I. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in the Hill Country Communicators (HCC) Speech and Debate Club. It is our desire to clearly explain the purpose of this club and what the expectations are if you would like to join our club. We are not content to just have a club, but we want to make it the most efficient and effective club possible. In accordance with I Corinthians 14:40, we have spelled out specific expectations for the student and family in an attempt to and eliminate potential problems. It is our desire that as we continue to develop communication skills in our families, others will join us and together we can help the students develop speech and debate skills that God will use in their lives. We strongly believe all children need to develop these skills and believe through these skills we can impact the world for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
II. VISION
To equip students with the skills necessary to become godly servant leaders who can communicate effectively and impact the world for Christ.
III.MISSION
This is a Christian speech and debate club for students that compete in the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) League, and speak at community events and venues. We support the mission of NCFCA which states “formal speech and debate can provide a means for home schooled students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills, addressing life issues from a Biblical world view in a manner that glorifies God”. Each of these arenas gives students the opportunity to refine their speech and debate skills and use them to communicate effectively for God's honor and glory throughout their lives.
IV.OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
1. To develop communication and speaking skills that honor and glorify God, and to model the love and character of Jesus Christ in the lives of all who participate. Psalms 19:14, Proverbs 16:23-24
2. To learn how to think critically, logically, and objectively.
3. To learn how to research and organize information, and to persuasively and
humbly present and defend ideas. Colossians 4:6
4. To learn how to use debate and speech skills to communicate God's truth to the world. I Peter 3:15
5. To learn how to encourage and support others with our words. Ephesians 4: 29-32.
6. To learn how to work together with others in a team effort and strive to help each member reach maximum potential in a manner that is God-honoring and worthy of respect. Philippians 2:3-4, Proverbs 27:17
7. To help learn how to do things unto the Lord and to the best of their ability. Colossians 3:23-24, I Corinthians 10: 31
8. To help experienced students develop leadership skills through mentoring young or inexperienced students. Matthew 23: 10-11, I Timothy 4:12
9. To equip and prepare students for speech and debate tournaments in NCFCA league if they have a desire to participate in competition.
10.To help students find ways to utilize their developed speaking skills in the community.
V. DRESS CODE
The spirit of the dress code is modesty and professionalism with the intent to glorify Christ. The goal is to minimize the focus on the physical body and not defraud one another, and to maximize the focus on the person’s countenance, development of ideas, and communication skills. Thus, we will dress and present ourselves in a manner that is professional, respectful of others, clean, and well- groomed.
1. CLUB MEETINGS
a. General: The club leadership board reserves the right to ask you to change clothing if in their estimation there is a violation of the club dress code.
b. Gentlemen: Are to wear full length pants of modest fit and in good condition and shirts with collars.
c. Ladies: Modesty is the key and attire may include suits, dresses, skirts, slacks, or pants. The overall guiding principle is to keep it high on neck, low on the legs, loose fitting, and not too much skin showing.
i) Skirts or dresses are to have a hemline that falls to at least the bottom of the knee when seated.
ii) Tops are to be modest and may be a shirt-type top, blouse, or jacket, and your midriff must remain covered. Spaghetti strap tops, tight-fitting or low-cut tops/sweaters are inappropriate.
iii) Pants or slacks are to be modest. Tight-fitting or low-rise pants or slacks are inappropriate.
2. NCFCA
a. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (IE)
i) Gentlemen: The gentlemen shall wear suits; slacks with sweater or vest; or shirt and tie.
ii) Ladies: Modesty is the key and may include suits, dresses, and skirts to the bottom of the knee: skirts or slacks with shirt-type tops or jackets. Tight-fitting/low-cut sweaters or slacks are inappropriate. Midriff must remain covered when gesturing in speeches.
b. DEBATE
i) Gentlemen: Gentlemen shall wear suits or sport coats and ties.
ii) Ladies: Ladies shall wear dresses or suits. Hemlines shall fall to at least the bottom of the knee.
c. VIOLATIONS
i) Penalty – If a judge finds that a debater has violated the dress code, that debater's team shall be given a loss for the round and a chance to change into appropriate dress.
ii) Appeal – Debaters may appeal to the Tournament Director for a final decision in such cases.
IV. CLUB INFORMATION
1. MEETINGS
a. Date: Regular club meetings are the first and third Tuesday evening of each month of the season.
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b.Schedule: Our typical club meeting schedule is as follows:
4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Arrivals 5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Prayer and Assignments
5:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 8:45 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
– 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Speech Dinner, Fellowship and Admin Items Clean-Up Debate Final Clean-Up Doors Closed
2. FEES AND EXPENSES
a. Club Membership Fees
i) $30 per senior student per semester.
ii) $10 per additional senior student within the same family per semester.
iii) $15 per junior student per semester
iiii) Maximum of $50 per family per semester.
b. Tournament Fees and Expenses
i) Vary according to the venue.
ii) Gas, food, lodging, miscellaneous expenses, supplies, and professional attire are the responsibility of the individual club members and their families.
3. PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
Parental involvement is important for the success of your own student, as well as the club itself. As with any activity, when the parent devotes time and energy and sees value in the activity, the more successful the student will be. Your input is valuable. Therefore it is required for at least one parent or designated guardian (“PARENT”) to be present at each club meeting. Attendance to club meetings will give PARENTS the opportunity to learn speech and debate skills alongside the student. It will help the PARENT to gain insight in ways to assist their student to develop and improve speeches, to learn debate theory and to learn how to assist students to develop logical and solid arguments for a position, and how to communicate it in a gracious, persuasive way. PARENTS will have the opportunity to develop skills necessary to critique public speaking and/or debate rounds.
______a. PARENTS are expected to attend club meetings.
______b. PARENTS will hold their students accountable to adhere to dress code and code of conduct.
______c. PARENTS will hold their students accountable in preparing for club meetings.
______d. PARENTS are responsible for their student's own financial needs in participation of club.
______e. PARENTS will strive to do all they can to have good relationships with all the members and families in the club.
______f. When their students are participating, PARENTS are expected to assist in helping with their own transportation and chaperone needs when practices and tournaments take place outside the local area.
______g. PARENTS are expected to help keep the club running by assisting in various chores and duties such as evaluating speakers and assist with practice tournaments or other events.
______h. PARENTS are expected to attend parent meetings. These meetings will be held either during club time or at a previously agreed upon time for the purpose of discussing club-related issues. This is the time to discuss administrative and organizational ideas, ask questions, seek help, make suggestions, instruct parents, and so forth.
4. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
When students join the club, it is a serious commitment to faithfully attend and participate in club activities. Students are expected to come to club prepared and to work on developing and improving speech and debate skills. Students will follow code of conduct and dress code guidelines.
__________a. Students are encouraged to attend regularly scheduled meetings.
__________b. Students are expected to follow the code of conduct and dress code.
__________c. Students are encouraged to faithfully prepare for meetings and complete required assignments individually or as part of a team.
__________d. Club members are expected to work cohesively by sharing ideas and evidence freely, so that each club member can reach their maximum potential.
5. CODE OF CONDUCT
We are a Christian organization in a Christian league. Our work in the club is and must be a facet of our Christian discipleship helping us to become like our Lord and teacher Jesus Christ, in love, truth, courage, and generosity.
__________a. In our relations within the club, and when representing the club to others, we strive to imitate our Master. We accept the scriptural teachings on love, unity, humility, and peace (Colossians 3:12-17).
__________b. Club members are expected to treat each other with honor and kindness, (Romans 12:9-11), to speak truly and courteously (Ephesians 4:29-32), to aspire to righteousness and peace in our relationships (Matthew 5:4-11), to serve each other with humility (Matthew 20:25-28), to act helpfully and generously to each other (Galatians 6: 9-10), and to be mindful of each others' needs before our own (Philippians 2:3-7ff). We aspire to show the kind of generosity to each other that God has shown to us (Luke 6:38).
__________c. The nature of our training exercises, practices, and tournaments may be competitive, but our competition is not aimed at pride or domination, but rather at the sharpening of our own and of each others' skills (Proverbs 27:17). In debate, the purpose is to argue effectively, to support and refute ideas, not persons. We strongly pursue excellence in debate, thereby becoming better speakers, researchers, and thinkers. In the end, our diligence in this is an offering to God (Colossians 3:23).
__________d. When we lose a round or speech competition, we are thankful for the exercise, and when we win we encourage others. We refuse to be bitter, even after seemingly unjust losses. We refuse to be proud, even after a great performance.
___________e. In proper order, we share with each other our research, insights, and plans, expecting to prosper not from hoarded evidence or concealed cases, but from the sharpening we receive in our practice debates, team discussions, and speeches.
___________f. We welcome strangers and seek to do them good. We are thankful to those who serve us.
___________g. We love, serve, and pray for our opponents. We realize that our wins and losses are momentary events, but the brothers and sisters whom we meet will be with us through eternity.
___________h. All club members are expected to use with discretion and respect the property of others, including whatever facility is in use at the time and any of the resources that are made available for their use.
___________i. All club members are required to stay within the geographical boundaries set by the administration of the facility in use and are to strictly adhere to all established rules and regulations.
___________j. All club members must adhere to the guidelines stated in Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-17 when conflicts arise. This means if one partner offends another, the offended partner will go one-on-one to the other to resolve the matter. We understand that if resolution does not take place, we will participate in third-party mediation in order to reconcile the relationship. We will not complain to another club member or friend about any problems we may be experiencing in our partnership, nor will we gossip about one another. We agree to work through the situation until a resolution is reached in order to completely resolve a matter.
V.PARENT AND CLUB MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUIDELINES
As a club member and parent, we understand and agree to abide by the guidelines outlined in this Foundational Document and Participant Agreement and we commit to fulfill the stated parental or student partner responsibilities, to adhere to all club standards, and to support all club leadership in the enforcement of these guidelines.
