Students rise to be recognized by the PO for a speech. Photo from NFL National Congress House 5, June 2000
Student Congress sessions look very much like the National Congress and the various state legislatures. The delegates sit in a large group facing a central chair from which a chairperson, or Presiding Officer (PO), runs the meeting. A seating chart is almost always used as a means of keeping track of students and calling them upon them by name. It is important that you sit in your proper seat and not move without permission of the PO.
Usually an adult is seated next to the PO. This adult serves as Parliamentarian for the chamber. The Parliamentarian helps keep the chamber on track and may step in to restore order if all else fails. The Parliamentarian usually gives the PO a score. Sometimes in competitive tournament situations s/he also serves as the Scorer and awards NFL points for each speech.
The focus of the NFL-John C. Stennis National Congress is the student contestant. There is no more "kid" oriented event at the national speech competition level. This is the only event where the input of the students effect directly on the selection of national champions...and we're proud of that!
The Clerk of the NFL Congress has, for several decades, been Mr. Harold Keller of Iowa. His leadership has built the program from near oblivion to the largest individual event at the national tournament.
The NFL National Tournament Student Congress is sponsored by The Stennis Foundation. This wonderful foundation provides the entry fees for National Student Congress contestants and funds a variety of activities that enhance the unique experience of an NFL Congress.