ADCs (Aides-de-camp)
SSI's Aides-de-camp are alumni who are too old to be students in the Summer Program, but who want to give back and help provide a postive atmostphere for other students to learn. To apply for the ADC position, an alumni should have graduated and been out of high school for at least one full year, unless other arrangements are made with SSI.
"Do it! It is the most amazing way to serve God in a practical way." - Amanda M., SSI ADC
Most ADCs have been both Representatives and/or Senators in the Mock Legislature tracks of the Summer Program and some will
have attended one or more advanced tracks. ADCs are aides to the SSI staff, and because they've been through the program,
ADCs are great resources for the students participating in the various tracks.
ADCs take turns role playing as Clerk, Floor Leader, and/or President of the Senate duing the Senate session in the Capitol Building on Friday.
If you are an SSI alum and are interested in serving as an ADC for a full week (or more) during the Summer Program, fill out an application and send it in with payment to Student Statesmanship Institute, PO Box 80108, Lansing, MI 48908-0108. You will be contacted if your application has been approved. Email Jeff Visscher or call him at 517-321-6233 ext. 105 with any questions.
Guidelines: The following is provided in order for you to know what is expected of our ADCs. Please feel free to call the SSI office for clarification or questions.
Please review the Policies document, Student Covenant and sample schedule. As you know, this is the standard of behavior for our students, and we need our Aides-de-camp (ADCs) to model that behavior. ADCs will not be asked or required to handle disciplinary actions, nor should you assume that responsibility. Please read over all these documents carefully so that you will be prepared.
"Because I wanted to impact the students the way I was impacted." - Mackenzie E., SSI ADC
Start Time: Student registration begins on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM. ADC orientation begins at 3:30 PM.
Please arrive no later than 3:15 PM. One of your first ADC duties will be to help with registration and dorm room assignments.
Training for registration will begin immediately following Chaperone & orientation, and we'll be ready to receive
students by 6:00 PM.
Assignments: As you know, in the Legislature track, students are divided into smaller groups called "committees" for the week (approx. 15 students per committee). You will be assigned to a particular committee along with a chaperone. Alternatively, or in addition, you may be assigned to or be asked to assist with one of the advanced tracks.
Participation: ADCs will have certain responsibilities (see sample ADC To Do List) each day; however, there will be some free time as well. You will be asked to assist with sports/adventure activities, all the SSI components including advanced tracks, and other general assignments. You are welcome to attend all teaching sessions but not required. SSI provides advanced worldview sessions for alumni, which ADCs are required to attend. You will also be required to attend all other activities, including evening sessions, unless you are requested to help with another assignment.
You are encouraged to assist students with their assignments; however, you should never "do the work" for them.
They are there to learn, not just "do the assignments." Because you "know the drill," you can be a great
help to first-year students. You can assist in helping them find their way around campus, explaining the mock legislature, or
providing some instruction about a particular assignment. Of course, the biggest way you can help is just being a friend and an
encouragement to the students.
You may also be asked to assist with the Committee meetings (perhaps serving as Committee Clerk), the Legislative Session (serving as Sergeant at Arms, Clerk, or maybe even Speaker), and the Judiciary (serving as a witness).
"Being responsible for more people than just myself really helped me grow spiritually as my prayers centered around them and their experience here." - Marla N., SSI ADC
Devotions: We ask chaperones to rotate giving devotions each morning. If you are interested, you may be asked to give a devotion. Devotion outlines are prepared for you.
Room Assignments: Depending on space considerations, most likely ADCs will room with other ADCs and/or with chaperones. However, you may also be asked to room with students. NOTE: Depending on space, ADC's may be asked to stay off-campus at locations arranged by SSI, or in campers provided by SSI.
End Time: We arrive back from the Capitol on Friday around 3:30 PM. At 4:00 PM there is a 'closing ceremony' for the students and parents. Afterward the students pack to go home. The parents have been instructed to pick up their students by 6:00 PM on Friday. Each chaperone will be responsible for post-camp room inspections, and ADCs are asked to assist with this responsibility, and otherwise expected to help with closing out the week.
