The following rules are provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as the governing rules for the National Civics Bee Regional Competition hosted by the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce.

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. IN NO EVENT WILL ANY PURCHASE INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY.

Sponsor and Other Parties

The sponsor of this contest is the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce, 215 E. Choctaw Ave. Ste. 103 McAlester, Oklahoma 74501 (the “Sponsor” or the “Regional Host”), which will host a National Civics Bee Regional Competition. The term “Foundation” refers to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which organizes and helps facilitate the National Civics Bee Competition.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a participant must (a) be a resident of Oklahoma, and (b) have been selected as one of twenty (20) Regional Finalists qualified to advance from the Essay Round. All participants must be Regional Finalists residing within the geographic area served by the Regional Host.

The following persons are not eligible: (1) employees, officers, and directors of the Sponsor; (2) employees, officers, and directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; (3) employees, officers, and directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America; (4) Immediate Family Members or household members of any of the above; (5) Immediate Family Members of a judge of any round; and (6) household members of a judge. “Immediate Family Member” includes any parent, legal guardian, spouse, child, and sibling.

Term

The Regional Competition will take place on [PLACEHOLDER — DATE] at [PLACEHOLDER — TIME] at [PLACEHOLDER — VENUE], located at [PLACEHOLDER — ADDRESS]. By participating, each participant agrees to these Regional Rules and warrants compliance with all requirements set forth in the Essay Round Rules and Regional Rules.

Entry Procedure

Participation in the Essay Round is a prerequisite to entrance into the Regional Competition. During the Essay Round, each entrant is assigned to a Regional Host based on their address. The twenty (20) highest-scoring entrants will be notified and invited to participate in the live Regional Competition. The parent or legal guardian of each finalist must accept the invitation and return all required consents and releases within ten (10) days of notification, or the finalist will be disqualified and alternates will be chosen.

Format of Competition

Regional Finalists must appear in person and arrive on time. The competition consists of three rounds, including two rounds of civics-based quiz questions (one point per correct answer). The five highest-scoring finalists from the first two rounds advance to a third round featuring questions from a panel of judges regarding their essay submissions. For states with only one Regional Competition, the top ten advance to the third round.

The finalist with the highest cumulative score at the end of the third round is the First-Place Winner. Second and Third-Place Winners are determined by the next highest cumulative scores. Ties affecting advancement are resolved at the Regional Host’s discretion.

Top winners from each Regional Competition advance to the State Competition. First-place winners from each State Competition are invited to compete at the National Championship.

Respectful Content & Conduct Requirements

This competition encourages students to express views and analyze issues in ways that elevate the conversation and foster mutual understanding. When addressing community issues, participants should focus on the nature and impact of problems and must avoid blaming, disparaging, or criticizing any specific individual, company, organization, governmental body, or government official by name or in any identifiable manner (“Targeted Criticisms”). Judges will consider intent and overall substance when determining whether a comment constitutes a Targeted Criticism. Participants who include Targeted Criticisms may be disqualified at the Regional Host’s sole discretion.

Examples:

• Acceptable: “There are only a few activities for teens in our town, which can lead to boredom and risky behavior.”
• May be disqualified: “The Parks Director refuses to build anything fun for teens.”
• Acceptable: “There is limited access to internet in our town, which makes it difficult to do homework.”
• May be disqualified: “Internet Provider X is horrible and should go out of business.”

Prohibited actions include: use of unauthorized devices, notes, or communication during competition; talking or signaling during questions; deliberate stalling; and receiving or providing external assistance. Parents/guardians who disrupt play, signal answers, or otherwise interfere will be asked to leave immediately.

Prizes

All Regional Finalists who participate will receive a certificate commemorating their participation. Winners receive:

• 1st Place: Trophy + $500 cash prize
• 2nd Place: Trophy + $250 cash prize
• 3rd Place: Trophy + $125 cash prize

Prizes may not be transferred or assigned. No cash equivalent will be provided for non-cash prizes. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes if unavailable. To claim a cash prize, the parent or legal guardian must provide a valid taxpayer identification number. All taxes are the responsibility of the winner and their parent/guardian.

Note: The Regional Host may be able to provide financial support for travel to the Regional Competition; contact the Chamber for details.

Odds of Winning

This is a skills-based contest and chance plays no part in determining winners. Odds depend on the number of participants and the knowledge and skills of all participants.

Publicity Release

Each Regional Finalist and their parent or legal guardian grant the Foundation, the Sponsor, and all hosts of other NCB Contest rounds a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to use photos, videos, or audio taken at the Regional Competition in any format or media. Information that may be used includes the participant’s name, city and state, image, likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information, and statements regarding the competition.

General Rules

Neither the Sponsor, the Foundation, nor any affiliated entities are responsible for illegible, lost, stolen, late, damaged, incomplete, mutilated, or misdirected submissions. Participants are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information throughout their participation.

False information will result in immediate disqualification. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, terminate, modify, or suspend the Regional Competition at any time. All decisions of the judges and Regional Host are final and binding and are not subject to challenge or review.

Participants with disabilities will not be excluded unless they pose a direct threat to health or safety. Requests for reasonable modifications must be submitted in writing at least ten (10) business days before the competition date.

Privacy

Personal data may be processed, shared, and used for the purposes of the Regional Competition and to verify eligibility. Participants may access, review, rectify, or cancel personal data by contacting the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce at 215 E. Choctaw Ave. Ste. 103, McAlester, Oklahoma 74501 or chamber@mcalester.org. All data use is subject to the NCB Contest Privacy Policy.

Limitation of Liability

By entering, each participant and their parents/guardians agree that disputes shall be resolved individually without class action; claims and awards are limited to actual out-of-pocket costs (excluding attorneys’ fees); and participants waive rights to punitive, incidental, or consequential damages. In no event shall the Sponsor’s liability exceed $100. Participants and parents/guardians release and hold harmless the Foundation and all affiliated entities from any claims arising from the Regional Competition.

Winners List

To request a list of the top three winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce, 215 E. Choctaw Ave. Ste. 103, McAlester, Oklahoma 74501

---

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce here.

Please direct any questions about the Regional Competition Rules to the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce at chamber@mcalester.org.