become Members.

SESSIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Accommodation: Accommodation at the Coast Hotel in Victoria is provided for all Members for the nights of December 27 – 30 (inclusive). Members share rooms with other Members of the same gender.

Transportation: Transportation for Members residing outside the Victoria area is included in the registration fee. Members living in the Interior, North, or North Island will be required to travel on December 26 and January 1.

Meals: Each Member is responsible for the cost of all meals in Victoria. Some dinners will be at assigned restaurants, others free-choice.

PRE-SESSIONAL INFORMATION

The Registrar will notify all applicants by email or mail as to their acceptance status by mid-November. Accepted Members are provided with an orientation package prior to Session and are invited to attend one of the Pre-Sessional Workshops held in different regions of the province. The details of the workshops will be announced in the acceptance letters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Inquiries from applicants, parents and nominating organizations are welcomed. Please contact:

Rhonda Vanderfluit, Registrar registrar@bcyp.org 604-646-6623

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Complete the attached application form and forward it with your personal statement and registration fee to:

Rhonda Vanderfluit, Registrar 509 – 1383 Marinaside Cres. Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W9

e-mail: registrar@bcyp.org Fax: 604-731-0081

Applications must be RECEIVED by Tuesday, October 24, 2017 by mail, fax, or email attachment. If you send the application by email attachment, please mail the original signed copy with your application fee.

REGISTRATION FEE

The registration fee for each member is $350. A cheque or money order made payable to the Youth Parliament of B.C. Alumni Society must be sent with the application form, or follow a fax or e-mail with the original signed application as soon as possible (any acceptance is not final until a registration fee is received). Registration fees will be returned to those not accepted. NSF cheques are subject to a $45 fee.

Applicants who are in financial need are first encouraged to approach school and community groups to contribute to the cost of the application fee. For those who are not able to secure outside funding, a limited amount of financial support is available from BCYP. For more information, please contact the Registrar before the October 24 application deadline. Requests for financial assistance cannot be considered after applicants have been accepted as members.

CANCELLATION

Accepted members who cancel on or before December 12 will receive a refund of their registration fee minus a $25 cancellation fee, unless travel tickets have been purchased in which case no refund is issued. No refunds will be issued to any member cancelling after December 12.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

British Columbia Youth Parliament is sponsored by the Youth Parliament of BC Alumni Society, a registered, non-profit organization composed of past members of BCYP.

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APPLICATION FORM – EIGHTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT

NAME: ____________________ GENDER: ________ Room with: [ ] M [ ] F

CURRENT ADDRESS (including temporary/University residence):

STREET / PO BOX: ____________________ CITY: ____________________ POSTAL CODE: ____________________ TELEPHONE: ( ) ____________________ E-MAIL: ____________________ CELL PHONE: ( ) ____________________

PERMANENT ADDRESS (i.e. parents) or STREET ADDRESS if different from above:

STREET / PO BOX: ____________________ CITY: ____________________ POSTAL CODE: ____________________ TELEPHONE: ( ) ____________________

TRANSPORTATION TO VICTORIA REQUIRED FROM:

[ ] CURRENT/TEMPORARY ADDRESS [ ] PERMANENT ADDRESS [ ] OTHER: ____________________

BIRTHDATE: (MM/DD/YYYY) ____________________ SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY: ____________________

NOMINATING ORGANIZATION: ____________________ STREET: ____________________ CITY: ____________________ POSTAL CODE: ____________________ TELEPHONE: ( ) ____________________

CONTACT TEACHER / COORDINATOR NAME: ____________________ E-MAIL: ____________________

SIGNATURE OF TEACHER / GROUP COORDINATOR: ____________________ Would you (teacher/coordinator) like to receive a print and e-mail copy of the application package each year? [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Already on the list

THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS/STUDENTS OF (NAME OF ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL) ____________________ NOMINATE (NAME) ____________________ A MEMBER/STUDENT OF OUR ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL TO SIT AS A BCYP MEMBER.

FIVE NOMINATING SIGNATURES REQUIRED: (other members/students of the organization/school)

Application form must be RECEIVED by October 24, 2017.