Agent Point Totals
(Last Update: 3/10/2010)
Kristina C. - 9 Points
John F. - 0 Points
Joshua F. - 2 Points
Philip H. - 8 Points
Veronica K. - 0 Points
Joel M. - 4 points
Jonathan M. - 4 Points
Kayla M. - 14 Points
Richard P. - 15 Points
Kjh-Lajhni S. - 1 Points
Anthony S. - 1 Points
Delores S. - 0 Points
Luke W. - 17 Points
Kelcy W. - 17 Points
Highlighted Resources
Need help with Word Studies? Check out our handy PDF Guide.
Don't forget to check the resource page for additional tips, help, and tons of links.
Recent Agent Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Bible Studies & Book Reports
Interviewing & Shadowing
Letters to the Editor
Mentors
Volunteering & Attending Events
If you have any questions not addressed by this FAQ or just need a little encouragement, please contact SSI at 517-321-6233 or ssi@ssi-online.org. We want you to succeed!
Click here for a PDF Version of the Ambassador League FAQ
General Questions
Should I send my reports by email or by regular
mail?
We prefer all reports to be sent by email if at all possible.
However, if you do not have Internet access, you may mail in your reports. Verification forms may be scanned in and emailed, but otherwise
we need the hard copy sent to HQ. These are noted in your packets with 
.
If you do not have email, please mail all reports to SSI:
Student Statesmanship Institute
ATTN Ambassador League
PO Box 80108
Lansing MI 48908-0108
Remember to keep a copy of ALL reports in a safe place such as a folder or binder in case you need
them for verification purposes and for your mentor meetings.
What do I need to include in emailed reports?
All reports should follow the sample report format. Along with the report you email to SSI at amleague@ssi-online.org, your email MUST include your name, date, mission and assignment. This way our records are always up to date, and you'll get credit for your hard work.
Please consult your initial orders or cover letter sent in your packet for all formatting requirements.
In addition, each Mission should contain a set of instructions for writing a report. If the instructions are not clear, then you should
just write about what you experienced and what you learned.
Will I receive verification from HQ when they receive my assignments?
Once every two weeks, or thereabouts, you will receive an Ambassador Alert email from Mr. Muffett personally. This email lists every agent’s name and the number of points earned and verified by headquarters. It will also contain answers to questions not already covered by this F.A.Q., volunteer opportunities, and lots of encouragement. As we continue to develop the SSI website, www.ssi-online.org, we will also put Ambassador Alerts online. We will, of course, only use first names and last initials on the website. If you do not have email, you will receive your Ambassador Alerts by mail.
To which email address should I send my reports?
Please send all reports to
amleague@ssi-online.org. Any personal
correspondence for Mr. Muffett can be sent to his own email address, which is
james@ssi-online.org. To contact SSI about anything not related
to Ambassador League, please send your email to ssi@ssi-online.org.
If I know others who want to sign up for the
Ambassador League, how should they go about it?
Have them contact SSI at 877-464-6388 or ssi@ssi-online.organd request an application, or print one from the website. Once an application is received, SSI will contact the applicant. Please note, however, that anyone signing up who has not already attended the Summer Program must attend within the official year of the AM league Course. Attending the Summer Program does not count for points, but it is required to complete the program.
When it comes time for me to promote SSI, how do
I go about getting the video and/or brochures, etc.?
We are very happy to help you promote us. Just contact our office at 877-464-6388 or email amleague@ssi-online.org, and tell us about the nature of the event where you’ll be promoting SSI, and we’ll get you everything you’ll need (minus the TV/DVD player!). Please try to contact us 1-2 weeks before the event, so we’ll be sure to get your supplies to you in time. Brochures or fliers are available usually by December. Promotional videos are also located on our website and can be played and/or downloaded for viewing. There are other resources on the SSI Promotions page as well.
What is the Ambassador Resources document? Am I
supposed to read all those resources?
The Ambassador
Resources are just for your information and to aid you in your research.
At what point does work that I have done for the Ambassador League count?
The Ambassador League officially begins on September 1, and runs through August 31. Therefore, any volunteer work, campaign work, interviews, etc. completed before September 1 of this year will not count. However, if you wish to get started on any reading for book reports or Bible assignments beforehand, you certainly may! All assignments MUST be turned in to headquarters no later than August 31.
How important is it that I read the Ambassador Alerts?
You should keep track of your points as recorded by the Alerts and compare it with your own records. The Alerts are also sent to you for encouragement and to let you know about possible point-earning opportunities. If you do not read them, you may miss essential information. Agent, you are hereby ordered to read the Alerts!
Mission:Research & Read - Bible Studies & Book Reports
Many of us read our Bible and glean lots of wisdom about God and all He’s done for us. That’s awesome! But for some of us, that’s as far as we get. It’s important, however, to know how to search the scriptures for answers to questions that are asked of us or to search for God’s will on how to deal with challenges we may face on a day-to-day basis. For whatever reason, it’s important to know HOW to study His Word. There are many ways to study Scripture, but following are suggestions that you may find helpful:
- Pray that God will reveal to you the meaning and wisdom of His Word.
- Look up the topic’s key words in various Bible references: a concordance, a Bible dictionary (with Hebrew & Greek sections), and even a regular dictionary.
- Thoroughly review scriptures having to do with the topic.
- Analyze the scriptures’ meanings, paying close attention to how they change or affirm your own points of view on the topic.
- Answer questions, such as: to whom was the scripture originally written? Why? What does it mean to us today?
- Compare traditional views vs. modern views on the scriptures you find.
- For additional tips and helpful ideas, see this guide.
When writing your report, write as if you’re instructing someone who’s never read about this topic in God’s Word. Follow the Holy Spirit’s lead, and write about the scriptures you found and what they mean to you. Be sure to write a full page on each topic.
This Bible
search can help you find Bible verses that can be copied into your document. Also, there are other Bible study tools on the Ambassador League Resouce page as well. However, we encourage you to actually get out your personal Bible and become familiar with it, utilizing the Holy Spirit, and your knowledge of God's Word, to direct you.
Can I combine two similar Bible studies into
one?
It depends. Combining two Bible studies into one will only give you one point. If you are going for all the points (Special Agent), then you will need to do every Bible study.
Rather than buy the required books, can I just sign
them out from the library, or are there any other books I can read instead?
Ideally, you should make every attempt to develop your
own reading library. These books are great resources, and you might find yourself reading them over again, or perhaps loaning them to a friend. If you are unable to purchase them, however, you certainly may borrow them instead. CHECK NOW with your library
to be sure they have them on hand. You may find them via an inter-library loan, or you may need to be
resourceful in getting your hands on these wonderful books.
You are required to choose only from the books listed on the Mission: Reading
page for your reports. Feel free to read more than the required reading for your own growth and enjoyment
- go for it!
Note: There are books out there with similar titles as the ones on our list; therefore, be sure
to match the book title with the author to ensure you read and report on the correct books.
I haven't been able to find the books at my local
bookstore. Are they available online?
Yes. We found all six books available at Amazon.com. You may also search other sites as you wish.
What if I don't agree with the books we're assigned
to read?
Just as you experienced when preparing for and giving
your speeches at SSI, we need to be aware of both sides of the issues. Reading a book with which you don't
necessarily agree will only serve to enlighten you on the opposing viewpoint, thereby strengthening your
own arguments.
Mission:Take Action - Interviewing & Shadowing
Someone who has a degree of influence in others'
lives. The greater the influence, the more desirable the interview, so you can learn from their
perspective. Pastors and teachers are fine in that regard, but you might learn something new through
interviewing government, media, business and other types of leaders. Also consider someone in your field of interest.
I'd like to shadow my state representative, my
senator or a judge. How do I find out how to contact these people?
There are several ways to locate them. Find out who
your state legislators are by looking in the government section of your phone book under 'Michigan,
State of' and then under 'House of Representatives' or 'Senate'. There is usually a general number
listed, which you can call for information.
Also check out sites on the web such as the following:
Find elected officials, including the president, members of Congress, governors, state legislators, local officials, and more.
Michigan Courts Website (Judges by County)
Michigan Supreme Court Website
The Mission:Take
Action & Mission:Observe assignments require a full-page report on our activities. What are you looking
for in these reports?
When doing your 'Mission: Take
Action' and 'Mission: Observe' assignments, you should try to include as
much of the following as possible: 1) Your expectations as you began the assignment and how it differed
from what you'd expected; 2) How you planned and executed the assignment; 3) What you did to complete the
assignment - your own impression and quotes from others; 4) What you learned from the assignment; 5) The
manner in which you learned it. Feel free, of course, to include more.
Mission:Take Action - Letters to the Editor
Do all of the letters to the
editor need to include scripture?
The short answer is no. But, I would like to
encourage everyone to include scripture as a way of influencing our society toward God whenever possible.
If you include scripture, and meet the Amy Foundation
criteria, you may enter your letters in their competition to win a cash prize of up to $10,000.
Can I submit letters to the editor to other
publications besides the local newspaper?
Yes. You may submit them to any publication. Remember,
letters do not have to be published to qualify, only submitted. If they are published, however, we want
you to send us a hard copy for our files. Whether or not your letter is published, someone still has to
read it - we rarely know which of the seeds we have sown will take root in someone's heart.
Any other guidelines you can offer me about
writing letters to the editor?
Word choice is key when writing letters to the editor.
It's very easy to offend people without meaning to, and it's important that even if someone is wrong,
we show them the truth in the most loving way. If the truth is not shared lovingly, people think ill
of the bearer of truth and forget about what he/she actually said; therefore, any truth that was shared
is forgotten, and any good that could have been accomplished is lost. Always pray beforehand that the
Lord will share His message through you in His way, with His words.
Mission:Tactics - Mentors
What if I can't meet with my Mentor very often
because we live too far apart?
When choosing your Mentor, be sure to select someone
you will be able to meet with regularly, ideally, someone in your own community. You do not have to
choose someone you already know. You'll be like Jabez and expand your territory if you seek out and meet
with someone beyond your current sphere of acquaintances, friends and relatives.
What's the story on the Mentor Meetings Form?
We want to encourage you to meet with your mentor
six times throughout the year for accountability, encouragement and direction. Each time you meet,
have your mentor fill in a section of the form. After you have met with your mentor six times
throughout the year, send in the form via snail mail. This should be one of the last reports you
send to Headquarters, since you'll be doing this throughout the whole year. If you signed up for
Ambassador League in the middle of the year, you still get the benefit of meeting with your mentor
six times, but you won't have to wait so long between meetings!
While the form needs to be signed, sealed and delivered to Headquarters via the US Postal Service,
feel free to email Headquarters in the meantime just to share your experience with us. We'd love to
hear some of the great advice your mentor is sharing with you... we may even share it in the Ambassador
Alerts!
Can my mom or dad be my Mentor?
No. Part of the Mentor assignment is designed to help
you learn to seek counsel from adults other than those with whom you are related. This is an essential life skill. However, your
parents can and should play a major role in this effort.
Mission:Take Action or Observe - Volunteering & Attending Events
Many of the Mission: Take
Action & Mission: Observe assignments require a full-page report on our activities. What are you looking
for in these reports?
When doing your 'Mission: Take
Action' and 'Mission: Observe' assignments, you should try to include as
much of the following as possible: 1) Your expectations as you began the assignment and how it differed
from what you'd expected; 2) How you planned and executed the assignment; 3) What you did to complete the
assignment - your own impression and quotes from others; 4) What you learned from the assignment; 5) The
manner in which you learned it. Feel free, of course, to include more.
Can I volunteer at Student Statesmanship
Institute for points?
Absolutely! We often have much to do and not enough
hands to do it, so the answer to your question is yes, Yes, YES! Volunteering for SSI will count
toward volunteering for a non-profit. You can either come to our office here in Lansing or volunteer
at an Onsite, at our Annual Banquet or at a number of other events throughout the state. Just call our
office at 877-464-6388 or email ssi@ssi-online.org to let us know your availability. You'll also get requests for help in your Ambassador Alerts. Opportunities abound!
For the requirement where we have to volunteer 10
hours at a local organization that provides a service to the underprivileged... would volunteering at a
hospital or my church count?
Think more along the lines of the Salvation Army, a
soup kitchen, Volunteers of America, Habitat for Humanity, a women's shelter, Youth Ranch, etc.
When it says 'attend a local judicial trial', what
kind of trial qualifies?
Any hearing held in a real courthouse
with a real judge (or official referee of the court) counts. It can be over a misdemeanor or a civil
suit or any other kind of judicial hearing where the public is invited.
Any adult can verify as long as they are with you,
but please try to meet someone in the proceeding, explain SSI and why you are there, and get them to
sign if possible.
"Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God." - I Corinthians 10:31
