How many people in this Role?
9 House Committee Chairs
Who can run for this Role?
Any participant can run for this office.
Main Role and Responsibilities
House Committee Chairs are student leaders in the House. The Role mirrors Maine’s House Committee Chairs in the actual Maine Legislature, ensuring Committee meetings are fair, organized, productive, and educational so delegates may understand and evaluate Bills before they reach the House floor for debate.
Responsibilities include:
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Learn the committee rules and legislative procedures.
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Prepare to lead committee sessions efficiently.
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Preside over Committee hearings by opening and closing meetings, recognizing speakers, and maintaining order.
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Lead public hearings where Bill sponsors present their legislation and answer questions from Committee members.
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Facilitate Committee work sessions, encouraging participation, guiding discussion, debate, amendments, and voting on whether a Bill should receive a favorable or unfavorable recommendation.
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Apply parliamentary procedure fairly and consistently.
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Communicate Committee actions and recommendations to the full House so Bills can proceed through the legislative process.
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Coordinate with House leadership and other Committee officers during the conference.
What skills are important for this Role?
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Strong leadership and communication skills.
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Confident public speaker.
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Can manage respectful debate, even during disagreements.
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Highly organized.
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Knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure.
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Can remain neutral while ensuring every delegate is heard.
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Calm and professional under pressure.
Does this Role attend the Leadership Training beginning on Thursday?
Yes!
Election/Selection Procedure
The Committee Chairs of the House are elected positions. At either Caucus B or C (see Caucus Agenda) when the Role is put up for nomination by the Program Director:
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Have someone from your delegation enter your name in nomination, this is done by entering your name in the chat.
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After all nominations are in you will be asked to speak about why you want this role. Please be prepared to speak about your qualifications and why you think you would be the best person to fill this Role.
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Then the election will be held, all those present will cast a vote, the candidate receiving the most votes will be announced as the winner of this Role.
