To be eligible to participate in the Local Competition, a participant must be a resident of New York and selected as one of twenty (20) highest scoring local Essay Round entrants in accordance with the judging criteria put forth in the Essay Round Rules.

The following persons are not eligible to participate: (1) employees, officers, and directors of the Sponsor (“Sponsor Persons”); (2) employees, officers, and directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (“Foundation Persons”); (3) employees, officers and directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America (“Chamber Persons”); and (4) members of the immediate families (parents, spouses, children, siblings) or individuals residing in their household (whether or not related) of Sponsor Persons, Foundation Persons and/or Chamber Persons.

The following persons are also not eligible to participate: (1) immediate family members (parents, spouses, children, siblings) of judges; and (2) any individuals residing in the household of a judge (whether or not related to the judge) of any round of the National Civics Bee.

The Local Competition will take place on Monday, March 10^th at 6pm at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located at 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502 . By participating, each participant agrees to the Local Rules and warrants their compliance with all requirements set forth in the Essay Round Rules and Local Rules. This is a skills-based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.

The National Civics Bee Contest is made up of several rounds, each of which is governed by its own set of rules. The first round, the Essay Round, is a prerequisite to entrance into the Local Competition. Local Competition participants must be selected as one of twenty (20) highest-scoring local Essay Round entrants.

During the Essay Round of the National Civics Bee®, each entrant is assigned to a Local Host based on their address as submitted with their essay. The Local Host invites the twenty (20) highest-scoring entrants to participate in the live Local Competition as Local Finalists (each being a “Local Finalist” and collectively, the “Local Finalists”).

The Local Finalists will be notified of their selection to advance to the Local Competition. The parent or legal guardian of each Local Finalist must execute and return any required consent and publicity release to the Local Host within ten (10) days of notification attempt, or the Local Finalist will be disqualified, and alternate finalist(s) will be chosen. Local Finalists must appear in person for the Local Competition which will be held on Monday, March 10. The Local Finalists will compete in the live Local Competition, which will determine the first, second, and third-place winners.

The Local Competition will be made up of three rounds, including two rounds of civics-based quiz questions. Each correct answer will receive one point, and each incorrect answer or unanswered question will receive zero points. The five highest-scoring Local Finalists from the first two rounds will participate in a third round of the Local Competition which will include questions from a panel of judges regarding the Local Finalist’s essay submission. For states with only one Local Competition, the 10 highest-scoring Local Finalists from the first two rounds will participate in the third round. The Local Finalist with the highest cumulative score at the end of the third round will be determined as the First Place Winner of the Local Competition. Second and Third Place winners will also be announced based on the highest cumulative scores from all three rounds.

In participating states with three or more Local Competitions, the top 3 winners from each Local Competition will advance to compete in the State Competition. After which, the First-Place winners from each State Competition will compete in the National Championship. In participating states with only two Local Competitions, five finalists will advance from each competition for a total of 10 students at the State Competition. In states with only one Local Competition, 10 finalists from the Local Competition will advance to the State Competition. In states with only one Statewide Competition, 20 finalists will be invited to compete.

Each round of the NCB Contest is governed by its own set of rules. Local, State, Statewide, and National Competitions are subject to separate rules, terms, and conditions, and prizes may be won in each round. Participants should consult the applicable rules for specific details on each round.

Each local finalist that participates in the Local Competition will receive a certificate commemorating their participation.

There will be one (1) third-place winner of the Local Competition (“Third Place Winner”). The Third-Place Winner will receive a separate trophy (approximate retail value of $25) and a cash prize of $[125].

There will be one (1) second-place winner of each National Civics Bee® Local Competition (“Second-Place Winner”). The Second-Place Winner will receive a separate trophy (approximate retail value of $25) and a cash prize of $250.

There will be one (1) first-place winner of each National Civics Bee® Local Competition (“First-Place Winner”). The First-Place Winner will receive a separate trophy (approximate retail value of $25) and a cash prize of $500.

In some cases, the Local Host may be able to provide financial support to allow participants to travel to the Local Competition, however such support is not guaranteed, and participants should contact the Local Host for more details. Prizes may not be transferred or assigned by the winner. No cash equivalent will be provided in lieu of non-cash prizes. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes in the event of unavailability.

To claim a cash prize, the parent or legal guardian of the winner must provide a valid taxpayer identification number to the Sponsor. Payment of all federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian of the winner(s).

Odds of being selected as a Local Finalist or being selected as one of the top three winners of the Local Competition depends on the number of entries received and the skill of the entrants.

You, as parent or legal guardian, hereby grant the Foundation, the Sponsor, and any State, or Statewide Hosts of any round of the National Civics Bee, and any corporate or individual benefactors of Local, State, Statewide, and National Competition, a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, transferable license to edit, telecast, exhibit, rerun, reproduce, use, syndicate, license, print, distribute, and otherwise exploit any photos, videos, or audio taken at the Local Competition, or any portion thereof, in any manner, and in any and all formats and media now known or hereafter devised, without payment to you or any third party. You represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of the minor and provide your express consent for your child and information about your child to appear in any materials submitted with respect to the NCB Contest or related event or ceremony, and you have the full legal right, power, and authority to grant this license. Information about your child may include his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information, and/or any statements made by him/her regarding the NCB Contest, the Sponsor, or any other person or entity related to the National Civics Bee.  The licenses and releases described above in this paragraph do not provide any license or other rights with respect to the essay written and submitted in the Essay Round.

Neither the Sponsor, the Foundation, nor any affiliated entities or agents are responsible for any illegible, lost, stolen, late, damaged, incomplete, mutilated, or misdirected Entries or other documents. Entrants are responsible for ensuring proper contact information has been submitted and is maintained throughout the National Civics Bee to allow communications about the National Civics Bee.

Erroneous or false information provided during the Local Competition will result in immediate disqualification of the participants. During the Local Competition, the Sponsor otherwise retains the right to disqualify any participant in their sole discretion.  Entries that indicate you or others could be in danger may be reported to the appropriate authorities.

If, for any reason, the Local Competition is not capable of running as planned, the Sponsor reserves the right in their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Local Competition at any time. The Sponsor reserves the right to amend the rules of the Local Competition at any time.

By submitting an Entry and/or participating in a Local Competition, you understand that there is no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relation between you and the Sponsor or the Foundation arising from your Entry and/or participation.

The decisions of the judges are final, and participants specifically agree that the decision of the judges and any decision of the Sponsor or the Foundation is not subject to review or appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law.

Local Hosts will strive to provide accommodations for participants who have diagnosed and documented conditions. All requests to provide accommodations should be directed to the Local Host at least ten business days in advance of the Local Competition date.

Entrants agree that personal data, especially name and address, may be processed, shared, and otherwise used for the purposes and within the context of the Local Competition and any other purposes outlined in these Local Rules. The data may also be used by the Sponsor in order to verify the participant’s First Name, Last Name, School Name, ZIP Code, Parent/Guardian’s Phone Number/Email, or to otherwise verify the participant’s eligibility to participate in the Local Competition.  Participants have the right to access, review, rectify, or cancel any personal data held by the Sponsor by writing to the Sponsor at NBT Bank,

By entering the Local Competition, the participant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Local Competition, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (2) any claims, judgment, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Local Competition, but in no event attorney’s fees; and (3) under no circumstances, will any participant be permitted to obtain any award for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses. But in no event shall the liability of the Sponsor exceed $100.

The participant and their parents/guardians acknowledge that the Local Competition is conducted by the Sponsor and not the Foundation.  As such, the participants and their parents/guardians will hold harmless, release, and discharge, on behalf of themselves, and their heirs, executors, and assigns, the Foundation and any affiliated entities, and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns, from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, expenses, injuries, losses, damages, and any other liability of any kind, of or to participant/parents/guardians and any other person or property, or claims based upon directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the Local Competition, even if due to the negligence, omission, or other fault of the Foundation and any affiliated entities, and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns.

To request a list of the names of the top three winners of the Local Competition, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, 520 Seneca Street, Suite 120, Utica, NY 13502.