The Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS) is excited to announce the 2022 Virtual Student Legislative Day!
Our Virtual Student Legislative Day will take student leaders interested in gaining a better understanding of the inner workings of Government on a full day (virtual) adventure at the State Capitol. This experience aligns with our mission statement and action goals in creating strong student and community leaders.
Date: Wednesday, November 30th
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Your home office, school building or couch (Virtual Event)
Investment:
$25 per person
$350 for a full classroom (max 30 students)
Registration: Registration ends November 26th at 3:00 p.m.Virtual space may be limited and is on a first come, first serve basis.
Agenda At-A-Glance
9:30-10:00 a.m. – Welcome and Overview
10:00-11:00 a.m. – Legislation 101
11:15-12:15 a.m. – Virtual Guided Tour of the Michigan State Capitol Building (and working lunch!)
12:15-12:30 p.m. – Break
12:30-2:00 p.m. – Legislative Panel (State Senator, Policy Analyst and Grassroots Coordinator, Political Journalist & more!)
- Legislator Presentation and Q and A
- Lobbyist Presentation and Q and A
- Legislative and Campaign Staff Panel and Q and A
2:00-2:30 p.m. – Sit in on a live House of Representatives Session! Moderated by MASSP’s Bob Kefgen for inside analysis and breakdown of action
Great Opportunity to Support your Course Work!
This one-day workshop will contain a packed day, ensuring that students get the full experience of life in Lansing. The morning kicks off with a welcome and overview of legislative practice with MASSP’s lobbyist, Bob Kefgen (and maybe a few special guests!)
Next, students will be taken on a virtual guided tour of the State Capitol building, reviewing historical features, rooms, items and critical Michigan History.
After the tour, students will have the opportunity to meet with different government officials and staffers to gain a better understanding of their job duties and influence across our state. These meetings will include representation from staffers, lobbyists and legislators!
We will end the day with students having the option of sitting in (virtually) on a live House of Representatives session. This jam-packed agenda serves to provide a well-rounded, exciting and informative day in Lansing.
Meet the Legislative Panel 2022
De’Shondria Bedenfield: Assistant Director of Government Relations, Michigan Association of School Boards
De’Shondria Bedenfield is a native of Flint, Michigan and a graduate of Central Michigan University. A proud Chippewa! She has been with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for three years where she primarily focuses on grassroots organizing within the Government Relations Dept. De’Shondria is also an MSU Education Policy Fellowship Program Alum. Prior to this, she worked at the local level for Isabella County.
Tabitha Zimny, Karoub Associates
Tabitha joined Karoub Associates in 2003. She has experience in fund development, nonprofits, housing and local and state governments. She has a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University
Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit and Bridge Michigan
Tracie Mauriello is the State Education Policy Reporter for Chalkbeat Detroit and our news partner Bridge Michigan. She previously served as Washington and Harrisburg bureau chief for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and has covered education for newspapers in Connecticut and Ohio. She was a 2019-20 Knight-Wallace journalism fellow at the University of Michigan
State Representative Darrin Camilleri
State Representative Darrin Camilleri is serving his third term representing the 23rd House District, which includes the Downriver communities of Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Brownstown. During his time in the State legislature, Rep. Camilleri has served as the minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, emerging as a statewide voice on improving our public schools and a champion for workers’ rights
Adrian Hemond, CEO & Chairman, Grassroots Midwest
Adrian Hemond is the CEO of Grassroots Midwest. He founded the firm in 2013 after acquiring a broad range of experience and expertise in politics. A former political science instructor at Saginaw Valley State University, Hemond was Chief of Staff to the Michigan House Minority Leader in 2013 and served as a lobbyist with Governmental Consultant Services, Inc (GCSI) from 2007 to 2012, specializing in appropriations, local government, regulatory affairs, and procurement.
Patti Tremblay, Deputy Legal Counsel, Executive Office of the Governor
Ms. Tremblay serves as the Office of Legal Counsel’s point person on legislation and the budget. Previously, she worked in the EOG’s Legislative Affairs Office and before that as Legal Counsel for the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. Ms. Tremblay has also worked as an analyst covering the House Insurance and Regulatory Reform committees and with the House Clerk’s Office as a session and committee clerk. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Welcome to your Virtual Conference Experience!
The following video tutorial covers our digital conference platform, Zoom Events. This brief overview showcases how to navigate the conference platform and some of what you can expect when registering for a digital conference. This platform allows our participants to view a full agenda, select sessions of interest, download handouts and resources and allows dedicated space for networking!