PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Wilmette League has offered this cherished village-wide program for over 50 years, making it one of the longest running programs of its kind in any of the 900 local chapters of the League of Women Voters. It is a 7-week extra-curricular interactive civics program designed for Wilmette 8th graders that typically runs from January through March.
plans this year
The Student Government Leader (SGL) program is unfortunately on hiatus for 2021 due to the pandemic. Check back in September 2021 to learn about plans for SGL 2022.
highlights from 2020 (a typical year)
Approximately sixty 8th graders studied a variety of community issues, observed government officials at work, and learned how to run a public meeting. The program culminated in student-led mock board meetings televised on Channel 6.
School administrators and teachers provided the opportunity to interface with the students during the school day. Trained League members gave lively lunchtime instructions on Robert’s Rules of Order, the prescribed civil method for meeting management.
Elected and appointed officials from Wilmette District 39, Avoca District 37, SJFX School, Wilmette Village, Wilmette Park District and Wilmette Public Library served as program faculty and partners.
Topics covered in the mock meetings were school nutrition at D39 and 2020 budget at Village Board. Past topics have included capital improvement budgets for the Village; D37’s option of sale or renovation of the Avoca Center; menu offerings in the WJHS cafeteria and the Park District’s Gillson Park lakefront design.
School administrators and teachers provided the opportunity to interface with the students during the school day. Trained League members gave lively lunchtime instructions on Robert’s Rules of Order, the prescribed civil method for meeting management.
Elected and appointed officials from Wilmette District 39, Avoca District 37, SJFX School, Wilmette Village, Wilmette Park District and Wilmette Public Library served as program faculty and partners.
Topics covered in the mock meetings were school nutrition at D39 and 2020 budget at Village Board. Past topics have included capital improvement budgets for the Village; D37’s option of sale or renovation of the Avoca Center; menu offerings in the WJHS cafeteria and the Park District’s Gillson Park lakefront design.
volunteer opportunity
When the SGL program resumes, we will need members to volunteer. No experience necessary. Check back in September 2021 to sign up for just one workshop in January 2022.