Speaker Team Responsibilities

The COGS Speaker Team provides leadership for the Congress of Graduate Students and ensures graduate student voice in the governance of Florida State University. They work closely with the Director of Student Affairs, COGS Advisor, and COGS Program Associate to adhere to administrative tasks and duties of the Congress.

The Speaker presides over COGS Meetings and lead the Executive Committee. They represent COGS on a number of committees, including the Board of the Office of Governmental Affairs and the Board of the FSU Childcare Center, and provides overall voice for graduate students. The Speaker meets periodically with the Dean of the Graduate School and the University President. The Speaker also delivers speeches at University Graduation ceremonies, during Graduate School Orientation, and at the Fall SGA Inauguration. The Speaker also is in charge of coordinating with the Graduate School, the ice cream vendor, and the social location to arrange the COGS portion of Graduate School Orientation.

The Deputy Speaker for Finance processes and approves funding requests and travel grants. This person is the expert about financial processes within COGS. They also preside over the C-SAC committee. They are the Chair of the Budget Committee and coordinate the annual budget process. The Deputy Speaker for Judicial Affairs is the expert within COGS regarding parliamentary procedure and the COGS Code. This person audits the COGS Code and bylaws to ensure continued compliance with the Florida State University Student Body Constitution and Statutes. Presides over the impeachment process, swears in new members of the Assembly, and informs them of their responsibilities prior to their petition hearing before the Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker for Communication is the outreach expert within COGS acting as the public relations liaison between COGS, Florida State University, and public press domains. This person is in charge of the social media and other methods of promotion. They often coordinate informational guest speakers, informs all members of meeting dates and happenings, and creates and supervises COGS announcements and bulletins.

The Speaker Team serves paid office hours in the COGS Office every week.