Once you have reviewed the process and guidelines above, please use the information below to plan your campaign. Your campaign will include the following components:

• • Campaign Platform
  • Campaign Materials
  • Campaign Team
  • Candidate Speech(es) (2 minutes)
    • All candidates will get one 2-minute speech. If there is a primary election, only the Commonwealth candidates that move onto the General Election give a second speech (also 2 minutes).
    • Bluegrass candidates only give one speech.

As a candidate, you will form your campaign around your platform – three issues that you will work to address while serving as a Presiding Officer. These three issues must include:

1. An issue that affects the candidate’s school.
2. An issue that affects the candidate’s local community.
3. An issue that affects the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a whole.

Candidates must display the platforms on their Candidate Trifold Board and be included in their speech. The Y-Staff Candidate Lead will review all platforms prior to conference and will review as they are displayed on your trifold.

Candidate Guidelines

• Candidates may not display their trifold or begin campaigning, in-person, prior to the candidates meeting on Day 1 of the assembly.
• Candidates may debate with any tag they wish at the hotel on Night 1. It is highly encouraged to take enough time to rest and eat, but they may debate at any time.
• Commonwealth candidates will give their speech (2 minutes max) in front of the General Assembly on the first night of KYA, and potentially the final morning. Bluegrass candidates will give their speech on the first morning during General Assembly.
• During Mandatory Fun and Free Time candidates may participate in any activities and campaign at any location EXCEPT the designated election room.
• Candidates, campaign managers, and supporters can not campaign outside of the election room.

Campaign Manager

• Each Candidate may appoint a Campaign Manager, who shall be responsible for helping publicize and promote the candidate.
• No Presiding or Supporting Officer can be a Campaign Manager during the KYA at which they hold office.
• Campaign Managers have NO special privileges, and may not leave their assigned room to travel with the candidate during debate.

Supporter Guidelines

• In debate, only Candidates themselves may identify themselves as such – “John Doe, Candidate from Any School”
• Any supporters will be called out of order for saying, “John Doe, representing Any Country, home of Candidate John Doe.”
• Any supporters will be called out of order for campaigning for candidates during debate.
• Failure by a Candidate or their delegation to conduct a campaign in an appropriate manner will result in the Candidate being removed from the ballot.
• Supporters cannot participate in a call-and-response within the candidate speech.

At KYA, Candidates will be permitted the use of two (2) types of materials to use during their campaigns. No candidate can spend more than $50 on these materials, including the retail value of items donated from any person or organization. Receipts must be brought to prove candidates did not spend more than $50 on materials.

1. Trifold Board
2. Speech (2 min)

No other items or promotional materials will be allowed, even within your delegation. Business Cards will also not be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: business cards, Zoom backgrounds, pens, buttons, ribbons, t-shirts, adhesive stickers, gum, candy, games of chance, giveaways, face painting, etc. Social media outlets can be used by students for their campaign, but may not be paid for; this includes Snapchat Geo Filters, Facebook Ads, or other promotions. Students may not be endorsed by politicians or other partisan groups.

Trifold Board (3ft x 5ft)

Must display your full campaign platform – be as creative as possible when choosing how to display it! Should display who you are and why you are running for Presiding Officer in a simple way. Should be easy enough for delegates to understand without you present at the board. Can be handmade, professionally designed, professionally printed, or any combination thereof.

Requirements:

• Must display at least one (1) photo of yourself that follows the Dress Code and Code of Conduct guidelines for KYA and your school.
• Must discuss your three platforms with at least one (1) photo or paragraph per platform
• Must be approved by Y-Staff at the Day 1 Candidate Meeting before being displayed

Violations:

• Unattached props are NOT allowed. Boards can contain props that are attached. Props unattached to the board will be asked to be removed, this includes any buttons, ribbons, or other items worn in relation to the candidate.
• Electronic or battery-powered items are NOT allowed. This includes but is not limited to lights, screens, laptops, or any electronic items that might be displayed on the table in front of your board.
• Materials costing more than $50 in total are NOT allowed. ALL receipts must be provided to Y-Staff during the initial candidate meeting. “Free” materials provided by the school, a parent’s or guardian’s workplace, or other source DOES count towards this $50 maximum and fair market value should be documented and provided alongside other receipts.
• Mentioning “running for Governor” or other equivalents are NOT allowed. Candidates should refer to “running for KYA Presiding Officer” or other equivalents

Speech (2 minutes)

Commonwealth Candidates will give Speech 1 on the first day of the Assembly and should expect (but are not guaranteed) to give Speech 2 on the final day of the assembly following a primary election. Bluegrass Candidates (High School assemblies only) will give their 2 minute speech on the first morning during General Assembly. These speeches give delegates an insight into the Candidates’ personalities and platforms and should focus on conveying your personal message to the delegates.

Requirements:

• A copy of both speeches must be provided to Y-Staff for review
  • Speech 1: Day 1 Candidate Meeting
  • Speech 2: Day 3 before General Assembly
• Speech 1 MUST contain at least 1 minute devoted to discussing your campaign platforms.

Violations:

• Speeches longer than 2 minutes are NOT allowed. Candidates going beyond 2 minutes will be gaveled to stop.
• Props of any kind are NOT allowed. This includes using the paper on which your speech is printed as a prop.
• Audience participation of any kind is NOT allowed. This means call and response (“Raise your hand if…,” “How many of you…?”, etc.) is against the rules.
• Disparaging other candidates in any way is NOT allowed and will not be tolerated publicly or privately.

A warning will be issued following the first violation of the guidelines listed above. If a second violation occurs, the Candidate’s school will lose voting privileges.

The Candidate may be disqualified at the discretion of the Kentucky YMCA Staff.

Candidate slogans must, above all else, follow the four core values of the KY YMCA. As such, they should highlight your unique personality and abilities as a potential Presiding Officer. No disrespectful, disparaging, or derogatory slogans are permitted at either KYA or KUNA conferences. This includes but is not limited to: name-calling, putdowns, or otherwise inappropriate slogans at the discretion of Y-Staff. As a reminder, all slogans must be approved by Y-Staff prior to the start of the program and should only be used in direct campaign efforts. Campaigning, including the use of slogans, should not be used by the candidate or their peers during debate.

Any violations against the Kentucky YMCA’s commitment against all forms of bullying, discrimination, and racism can disqualify a candidate without warning at the discretion of the Kentucky YMCA Staff.

Outlined below is the ideal KYA election procedure. It is the goal of the Kentucky YMCA that every conference follow this procedure and that we do not have to make adjustments. Adjustments to the procedure outlined below may have to occur because of logistical challenges and will be communicated in advance. Factors that influence decisions surrounding adjustments to the procedure include the number of candidates, the overall number of students in attendance, the number of schools in attendance, and the results of the primary election.

Commonwealth:

• Day 1: Candidates deliver their General Speech (2 minutes).
• Night 2 Primary Election*: During Mandatory Fun, Commonwealth Students vote individually for their Top 3 candidates.
• Night 2: During the Closing Thoughts General Assembly, the Final Candidates are announced. *subject to primary results.
• Day 3: During the Closing Session, Final Candidates deliver their General Speech (2 minutes).
• Day 3 General Election: During the Closing Session, ALL students vote individually for their TOP candidate.
• Day 3: At the conclusion of the Closing Session, Presiding Officers are announced!

*A Primary Election will only take place if we have enough Candidates to require one.

Bluegrass:

• Day 2: Candidates deliver their Primary Speech (2 minutes).
• Night 2 General Election: During Mandatory Fun, Bluegrass students vote individually for their Top candidate.
• Day 3: At the conclusion of the Closing Session, Presiding Officers are announced!

• Am I registered as a candidate within my delegation's KYA registration?
• Did I submit my Candidate Agreement Form on the portal?
• Did I send Y-Staff information about my service project?
• Have I written my speech and is it ready for the Candidate meeting where it will get approved by Y-Staff?
• Is my trifold completed and ready for the Candidate meeting where it will get approved by Y-Staff?
• Have I collected all receipts for my trifold materials to show Y-Staff during the Candidate meeting?
• Have I finalized my speech and tested that is 2 minutes or less?

If you need to check the status of your Candidate’s requirements, check the Candidate Database (coming in September). Candidates will be added as they complete their Candidate Agreement Form.