Student Congress

Congress is generally divided into a senate and a house.
Roberts Rules of Order are followed. We have, in our classroom, a one page summary of the major rules that are followed in Student Congress.
Speeches are given in affirmation or negation of a particular bill or resolution.
Students write the bills and resolutions that are debated.
Speeches are made only on a voluntary basis.
Points are awarded only for speeches; no points are awarded for questions.
Speeches cannot be any longer than three minutes.
A questioning period is often reserved at the end of most speeches.
A participant elected by the chamber serves as presiding officer of the chamber.
At most tournaments the top point scorers will break into a single chamber for a final round super-session.
Awards are most often given as follows: Permanent presiding Officer (1st place), Outstanding Speaker (2nd place), and Superior Speaker (3rd).
The awards are determined by a vote of the students in the super-session.

last revised July 19,2005