Do I have to join a group to participate in GRTH?
Yes.
Can I be in a group from another school?
Yes, you can be a part of any group within your congressional district.
Can my parents come on the D.C. trip?
Yes. One parent or guardian is required to accompany you to D.C. GRTH will cover the travel and lodging costs to D.C. for you and one parent or guardian. If a second parent or guardian is interested in joining you in D.C., that individual is responsible for his/her expenses.
What happens to the winning bills?
They are posted on the GRTH website and displayed at the awards reception in D.C.
Can I still enter the bill writing contest if I am unable to participate in the full six-week GRTH program?
No. Being a part of the full program and meeting once a week is an integral part of GRTH. The bill contest is simply a part of the program.
How will the bills be judged?
An impartial panel of judges will evaluate each submitted bill based on a standard set of criteria provided by GRTH. The winning bill is based on a cumulative score from the panel. This process is the same for the group and district level competitions.
Is there a maximum and/or minimum number of girls that can be in a group?
There must be at least 3 girls to form a GRTH group; however, there is no maximum number.
If there is not a group in my area, can I start one?
If there is no group in your area and you have a participating Congresswoman in your congressional district, then you can start a team of your own. To start a team on your own you must first find an instructor. To get started click here.
If I live in an area that is not represented by a Congresswoman, can I still participate?
Unfortunately, if your Congresswoman is not participating, no teams will be formed in that district.
My U.S. Senator is female. Can I participate?
No. This program is currently only in partnership with the female Representatives of the House.
Can I come to DC to support my friend even if I wasn't winner of the bill-writing contest?
You may travel to DC to support your friend; however, any guests other than one parent or legal guardian are responsible for their own travel and lodging costs. Additionally they would be unable to attend any GRTH functions.
Does it cost anything to be a part of GRTH?
No. If you are a winner who travels to DC, travel and lodging will be provided.
Am I responsible for my own transportation to and from meeting locations?
Yes.
Will I meet my Congresswoman?
All participating Congresswomen will be invited to visit their district groups, attend the awards reception in D.C., and have one-on-one time with their district winner.
When does GRTH begin?
The GRTH experience begins in February. Please see your instructor for the exact date and time that you will begin meeting.
When is the GRTH trip to D.C.?
The trip to D.C. will be June 15-17, 2010.
Can only girls participate in this program?
The program is for girls only. Its mission is to educate and enhance middle school girls’ self-esteem while increasing their knowledge of the political process and encouraging future political involvement.