While the judges are ultimately responsible for deciding who wins and loses, it is up to the student presiding officer (or PO for short) to set procedure, manage debate, and select speakers. Consequently, just like the adults in the room, they play a key role in keeping debate fair and ensuring the best debater wins.
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As the presiding officer, you moderate debate and keep records for both the other debaters and the judges to reference - you do not engage in debate at all during the session. While these might seem like simple tasks, veteran POs know just how complex it can get at times - that's why POs have a multitude of tools at hand, not the least of which is a steady and objective mind that never gives preference to any one debater.
Some examples of what you do as a presiding officer:
- Time speeches and notify debaters when they are close to running out of time.
- Select questioners after each speech.
- Keep track of speeches and questions.
- Set certain rules/procedures all debaters have to follow during the session.
- Facilitate motions, votes, and other procedures.
- Cast a tie-breaking vote when necessary.
- Give as many debaters the opportunity to speak as possible.
