Green Bay Delegation Feature

By: Cassi Garrison

The Green Bay YIG delegation is only in its fourth year of existence since it was re-established, but its history spans much further than that. Originally established in the 1980s, Green Bay YIG closed in the late 2000s. Then, over ten years later, the delegation was reinstated in fall 2021 when Program Director Ben Gunderson moved to Green Bay with his wife, Christine, to take on the role of Youth Development director and lead the delegation.

In 2022, Green Bay attended its first Model Gov conference since the 80s. The program was able to reopen partly due to funding provided by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of billionaire and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. 

Since being reinstated, the delegation has grown each year, reaching its highest number yet for the 2025 Model Gov conference. The delegation also features many first-year delegates who are excited to attend their first Model Gov conference. “I have really enjoyed my time in Youth in Government so far. I’m looking forward to getting to attend my first Model Gov conference,” said Rachel King, a first-year media delegate.. 

Similarly, returning delegates emphasized the importance of the Green Bay delegation. “The Green Bay delegation brings so much to the Wisconsin YIG conference… it also gives Green Bay youth the opportunity to experience Model Gov with the rest of the state,” shared Mario Ventura, the delegation’s Media Director.