Friday, March 12, 2010
Student Statesmanship Institute

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

Read all reports here.


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

I was just wondering what the requirements are for the Biblical Studies? How do I go about doing a Bible study?

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

Who counts as a local leader? Does a pastor or teacher count, or are you looking more for government/political jobs?

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.

For some of the assignments (i.e. attending a local judicial trial), can anyone verify that I was there? If one of my parents goes with me, can they be the person to sign the verification form?

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