Parent Information

Welcome to the North Mecklenburg Speech and Debate Team website!

The NMHS Speech & Debate Team has a long standing tradition of excellence in competitive public speaking and debate. At North you'll make new friends and enjoy learning about important issues in politics, public policy, and philosophy. Students will have the opportunity to engage in literary recitals, speeches and performances as well as debate on a variety of topics. Participation in competitive speech and debate will give students an improved perspective and foster the ability to think quickly and formulate a well-supported response.

Our coaches, experienced students and returning members mentor and guide new students as they explore the various types of speech and debate events. Our speech and debate team is a competitive academic team sport. The regular competitive season, runs from September to March. Each year the number of mandatory tournaments vary, typically students will spend 40+ hours attending practice, and 40+ hours traveling, and 80+ hours competing. The team travels to compete in tournaments in our region and neighboring states. The team and head coach heavily rely on parent involvement and volunteer coaches.

If you are a student joining the team for the first time, or the parent of a first-time student the information on the website is intended to orient you and provide practical information about the team, expectations, contact information, the practice schedule, and an overview of all the events. If you are a returning student or parent of a returning student, this website includes important updates.

Membership is open to all North Mecklenburg High School students. There are no tryouts; anyone can join. We highly recommend that a parent or guardian review our practice and tournament schedule and all website content, and that all new students contact the head coach and attend a few practices.

The only requirements to compete as a member of the team are paying membership fees and attendance to practices as noted in the 2017-2018 season handbook. The team will meet twice a week and attend 10 or more Sat tournaments and 1 or 2 two-day tournament and 1 or 2 two-day tournament with an over night travel.

Membership Fees
$350—Debate Competitor Season Membership.
$400—Speech Competitor Season Membership.
Membership fees may be paid in three installments (see installment schedule on the payment page).

Members are encouraged to provide judges and will receive a $50 credit toward their season member fee for every judge they provide up until the regular season fee is met. Judging credits will not carry over and will only apply to the students account for the current season.

Students who do not join as regular members may still compete by joining as an auxiliary member. Auxiliaries are NOT subsidized by the boosters for ANY tournaments and auxiliary members must pay the full cost (estimated cost is $50 per student per entry). Optional tournament cost will be determined and announced 1-2 weeks before the tournament.

Membership fees do not include "Optional" tournaments (e.g. Meyers Park, Wake Forest, Emory, Districts and/or States); The cost for optional tournaments will vary and students will be advised of the cost and signups within 1-2 weeks from the tournament date and payment is due within 7 days of the tournament date.

Auxiliary and option tournament registration fees are non-refundable!

Membership

You’ve decided to join the North 2019-2020 Debate & Speech Team.

New and returning students we ask that you review the current season handbook, membership fee, payment schedule, tournament schedule, and practice schedule with your parents/guardians!

Requirements

  • Member fee must be paid to the booster club
  • Students and parents are expected to participate in fundraising and volunteer throughout the season
  • October 12, 2019 all (non-novice) team members and parents must volunteer to help run our Viking Classic tournament
  • Students must attend schedule practices
  • Complete and sign student application, health form, permission slips and submit to the head coach

Member Fees

$350 for debate competitors
$400 for speech competitors

Annual member fee covers transportation and tournament registration for all non-optional schedule tournaments. Optional tournament fees & transportation are NOT covered by season membership. Auxiliary members will pay the fee as determined by the head coach and boosters for all tournaments.

The cost of transportation, lodging (where required) and judges fees are a significant expenses for the team. The Debate and Speech Booster Club was formed to help offset these expenses. The fees paid by the members for each tournament only finance a part of the cost of attending competitions! The Booster Club subsidizes the team travel expenses.

Other Funding

In addition to your membership, Harris Teeter TIE will reimburse us a portion of your Harris Teeter brand purchases. Please consider linking our booster club VIC # 6270 at check out. The Harris Teeter associate will link your card at the register. Harris Teeter requires re-link for their TIE program every August please remember to re-link our booster VIC # 6270 every August. It’s an easy way for us to earn money. Please consider asking grandparents, neighbors and friends to also link up!

Save the Date

The Viking Classic tournament is schedule for October 13! The team will need donations for our food service operations and volunteers to help run the tournament. The profits from the tournament are used to fund the cost of the transportation and help fund the tournament miscellaneous fees. We also ask that you remember to signup for the Viking Classic as a volunteer and signup for a donation.

Booster Club

The NMHS Debate and Speech Booster Club is a parent and community-supported non-profit organization, whose purpose is to help support student members of the NMHS Debate and Speech club. All NMHS booster members are volunteers. It is our parent volunteers who serve as the Board Members & Chair the committees; volunteer to judge at tournaments, fund raise, chaperone and help organize the Jimmy K. Poole Viking Classic the NMHS home tournament. There will be many opportunities throughout the year for students and parents to volunteer time to help support the NMHS debate and speech team initiatives.

Booster Club Information

Purpose

The NMHS Debate and Speech Boosters was formed to promote the charitable and educational purposes of the North Meck High School Debate and Speech Team, as well as support the decisions of the coach.

What do booster club fundraisers pay for?

The primary focus of the boosters is to cover any of the basic club costs that membership fees alone do not raise. Fundraisers are intended to reduce the costs of transportation and when possible entry fees and lodging.

Booster Club Meeting Dates

The booster club meets the first tuesday of every month.

Volunteer Opportunities

Managing a team of 35 plus students is a huge undertaking— involved and dedicated parents make a difference! We need all of our team members' parents to get involved with the booster club. If you cannot fill a leadership position, please join us at our booster club meetings and stay current on what's happening with our team!

Membership

All debate/speech parents are automatically enrolled in the North Mecklenburg Debate and Speech Booster Club when their child joins the team. Our Booster Club needs dedicated, talented, and hardworking parents! We welcome parent member interest. There are many opportunities to contribute and volunteer at our fundraiser events.

Forensic tournaments depend on parents and community members to serve as volunteer judges for each tournament throughout the season. Your judging commitments is needed!

Without the contributions of the booster parents, our team would not be able to compete throughout the season or host the annual Viking Classic tournament. Thank you for your support!

If you are interested in helping out please contact the boosters via Email.

2019-2020 Booster Club Members

Co-Presidents

Mel Leibler

Bill Leibler

Vice President

Rebecca Mays

Co-Treasurers

Kristie Sivells

Derek Sivells

Secretary

Mary Muchane

Viking Classic Chair

Shireen Campbell