Cabinet Application
Texas Junior State
Alamo Capital Region
Gulf Coast Region
Panhandle
Metroplex
Region
Texas JSA
Cabinet
2012-2013
Application
2011-2012
Andrew Margrave
Governor
210-387-1625
[email protected]
“A politician thinks of me and today; a
statesmen thinksKeni
ofSabath
us and tomorrow.”
Lt. Governor
[email protected]
Nick
Goulding
-Professor
Speaker of the House
[email protected]
Elizabeth Ventura
Program Director
[email protected]
Ernest A. Rogers
Founder of JSA
The Texas Junior State of the
Junior State of America
Texas Junior State Governor: Griffin Rubin
(210) 355-7535, [email protected]
Texas Junior State Lieutenant Governor: Toni Nickel
[email protected]
Texas Junior State Speaker of the House: Austin Bryan
[email protected]
Alamo Capital Region Mayor: Joshua Pulman
[email protected]
Gulf Coast Region Mayor: Adam Hale
[email protected]
Panhandle Metroplex Region Mayor: Beaty Richardson
[email protected]
Texas Junior State Program Director: Steve Bayne
[email protected]
Table of Contents
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General Application: Page 3
Application Requirements and General Questions: Page 4
Letter from the State Elected Officials and Texas Junior State Cabinet
Applications: Page 5
Letter from the ACR Mayor and ACR Cabinet Applications: Page 22
Letter from the GCR Mayor and GCR Cabinet Applications: Page 25
Letter from the PMR Mayor and PMR Cabinet Applications: Page 28
Texas Junior State Questionnaire: Page 31
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 2
General Application
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________
Cell Phone: ( ___ ___ ___ ) ___ ___ ___ — ___ ___ ___ ___
Text Messaging: (Select Yes or No)
Email Address: __________________________________________________
School Name: ____________________________________________________
JSA Region: (Select ACR, GCR, or PMR)
Graduation Year: ________
Best Time to Call*: _______________
Latest Time to Call*: ________________
Top Cabinet Positions Requested**:
1.
2.
3.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Are you open to consideration for another cabinet position, if first consulted?
(Select Yes or No)
Have you ever attended JSA Summer School or Symposium? If so, please specify.
Will you make a commitment to attend all JSA events in your region and all state
conventions? (Select Yes or No)
Notes:
* — You may be called for a brief interview to better assess your qualifications for
Cabinet.
** — Please specify whether the position your applying for is on the State Cabinet or on
a Regional Cabinet.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 3
Application Requirements and General Questions
The following parts of this application must be completed to be considered:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Detailed, thorough, and honest responses to these questions:
a. Why are you applying for this position(s)?
b. What are your qualifications to serve in this position(s)?
c. What distinguishes you from the other applicants for this position(s)?
d. How much time are you willing to commit to JSA if selected to a Cabinet?
e. What experience do you have with JSA, and how did you get involved? (Summarize
your convention experience and leadership positions in JSA)
f. What are three things you’d like to accomplish in your potential first choice position?
g. What other extracurricular activities are you engaged in aside from JSA?
h. Do you hold a chapter or regional leadership position? If so, please specify.
i. OPTIONAL – Write a poem that expresses your love for JSA OR identify a political
figure who most embodies you and describe why.
The application specific to the position of your top choice. The assignment is found
after each position’s description.
(NOTE: Only submit a special application for your top choice. For example, if you
apply for Convention Coordinator and Regional Conference Coordinator, and
Convention Coordinator is your top choice, you must only complete the Convention
Coordinator’s special application.)
The General Application on the previous page.
The completed Texas Junior State Questionnaire on Page 31.
PLEASE NOTE:
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All Cabinet members will be required to attend Cabinet Convention in Houston, Texas
on August 18, 2012.
The dates of the state conventions are:
o Fall State – November 10 – 11 (Austin, TX)
o Winter Congress – February 22 – 24 (Washington, D.C.)
o Spring State – April 5 – 7 (Houston, TX)
All members of Cabinet are expected to attend at least Fall and Spring State. Attendance
at Winter Congress is highly recommended.
Please mail ALL parts of the application by July 11th to:
Griffin Rubin
Attn: Texas Cabinet Application
1000 Canterbury Hill
San Antonio, TX 78209
OR
Please e-mail ALL parts of the application by July 13th to:
[email protected]
In the subject line, please put the following:
[Last Name], [First Name], [Position of First Preference] Cabinet Application
Example: Rubin, Griffin, Convention Coordinator Cabinet Application
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 4
Letter from the State Elected Officials
Dear 2012-2013 Texas JSA Cabinet Applicants,
Congratulations on your decision to apply for Texas JSA Cabinet for the 2012-2013 school
year. The Cabinet’s work efforts, combined with the phenomenal potential of the Texas
Junior State, are guaranteed to make the coming year something to be proud of. That being
said, we highly urge you to read through this application comprehensively and thoroughly
contemplate the position you wish to uphold for the coming year.
The following Cabinet Application contains detailed descriptions of the positions that we
wish to have on the 2012-2013 Cabinet, as well as the questionnaire to be submitted by each
person applying for any one of these positions. Please read each description carefully before
applying, as the Executive Leaders do reserve the right to remove any member of the Texas
Junior State Cabinet from their position if they cannot fulfill the expectations required of that
position. Though these descriptions form the best codification of Texas JSA’s goals for the
coming year, all Cabinet expectations, positions, and descriptions are subject to change if
deemed necessary.
Since the Texas JSA Cabinet will serve and lead the Texas Junior State for the coming year,
there are expectations that are to be met by each and every member of the Cabinet. Briefly,
Texas Cabinet will be expected to uphold the qualities of a Statesman: integrity, proper selfportrayal, punctuality, as well as the necessary level of commitment and dedication to Texas
JSA. Again, any violation of these expectations can result in removal of position.
All Texas JSA Cabinet Members are expected to attend the Texas JSA Cabinet Meetings. If
there is a problem with attendance at these meetings, you must notify any member of
Executive Leadership at least two weeks in advance.
Late applications reflect poorly and will likely result in demotion of position, or a lack of a
position at all. With that in mind, if you have a personal conflict with the due date (July
13th), extensions can be granted if the problem is addressed with ample time. If you have a
conflict, be sure to contact Texas JSA Program Director Steve Bayne ([email protected])
immediately.
Lastly, many factors are taken into consideration when choosing the Cabinet including, but
not limited to the following: detail of application, past experience, qualifications, diversity
(Including regional, geographic, chapter diversity, etc.) and potential to uphold expectations.
No positions are pre-determined. Keeping this in mind, remember that being on Texas JSA
Cabinet is truly remarkable and your application should reflect your desire to take part in
such a noble group.
Griffin Rubin
Governor
Toni Nickel
Lieutenant Governor
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Austin Bryan
Speaker of the House
Page 5
State Cabinet Positions
Executive Department
Chief of Staff
Convention Department
Convention Coordinator
Assistant Convention Coordinator
Director of Logistics
Deputy Director of Logistics
Quizmaster
Quizminion
Director of Special Activities
Deputy Director of Special Activities
Debate Department
Chapter Internal Affairs
Department
Director of Debate
Deputy Director of Debate
Debate Agent
Parliamentarian
Director of CIA
Deputy Director of CIA
CIA Agent
Fundraising Department
Expansion Department
Director of Fundraising
Deputy Director of Fundraising
Fundraising Agent
Director of Expansion
Expansion Agent
Public Relations Department
Director of Pubic Relations
Deputy Director of Public Relations
Director of Advocacy
Deputy Director of Civic Advocacy
Deputy Director of Social Advocacy
Lonestar Editor
Lonestar Staff
Director of Technology
Communication Liaison
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 6
Texas Junior State Cabinet Applications
Executive Department
Chief of Staff
The Texas Junior State Chief of Staff is a key component of Texas JSA. The Chief of Staff’s
duties are very diverse, from putting together conventions, to overseeing all of Texas JSA
Cabinet. As the overseer of Texas Cabinet, the Chief of Staff will have the responsibility of
compiling Texas Cabinet Reports every month. These reports will summarize the major events
occurring in each department and will be used to inform Executive Leadership (consisting of the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Chief of Staff) of the successes and
problems within Texas JSA Cabinet. As the Chief of Staff, you are expected to be prompt with
the completion of the array of tasks assigned to you, as well as able to handle the fluctuating work
load that some find to be overbearing. Furthermore, as a member of Executive Leadership, the
Chief of Staff’s presence is expected at all Conventions, Cabinet Meetings, and Pre-Convention
Planning Meetings.
Special Application
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If a member of Cabinet was not doing his/her job properly, how would you go about
getting this person back on track?
What prior experiences, both in and out of JSA, will facilitate your relations with the
other members of Cabinet?
What measures will you take to promote greater interaction between Texas’s three
regions?
What measures will you take to promote greater interaction between the departments of
the Texas Junior State Cabinet?
Considering the addition of Regional Cabinets this year, how will you ensure the State
and Regional Cabinets work in harmony?
Outline three specific problems you see in the Texas Junior State. Choose two of these
problems and design a special project for each that you could take on as Chief of Staff, in
order to fix said problems.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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Convention Department
Convention Coordinator
The Convention Coordinator is the Cabinet Member who holds the responsibility of putting the
Texas Junior State Conventions together. From compiling the agenda to making sure the evening
activities are planned, the Convention Coordinator oversees and approves all events occurring at
Texas Junior State Conventions and runs the Convention Department. The Convention
Coordinator is expected to work hand-in-hand with the Director of Debate when planning
conventions in order to guarantee there are no scheduling conflicts between the debates and other
events occurring at convention. The Convention Coordinator must be familiar with the
functionality of a JSA Convention, be extremely organized, and able to handle the pressure of
running each Texas JSA Convention. Much of the Convention Coordinator’s work is done on
short notice in the weeks prior to a state convention, and thus, this individual must be willing to
make JSA the top priority when the time comes. The Convention Coordinator is expected to be
present at all Conventions, Cabinet Meetings, and Pre-Convention Planning Meetings.
Special Application
• Design a sample agenda (with a cover, Agenda at a Glance, ten resolutions, and blurbs for
two of those resolutions) around the Fall State 2012 theme, “Crafting a More Perfect
Union: A Nation in Transition.”
• What new and interesting special activities can we add to conventions to make them more
enjoyable and educational?
• The day of state conventions, many people who are scheduled to debate cannot attend the
convention or do not show up to their debate. How would you ensure effective
replacements are made for these open spots?
• Considering Spring State is a three-day convention, what new ideas, activities, and/or new
debate styles would you like to see implemented?
Assistant Convention Coordinator
The Assistant Convention Coordinator is to work as a direct assistant to the Convention
Coordinator. The Assistant Convention Coordinator is expected to aid the CC in any number of
required tasks and will often act as the liaison between the Convention Department and the
Debate Department. Though the Assistant Convention Coordinator is not a member of Executive
Leadership, their presence is also required at all Conventions and Pre-Convention Planning
Sessions. Only a sophomore or junior may serve in this position. The Assistant Convention
Coordinator will also act as the liaison and consultant to the regional Conference Coordinators if
advice or help is ever needed by the Conference Coordinators.
Special Application
• How will you support and help the regional Conference Coordinators?
• Give three themes for three different potential regional events in the upcoming year.
Director of Logistics
The Director of Logistics serves to head the Logistics Room at every Texas Junior State
Convention. Because the duties of the Director of Logistics occur mostly at Conventions, their
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 8
presence at Fall & Spring State is absolutely imperative. The Director of Logistics is responsible
for the stuffing of agendas, counting best speaker ballots, and the completion of name tags at
Convention (or organizing a team to do so), all the while serving as the Convention Coordinator’s
right hand. The Director of Logistics must be extremely organized and be able to pay attention to
the most minute of details. Also, the Director of Logistics should work on preparing a list of food
options, travel routes, and items for state conventions.
Special Application
• Assess last year’s logistics. What areas were lacking and what methods would you
implement this year?
• Detail the guidance you would offer to a chapter that cannot attend a convention because of
transportation issues. Indicate if you are familiar with the Texas Highway System and Rail
transportation.
Deputy Director of Logistics
The Deputy Director of Logistics will assist the Director of Logistics in any means necessary.
Primarily, the Deputy Director of Logistics will be the “runner” at Texas JSA Conventions,
transporting materials from the Logistics Room to wherever they are needed. The Deputy
Director of Logistics is responsible for making sure that all handbooks are present in each room
before each session begins, as well as making sure that all best speaker ballots are collected at the
end of each session. Also, the Deputy Director will serve as a sort of “sergeant-at-arms” and keep
order in the rooms during debates and speakers as well as any assembly.
Quizmaster
As indicated by the title, the Quizmaster is in charge of coordinating Texas JSA’s infamous Quiz
Bowl. Quizmaster will write the categories and questions, host the Quiz Bowl block at
convention, and hand out the very special Quiz Bowl Prize at Closing Session of every
convention. The Quizmaster must be quirky and creative, yet still needs to be able to withhold the
integrity of Texas JSA’s Quiz Bowl. They are of course, infallible.
Special Application
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Is there anything you would change about Quiz Bowl? If so, please specify.
How do you plan to write yourself into Texas JSA history as the best Quizmaster of all
time?
How will you further the cult that is the Texas JSA Quiz Bowl?
Quizminion
The Quizminion helps the Quizmaster write questions and facilitate the Quiz Bowl during each
convention. The minion, however, can only uphold the infallibility of the Quizmaster.
Director of Special Activities
The Special Activities Director holds the key to one of the causes of success at Texas JSA
conventions, as they are responsible for putting on the dance. From picking the theme to getting a
list of requested songs, the Special Activities Director is the individual who coordinates with the
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 9
Convention Coordinator to make sure that the dance does indeed happen. While the success of the
dance is important, the other main responsibility of the Special Activities Director is to coordinate
alternative activities that take place at the same time as the dance, as well as other night-time
activities and special events during convention. The Special Activities Director must be
charismatic, creative, and fun loving.
Special Application
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Come up with three dance themes that are fun and have never been used before at a
Texas JSA convention.
Propose an original, one-block special activity or simulation and an original, one-hour
nighttime activity that Texas should host at one of its conventions. How would you
encourage JSAers to actively participate in this activity?
Design a half-page advertisement for one of these activities that could appear in a
convention agenda.
Deputy Director of Special Activities
The Special Activities Deputy Director will help to facilitate the dance and alternative activities.
They are there to help set up the dance and aid the Convention Department and Advocacy
Department in planning the alternate activities.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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Debate Department
Director of Debate
Director of Debate holds a huge amount of responsibility in Texas JSA. Coordinating debate
sign-ups, main speakers, and moderators at Fall & Spring State, the Director of Debate is
responsible for the success of the debated legislation at all conventions. The Director of Debate
works frequently with the Convention Coordinator to create agendas and run each convention
smoothly. Occasionally working with Chapter Internal Affairs, the Director of Debate is
responsible for making sure that all chapters are aware of debate sign-ups and deadlines. The
Director of Debate should also work to develop debates and activities for chapters every month. It
is absolutely crucial that the Director of Debate has prior experience in the Debate Department.
Special Application
• Using the Fall State 2012 theme, “Crafting a More Perfect Union: A Nation in Transition,”
write fifteen resolutions and five blurbs for any five resolutions.
• Invent two new, original debate styles. Provide a paragraph description of each style.
• Often at debates, only a handful of students in the room participate in the debate, what
plans do you have to get more students involved in debates at conventions?
• How can the quality of debaters at JSA conventions and conferences be improved? What
steps can the Debate Department take to improve the skill of debaters?
• What is your overall goal for the Debate Department this year?
Deputy Director of Debate
The Deputy Director of Debate shall assist the Director of Debate in whatever is needed as well
as focus on making sure debate topics and briefs are turned in properly and on-time, assisting
agents with deadlines and workloads. The Deputy DoD is also to aid the Debate Director in
potential logistical problems. The Deputy DoD will be in charge of coordinating the resolution
and blurb development for regional events. Only a sophomore or junior may serve in this
position.
Special Application
• If a debate agent is slow to turn in their briefs or is nonresponsive to emails, how will you
get the agent back on the right track?
• Considering your pivotal role as liaison between Debate Department, regional leadership,
and Regional Cabinet, how will you ensure resolutions and blurbs get to Conference
Coordinators in plenty of time?
• Due to the considerable number of regional events the regions of Texas JSA plan to have
this year, how will you ensure all the regional work of the Debate Department is executed
in a timely and thorough fashion?
Debate Agent
Debate Agents are both the brain and hands of the Debate Department, generating ideas and
bringing them to completion. Each agent shall submit ideas on National, Foreign, State, and Local
topics as well as work on coming up with fun and creative debate formats or topics. These agents
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 11
will also write up debate briefs to include in the agenda. Being able to meet deadlines is
extremely important for all debate agents.
Special Application
• What other qualifications do you have to serve as Debate Agent? (List all involvement in
debate organizations and activities)
Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian will be responsible for running Moderator Training Sessions during Block 1
of each convention and for preparing students moderating during Block 1 as well. Any questions
concerning rules of debate and procedure should be able to be handled by the Parliamentarian.
The Parliamentarian should also make sure the Moderator Handbook is available and correct.
The Parliamentarian should create a brief explanation of rules and procedures to accompany the
agenda.
Special Application
• What experience do you have with the rules that govern JSA discourse or any type of
parliamentary procedure?
• Assess this year’s moderator training. Describe ways you would improve the moderator
training sessions as to better prepare the moderators at conventions.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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Fundraising Department
Director of Fundraising
The Director of Fundraising is in charge of fundraising on a statewide level. The Director of
Fundraising has the responsibility of creating at least one fundraiser at every Texas JSA
Convention. It is imperative that the Director of Fundraising be creative and fun to keep the
fundraising ideas across the state fresh and exciting. In addition, the Director of Fundraising will
be in charge of recruiting Texas JSAers to attend JSA Summer School and Symposia.
Attendance at a JSA Summer School is preferred for this position.
Special Application
• Come up with three original fundraising ideas for a state convention. Provide a short
explanation of each. Be creative, but realistic.
• Your fundraising activities at Fall State do not seem to be getting enough interest or
support. What do you do to save your fundraising cause?
• Attendance at JSA Summer School and Symposia by Texas JSAers has been on the decline
in recent years. How do you plan to get more Texas JSAers to these events?
Deputy Director of Fundraising
The Deputy Director of Fundraising will be the second-in-command of the Fundraising
Department. They will have all the same duties and responsibilities as a Fundraising Agent with
three additional jobs. First, if the Director requires any extra work or help, the Deputy Director
will be the first person to step up and help. Second, the Deputy Director of Fundraising will
organize merchandise, such as t-shirts and lanyards, which must be sold at every state convention.
Finally, the Deputy Director of Fundraising will coordinate with the regional Directors of
Fundraising if these regional directors are in need of any assistance.
Special Application
• Give three examples of JSA merchandise you plan to create and sell at Texas JSA
conventions.
• Would you have any unique ideas for an online JSA store?
• Considering your pivotal role as liaison between Fundraising Department and Regional
Cabinet, how will you ensure adequate help is provided to regional Directors of
Fundraising and that there is steady communication between the State and Regional
Fundraising Department officials?
Fundraising Agent
For the coming year, the Fundraising Agents will be in charge of developing new methods of
fundraising and execute all fundraising activities at state conventions. The input and insight of the
Fundraising Agents is absolutely vital, but in the end, the Director of Fundraising makes the
decisions.
Special Application
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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• What specific qualifications do you have for this position? (List all business experience)
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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Chapter Internal Affairs Department
Director of Chapter Internal Affairs
The Director of Chapter Internal Affairs (CIA) links Texas JSA Chapters to the statewide level.
Throughout the year, it will be the job of the CIA Director to create reports for the CIA Agents to
fill out for their assigned Texas JSA Chapters. Furthermore, the Director of CIA is to make sure
that all CIA Assignments are turned in punctually by sending reminder emails and notifications.
When the CIA Director does receive the CIA Agent Reports, they have the responsibility of
making their own report with 2-3 sentences on each JSA Chapter (highlighting the achievements
and areas to work on) and submitting them to Executive Leadership. It is imperative that the CIA
Director is charismatic, relatable, has a positive attitude, and has had experience within the
Chapter Internal Affairs Department. The Director of CIA will be working closely with the
Expansion Director. CIA Director must be willing to dedicate quite a few hours per week, as
there is to be more communication between the Cabinet and the chapters than ever before. The
Director of CIA is also responsible for directly communicating with the Texas Program Director
and reporting an accurate count of the number of chapters and JSA members attending all major
conventions.
Special Application
• What do you think the goal of the Chapter Internal Affairs Department is? How do you
think you best fit the role of Director of this department?
• Outline an overall plan for CIA for this year.
• What do you think makes a great chapter? How can you bring that to every chapter you
work with?
• At what point would you say a chapter should be passed on from Expansion Department to
the CIA Department?
• You find out an agent hasn’t been making calls, how do you handle the situation?
• How would you train and implement your CIA Agents effectively?
• How can you maintain the current chapters and prevent chapters from dying?
• What do you think is the largest challenge Chapter Presidents face?
Deputy Director of Chapter Internal Affairs
The Deputy Director of CIA will be the second-in-command of the CIA Department. They will
have more duties and responsibilities than a CIA Agent, mainly concerning taxes. The position
Treasurer from last year is being absorbed by this position, so the Deputy Director of CIA shall
concern themselves with the payment and record of taxes by chapters. This applicant should be
able to not only work with chapter presidents but also with adults and businesses and be
professional, organized, and personable.
Special Application
• How can tax collection become an easier and more efficient job?
• A chapter comes to a state convention and has not paid taxes, how do you get this to
happen?
• One of your agents is having a tough time contacting an assigned Chapter President. How
do you ensure that the chapter receives the necessary information for the upcoming state
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
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convention?
• Many chapters face the obstacle of being geographically far from conventions, making it
difficult for them to get actively involved. What would you do to ensure that these chapters
build and maintain a formidable place in Texas JSA?
Chapter Internal Affairs Agent
Chapter Internal Affairs (CIA) Agents, other than having the coolest name in all of Cabinet, act as
the liaison between Texas JSA Cabinet and Texas JSA Chapters. It is the job of CIA Agents to
remind chapters about upcoming dates and events (i.e. Convention Registration, regional events,
etc.) and complete the CIA Reports, assigned by the CIA Director. Furthermore, it is the job of
CIA Agents to report any problems within chapters to the CIA Director so that Texas JSA can
help chapters in need. CIA Agents must check their email constantly, as email is the number one
means of communication in Texas JSA. These agents should be committed to working with
chapters to grow, turn in taxes, attend events, participate in Advocacy activities and become
model JSA chapters.
Special Application
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One of your assigned Chapter Presidents is not answering their phone. How do you
ensure that the chapter receives the necessary information for the upcoming state
convention?
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Expansion Department
Director of Expansion
The number one goal of Texas JSA Expansion is to help expand our state not only within the
existing areas but also to newer and greater boundaries. By managing the Expansion Agents, the
Director of Expansion will have a primary role in accomplishing this goal. The Director of
Expansion will have the responsibility of delegating Expansion Agents to different individuals, or
new chapters, to help them get on their feet. The Expansion Director is in charge of managing any
problems that occur in Texas Expansion, ranging from tough administrators to transportation
issues. This position is incredibly important to the Texas Junior State and its mission. The
Director of Expansion should develop a plan for the year and a specific focus they want to
undertake. The Director of Expansion will be working closely with the CIA Director, as well as
regional officials. Expansion Director must be willing to dedicate quite a few hours per week, as
there is to be more expansion of the Texas Junior State this year than ever before.
Special Application
• Each of our regions is located around at least one big city or metroplex area. How do you
plan on increasing Texas JSA’s presence in urban areas?
• What plans do you have to expand the state? How would you promote interest in JSA in
remote areas, such as Louisiana? Outline your expansion strategy for the coming year.
• At what point would you say a chapter should be passed on from Expansion Department
to the CIA Department?
• Due to budget cuts, many JSA Chapters are struggling to stay afloat, and many are facing
possible eradication. As Director of Expansion, what would you do to ensure that chapters
that currently exist thrive?
• Many chapters face the obstacle of being geographically far from conventions, making it
difficult for them to get actively involved. What would you do to ensure that these
chapters build and maintain a formidable place in Texas JSA?
• How would you train and implement your Expansion Agents effectively?
Expansion Agent
The main goal for Expansion Agents is to get new chapters up and running. By having direct
relations with new chapters, the Expansion Agents provide individual help getting chapters
started, reporting any problems to the Expansion Director. When Expansion Agents feel a chapter
is stable, they pass them off to the Director of Expansion, who upon “inspection” clears the
chapter, then passes them onto the CIA Director, who assigns them a CIA Agent. Expansion
Agents need to be kind, helpful, and willing to work, as often times there are complex problems
when starting out of state chapters. These agents should also always be looking in their own areas
or across the state for schools with the potential for new JSA chapters and seek to start new
chapters wherever possible. The Expansion Agents should work together with the regional
officials on the Expansion front.
Special Application
• One of your assigned contacts becomes unresponsive. How do you revitalize the contact?
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Public Relations Department
Director of Public Relations
The Director of Public Relations is a very crucial position to the Cabinet this year. This position
was created in order to facilitate public relations and watch over JSA’s communication with its
students. The Director must be very people friendly and willing to commit a great amount of time
to the promotion and support of the Texas Junior State. They will aid the Lonestar and the
Director of Advocacy in reaching the general public and political leaders. As well as receiving
reports from the department and tracking the progress of the Texas Junior State in the media, they
must create their own PR plan and campaign for the year. They must also be ready to aid the
Lonestar in its production and promotion. In this sense, they must be very organized, outgoing,
and committed to deadlines. The Director of PR is also responsible for inviting guest speakers to
state conventions.
Special Application
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What would be your method towards attracting media attention?
Come up with a sweeping PR Campaign/Plan for the year for Texas JSA. How would
you accomplish this?
How will you maintain contact with every member of this large department and facilitate
work of consistent quality?
How will you work with Expansion Department this year to get the word out about JSA?
Deputy Director of Public Relations
The Deputy Director of Public Relations really has three jobs. First, they are to assist the
Director of Public Relations with any sort of job the Director might have in store. Second, the
Deputy Director of Public Relations will manage the communications aspect of the PR
Department, meaning the Director of Technology and the Communication Liaisons. Finally, the
Deputy Director of Public Relations will coordinate with the Directors of Regional Publicity if
they are in need of any assistance.
Special Application
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How do you plan to work with the Director of Technology on making the Texas JSA
website a valuable outlet for communication and use?
What will be your strategy for relaying messages to your Communication Liaisons?
How will you coordinate and work together with the Directors of Regional Publicity?
Director of Advocacy
The Director of Advocacy (formerly known as the Director of Activism) will be in charge of
activism on the state level. It is expected of the Director of Advocacy to have an Advocacy
Project occurring at each Convention. Furthermore, the Director of Advocacy has the option of
finding keynote speakers for Conventions if relevant to the current Advocacy Project. The
Director of Advocacy must be available to the regional Directors of Outreach for necessary help.
The Director of Advocacy must be creative and passionate about making a difference in the
community.
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Special Application
•
•
•
•
What specific improvements would you make to political fairs? Give examples of
organizations you would like to invite to these events and discuss the importance of
political diversity.
Differentiate between Advocacy and Fundraising.
Discuss your background in political and/or social advocacy. Explain how your
experience will help you in your effort to educate the community and Texas JSA.
How will you use the two Deputy Directors of Advocacy to better promote advocacy in
Texas JSA?
Deputy Director of Civic Advocacy
The Deputy Director of Civic Advocacy will help coordinate the Advocacy events at state
conventions with the Director of Advocacy, specifically focusing on political and civic advocacy.
Groups and speakers of a political nature will be their responsibility to contact and pursue. Letter
writing campaigns to political groups and factions will be part of the Deputy Director of Civic
Advocacy’s job. Finally, any other jobs that the Director of Advocacy feels the Deputy Director
of Civic Advocacy should do will be assigned to them.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
A new activity that will be implemented this year is a letter writing campaign in which
JSAers sign a pre-written letter to a political organization that they want to get involved
with or voice their opinion about. Draft a sample letter to a political faction that could be
used in a letter writing campaign at Fall State.
Why would you prefer to work with civic advocacy rather than social advocacy?
Give examples of civic organizations you would like to invite to political fairs.
How will you work effectively and coherently with the Deputy Director of Social
Advocacy?
Deputy Director of Social Advocacy
The Deputy Director of Social Advocacy will help coordinate the Advocacy events at state
conventions with the Director of Advocacy, specifically focusing on social advocacy. Groups
and speakers of a social nature will be their responsibility to contact and pursue. Letter writing
campaigns to social groups and factions will be part of the Deputy Director of Social Advocacy’s
job. Finally, any other jobs that the Director of Advocacy feels the Deputy Director of Social
Advocacy should do will be assigned to them.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
A new activity that will be implemented this year is a letter writing campaign in which
JSAers sign a pre-written letter to a social organization that they want to get involved
with or voice their opinion about. Draft a sample letter to a group fighting for a social
cause that could be used in a letter writing campaign at Fall State.
Why would you prefer to work with social advocacy rather than civic advocacy?
Give examples of social organizations you would like to invite to political fairs.
How will you work effectively and coherently with the Deputy Director of Civic
Advocacy?
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 19
Lonestar Editor
The Lonestar Editor is the sole individual in charge of organizing and formatting Texas JSA’s
Lonestar Newsletter. It is expected of the Lonestar Editor to proofread all articles that are chosen
for publication in the Lonestar. The Lonestar Editor holds the responsibility of making sure that
the Lonestar contains enough articles by either writing more themselves, receiving more from the
Lonestar Staff, or finding other Texas JSA individuals to write articles. The Lonestar Editor must
have prior experience in journalism, as well as knowledge of Texas JSA and the Lonestar. The
Lonestar will be a component of the Texas JSA website; as a result, the Lonestar Editor will work
with the Director of Technology extensively.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
How would you maintain a consistent and steady stream of new articles for the website?
In what ways will Lonestar articles impact the life of an average, interested, and obsessed
JSAer?
The Editor-in Chief of the Junior Statement asks you for an article for the national
newsletter. Give three simple ideas for articles to send.
Describe your prior journalistic experience.
Lonestar Staff
The Lonestar Staff is responsible for writing articles for the Lonestar. The Lonestar Staff is
expected to assist the Lonestar Editor in any way asked, as well as write articles for not only the
Lonestar, but both the Texas JSA website, and the National JSA Website if asked. These staff
members will be from each region and are expected to attend regional events in order to
document the events. The staff members will document all major occurrences at conventions
through photo, video, or text documentation. These staff members are also expected to take
pictures at the state conventions and to coordinate with the Deputy Director of Public Relations to
post the pictures on the website and on other media outlets (i.e. Facebook, etc.)
Special Application
•
In a paragraph of 250 to 300 words, objectively describe a current event that has occurred
in your city or state in the past week.
Director of Technology
The Director of Technology will have the chief responsibility of overseeing activity of the Texas
JSA website, http://texas.jsa.org/. As well, the Director of Technology will work with the
National Director of Technology, working to expand the Texas Junior State’s web and technology
program. The Director of Technology will possibly develop applications for the Texas Junior
State. This position will require dedication and skill as we hope to shift to using the website as an
important means of communication between chapters and between the chapters and state cabinet.
Preference for this position is given to those who are familiar with the principles of LAMP
(Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) and/or development of mobile applications.
Special Application
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 20
•
•
•
Visit and provide a brief critique of the Texas JSA website. Describe ways you would
improve the layout of the website so as to market it to prospective JSAers.
How can the Texas Junior State website be used as a communication medium? What
sections would you add to the website to make it more functional?
Please detail any experience you have with programming or computers. Include the links
to any websites you have designed in the past (if applicable).
Communication Liaison
These members will work in several different capacities. From running the JSA Facebook page to
creating and managing Twitter & other social media outlets, these Liaisons will be completely
focused on the face of the Texas Junior State in Public Media. Goals for the year for these
members will be specific but could also include new personal projects, such as writing a Texas
JSA page on Wikipedia or seeking out new media outlets for the Junior State to use.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 21
Letter from the Alamo Capital Region Mayor
Dear Junior Statesmen,
I would like to congratulate each of you for pursuing a cabinet position. Applying for
these leadership roles shows your enthusiasm and passion for JSA, which will not go
under the radar in coming years. However, this being Texas JSA’s first year to implore
regional cabinets, your interaction with regional officers will be constant and
responsibilities will be delegated with the highest level of importance.
This year will begin a new era for the ACR as we conquer new schools and expand to the
hundreds of untapped high schools in our community. Between San Marcos and San
Antonio alone there are enough potential JSA members to triple the entire region and
with perseverance from this new cabinet, we can make tripling the ACR a reality. The
Conference Coordinator will be planning more chapter conventions then the past three
years combined in this term, allowing for more schools to taste JSA before making larger
commitments to the organization. Working with the Directors of Outreach and Regional
Publicity will be crucial in maintaining the ACR’s positive reputation that every school
will want to be a part of. Finally, the Director of Fundraising will work diligently to help
send more members to conferences. All of these individuals must work together to
become a machine, making this region larger and more exciting than ever.
Before making a commitment to this region by submitting an application, I urge each of
you to consider how much time and effort your potential responsibilities could require.
Our list of goals grows each day, as we become aware of more potential members of this
state, which means more chapter conventions, more activism events, and more
communication. Although I am extremely confident that all of you are beyond capable
for each position, I understand that your schedules are very busy, which is why the
regional officers will require a firm time commitment before making any decisions.
On behalf of all the Alamo Capital Region Elected Officials, I would like to thank
everyone who is applying to become part of growing this region. Each of you are very
valuable to this region and the Texas Junior State. Good luck on your applications, and I
can’t wait to work together and build an ACR machine.
Sincerely,
Joshua Pulman
Alamo Capital Region Mayor
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 22
Alamo Capital Region Cabinet Applications
Conference Coordinator
The duty of the Conference Coordinator is to organize the execution of a successful regional
event. The Conference Coordinator develops the agendas, supervises activities at the events, and
works closely with the ACR Mayor to ensure regional events run smoothly. These events are the
key in expanding the Alamo Capital Region to the surrounding area. Much of the pre-conference
work is done on short notice in the weeks prior to a regional event, and thus, this individual must
be willing to make JSA the top priority when the time comes. In addition, this individual must be
familiar with word processing, thorough, and skillful at delegating many responsibilities.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
Why would you like to be the Conference Coordinator?
How will you encourage potential JSA members to attend a chapter conference?
What measures will you take to maintain communication with chapter presidents about
upcoming events or events that are being planned?
Give three potential chapter conference themes that you believe will attract lots of
participants.
Director of Fundraising
The job of the Director of Fundraising is very important to the success of the ACR and its
conferences. You will be in charge of creating events and talking to businesses in order to raise
funds to support the regional events so that they might be discounted or free of charge to students.
The Director of Fundraising will also help raise money to help chapters pay for state convention
fees, transportation, and other convention-related costs. In short, this director will work closely
with the ACR Mayor to provide assistance to chapters who need financial help to bring all of
their members to conventions or conferences.
Special Application
•
•
•
Explain one way you would hold a fundraiser for chapters in the ACR.
What specific traits do you believe you possess that will make your efforts in this
position as effective as possible?
Say you were raising money at a chapter conference and no one was participating. How
would you spark excitement about the cause and get the fundraiser on the right track?
Director of Outreach
The Texas Junior State is known for its activism and advocacy within the community. The
Director of Outreach will work diligently to maintain this reputation by helping the Alamo
Capital Region be more involved with our different communities. This cabinet member will be
responsible for booking guest speakers at regional events and creating interactions between the
ACR and local campaigns, organizations, or nonprofits. Making connections will be very
important to the Director of Outreach and for the greater influence of the ACR. As well, the
Director of Outreach will ensure that there is an activism/advocacy event at every event occurring
in the region.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 23
Special Application
•
•
•
What are some ideas you have to incorporate some of your inspirations into the ACR?
How will you make sure networking becomes a priority as this region becomes more
important and time consuming?
What ideas do you have for activism and advocacy events at regional events?
Director of Regional Publicity
The Director of Regional Publicity is charged with increasing the reputation and public awareness
of the Alamo Capital Region and JSA through press releases and other forms of media exposure.
This individual will work closely with the Mayor to develop a plan for promoting the image of
JSA to the news media as well as to the general public. The Director of Regional Publicity will
also open lines of communication with local leaders and politicians to spread the message of JSA
and build connections with leaders on the local, state, and national levels. Applicants should have
experience in publicity and/or a desire to increase awareness of the Junior State and its programs.
Special Application
•
•
•
Give the names of three government officials (local, state, or national) who you plan to
build a connection with this year.
What methods of publication will you use to spread the word about the Alamo Capital
Region and Texas JSA?
What is JSA? Describe the organization in your own words.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 24
Letter from the Gulf Coast Region Mayor
Hi there fellow JSAers!
It is my pleasure to present you with this year’s regional cabinet application. I find it
exciting that we are able to have a regional cabinet this year and look forward to reading
your applications and working closely with you to make the Gulf Coast Region the best
region in all of America!
Hopefully all of you have had a fantastic JSA experience thus far and wish to help the
organization be the best it can be for next year. We can accomplish this through having a
strong regional cabinet to achieve all that can be done to bring an excellent JSA
experience to as many people as possible.
The region is one of the most important sectors of JSA since it has the ability to come
together more often than the state and work more closely due to the lesser distance
separating the schools from each other. A successful region is the key to having a
successful state! Hopefully through the new regional cabinet we will be able to spearhead
a new era of success in each region and see an exponential growth in the size of our
organization, as well as the quality of regional events.
Through our four new positions, Conference Coordinator, Director of Fundraising,
Director of Outreach, and Director of Regional Publicity, we will have unequaled success
in the quality of conferences, the financial ease of attending these conferences, a larger
population of JSA chapters in our region, and more recognition by the public of what our
organization is and recognition of what we believe in.
I'm looking forward to working with all of you!
Adam Hale
Gulf Coast Region Mayor
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 25
Gulf Coast Region Cabinet Applications
Conference Coordinator
The duty of the Conference Coordinator is to organize the execution of a successful regional
event. The Conference Coordinator develops the agendas, supervises activities at the events, and
works closely with the GCR Mayor to ensure regional events run smoothly. These events are the
key in expanding the Gulf Coast Region to the surrounding area. Much of the pre-conference
work is done on short notice in the weeks prior to a regional event, and thus, this individual must
be willing to make JSA the top priority when the time comes. In addition, this individual must be
familiar with word processing, thorough, and skillful at delegating many responsibilities.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
Why would you like to be the Conference Coordinator?
How will you encourage potential JSA members to attend a chapter conference?
What measures will you take to maintain communication with chapter presidents about
upcoming events or events that are being planned?
Give three potential chapter conference themes that you believe will attract lots of
participants.
Director of Fundraising
The job of the Director of Fundraising is very important to the success of the GCR and its
conferences. You will be in charge of creating events and talking to businesses in order to raise
funds to support the regional events so that they might be discounted or free of charge to students.
The Director of Fundraising will also help raise money to help chapters pay for state convention
fees, transportation, and other convention-related costs. In short, this director will work closely
with the GCR Mayor to provide assistance to chapters who need financial help to bring all of
their members to conventions or conferences.
Special Application
•
•
•
Explain one way you would hold a fundraiser for chapters in the GCR.
What specific traits do you believe you possess that will make your efforts in this
position as effective as possible?
Say you were raising money at a chapter conference and no one was participating. How
would you spark excitement about the cause and get the fundraiser on the right track?
Director of Outreach
The Texas Junior State is known for its activism and advocacy within the community. The
Director of Outreach will work diligently to maintain this reputation by helping the Gulf Coast
Region be more involved with our different communities. This cabinet member will be
responsible for booking guest speakers at regional events and creating interactions between the
GCR and local campaigns, organizations, or nonprofits. Making connections will be very
important to the Director of Outreach and for the greater influence of the GCR. As well, the
Director of Outreach will ensure that there is an activism/advocacy event at every event occurring
in the region.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 26
Special Application
•
•
•
What are some ideas you have to incorporate some of your inspirations into the GCR?
How will you make sure networking becomes a priority as this region becomes more
important and time consuming?
What ideas do you have for activism and advocacy events at regional events?
Director of Regional Publicity
The Director of Regional Publicity is charged with increasing the reputation and public awareness
of the Gulf Coast Region and JSA through press releases and other forms of media exposure. This
individual will work closely with the Mayor to develop a plan for promoting the image of JSA to
the news media as well as to the general public. The Director of Regional Publicity will also open
lines of communication with local leaders and politicians to spread the message of JSA and build
connections with leaders on the local, state, and national levels. Applicants should have
experience in publicity and/or a desire to increase awareness of the Junior State and its programs.
Special Application
•
•
•
Give the names of three government officials (local, state, or national) who you plan to
build a connection with this year.
What methods of publication will you use to spread the word about the Gulf Coast
Region and Texas JSA?
What is JSA? Describe the organization in your own words.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 27
Letter from the Panhandle Metroplex Region Mayor
Dear Texas Junior Statesmen of the PMR,
Hello and let me be the first to applaud you for your dedication to JSA! It takes a lot of
time, effort, and genuine care to even consider applying for regional cabinet. A Cabinet
member’s job is a large and effortful one that will require time, loyalty, intellect, and
drive. Cabinet positions are not easy to maintain, however, I know that the PMR is full of
committed statesmen and stateswomen who want to put in the work and their passion into
the region.
This year the Panhandle Metroplex Region is proposing four positions for its cabinet:
Conference Coordinator, Director of Fundraising, Director of Outreach, and Director of
Regional Publicity. Each of these positions allows for hours of work and insists on
constant communication. Each member of cabinet will be expected to work together with
the Vice Mayor, Senators, fellow cabinet members, and me to better strengthen our
region as a whole.
This year’s goal is to provide a professional forum for regional JSAers to propose and
execute their political and social endeavors successfully. This goal includes the addition
of seven new chapters in the PMR, increased attendance on the chapter level, and the
heightened participation in state conventions and regional events.
I understand the idea of holding a cabinet position can sound overwhelming but I
encourage you to apply for the position that you most identify with. For example, if
you’re an excellent promoter and social networking butterfly, apply for Director of
Regional Publicity! If you like being the person behind it all, apply for Conference
Coordinator! I want your hard work to feel like play as much as possible. As your
humble, elected official, I recognize the priority that JSA holds in our lives and the fun I
have when accomplishing a task that will further improve the organization. As a member
of the regional cabinet, I want you to be able to recognize that feeling as well.
If you are interested in showing your passion to the Junior State of America through your
word and commission, please do not hesitate in applying for regional cabinet. Being on
cabinet for the United States’s largest student-run high school organization is sure to be
an experience you will never regret. I am excited to hear from each one of you and to see
what each of you can offer to the Panhandle Metroplex Region and the Texas Junior
State. I want statespeople with fresh ideas and the drive to make the upcoming year the
best in PMR history! Thank you.
Best wishes to all applying,
Beaty Richardson
Panhandle Metroplex Region Mayor
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 28
Panhandle Metroplex Region Cabinet Applications
Conference Coordinator
The duty of the Conference Coordinator is to organize the execution of a successful regional
event. The Conference Coordinator develops the agendas, supervises activities at the events, and
works closely with the PMR Mayor to ensure regional events run smoothly. These events are the
key in expanding the Panhandle Metroplex Region to the surrounding area. Much of the preconference work is done on short notice in the weeks prior to a regional event, and thus, this
individual must be willing to make JSA the top priority when the time comes. In addition, this
individual must be familiar with word processing, thorough, and skillful at delegating many
responsibilities.
Special Application
•
•
•
•
Why would you like to be the Conference Coordinator?
How will you encourage potential JSA members to attend a chapter conference?
What measures will you take to maintain communication with chapter presidents about
upcoming events or events that are being planned?
Give three potential chapter conference themes that you believe will attract lots of
participants.
Director of Fundraising
The job of the Director of Fundraising is very important to the success of the PMR and its
conferences. You will be in charge of creating events and talking to businesses in order to raise
funds to support the regional events so that they might be discounted or free of charge to students.
The Director of Fundraising will also help raise money to help chapters pay for state convention
fees, transportation, and other convention-related costs. In short, this director will work closely
with the PMR Mayor to provide assistance to chapters who need financial help to bring all of
their members to conventions or conferences.
Special Application
•
•
•
Explain one way you would hold a fundraiser for chapters in the PMR.
What specific traits do you believe you possess that will make your efforts in this
position as effective as possible?
Say you were raising money at a chapter conference and no one was participating. How
would you spark excitement about the cause and get the fundraiser on the right track?
Director of Outreach
The Texas Junior State is known for its activism and advocacy within the community. The
Director of Outreach will work diligently to maintain this reputation by helping the Panhandle
Metroplex Region be more involved with our different communities. This cabinet member will be
responsible for booking guest speakers at regional events and creating interactions between the
PMR and local campaigns, organizations, or nonprofits. Making connections will be very
important to the Director of Outreach and for the greater influence of the PMR. As well, the
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 29
Director of Outreach will ensure that there is an activism/advocacy event at every event occurring
in the region.
Special Application
•
•
•
What are some ideas you have to incorporate some of your inspirations into the PMR?
How will you make sure networking becomes a priority as this region becomes more
important and time consuming?
What ideas do you have for activism and advocacy events at regional events?
Director of Regional Publicity
The Director of Regional Publicity is charged with increasing the reputation and public awareness
of the Panhandle Metroplex Region and JSA through press releases and other forms of media
exposure. This individual will work closely with the Mayor to develop a plan for promoting the
image of JSA to the news media as well as to the general public. The Director of Regional
Publicity will also open lines of communication with local leaders and politicians to spread the
message of JSA and build connections with leaders on the local, state, and national levels.
Applicants should have experience in publicity and/or a desire to increase awareness of the Junior
State and its programs.
Special Application
•
•
•
Give the names of three government officials (local, state, or national) who you plan to
build a connection with this year.
What methods of publication will you use to spread the word about the Panhandle
Metroplex Region and Texas JSA?
What is JSA? Describe the organization in your own words.
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 30
Texas Junior State Questionnaire
Your responses to this questionnaire will be an asset to the running of the Texas Junior
State next year! The opinions of all JSAers are essential to a successful year, so it is
encouraged for you to confer with chapter members when answering these questions.
Note that responses to these questions will in no way influence or affect the selection
of cabinet members.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What was one positive aspect and what was one negative aspect of the Texas
Junior State in 2011 – 2012? What do you want to see changed in the
organization next year?
How was your interaction with state and regional level elected officials and
cabinet members this past year? What can be done to better your interaction
with the incoming elected officials next year?
What did you like about conventions this past year? What would you like to see
done differently?
How would you rate the Activism events at the state conventions last year?
What new things would you like to see this year?
How would you rate the keynote speakers of this past year (Fall State speakers
were Representative Mark Strama and Ambassador Robert Hutchings. Spring
State speaker was Professor Paul Brace)? What would you like to see in a
keynote block at a future convention? Is there a specific speaker you would like
to see at future conventions?
How many regional events (chapter conferences and regionals) do you believe
your region should have this year?
Texas JSA Cabinet Application 2012-2013
Page 31