NSU Forensics Handbook
Updated: September 18, 2008
Greetings from the
NSU speech and debate team! This handbook is a resource to help you
become more familiar with the protocols of the team, outlining the expectations
for participating on the team, as well as providing some insight into being a
successful competitor.
Our
team stresses the importance of academic success, and strives to reach that
same success in the events that we prepare. Although winning trophies and
tournaments are nice rewards, our attention focuses on making each student an
excellent speaker and performer. As coaches, we understand
that if our students dedicate their time and effort to being an excellent
presenter, the rewards of competition will quickly follow.
As
you read through this handbook, consider your role as a competitor on the NSU
forensics team. Think about:
·
What goals do
you wish to accomplish during the season?
·
What type of
events / topics will be valuable to your growth as a person and communicator as
well as beneficial to your audience?
·
What level of
success do you wish to achieve?
·
What will your
level of commitment be, because any level of success demands it?
·
How will you
be a supportive and encouraging member of the speech and debate team?
Mull
over each of these questions carefully. You need to have specific and
concrete answers to each of these questions so that you may focus on your goals
over the next year of competition.
We
look forward to an exciting and productive season!
Sincerely,
Kristopher
Copeland
NSU Speech Team Membership
Requirements
As
a member of the Northeastern State University Speech and Debate Team and / or
scholarship recipient, competitors must:
1)
be available to attend all
the tournaments during the course of the term.
2)
present coaches at the beginning
of the semester with their class and work schedules and any conflicts to
attending rehearsals or competitions.
3)
devote appropriate time and
effort preparing for each event entered.
4)
meet with a forensics coach for
at least one hour a week, keep assigned meeting times and return calls as soon
as possible.
5)
attend all designated meetings. Absence
without prior notice is unacceptable. If a competitor misses a
meeting, the competitor must contact the coach beforehand and arrange for an
additional individual rehearsal. Individual meetings with coaches are for
individual coaching; meeting nights are for overview of particular events, as
well as a time to decide whose events are ready to compete.
6) provide proof of medical / health
insurance and submit the emergency medical treatment information and release of
liability forms before the first tournament.
7)
be on time to all scheduled
rehearsals / meetings. Tardiness without notice is unacceptable.
8)
register for the forensics
practicum class.
9)
be accountable for all
materials you are given to compete with (tripods, portfolios, prose books, R.T.
props, etc.)
10)
do up to two demonstrations
of events per semester for recruitment and / or community service needs.
12) travel to competitions in the
school vehicles with the entire team. No guests may accompany team
members, either in the van or in hotel rooms. Members will often share
beds in hotel rooms (3-4 persons per room).
13) remain drug-free as a
competitor. When attending tournaments, no alcohol or smoking is allowed
in hotel rooms. Likewise, illegal drug use is not allowed. If found to be
in violation of this guideline, members will be immediately dismissed from the
team and his or her talent grant will be revoked.
14) be supportive of team members
and also the efforts of other schools’ teams. (i.e.
attend teammates' rounds)
15) be courteous and respectful
at all times during the trip, both to teammates, coaches, judges, and to others
we encounter in public. You are an ambassador of NSU.
16) abide by the highest code of
ethics in competition and by the tournament rules for each competitive event
entered. If you have a question of ethics, speak with one of your coaches.
17) be respectful of a
diversity of opinions and backgrounds and do not discriminate or harass
individuals based on age, gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation
or religious affiliation.
18) do one’s best, learn from the
process and have fun.
In order
to maintain the NSU tradition of excellence in all events, a competitor is
considered prepared for competition when he or she has:
1) received topic / material approval from a coach
before beginning work on the event. This prevents a teammate from
devoting effort to a topic that will be a competitive disadvantage.
2) presented an outline of a new speech or copy of the
selection of literature to perform several weeks before the scheduled
tournament. The coach will review the outline / selection with the
competitor and approve it to begin rehearsal. This prevents having to
rewrite / re-cut an event after work has begun.
3) provided manuscripts of each event to coaches during
rehearsals. Keep your manuscripts and all of your supporting material
together in this binder. Typed manuscripts of speeches and interpretation
events are helpful aids in rehearsal and are often required to be available at
competitions as well.
4) prepared the event to competition level 2
weeks before the competition. Coaches decide which events are
competition-ready.
Coaches will determine who attends
tournaments based on:
academic
health (i.e. grades)
rehearsal
participation
tournament
behavior
preparation
of a number of events
budget
and time constraints
team
involvement and support of team