STATE OF VERMONT
OFFICE OF SERGEANT AT ARMS
115 State Street (Drawer 33)
MONTPELIER, VT 05633

APPLICATION FOR LEGISLATIVE PAGE

Each year 30 young Vermonters are selected to work as Legislative pages in the Vermont State House. Pages deliver messages for the members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the various Legislative offices. Serving as a page offers a unique opportunity to observe the workings of the legislature and to witness first-hand the often-historic events in Montpelier.

Many Vermont politicians, including members of the current Legislature, got their start working as pages. If you will be an eighth-grade student during the winter of 2010-2011, are interested in public affairs, and would like to serve as a Legislative page, you and your parents must complete the application form and submit it with a cover letter and other supporting information to the office of the Sergeant-At-Arms on or before October 7, 2010. Waiting until the last moment isn't a good idea.

YOUR APPLICATION SHOULD CONSIST OF

1. A letter from you (in your own handwriting).
   1. Tell me about yourself
   2. What you like to do
   3. What activities you are involved in
   4. Why you would like to be a page

2. A letter from your principal. Your principal's letter should give permission for you to be out of school for a period of six weeks if you are selected. It is also helpful if the principal, or your teachers, could tell us a little about you. If your principal sends a letter separate from your application, please have the school mail a copy to you for your records.

3. A recent photo (if available).

4. The attached form signed and dated by you and one of your parents.

5. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the application packet is complete.

All these things must be IN MY OFFICE BY 4 P.M. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010 in order for you to be considered. All applicants who have completed their paperwork will be notified sometime in November. Successful applicants will be told at that time which session they will serve and the date for the orientation at the State House.

Between 125 and 150 applications are received each year, so no one should be disappointed if he or she is not selected. Only 30 pages are chosen from this group each year. Pages must be in the eighth grade the year that they serve. Only one child per family is allowed to serve; this gives more families a chance to participate in the program.

Page applicants and their parents should be aware that at various times sensitive issues may be debated on the House and Senate floor and in committee. These issues can include, but are not limited to, sexual behavior, abortion, and criminal actions. Many times the discussion can include written documents or photographs. Both you and your parents should be aware of these possibilities when applying to be a Page in the Vermont Legislature.

Pages must have the ability to communicate with both members of the General Assembly and the general public. Discipline is firm but fair. If pages fail to carry out their duties and conduct themselves with decorum befitting their position, they will be subject to dismissal.

Pages are furnished with green blazers. Boys must wear white shirts, grey dress pants, black dress shoes and ties. Girls must wear white blouses, grey skirts (knee length or longer) or dress pants and black dress shoes. Jewelry in good taste is allowed.

Pages are responsible for finding their own transportation to and from Montpelier, as well as finding housing in the area. Pages receive a salary of $130.00 per week, plus $95 per week for those staying in Montpelier. Pages commuting every day receive $60 per week for expenses.

The 30 pages are divided into three groups; the first two groups each serving for a period of six weeks. The third group may serve for the remainder of the session at the discretion of the Sergeant at Arms. Applicants should be available to serve in any session. This is done to prevent having pages from the same area serving at the same time.

Pages begin their work day at 7:30 a.m. and work until 4:30 p.m. or later. Normally the workweek is Tuesday through Friday, but there are times when pages may have to work on Mondays and Saturdays.

These rules and regulations must be adhered to, to assure the smooth running of the program.

If you have any questions please feel free to call:

Francis Brooks, Sergeant at Arms
Krista Metivier, Assistant Sergeant At Arms
Telephone: 802-828-2228 or 1-800-322-5616

STATE OF VERMONT
OFFICE OF SERGEANT AT ARMS
115 State Street (Drawer 33)
MONTPELIER, VT 05633

APPLICATION FOR LEGISLATIVE PAGE

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM
WITH YOUR HANDWRITTEN LETTER AND LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
BY 4 P.M. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010