Congress

This event is modeled after the U.S. Congress.  Students speak on various bills and resolutions.  They can speak on the side of the Pro or Con.  Also, if they wrote the bill or resolution they can give an authorship speech.  Students who go to the same school as an author of a bill are encouraged to give sponsorship speeches, which must be pro.  The speaker may also answer questions posed to them from the other members of their House or Senate. 

In the room will also be a Parliamentarian who is simply there to make sure the Presiding Officer, or P.O., runs the session correctly.  The PO is a student that the House/Senate elects for this position.  As scorekeeper, you will score the speakers and write comments regarding their performances.  You will also be asked to select the speaker you considered to be the best in the room (this person may or may not have given a speech).

Ø Was the speaker prepared?

Ø Did the speaker stay focused?

Ø Did the speaker’s argument advance the debate?

Ø Were the points logical and relevant to the bill or resolution?

Ø Were you persuaded by the speech?

Students do not have to have sources (one or two are recommended) – obviously, the more research the better the speech.

First time congress judges – Relax.  The Parliamentarian is in charge of the room, but you have some control. 

You will have all of the ballots in front of you for all of the students.  Arrange them in the best way for you so that you can quickly find the ballot.  If you cannot find the ballot for the kid or if you have no idea what the kid’s name is, simply say, “Hey! I didn’t hear your name!” or “Wait a second! I have to find your ballot!”

You judge every time a student gets in the front of the room to speak – you don’t judge the questions, but you should pay attention to the student’s questions.  At the end of your time, you will have to determine who you thought was the best in the room.  Base this decision on how well the student speaks (and it doesn’t matter if the student spoke ten times or never – if you thought someone was good and asked good questions and followed the rules of parliamentary procedure well, then choose that person!)

Most of your scores should be between 3 and 5.  You are rating the kids – 6 is the best, 1 is the worst.  Reserve the 2’s and 6’s  for those who are really bad or really good!!!  1’s are virtually unheard of… 

If you are judging during session the last session, help the parliamentarian do the calculations.