State director lays out safety, app usage and committee assignments for Youth in Government conference

Molly Walker, state director of the Maryland Youth and Government Program, opened the operational portion of the conference by listing rules intended to keep delegates safe and keep the multi‑day event on schedule.

"First, so we have a few rules to go over while we're here in Annapolis ... First, I want you to always travel in groups of three or more," Walker told attendees. She emphasized roommate checks, respectful use of shared spaces and that "all events are mandatory" unless a delegate is sick and has adult permission to be excused.

Walker instructed delegates to download the Guidebook and Slack apps for schedule updates and communications, saying these are the primary channels organizers will use to notify attendees of schedule changes. She also described a formal sign‑out process for anyone leaving the conference early, directing delegates to an adult named Mary Grace who will manage sign‑outs.

On logistics, Walker asked legislators to consult Guidebook for committee assignments and room numbers, and she called for chairs and secretaries to lead their committees to assigned rooms (naming Harriet Tubman, Ray Ami, Francis Scott Key, Thurgood Marshall, Katie Ledecky and Frederick Douglass committees). Walker also directed press and lobby teams to follow designated leaders and noted small adjustments to bill start times.

After the instructions, the presiding officer adjourned the joint session and program leaders began directing participants to committee rooms and program spaces.