Team Handbook

What is Speech and Debate?

High school forensics, competitive speech and debate, is recognized in all 50 states. Programs range from hundreds of students to just a few. Affluent areas and very rural areas sponsor these speech activities. Some programs are completely funded through their school district, while others have to earn every cent they will spend. The North Mecklenburg Debate & Speech Team is funded partially by the school system, partially by fund raising, and partially by fees paid by individual members for each competition.

Competition rules vary from state to state and really don’t follow any uniformity, but most North Carolina tournaments follow the guidelines set down by the Tarheel Forensic League (TFL). The TFL holds a State Championship Tournament each year. There is also a national "honor society" organization, the National Forensic League (NFL), that many high school programs, including North Meck, participate in. (State finals and national finals are not related). A program is not required to join the NFL, but the NFL sponsors the national championship tournament at the end of every school year (June). As an NFL member, North Meck is also a member of the NFL Carolina West District, through which students qualify for the national championship (there are two NFL Districts in North Carolina). NFL also publishes a monthly magazine (Rostrum) that schools receive free of charge once they have joined NFL; and it awards student competitors for their successes in forensic tournaments. North Meck is also a founding member of the Charlotte chapter of the CFL (Catholic Forensic League), which allows participation in the CFL Grand National Tournament in May.

A school may choose how many tournaments to attend a year. This may vary based on funds, the students’ and coaches’ willingness to be away from home, the distance to tournaments, transportation availability. Students on the North Meck Team are required to attend practices to attend the regular season tournaments (listed as “included” on the schedule), but they may miss up to three (3) practices and maintain their status as regular team members. The TFL publishes a list of tournaments at the beginning of every year, which is available on the TFL website. The North Meck schedule is listed on the homepage under "Tournament Schedule". The schedule sometimes changes, so always double check the home page for announcements. The head coach will inform members of any schedule schedule changes and tournament cancellations.

So, what does the word forensics mean? The term “forensic” is derived from the Greek Language and refers to courts of law. Aristotle, in dividing speech into three categories, contrasted forensic speaking (in a court of law) with deliberative speaking (in the legislative assembly), and epideictic speaking (in a ceremony or other special occasion). The term is still used today in such a restricted sense. In common usage today, the term has developed a broader meaning. A modern dictionary defines forensic as an adjective meaning “suitable for public speaking or debate.” In many parts of the United States, the plural forensics is used to refer to any extracurricular speech activity in both high school and college.

Now that you have an idea of what speech and debate is, let’s look at the benefits of participating in a forensics program. Students who participate in forensics will:

• learn to overcome and calm speaking anxieties
• receive valuable training for college and future careers
• increase their public communication skills
• develop improved study habits and research skills
• develop time allocation and organizational skills
• advance critical thinking and reasoning skills
• become familiar with current societal issues
• be open to both sides of an issue
• learn to consider and adapt to different audiences
• be more prepared to speak on their feet
• be more aware of a wider range of people, personalities, and cultures
• learn how to lose gracefully
• learn how to accept criticism and be judged on their performance
• learn how to work with others as individuals and as a team
• learn respect for dissenting opinions
• improve their college and career resumes

Basic Terms

• Ballot
• The piece of paper on which judges write comments, rankings, and the decision of the round
• Blocking
• any movements made during a performance
• to Break
• to advance to the next round; local tournaments are usually four rounds with no break; national level tournaments usually break to elimination rounds
• to Cut
• to take only selected sections from a piece. To cut to make time limits or to cut inappropriate material
• Double Entered
• entered in more than one event in a tournament
• Ethics
• rules or standards that govern conduct
• Extemporaneous
• speaking without the benefit of a prepared or memorized manuscript
• Finals
• an elimination round involving the top two teams in debate or usually the top six competitors in IE’s
• Forensics
• Refers to competitive speech and debate and public speaking (not dead bodies!).
• Introduction
• The introduction to a piece, usually found in interp, extemp, etc. Intros are written by the competitors and are memorized or given extemporaneously, depending on the event.
• Junior Varsity
• a competitor in their first or second year of competition (used at tournaments; JV categories are not common in North Carolina)
• Novice
• a competitor in their first year of competition (used at tournaments) or a division in a tournament involving only first year competitors
• Open
• specifying that all levels of experience will be competing with each other in a tournament, a division
• Pattern
• events sometimes are divided into “Patterns” and run at different times during the course of a round, usually there are two patterns in a tournament; Pattern A events, Pattern B events, and Debate.
• Piece
• the literature selection (title and author) you are performing in Interpretation events: DI, HI, DUO, Prose, and Poetry
• Round(s)
• a complete debate or round of individual events; most one day tournaments will have four (4) rounds of competition, that is, a student will have four opportunities to compete.
• Time Signals
• Hand signals, usually given by a judge, showing how much time you have left; debaters often carry and use their own timer
• Varsity
• a seasoned and experienced competitor

NSDA Terms

• National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)
• (formerly the National Forensic League [NFL]) non-partisan, not for profit educational honor society founded in 1925. Its purpose is to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation. A $15.00 fee is required for lifetime membership (The North Meck team pays for this fee). The online address is speechanddebate.org. Your coach or captain will record your points as they earned (through tournament participation or any public speaking engagement). You may also view the standings of other schools and other competitors.
• Degree
• determined by how many NSDA points you earn: 25=merit, 75=honor, 150=excellence, 250=Distinction, 500=special distinction, 750=superior distinction, 1000=Outstanding distinction. Each degree earned is acknowledged by a distinctive seal to be affixed to the membership certificate. This seal is automatically sent to the coach once a competitor has earned a new degree.
• The Rostrum
• the NSDA’s magazine, published monthly during the school year. It includes teaching and learning articles, rule changes, tournament results, district standings, and general NSDA news.
• Insignia Jewels
• These jewels are earned when a competitor acquires each new degree. Purchasing the keys and pins which display the “jewel” is optional. These are not provided free of charge. Many NSDA members display pins on their clothing at tournaments. It is considered prestigious, by most, to wear one. It may also be used as an intimidation tactic.
• Emerald
• Degree of Honor—75 points
• Sapphire
• Degree of Excellence—150 points
• Ruby
• Degree of Distinction—250 points
• Double Ruby
• Degree of Special Distinction—500 points
• Triple Ruby
• Degree of Superior Distinction—750 points
• Quadruple Ruby
• Degree of Outstanding Distinction—1000 points
• Degree of Premier Distinction
• 1500 points
• Diamond
• Coaches receive 1⁄10 the points earned by students. A coach attaining 1500 points is awarded a diamond, a second diamond for 3000 points, a third for 6000 points and so on.
• The NFL Key or Pin
• silver for students, gold for instructors—jeweled to mark the degree you have attained. Purchase is optional.
• Supps
• Supplemental events offered at the NSDA tournament

Event Descriptions

Competitors are expected to master one or two events by the end of the season. Speech events usually incorporate a 30 second grace period.
(*) indicates NSDA event (at least one of your events must be NSDA)

Speech

(*) Dramatic Interpretation (DI)

10 minutes, memorized, must be published (cannot be written by the competitor). This is a single person event in which the competitor performs a serious work for the audience. Monologues may be used. Try to stay away from overdone pieces, such as those about rape and the holocaust, unless they are unique. You want to be original.

(*) Duo Interpretation (DUO)

10 minutes, memorized, must be published (cannot be written by the competitors). This is a two person event. Materials may be humorous, dramatic, or a mixture of both. The competitors may not touch or look at each other, and in the past, limited movement only was allowed. But currently, the norm is changing and running around, jumping around the room, kneeling, etc. has come into vogue in many places.

(*) Humourous Interpretation (HI)

10 minutes, memorized, must be published (cannot be written by the competitor). This is a single person event in which the competitor performs a humorous work for the audience. Monologues may be used.

(*) Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

10 minutes, read from a script with introduction and transitions. POI is a program of oral interpretation of thematically linked selections chosen from two or three genres: prose, poetry, drama (plays). A primary focus of this event should be on the development of the theme or argument through the use of narrative, story, language, and/or characterization. Competitors are encouraged to devote approximately equal times to each of the genres used in the program. At least two pieces of literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used. The use of a manuscript is required. Sources must meet all NSDA Interp rules. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop so long as it remains in the contestant’s control at all times. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted. Adaptations may be used only for the purpose of transition.

Note: Published normally means that it is in a book, magazine or pamphlet – The NSDA now recognizes certain online sites as legitimate for use in completion (see NSDA tournament rules). For bigger tournaments (like State and Nationals) they will ask for the publisher, date published, etc. and an original copy! Make sure your piece has those (if it is an event that requires it).

(*) Informative Speaking

Ten minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” An informative speech is an original speech designed to explain, define, or illustrate a particular subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience to gain understanding and/tor knowledge of a topic. Any other purpose such as to entertain or to convince shall be secondary. The use of audio/visual aids is optional. Speeches must be memorized, composed by the contestants and not used by them during a previous season. Effective speeches provide new information or perspectives on a topic, including those that are widely known. The responsibility for choosing a worthwhile topic rests with the contestant. A fabricated topic may not be used. Any non-factual reference, including a personal reference, must be so identified. Audio/visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. During the presentation, no electronic equipment is permitted. The use of live animals or any additional people as visual aids is not allowed during the speech. Items of dress put on and removed during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation. Visual aids may not violate law (weapons, drugs, etc.). Expedient set up and take down of aids is expected.

(*) Original Oratory (OO)

10 minutes, memorized, written by the competitor. A speech designed to persuade. No visual aids are allowed. Past topics include Music, Male dancers, Veganism, Removing Christopher Columbus from History Books, etc. An original approach to the topic is likely to be more competitive.

Declamation (DEC)

10 minutes, memorized, written and once given by someone other than the competitor. A speech designed to persuade, inform, or entertain. No visual aids are allowed. Competitors can choose classic orations (King's "I Have A Dream" speech) or more contemporary works. A qualifying event for NCFL Grand Nationals. Open to freshmen and sophomores only.

(*) Extemporaneous (US and Foreign)

7 minutes, impromptu, 30 minutes prep time. Limited notes are sometimes allowed for novice competitors, however, if you are competing in senior or open ‘division’, notes are not allowed. Topics are based on current events from the past 3 months. The competitor will have three topic options on which to present a speech. US Extemp will cover topics dealing with the US; Foreign ill cover topics concerning anything outside the US. Newspapers, magazines, and other reliable news sources may be used during preparation, but contestants may not confer with any other people. Competitors will compile a file of information to refer to during their 30 minute prep period. Our team has a common ‘prep’ file…the ‘tub’ or ‘box’, which all extempers are expected to be familiar with as well as contribute to.

Radio Speaking

Timing can vary from tournament to tournament. Most often, a contestant reads from a script, written by the competitor. The script is different for each of four rounds. Prompts for each round are given in advance by the tournament. The contestant will read the speech with their back to the judge—they can’t see your facial expressions, so projecting your voice and having impressive vocal inflection is very important. You may time yourself.

Impromptu

Timing and rules can vary from tournament to tournament. 3-5 minutes, unprepared. The competitor is given two minutes to choose his topic and prepare a speech. These speeches should begin with a clear road map—tell the audience what you are going to talk about. Then, talk about it—usually you want to have 3 main “points”. Then finish your speech by reviewing what you have gone over (say what you’re going to say, say it, then say what you said).

Impromptu Duet Acting

This event is usually 3-5 minutes, but often varies from tournament to tournament. Students choose an ‘improv’ scenario to perform, taken from three possible drawn from a pile. They usually have no or very limited time to prepare and are usually not allowed to consult. (not available at many tournaments)

Debate

(*) Public Forum Debate (PF)

Two teams of two people argue a current events resolution posted each month by the NSDA. Teams must prepare to go both pro and con on the resolution, research and present evidence, and focus on convincing the average person to their point of view. Includes rebuttals and three crossfire questioning periods.

(*) Lincoln Douglas Value Debate (LD)

One person, topics change every 2 months, as announced by the NSDA. Competitors prepare at least two cases (one for the resolution, one against) and are informed at the start of debate which side they will be arguing, so teams must be familiar with both cases. You may refer to—and sometimes read—your prepared case.

(*) Student Congress

Student Congress is a form of high school debate and a National Forensic League event. In Student Congress, high school students imitate the United States Congress by debating bills and resolutions, which they write themselves. Students get together and discuss relevant bills and resolutions that are presented by the people in the Congress. Competitors themselves choose to debate on the affirmative or the negative. They typically last all day (broken into sessions and houses).

Team Organisation

Philosophy

The North Mecklenburg High School Speech and Debate Team is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in competitive forensic activity along with the personal development of each team member who strives to achieve their full potential in such activities. Members of the team are committed to a full forensic season, devoting their time and energy to practicing for competition as well as considering forensics their primary school extra-curricular activity. Members will hold themselves to the highest level of good sportsmanship and are pledged to mutually support each other. Team members also hold themselves to the highest standards of personal behavior and will represent North Mecklenburg High School with dignity and pride.

Requirements

Members will be students at North Mecklenburg H.S. who are active in the competitions of the Speech and Debate Team. They must be or working to be members in good standing of the NFL (National Forensic League). They must attend ALL the regular season tournaments (listed as "mandatory" on the schedule), but they may miss up to four (4) and maintain their status as regular team members. In addition, they may attend the Carolina West NFL District Tournament or any national level or regional tournaments (listed on the schedule as "optional"). They must also agree to accept the decisions by their coaches in regards to any matters relating to competition.

Membership

Any student who intends to fulfill the requirements may join the team with the approval of the head coach. There is an annual membership fee, which includes tournament fees for all included tournaments, payable at the beginning of the school year or in increments as specified by the Parent Booster organization. The Boosters manage the team’s finances as well as subsidize the costs of attending all mandatory and optional tournaments. Team members may be cut by the head coach for any violations of the team requirements or philosophy. Team membership will continue throughout a student’s academic career at North Mecklenburg, unless the student resigns or fails to fulfill the requirements.

Team Requirements

The annual membership fee for the North Meck Speech and Debate Team will be a set amount determined by the booster club. The membership fee covers mandatory regular season tournament registrations, optional tournaments are not covered. Each booster member is expected to volunteer as a judge for a minimum of two tournaments. A $50 dollars volunteer judging credited is applied to the student member's account (up to the season membership fee). If the team has reached its coaching obligation for any tournament, further judge signups will not be accepted. For this reason, judges are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Members are encourage to provide judges throughout the season but after the membership fee is covered, further credits will not be applied to the member's account.

• All team members are required to attend each mandatory one day tournament as well as the State Championship. Students will be entered into their chosen event automatically when tournament registration opens. Students will be permitted to switch their event with the HEAD COACH upon availability. Each member is allowed four tournament drops per year. There is no financial credit for dropping a tournament.
• Debaters must have both (aff and neg) written cases completed by the Tuesday before a tournament occurs.
• Each debater (or partnership) must participate in at least one practice round of debate before they attend the first tournament for each topic as recorded by the coaching staff.
• Speech members must practice their speech at least two times per after-school practice as recorded by the coaching staff. At least one of these practice speeches must be conducted with an audience of peers or coaches/ adults who can provide useful criticism.
• Every (non-novice) team member is required to volunteer or contribute to the annual Viking Classic Tournaments.

Fee Schedule

Debate Competitors season fee is $350
Speech Competitors season fee is $400

All members are expected to attend all regular tournament competition. A surcharge for overnight or extended (more than one day) tournaments may be added to the seasonal fee for mandatory tournaments for those who attend as determined by the booster club.

Payments

All payments should be paid online via PayPal. Payment is due in full on September 21. If you are unable to make payment in full please submit payments in installments per the installment payment schedule. If you join the team after September 21st please submit payment for seasonal member fee when you turn in your application.

• 1st Installment $150 is due on September 21st or when new member application is submitted
• 2nd Installment $100 is due on November 1st
• Final Installment $100 (Debate) or $150 (Speech) is due on January 3rd

Auxiliary Team Members

Any North Meck student may join the team as an auxiliary member. Auxiliary members pay for tournaments on an ad hoc basis with NO subsidy from the boosters.

Note

Any non-required (optional) tournaments (as listed) will subsidized for regular team members for an amount determined by the Booster Club. Auxiliary members will have to pay full price for all tournaments entries (minimum fee is $50).

Team Categories

Novice

"Novice" is defined by most tournaments as a first year competitor. For the purpose of team organization, a "novice" is a member who has not yet accumulated enough NFL (National Forensic League) points (25) to become a NFL member. Novices may attend "novice" competitions on the mandatory schedule. Novice categories are available at most "open" tournaments (mostly in debate events). First year competitors will be switched over to "open" categories as the season progresses, based on their competitive improvement and the judgment of the coaching staff.

Varsity

Any member in their second or more year of competition is considered "varsity". First year competitors who have become an NFL members and whom the coaching staff considers sufficiently experienced shall also be considered "varsity".

Student Offices

There will be a President(s) and Vice-President(s) of the team selected each spring for the upcoming season at a time and manner determined by the Head Coach. These new officers will assume their offices immediately upon appointment by the Head Coach.

Duties of the President

• The President(s) shall preside over all team meetings and determine the agenda of meetings with the assistance of the other officers and the approval of the Head Coach.
• The President(s) shall make all appropriate announcements, provide all appropriate information to the team, hear comments, entertain motions, perform appropriate ceremonies, and conduct meetings.
• The President(s), along with all other officers, shall assist in all fund raising, organizational, and ceremonial events of the team, and assume supervisory roles in the absence of or when directed to by the coaching staff.
• The President(s), along with the other officers, shall comprise an advisory group to provide input on all team issues to the coaching staff.

Duties of the Vice President

• The Vice President(s) shall assume the duties of the President(s) in their absence and ascend to the presidency if a President(s) is no longer able to perform his duties, as directed by the Head Coach.
• The Vice President(s) will assist the President(s) in the performance of all his duties.

Other Offices

There will also be a Secretary/Historian, Treasurer, Tournament Manager(s), Webmaster, Social Committee Chairperson and Middle School Programs Director appointed by the Head Coach each spring and will assume office concurrently with the President(s) and Vice President(s).

Duties of the Secretary/Historian

• The secretary will be responsible for keeping minutes of all team meetings. The secretary shall also be responsible for maintaining all team records and files.
• The secretary shall also provide any needed clerical assistance to the other officers or coaching staff when necessary.

Duties of the Tournament Manager(s)

• The Tournament Manager will assist the coaching staff in the planning and preparation of all forensics tournaments held on North Meck's campus.
• The Tournament Manager will assume operational management of all tournament staff during said tournaments.

Duties of the Webmaster

• The Webmaster will be in charge of maintaining and updating the Team Website as directed by the Head Coach.
• The Webmaster will communicate with the assistant coaches and Parent Boosters and post material for them on the website as needed.

Duties of the Social Committee Chairperson(s)

• The Social Committee Chairperson(s)will be in charge of organizing and running team social gatherings, under the guidance of the coaching staff.

Duties of the Middle School Programmes Director(s)

• The Middle School Programmes Director(s) (MSPD) shall prepare curricula, recruit student teachers, co-ordinate scheduling and be operational director of all NM Debate & Speech Team programs at neighboring middle schools.
• The MSPD shall also be the liaison between North Meck Debate and the Middle School principal and staff.
• The MSPD will also direct an annual mini-tournament for middle schools.

Division Captains

There will be five (5) divisions of the North Mecklenburg Debate & Speech Team: Public Forum, L/D Debate, Student Congress, Speech, and Extemp. There will be a captain(s) for each division appointed each year by the Head Coach at the end of each season for the next season.

Division Captain Responsibilities

• Take direction from and give advice and assistance to the assigned assistant coach for their division in both academic and administrative matters concerning the division
• Communicate and enforce directions, rules, and regulations from the coaching staff for their division
• Help in the preparation and training of novices as directed
• Assist veteran members in preparation and research for their respective events
• Take charge of organizing and accounting for members of their division when traveling to tournaments
• Maintain and organize all research and files relevant to their division

Coaching Staff

All power and authority over the North Mecklenburg High School Speech and Debate Team resides in the Head Coach as the activity sponsor appointed by the principal of North Mecklenburg H.S. The Head Coach may have assistant coaches who will have responsibility and authority over the team as he sees fit. The coaching staff's responsibilities are to educate and train team members in the forensic arts and to provide personal guidance, advice, and behavioral supervision.

All team members will be assigned to a particular coach to whom they will be responsible for their competition preparation and who must sign off on their readiness to attend any tournament.

Funding & Expenses

Funding for team activities comes from school allotments, team fundraising, and student fees.

North Mecklenburg H.S. occasionally gives a small amount of funds to Debate & Speech out of its activity budget. CMS Humanities Department provides a portion of travel money to each high school based on a pre-arranged formula. The Speech and Debate Team engages in fundraising throughout the year. The team has one major fundraiser our own Jimmy K. Poole Viking Classic tournament. All team members, parents or guardians are expected to volunteer and donate an item for the Jimmy K. Poole Viking Classic tournament (held in Oct) as well as participate in other fundraising activities throughout the year.

Judging sign ups are vital to the success of any tournament without a pool of judges our schedule tournaments would not be possible. Please note that North must register a predetermined judge allocation for each tournament. If our team does not meet the tournament judge allocation the team will incur a $50 fine for each judge drop. Family members (parents, guardians, adult siblings or other adult family members) are asked to sign up to judge throughout the year.

Season Team Member Fees

Debate Competitor $350
Speech Competitor $400

Payment Installment Schedule

• 1st Installment $150 is due on September 21st or when new member application is submitted
• 2nd Installment $100 is due on November 1st
• Final Installment $100 (Debate) or $150 (Speech) is due on January 3rd

Expenses for scheduled tournament (excludes optional tournaments) are covered by season membership fees and with booster club subsidies (excludes auxiliary members). Any member attending an optional tournament will have to pay for all optional tournament cost as determined by the head coach and the booster's. All optional tournament fees are due 7 days prior to tournament date or the student can not attend.

Auxiliary members must pay full registration fee for any schedule tournaments they chose to attend. Auxiliary members must pay the fee as determined by the head coach and booster's and payment is due 7 days prior to tournament date or the student can not attend.

Meals, beverages and snacks are not covered by the member fees! Everyone must pay for their own meals, beverages and snacks.

National level or overnight tournaments, students must cover fees, transportation costs, and hotel both for themselves and for the accompanying coaches. The Booster Club may subsidize tournament costs as it is able and sees fit.

The treasurer will create an account for each member. Treasurer will send an email to students and parents to confirm membership type and payment schedule. Treasure will keep member account records and reconcile all payments and judging credits. Treasurer will send past due emails to students and parents with invoice attached. Contact the booster treasurer for any membership fee questions or to request an account statement.

To make a payment use the payment button under the Parent Information tab. PayPal payments do not require a member login, and all payments can be paid as a PayPal guest. PayPal will send a payment confirmation via email. If you can not make payment by the due date notify the head coach before the due date to discuss your student account status and also contact the booster treasurer via email.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools currently pays for the travel and lodging expenses of any student qualifying for a national championship (NSDA, CFL and TOC). Students must pay their own meal expenses.

Code of Conduct

Code of Behaviour

All members of the North Mecklenburg Debate & Speech Team are expected to adhere to the team’s code of behavior.

• They are expected to treat coaches, judges, staff, competitors, any adult and each other with courtesy and respect.
• They are expected to respect the property of others, teammates, coaches, judges, or competitors, as well as the host schools.
• They are expected to be on time for all meetings, departures, arrivals, ceremonies, rounds or any other activities relating to forensics.
• They are expected to clean up after themselves in the classroom, transport vehicles, and at competitions.
• They are expected to be properly dressed for all competitions, including the awards ceremony, even if they change into more casual clothing for travel.
• They are expected to keep their enthusiasm within the bounds of good taste in the classroom, during travel, at competitions, and especially during the awards ceremonies, being courteous to all competitors who receive recognition.
• North Mecklenburg H.S. requires that all school rules be observed while participating in an extracurricular activity whether on campus or away.

In short, we expect you all to have a great forensics experience by respecting others as well as yourselves!

Overnight Travel Code of Conduct

• North Mecklenburg H.S. requires that all school rules be observed while on a field trip
• There will be a curfew as directed for each night of any overnight competition. There will a bed check at the announced time, after which team members must be in bed.
• Any extra charges incurred by team members for vandalism or telephone use will be billed to all the students in the room and treated as a student financial liability
• Students must receive permission from the chaperones to go anywhere outside the tournament location or hotel while not being accompanied by the chaperones. Chaperones should know where students are at all times. Students should report their whereabouts to chaperones if their plans change.

Dress Code

• Boys are expected to dress in jacket, shirt, and tie and in good taste.
• Girls are expected to dress in suitable dresses, business attire, or dressy skirt or pants outfits. Skirts should be knee length or below.
• Jewelry should be conservative and in good taste.
• All competitors for one day need to be dressed for competition BEFORE they arrive at the competition site.

Communication

All team announcements and updates are sent via e-mail. Students are expected to monitor their e-mail for any information transmitted electronically. In addition students are responsible for obtaining, completing and submitting their season application, permission slips, medical forms, and other team documents. Team documents will be available at practices and/or electronically. Relevant booster club information is routinely sent to all booster members (students/parents) via e-mail.

Information about the state organization (Tarheel Forensic League or TFL), national (National Forensic League or NFL), or the area NFL District (Carolina West) or Catholic Forensic League (CFL) can be readily obtained by visiting the following websites.

• Tarheel Forensic League
• Nation Speech and Debate Association (formerly National Forensic League)

For Carolina West NFL and Charlotte CFL, follow the link on the homepage of the TFL Website.

For online information specific to a particular tournament, go to Joy Of Tournaments. Most tournaments use this website. Other used sites include SpeechWire or Tabroom.