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

Overview The Caucus The Caucus Strong Technique Strong Technique The Gavel Winning Technique The Gavel Winning Technique Weak Technique Weak Technique The Moderated Caucus The Moderated Caucus Summary Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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