Community & Alumni Judges
We are so thankful for your willingness to serve as a judge at The Desert Gem Speech & Debate Tournament!
Your time helps students grow in confidence, communication, and character. We hope you are encouraged and blessed by your experience here.
Who Can Judge
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have graduated from high school
- You should be in good physical and mental health
- No prior judging experience is required — we’ll train you!
Before You Judge
Orientation
When you arrive, please attend a Judge Orientation Session held about 1 hour before your assigned round.
Our friendly team will explain what to expect and answer your questions.
After your round, please allow 30–45 minutes to complete your ballot and enjoy refreshments in the Judges' Lounge.
Please note: It’s not possible to judge two rounds in a row — but judging every other round works perfectly!
Parking
Tournament Location: Champion Life Church | 79733 Country Club Drive | Bermuda Dunes, CA
Look for signs marked “Community Judge Parking.” We’ve reserved convenient parking spots close to the Judges' Lounge just for you.
Judge Check-In
When you arrive, please go straight to Judge Check-In at the Ballot Push Table inside the Judges’ Lounge. Our team will greet you, confirm your round, and guide you to Judge Orientation.
Time Commitment
Plan for about 3 hours total, which includes:
- Orientation (1 hour before your round)
- Judging your assigned round
- Completing and turning in your ballot
To view the full schedule, click the Schedule tab on the tournament website.
How to Register
Click the Community & Alumni Judge Registration tab on the tournament website and follow the prompts.
If a student invited you to judge, please type their name in the registration form where it asks. This helps us give them credit for inviting a community judge — thank you for helping our students!
What to Expect
At Judge Orientation, you’ll receive a short preview of the event you’ll be judging. You’ll learn what to watch for, how to fill out your ballot, and tips for encouraging the students.
Again, thank you for your support and willingness to judge!