Macon-Bibb County GCAPS (September 2015)

Macon-Bibb County Government Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students

GCAPS NEWS Macon-Bibb County Government Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS) Newsletter | SEPTEMBER 2015

Macon-Bibb County Youth Leadership (2015-2016 Program Year) On September 1, 2015, Macon-Bibb County and local schools wel-

comed the second cohort of the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for

Students (GCAPS) at its Orientation Session on September 1, 2015 at

the Cox Capitol Theatre (382 Second Street). Thirty five sophomores,

juniors, and seniors were selected from nine public and private schools

after an application and interview process.

During the Orientation, students had a chance to meet each other,

as well as local leaders and the organizers of the program. They

learned about community leadership, before discussing the year’s

schedule, expectations, and community service requirements. Following

the Orientation, the student leaders traveled to Government Center to

attend and be introduced at the Macon-Bibb County Commission Meet-

ing where students Caroline Anderson (Mount de Sales Academy) and

Malik Thomas (Howard High School) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Continued on Page 3

In This Issue

Orientation & New Members

Upcoming Events

Connect Home

Youth Leadership Summit

Youth Commission Election

Emergency Preparedness Month

Next Learning Session

Macon-Bibb County GCAPS | 2 | September 2015

Tuesday, September 1, 2015 3:45 p.m. GCAPS Session #1: Orientation & Commission Meeting

(Cox Capitol Theatre; 382 Second Street & Government Center Chambers)

6:00 p.m. Commission Meeting

Pledge of Allegiance: Sarah Kate Sellers (Junior at Stratford Academy) & Malik Thomas (Senior at Howard High School)

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 4:00 p.m. GCAPS Session #2 (Emergency Management Agency Bunker; 700 Poplar Street)

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 6:00 p.m. Commission Meeting (Government Center Chambers; 700 Poplar Street)

Pledge of Allegiance: Caroline Anderson (Junior at Mount de Sales Academy) & Adreanna Chester (Junior at Mount de Sales Academy)

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 6:00 p.m. Commission Meeting (Government Center Chambers; 700 Poplar Street)

Pledge of Allegiance: Anna Grace Jones (Senior at First Presbyterian Day School)

Thursday & Friday, October 8-9, 2015 Youth Leadership Summit at Mercer University (1501 Mercer University Drive)

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 4:00 p.m. GCAPS Session #3 (Parks & Beautification / Solid Waste; 327 Lower Poplar Street)

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 6:00 p.m. Commission Meeting (Government Center Chambers; 700 Poplar Street)

Pledge of Allegiance: To be determined

Thursday, October 29, 2015 4:00 p.m. “Click or Treat” ConnectHome City-Wide Roll-Out


“GCAPS is an amazing opportunity for students to get involved with

their community at an early age, and it’s even better that they are going to

see how we’re building a new consolidated government,” says Macon-Bibb

Assistant County Manager Charles Coney.

Macon-Bibb County Youth Leadership (Cont’d from Page 1)

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to

each other.”

John F. Kennedy

Students Caroline Anderson and

Malik Thomas preparing to lead the

Pledge of Allegiance at the Commission

Meeting.

GCAPS Orientation taking top billing

at the Historic Cox Capitol Theatre.

Mayor Reichert congratulating the

2015-2016 GCAPS Cohort.

Assistant County Manager Charles

Coney bringing greetings.

GCAPS Leader & Mercer Intern

Joseph Wozniak moderating during the

Orientation Session.

Assistant County Attorney Reginald

McClendon discussing the GCAPS

Honor Code.

Final words from Mayor Reichert

before the Commission Meeting in Gov-

ernment Center Chambers.

GCAPS Leaders Karol Kelly and

LaTanya Lester offering support during

the GCAPS Orientation.


Akbar, Mariam Stratford Academy

Alston, Nia Howard High School

Anderson, Caroline Mount de Sales Academy

Chester, Adreanna Mount de Sales Academy

Colvin, Aliyah Westside High School

Diaz, Jaaziel Northeast High School

Diaz, Jonathan Northeast High School

Ellis, Jaedyn Stratford Academy

Fuller, Markelle Southwest High School

Holder, Rachel Howard High School

Howard, Talareah Southwest High School

Jackson, Zeleria Mount de Sales Academy

Macon-Bibb County Youth Leadership 2015-2016 GCAPS Cohort


Jones, Anna Grace First Presbyterian Day School

Keitt, Saxton Central High School

Knowlton, India Northeast High School

Martin, William First Presbyterian Day School

McDuffie, Kennedy Mount de Sales Academy

Mckay, William Westside High School

Mehta, Hitanshi Howard High School

Moore, Janel Howard High School

Muhammad, Sharrieff Home School

Nichols, Anna Mount de Sales Academy

O'Dette, Alexis Howard High School

Pak, Su Mount de Sales Academy



Paul, Erica Southwest High School

Paulin, Daniel First Presbyterian Day School

Pointer, Ashley Howard High School

Sellers, Sarah Kate Stratford Academy

Thomas, Malik Howard High School

Toole, Bailey Stratford Academy

Woodford, Alexandra Mount de Sales Academy



Connect Home Connect Home is the next step in the President’s continued

efforts to expand high speed broadband to all Americans

and builds on his ConnectED initiative that is on track to

connect 99 percent of K-12 students to high-speed internet

in their classrooms and libraries over the next five years.

Connect Home will help ensure that these students still have access to high-speed

internet once they are home.

Connect Home is a platform for collaboration between local governments, public

housing agencies, Internet service providers, philanthropic foundations, nonprofit

organizations, and other relevant stakeholders that will produce local solutions for

narrowing the digital divide. The pilot will begin in 28 communities around the na-

tion—including Macon, Georgia. This is a collaborative effort between the Macon

Housing Authority, Cox Communications, and EveryoneOn. GCAPS has selected

Connect Home to be its signature Community Service Project.

www.connecthome.hud.gov

“America’s chal-

lenge in this 21st

century is to re-

main the world’s

undisputed land

of opportunity. ” Julián Castro

Secretary

U.S. Housing & Urban Development

GCAPS will be assisting the

Connect Home Project on

Thursday, October 29, 2015

by providing support for the

online Connect Home regis-

trations at the Buck Melton

Center and the Family Invest-

ment Center. Registrations

will be taken from 5:00 p.m.

to 7:00 p.m.

http://connecthome.hud.gov/


3:00 p.m. Arrival at Hilton Garden Inn (1220 Stadium Drive) 3:30 p.m. Mayor’s Welcome Reception (HGI Mercer Room) 4:00 p.m. Mercer University Walking Tour 5:15 p.m. Departure for Georgia National Fair in Perry, Ga. 9:30 p.m. Departure for Hilton Garden Inn 10:00 p.m. Midnight Movie (Mercer Cruz Plaza) 8:15 a.m. Arrival at Mercer University (President’s Dining Room) 9:00 a.m. Greetings & Welcome 9:15 a.m. “Getting to Know You” 9:30 a.m. Guest Youth Leaders Presentations 10:30 a.m. GCAPS Update Kathleen Bowen, ACCG GCAPS Coordinator 11:00 a.m. “The Story of Tattnall Square Park” Dr. Andrew Silver, Friends of Tattnall Square Park 11:55 a.m. Checkpoint 12:00 a.m. Lunch (Mercer Village) 1:00 p.m. Expeditionary Learning - Tattnall Square Park 1:15 p.m. “Connecting Government & Media” Chris Floor, MBC Director of Public Affairs 2:00 p.m. Service Project Karen Middleton, MBC Housing Authority Jessica Walden, everyoneon 2:45 p.m. Leadership Training - Stetson Business School 4:15 p.m. Wrap-Up 4:30 p.m. Departure

Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Mercer University The Macon-Bibb County Youth Leadership

Summit (YLS) is a premier leadership devel-

opment experience for motivated and accom-

plished students from across the state of

Georgia.

This 2-day leadership journey provides an

out-of-classroom learning experience and

rigorous curriculum that equips students with

the confidence, independence, skills and

global competiveness required of the next

generation of future leaders. Become a part

of YLS’s rich history when you come together

with students from around the state to repre-

sent your city/county and region! Distinguish

yourself as a future 21st century leader!

The Youth Leadership Summit invites you to

fully explore differences, gain firsthand expe-

rience with networking, build confidence, and

enhance decision-making skills in an atmos-

phere of mutual respect and that will chal-

lenge you to broaden your view. Set yourself

apart in today’s competitive world. At YLS,

you will be inspired to expand your horizons

and explore your future on a whole new level

as you work among your peers, interact with

local leaders, and gain a fresh, new perspec-

tive.

Macon-Bibb County Youth Leadership Summit

Friday, October 9, 2015 at Mercer University

2015

2014 YLS at Lake Tobesofkee

2014 YLS at Lake Tobesofkee


Georgia National Fair One of the newest features of the Fair is the Georgia Grown Building. This

is a joint project of the Georgia National Fair and the Georgia Department

of Agriculture. During the 11 days of the Fair, the building features space

dedicated solely to Georgia Grown products, manufacturers, and agricul-

tural businesses. The Georgia National Fair has promoted the state’s her-

itage, people, and agriculture since the first Fair in 1990. The Fair offers a

safe and clean, family-oriented environment. The Fair is well-known for its

comprehensive youth and home and fine arts competitions and exhibits.

The Georgia National Schoolhouse attracts pre-K through high school

students from throughout the state to tour the educational and livestock

displays.

The Georgia National Fair appeals to everyone with its livestock and

horse shows, competitive exhibits, food, midway rides and games, com-

mercial vendors, major concerts, street entertainers, family entertainment,

circus, and nightly fireworks. The Georgia National Fair has been desig-

nated a “Top 50 Fair” by Amusement Business magazine and Matt’s Car-

nival Warehouse. The Georgia National Fair has won 93 awards from

the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for its livestock and

horse events, competitive exhibits, and communications programs.

www.georgianationalfair.com

Transportation to and from the Georgia National Fair in

Perry, admission to the Fair grounds, and an unlimited

rides armband along with a $2 food coupon will be

provided to each Youth Leadership Summit attendee

compliments of the Mayor Robert A. B. Reichert and

the Macon-Bibb County GCAPS.

We are proud to announce that

will be hosting the

Mercer University’s reputation is

built on its rigorous academic pro-

grams, outstanding faculty, and

state-of-the-art facilities. Students

across Mercer’s 12 schools and

colleges benefit from a welcoming

atmosphere and small-class learn-

ing environment. They learn from

a prestigious, yet caring, faculty

whose credentials come from

some of the world’s finest aca-

demic institutions, are distin-

guished for both teaching and re-

search. More than 90 percent of

the faculty hold doctorates or the

highest attainable degrees in their

respective fields.

www.mercer.edu

For our out-of-town guests, we

have selected the Macon Hilton

Garden Inn with a discounted rate

of $99/night. Kindly ask for the

GCAPS Rate for Thursday night,

October 8th.

Hilton Garden Inn 1220 Stadium Drive

Macon, GA 31204 (478) 741-5527

Youth Leadership Summit Outing (Thursday, October 8, 2015)

http://georgianationalfair.com/

http://www.mercer.edu/


Youth Commission Election We’re adding a new level of leadership

in our GCAPS this year. Students in

our 2015-2016 Cohort will elect two (2)

Youth Commissioners to represent the

larger thirty-one (31) person group rel-

ative to Program Planning, Youth

Leadership Development and Training,

and Macon-Bibb County Community

Discussions. Additionally, one student

will be selected by the GCAPS Leader-

ship Team. Thus giving us three (3) Youth Commissioners.

What Would a Youth Commissioner Do?

Encourage teen leadership and responsibility through modeled involvement

Create opportunities for public discussion of teen issues through meetings, work-

shops and conferences. Explore and identify issues and concerns of special im-

portance to teens and communicate those issues to the Macon-Bibb County Lead-

ership. Conversations might include the Macon-Bibb County Commissioner and

the applicable Macon-Bibb County Department

Look for ways to promote mutual understanding, respect and communication

amongst teen groups of all cultures and backgrounds

Provide leadership for youth-sponsored and teen activities like our annual Youth

Leadership Summit, community service projects, and community events

Attend and participate in Regional and National Youth Leadership Associations

and Conferences, Government Trainings, and Macon-Bibb County receptions and

radio, television & newspaper interviews

If you are interested in offering yourself for

service to your peers, then before Septem-

ber 30, 2015, send an email to

[email protected] indicating your de-

sire to run for Youth Commissioner and

have your campaign ready for the election

to be held during the 2015 Youth Leader-

ship Summit.

“Good habits

formed at youth

make all the dif-

ference.” Aristotle

mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20Want%20to%20Be%20a%20MBC%20Youth%20Commissioner


Emergency Preparedness Month

Spencer Hawkins, EMA Deputy Director, presented at the

GCAPS Learning Session #2 where students learned how

to stay safe and communicate during disasters.

Upcoming: GCAPS Learning Session In October, we will be hosted by the Macon-Bibb

County Parks & Beautification Department for our

Learning Session. The department is responsible for

operations, maintenance, and capital improvements

to 128 parks and recreation areas in Macon & Bibb

County. The Department plans, designs, and devel-

ops the new parks and recreation facilities.

www.maconbibb.us/parks-and-beautification

Additionally, we will be joined in the Learning Session by the Solid Waste Department. The Solid Waste De-

partment is responsible for the collection services of recyclables, yard debris, and sanitation.

www.maconbibb.us/solid-waste

Be sure to mark your GCAPS Calendar to attend the October

13th Learning Session.

GCAPS Learning Session #2 at the Emergency Management Agency on September 8, 2015

http://www.maconbibb.us/parks-and-beautification/

http://www.maconbibb.us/solid-waste/

What Student Say About GCAPS “GCAPS complimented my high school experience, because I was able to meet other students from other high schools. I was able to branch out from my usual group of acquaintances and learn about the different envi-ronments where my fellow GCAPS colleagues spend the day.”

“GCAPS has influenced my views and has helped me as a person.”

“What I enjoyed most about my GCAPS experience was the fact that we met so many influential leaders and got to speak to most of them.”

“Learning the process of the program was really helpful and also the real world experience of how the government works was fantastic, lastly it was fun to know people from different schools and learn about them and their schools.”

“I liked the GCAPS learning sessions the most. Each learning session was unique in its own way, and after each session I was able to see how that certain agency contributed to the success as well as the functioning of the local government.”

“Networking in GCAPS gave me powerful connections in places with people I would have never met otherwise. Their different points of view challenged the way I believe and helped me grow.”

Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS)

Macon-Bibb County

Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students

700 Poplar Street

P. O. Box 247

Macon, GA 31202-0247

PLACE STAMP HERE

Contact Us

For more information about GCAPS:

Macon-Bibb County

700 Poplar Street

P. O. Box 247

Macon, GA 31202-0247

(478) 751-7170

[email protected]

Visit us on the web at

www.maconbibb.us/gcaps

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/

MaconBibbCountyYouthCommission

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.maconbibb.us/gcaps

http://www.facebook.com/MaconBibbCountyYouthCommission

http://www.facebook.com/MaconBibbCountyYouthCommission

Documents

Macon-Bibb County GCAPS (September 2015)