Texas Youth and Government Volunteer Opportunities
Each year we depend on numerous volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to help us implement a successful YMCA Texas Youth and Government (YG) program that impacts students statewide. We offer multiple opportunities in the fall for our District Conference, and in the spring for our State Conference. When you register to become a volunteer for the YG team, you are directly contributing to the overall success and advancement of our mission: To help teenagers become responsible citizens and future leaders of our nation.
Texas Youth and Government State Conferences
Teens advance to the Texas Youth and Government State Conference in Austin, Texas after competing at their region’s District Conference. At the State Conference, teens present their bills, proposals, or a court case, in front of other teens from across Texas. Teens get the opportunities to practice democracy in the House and Senate Chambers at the State Capitol, the Capitol Auditorium, and at Federal and County Courthouses in Austin.
Volunteers can sign up to help with set up, breakdown, check-in, lunch, or as an evaluator! A legal background is recommended for evaluators but NOT required because training will be provided. Learn more about every volunteer opportunity in each section in our learn more section below.
State Conferences Dates
March 1st – 3rd, 2024 – Junior Youth and Government State Conference (Middle School)
February 1st – 4th, 2024 – Youth and Government State Conference (High School)
Register to Volunteer Today!
Explore upcoming opportunities by clicking the buttons below. If you are interested in group assignments, fill out this Group Volunteer Interest Form. If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected]
Texas Youth and Government District Conferences
At the start of the school year, teens choose to form a team or work independently to find a topic that they are passionate about. With this topic, they can write either a legislative bill, state affairs proposal or act as attorneys and witnesses for a court case. Teens spend months preparing to present their bill, proposal, or court case for their regional level competition. Each district hosts their own District Conference in November where teens compete with other teens in their district.
Volunteers can sign up to help with set up, breakdown, check-in, lunch, or as an evaluator! A legal background is recommended for evaluators but NOT required because training will be provided. Learn more about every volunteer opportunity in each section in our learn more section below.
District Conferences Dates
November 4th, 2023 – District 1 Conference – Midland, Texas
November 11th, 2023 – District 4 Conference – Ft. Worth , Texas
November 11th, 2023 – District 2 & 7 Conference – Austin, Texas – Click HERE to Volunteer at this Conference!
November 11th, 2023 – District 5 Conference (High School) – Dallas, Texas
November 18th, 2023 – District 3 Conference – Houston, Texas
December 12th, 2023 – District 5 Conference (Middle School) – Dallas, Texas
Not all of District Conference Volunteer sign-ups are open yet. Please check back closer to the Conference to check if your closest District Conference Volunteer Sign Up is open yet.
Learn More
Read about each section and the volunteer opportunities within them below.
Conference Location Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Generally, there are half-day and full day shifts available. The State Office provides lunch for full-day volunteers. Approximate shift times for the High School State Conference are below:
- Friday District Court: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m., or 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m.
- Friday County Court: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m., or 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m.
- Friday Appellate Court: 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., or 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m.
- Friday General Conference: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Saturday District Court: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Saturday County Court: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Saturday Appellate Court: 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 12:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
- Saturday General Conference: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m
Conference Locations include the Renaissance Hotel, State Capitol, and Travis County Courthouse, Austin Community College.
A: All community Volunteers 18+, Y Staff, Club Advisors, and College Staff must complete a background check.
A: Volunteers are required to participate in an online training and/or a mandatory volunteer orientation before their shift(s) at the State Conferences. The State Office will email volunteers in the months before State Conferences with any additional information about the training.
A: Please see our Volunteer Opportunities page for descriptions of volunteer roles within each section.
A: No! We welcome any volunteer willing to learn however, volunteers with legal backgrounds may find it easier to evaluate mock trial teams.
A: Though volunteers with journalism backgrounds are preferred volunteers for our Media section, we again welcome any volunteer willing to learn!
A: To maintain the fairness and integrity of the program, we ask that recent high school alumni sit out at least one program cycle before registering to volunteer at the High School State Conference. We value your experience. However, we want to ensure that current students see recent high school graduates as experienced YG alumni and not as their peers. New alumni (i.e. college freshmen) may volunteer at our Middle School (JuniorYG) State Conference or visit the State Conferences to see what YG is up to.
A: Yes! We do ask Club Advisors to volunteer for a minimum of 3 shifts, and Club Advisors might not get to observe all their students’ State Conference activities. However, we also keep in mind that it is important for you to observe and support your students’ participation. We will work with you to balance volunteer needs with student schedules.
A: Yes! Use our Find My Delegation tool to find clubs near you, and contact the appropriate District Director to ask about getting involved with a new or existing club. Make sure you’re receiving our newsletter to learn about volunteer appreciation events and additional volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
A: No. We appreciate your willingness to help, but volunteer positions and shift times are coordinated in advance of the State Conferences with registrants who have filled out our Volunteer Registration Form and meet our volunteer criteria and background check.
If you have any questions that were not answered please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.