Columbia County F.L.A.G. Initiative
02. Feb, 2011
(last updated 9/11/12)
F.L.A.G.
(Future Leaders in Active Government)
See us on Facebook!! http://www.facebook.com/columbia.flag
To find out more about F.L.A.G., click: What is F.L.A.G.?
2012-2013 Columbia County F.L.A.G. Recruitment Announcement
The Columbia County Board of Supervisors and Columbia County Extension is seeking students for the 2012-2013 F.L.A.G. (Future Leaders Active in Government) Youth Leadership Initiative. High School Juniors will have an opportunity to explore Columbia County’s decision-making process through a participatory educational program that includes participation in committees & board meetings, job shadowing in county departments, sharing viewpoints with state officials and learning with youth from other Columbia County high schools.
Columbia County students, teachers and administrators have provided input as we fine-tune the F.L.A.G. program from its inception, 2008. We understand it is sometimes difficult for students to miss school, but feel there are students who will benefit from participation and active learning about local government processes. Below is a brief outline of the 2012-2013 program:
Session Dates Session Focus (8:00am-2:30 pm)
- Aug. 29, 2012 Planning session with F.L.A.G. Coaches (returning/second year students)
- Sept. 28, 2012 Nominations due from Schools and Supervisors
- Oct. 17 2012 F.L.A.G. Kick-off, Orientation & Capstone Team Projects
- Nov. 7, 2012 Human Rights & Health & Human Services Dept. Tour
- Dec. 19, 2012 Co. Bd. Supervisor Interviews & Breakfast, A Day at the Office and Political Simulation
- Jan. 23, 2013 Primetime Team Capstone, Team Building and Public Service Announcement
- Feb. 20, 2013 Communicating your message, Media Capstone, Lunch w/ Judge
- March 13, 2013 Going to the Capitol: Communicating with our Legislators & Supreme Court Justices
- April 9, 2013 Make-up for inclement weather, if necessary
- April 16, 2013 County Board Breakfast & On the Floor: Taking Action, Resolution & Graduation
We hope you will advertise this opportunity, recruit students, share with other teachers and consider nominating students, who you believe would benefit from this experience.
As determined by past evaluations, we’ve learned that students who get the most out of the F.L.A.G. leadership experience have a predisposed interest in government or public policy. As you consider recruiting and nominating students please make sure they understand the importance of attending all sessions. Each student will be assigned to a team that works on a capstone project throughout the program.
Students may also nominate themselves to participate. We will be happy to meet with a group of individuals from your school district if you need additional information. If students from your school district participated in the past, consider having them share information with potential participants.
The following school districts have participated in F.L.A.G.:
- Cambria = 1 @ 1 student (2008-2009)
- Columbus = 8 @ 3 students (2009-2010) & 2 (2010-2011) & 3 (2011-2012)
- Lodi = 22 @ 4 students (2008-2009) & 6 (2009-2010) & 7 (2010-2011) & 5 (2011-2012)
- Portage = 10 @ 4 students (2008-2009) & 2 (2009-2010) & 2 (2010-2011) & 2 (2011-2012)
- Poynette = 12 6 students (2010-2011) & 6 (2011-2012)
- WI Dells = 3 @ 3 students (2009-2010)
All ten school districts in Columbia County are invited to nominate students. We are interested in participation from as many schools as possible. Please nominate as many students as you like, if we receive too many nominations, it is possible schools will be asked to provide us with a ranking of their students.
There is no cost for students to participate. The F.L.A.G. program is sponsored by a Southern District Extension Resource Management grant and funds committed by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors support F.L.A.G. Transportation to F.L.A.G. programs must be provided by students or the school district.
F.L.A.G. Nomination Form (due 9/28/12)
F.L.A.G. Presentation given to the Columbia County Board last April
Please contact us with any questions.
Contacts:
Kathleen Haas, 608-742-9683, kathleen.haas@ces.uwex.edu
Karen Nelson, 608-742-9684, karen.nelson@ces.uwex.edu
What is F.L.A.G.?
As a student in F.L.A.G., you will have the opportunity to explore Columbia County’s decision-making process through participation in committees and departments with youth from other Columbia County high schools.
The purpose of the Columbia County F.L.A.G. Initiative is to:
- Increase youths’ understanding of local government roles, responsibility and decision-making.
- Teach youth how citizens work within government to meet community needs.
- Promote learning between youth, county board members and county department staff.
- Build civic capacity and leadership.
- Increase youth capacity to voice their opinions in the public arena.Participants:
- Students — Columbia County high school juniors recruited in fall 2012 for 2013 session.
- Sponsor — Columbia County Board of Supervisors will provide scholarships to all selected student candidates. Students will need to provide their own transportation.
- Coordinating Agency — UW-Extension Columbia County
Students participating this year came from Columbus, Lodi, Portage and Poynette schools with two returning students from the 2011-2012 program.
Partners — County Board Committees, County Departments & Area High Schools
