New! Volunteer Networking and Special Event Information
All volunteers are welcome to attend these special, ticketed events to show our appreciation for your care, dedication, expertise, and service.
- Sign up here for the Friday, May 6 Judges Reception (one ticket is provided complimentary for every volunteer and additional tickets pay be purchased)
- Sign up here for the Saturday, May 7 Awards Gala (one ticket is provided complimentary for every volunteer and additional tickets pay be purchased)
Event Volunteer Information
Event Volunteers serve a vital role in the success of our competition. The following volunteer roles are needed:
- Judge Signup – Registration is complete! Thank you to those who signed up. If you would like to still volunteer, please join us as a facilitator!
- Presiding Judge
- Scoring Judge
- Facilitation
- Courtroom Officers
- Courthouse Monitors
- Hospitality and Hosting
Below is a brief explanation of the various roles and the qualifications needed for each. Please sign up for the area which best fits both your skill set and interest. We appreciate your time, care, and expertise to ensure the best possible events for our students!
Judges – Presiding and Scoring
Presiding Judge
Description:
- The Presiding Judge is a legal professional who will preside over the case proceedings.
- The focus of the Presiding Judge is to welcome everyone and oversee all trial matters. A suggested script will be provided. They will also have an opportunity to provide feedback to the teams at the end of the round.
- The Presiding Judge will score student performance; however, that score will only be used in an emergency, should a Scoring Judge be unable to complete their ballot.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and experience working in the legal field, specifically knowledge of courtroom procedure and objections
- Experience judging High School Mock Trial
- Willingness to invest time into learning the 2022 NHSMTC case materials
- Willingness to attend a judges orientation in advance of the event
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
- Sitting and retired judges who fulfill the qualifications listed above will be given preference
Scoring Judge
Description:
- Scoring Judges are legal professionals who assess and score student and team performance.
- There will be three Scoring Judges per courtroom.
- In addition to scoring, Scoring Judges will have the opportunity to provide feedback to teams at the end of the round.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and experience working in the legal field
- Experience judging High School Mock Trial experience is strongly preferred
- Willingness to invest time into learning the 2022 NHSMTC case materials
- Willingness to attend a judges orientation in advance of the event
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
Facilitation – Courtroom Officers and Courthouse Monitors
Courtroom Officer
Description:
- There will be at least one Courtroom Officer per courtroom.
- Courtroom Officers welcome students, teachers, and guests to the courtroom at the beginning of the trial. They may also announce the judges’ arrival at the beginning of the round.
- Courtroom Officers facilitate the end of the round, after the Presiding Judge has concluded the trial itself.
- Courtroom Officers serve as the liaison among participants in the courtroom – student/teacher and Judging Panel – and between courtrooms and event staff.
- Courtroom Officers move the Judging Panel between the Judges Chambers breakout room and the Courtroom breakout room.
- Courtroom Officers may work with the Judging Panel to ensure they have all the materials needed – scoring criteria, score sheets, and the link to the electronic ballot.
- Courtroom Officers track, record, and enforce the timing of the trial as well as overseeing the student timekeepers (if there is no Volunteer Timekeeper).
Qualifications:
- The ability to keep others on schedule
- Comfort with Zoom strongly preferred: should know how to move oneself and others between breakout rooms as necessary
- Willingness to familiarize oneself with the process and protocols of High School Mock Trial
- The ability to communicate effectively with participants, staff, and other volunteers should problems occur
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
- The ability to keep and record time effectively (if there is no Volunteer Timekeeper)
- Experience with High School Mock Trial is strongly preferred
- Basic knowledge of courtroom proceedings is strongly preferred
Courthouse Monitors
Description:
- Courthouse Monitors are responsible for the movement of participants (teams, guests, and volunteers) between Zoom rooms. They ensure the correct persons are in the correct breakout room at the correct time.
- Courthouse Monitors help participants and guests troubleshoot (Zoom) technical problems and navigate technology use.
- Courthouse Monitors welcome participants as they arrive in the Zoom courtroom and answer questions related to the schedule.
Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Zoom (should be familiar with Host/Co-Host functions)
- Familiarity and/or experience volunteering with High School Mock Trial is preferred
- The ability to communicate effectively with participants, staff, and other volunteers should problems occur (i.e. noise problems, unauthorized visitors, complaints, etc.)
- A willingness to ensure proper naming / renaming protocols
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
- A welcoming personality
- A desire to engage with and help students, parents, and community members with questions, directions, etc.
If either of these roles sound interesting, and you meet the qualifications for one or both, please sign-up to volunteer here: Facilitation Signup.
Hospitality & Hosts
Sign Up Here!
Organizers will contact you with additional information as the event nears.
Description:
Volunteers serving in this position may work welcome tables, provide directions, facilitate meal set-up and distribution, and more. There will also be a nightly hospitality lounge in which volunteers will be needed to help with welcoming, refreshments, snacks, and more.
Qualifications:
- A welcoming personality
- Ability to be in-person in Kalamazoo, Michigan
- A desire to engage with and help event staff, other volunteers, and community members with questions, directions, etc.
- The ability to communicate effectively with participants, staff, and other volunteers should problems occur
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
Additional Needs?
Please reach out and email us at info@miciviced.org!