The YMCA

YMCA

The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...

 Conference On National Affairs (or CONA) is a youth leadership forum that has convened every July at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, in Black Mountain, NC. The conference is attended by YMCA Youth and Government

YMCA Youth and Government

YMCA Youth and Government, or Y&G is a YMCA civic engagement and service-learning program in the United States that offers high school students the opportunity to serve in a model government process at the local, state, national, and international levels...

 (or Youth in Government) delegates, along with delegates from the Model United Nations

Model United Nations

Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....

 in the Middle Atlantic States. 35 states participated during the 2006 conference.

History

In 1967, a group of young people, having enjoyed their experience in their State Youth and Government programs determined that their experience could be broadened to a more meaningful level by participation in a conference dealing with matters of national and international concern. The first conference convened in Stone Mountain, GA, in 1968. Eight states attended, and owing to financial support from the Sears

Sears, Roebuck and Company

Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...

Foundation, was a huge success. The determination of those involved allowed the program to be strengthened and expanded, and the program has now celebrated its 44th year.

In 1988 a French Delegation attended, and a Soviet delegation attended in 1989.

Some of the States that have sent delegations include:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

A Model United Nations delegation, a District of Columbia delegation, and a Marshall Islands delegation have also attended.

Purpose

The purpose of the Conference On National Affairs, according to the conference handbook, is to offer unusual opportunities for a young person to do research in the area of national and international concerns, to organize this information into a document proposal, to engage in intensive discussion, and to debate these proposals with outstanding young people from other states. Advisers and young people who have participated in the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs are unanimous in their belief that this experience makes a vital contribution to helping citizens learn more about the democratic form of government. In addition to the above, the specific objectives of the conference include:
1. Increased awareness of national concerns and issues.
2. Increased understanding of the Federal Government and its relation to state, national and international matters.
3. Enhanced communications to appropriate persons and groups at the Federal government level.
4. Increased understanding of needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of youth in government.
5. To work creatively together with youth and adults.
6. Strengthen commitment and better understanding of the Christian values of the YMCA.

It is however imperative to remember that CONA is a conference, and not a legislative session. Delegates only debate the merits of certain proposals and ideas, not issues such as appropriations.

The Structure of the Conference

CONA lasts for five days, consisting of proposal sharing groups, committees, and the general and plenary sessions. Welcome and closing ceremonies exist, with an award ceremony and bonfire during the closing ceremony. In addition to those who participate as regular delegates, there is also a small Press Corps which produces the conference newspaper and the CONA slideshow which is shown on the last night and offered for sale on dvd.

Committees, General Assemblies, and Plenary Sessions

During the first three days, the first, second, and third committees meet. Each of the committees debate and rank proposals. Those with the highest ranks continue on to the General Assemblies or the Plenary Session.

The ten highest-ranked proposals automatically advance to the Plenary Session. The other proposals that survive third committee advance to the Heaton and Washburn General Assemblies. There they are presented, debated, and are given an up or down vote.

Presiding Officers

There are six Presiding Officers (PO's) who run the conference. Many factors are taken into account in the choosing of these officers, including delegate votes taken during the week. The final decision is made by a P.O. selection committee. This committee narrows the field of senior delegates to 12(6 POs and 6 alternates) that are announced by the current POs during the closing ceremonies. All Presiding Officers are former delegates who have completed their first year of college.