If I Were Mayor, I Would . . .

• All submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form.  All forms for students under age 18 must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian. Entry forms may be photocopied.
• Only one submission per student will be accepted at the state level.
• Submissions will not be returned and will become the property of Oregon Mayors Association (OMA).
• OMA retains the right to publish essays and posters along with the names and likenesses of each student.
• Prior statewide winners are not allowed to participate.
• League of Oregon Cities (LOC) employees and dependents are not eligible to enter.
• Entries must be submitted to Cottage Grove City Hall by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 30, 2008.
  

• The poster contest is open to students enrolled in Middle School or being home-schooled at the Middle school grade level for the 2007-08 school year.
• Poster size must be 17" x 27".
• Students are encouraged to be creative and may use any art medium (e.g., poster paints, felt pens, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, etc.). The poster may be in color or black and white.
• The student’s name and day-time phone number must appear on the back of the poster.
  

• The essay contest is open to students enrolled in High School or being home-schooled at the High School level for the 2007-08 school years.
• Essays must be 500 to 1000 words in length and typed.
• The student’s name and day-time phone number must appear at the top of the essay.
  

• The video/PowerPoint contest is open to students enrolled in High School or College or being home-schooled at the High School level for the 2007-08 school years.
• Presentations must be one minute in length or less.
• Presentations must be submitted on DVD or CD.
• The student’s name and day-time phone number must appear on the DVD/CD.
  

The Mayor is elected by the voters in the City to serve as the chair of the City’s governing body—the City Council. The Mayor is the recognized civic leader in the eyes of the community and the person who represents the City to other governments and individuals. The Mayor’s duties are spelled out in the City Charter and in Council Rules.  The Mayor presides over Council meetings and participates in discussions. The Mayor votes on all issues before the City Council.  The Mayor also appoints committees to study public policy (in areas such as parks, transportation, community planning, libraries, traffic safety etc.) with Council approval and signs ordinances and other records approved by the Council.

•  Creativity – Does the entry demonstrate curiosity and originality?
•   Clarity / Sincerity of Thought – Is the entry well thought out and organized?
•  Proper Use of Grammar – Does the entry contain proper spelling, grammar and punctuation?
•  Subject Relevancy – Are the major points relevant to the role of a government leader? Does the student demonstrate an understanding of municipal government and the duties of the Mayor?