Debating and Diplomacy: The Art of Caucusing

1. Debating and Diplomacy:The Art of Caucusing Ryan Villanueva Shebli Mehrazarin Andrey Finegersh Bobby Karr Carla Meyers Elizabeth Gonzalez

2. Overview • The Caucus • Strong Technique • The Gavel Winning Technique • Weak Technique • The Moderated Caucus • Summary

3. The Caucus • What is a Caucus? • A Suspension of the Rules • Integral Part of Committee • What do I do in a Caucus? • Talk! • Build Coalitions • Write a Resolution • How do I get to a Caucus? • Set the Agenda • Open Speaker’s List • A Couple Speaker’s Go… • Motion for a Caucus

4. Strong Technique • Always have something to say • Policy • Involvement • Solutions • Work with others • Support your position gracefully • Contribute to resolutions tactfully • Bottom Line: Would your peers work with you outside of committee?

5. The Gavel Winning Technique • Balance Diplomacy and Aggression • Lead the discussion • Be ready to take a consensus • Don’t be afraid to get your word in • Author the resolution • Write it or Contribute greatly • Use the Laptop to your advantage • Bottom Line: Would your peers like to work with you again?

6. Weak Technique • Don’t be a jerk • Don’t force yourself into a group • Don’t be shy • Bottom Line: Would you want to work with you?

7. The Moderated Caucus • What is a Moderated Caucus? • A Bunch of Comments • Has more to do with Public Speaking than Caucusing • Nonetheless, Good Points to Consider: • Always have something to say • Don’t be afraid to raise your placard • Prompt other delegates

8. Summary • Just be a cool person to work with • Most of the committee work takes place during the Caucus • You can’t really be taught caucusing; you’ll have to learn it from your own experience