Pittsburgh District Qualifier

for the 2020 National Tournament

Directions for the NSDA Congress Qualifier

DIRECTIONS FOR NSDA CONGRESS QUALIFIERS
APRIL 4, 2020
Directions valid as of 6:00 PM April 1
Check emails for other updates

Coaches are responsible for passing all of this information along to your students!
If you have any registration changes, please make them NOW!

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE:

Registration                                 7:15 – 7:30
Mic and Camera Check                  7:45       
House move to chambers               8:00
House debate begins                     8:15 – 11:30
Senate move to chambers             8:45
Senate debate begins                   9:00 – 11:30
Lunch break                                11:30 – 12:15
Mic and Camera Check                 12:15
House Super Session                    12:30 – 3:00
Senate Session 2                          12:30 – 3:00

Awards                                        3:30

ALL PARTICIPANTS

If you have never used Zoom, there are some good videos out there that might help you. An example from YouTube will show you more than you need to know, but it will probably make you feel more comfortable, and might make you want to host your own meeting at some point!

Prior to our event, you will receive information containing the Zoom meeting link to use at the time of your event.  Zoom works across all electronic devices, including Chromebooks.  If you are not sure how Zoom will work with your device, open up a Google search and look for “using Zoom on…” and enter your device to figure out if you need help.  You can probably use your smart phone, but the screen size will seriously impair what you can see and do.  Use a laptop, tablet, or desktop for the most “comfortable” experience.

Apparently these meetings use a lot of power – so be sure that you have your devices plugged in!  I was shut out of a two-hour meeting this afternoon – and I had started it with a fully charged computer!

On the day of competition, log in to Tabroom.com, follow the Zoom link that will be provided, and follow the next set of instructions.

There will be a microphone and camera check at 7:45 for all contestants, even if your round is starting later.   Please be present to be certain that you will be heard and seen when speaking, and that you can hear everyone else speaking in the room.  Judges who are only scheduled in the afternoon – we ask that you be present for this check as well.  Sorry for the inconvenience, but it seems to be the simplest/safest way to guarantee that we are set to go for the day.

If necessary, there will be second microphone check at 12:15.

It is critical that you are in a quiet space. Background sounds carry better than you might imagine, and will prevent you or your chamber mates from hearing properly.

If you have questions or concerns during the competition, text the Google Voice number 412-376-3490. Be sure that you include the problem (judge missing, mic problem, etc.), the “room” from which you are calling (Senate, House 1, House 2), and your name.  Someone from the committee will text you back as soon as we have an answer for you. 

Legislation can be found at the tournament site on Tabroom.  If you are involved in the Super Session that will be held after lunch for the House, please note that we will be using the NSDA March Congressional docket; this is available at the NSDA website.

Please remember that we are using the Pilot Rules for congress. These are listed in  the very last section of the Unified Manual which is available at the NSDA website.

CONTESTANTS

The chamber assignments and room sections will be released at approximately 7:45 AM

When speaking, repeat your name, even if the presiding officer has just stated it, even though it should be posted on your video image.

When you are not speaking, you may leave your microphone open or closed, but remember that you will need to open it if you ask questions or give speeches. If you leave it open, please refrain from making any noise – tapping a pen, typing on your keyboard, etc.

Just as in any session of congress, you must wait for the presiding officer to recognize you before speaking.

When voting on legislation, the presiding officer should ask you to “raise your hand” to signify that you are for or against a resolution. To do this, you must the participants’ panel open. You can access that by clicking on the “participants” icon/word at the bottom of your Zoom screen.

JUDGES

You will be getting your tentative assignment on Friday evening.  You may find that we are not using you for one of the sessions; please feel free to use that time as you need it, but please remain on standby in case another judge has problems of any sort.

Your microphones and camera do not have to be turned on in order for you to judge, but if you choose to address the parliamentarian, it will be necessary for you to have your mic open in order to be heard. It is best if you mute your microphone so that any sounds that you make will not be picked up by the rest of the room. And, as a courtesy to the speakers, it is best to have your camera on so that the participants can acknowledge you if needed.

When you get your ballot from Tabroom, hit the start button when you are ready to begin so that we know that you are there and ready to judge.

There are two scorekeepers and a parliamentarian for each chamber in the morning sessions. In the afternoon sessions, the senate will still have two scorekeepers and a parliamentarian, but the house super session will have three scorekeepers and a parliamentarian.  Please be sure that all of the adults are present before beginning each round.

One of the members of the district committee will be sitting in for the at least part of the time in each chamber.  If you see Alison McBee, Jess Cerchiaro, or Lauren Hess in your rooms, they are NOT judges or parliamentarians; they are there to be certain that the NSDA rules are being followed in that chamber.  

Since the online format of competition is new and unusual for all of us, please be understanding of any issues that the presiding officer or the other members of the chamber may have. Please do not hold technological problems against a speaker

As always, write meaningful comments for the students in the Tabroom ballot. At the end of your session you should rank the top 8 students from 1 through 8 (with 1 being the best!!).  The presiding officer is eligible to be one of your top 8, if you so choose.

PARLIAMENTARIANS

There are two scorekeepers and a parliamentarian for each chamber in the morning sessions. In the afternoon sessions, the senate will still have two scorekeepers and a parliamentarian, but the house super session will have three scorekeepers and a parliamentarian.  Please be sure that all of the adults are present before beginning each round.

One of the members of the district committee will be sitting in for the at least part of the time in each chamber.  If you see Alison McBee, Jess Cerchiaro, or Lauren Hess in your rooms, they are NOT judges or parliamentarians; they are there to be certain that the NSDA rules are being followed in that chamber.  

In addition to following all the rules and correctly conducting procedures in your chamber, you also need to be sure that you are watching the time. Please be sure to take a 10-minute break during your session and be certain that contestants and judges are aware of the exact return time.

The presiding officer will be taking care of precedence and recency, but you should monitor that as well.  Since the online format is new and unusual for all of us, please be understanding of any issues that the PO or the other members of the chamber may have. Please do not hold technological problems against a speaker

At the end of your session, please rank ALL of the students in the room.  Remember, “1” is for the best in the room!!   The presiding officer is eligible to be one of your top 8, if you so choose.