Delbarton Forensic SocietyParents Meeting

October 1, 2014

The language of truth is simple - Seneca

Agenda• Introductions• Communication• Program purpose and benefits• Competitive events• Schedule and tournaments• Major policies overview• Parental involvement

Introductions• Adult Staff• Moderators/Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas Debate

coaches: Fr. Michael Tidd, OSB, Mr. Philip Bauchan• Speech coaches: Prof. Cathy Zizik, Ms. Abby Deely,

Seton Hall University• Student Officers• President: Thomas Abel ’15• Vice President: Harry Townsend ‘15– Novice Masters (Debate): Nicholas Ayala ’16, Mark

Bufanio ’15, Derrick Yao ‘15 – Novice Masters (Speech): James Dolan ’16, Abhinav

Karale’15

Introductions

• Forensics Boosters Executive Committee– President: Arlene Fitzgerald– President-Elect: Colleen Donaher– Wreath Sale Chair: Kathleen Townsend

Program Purpose

• To develop student excellence in public speaking and argument

• To represent Delbarton in local and national forensic tournaments at the highest possible level of ethical and competitive quality.

Program Benefits

• Builds self-confidence and trains members to express themselves effectively

• Develops effective persuasion skills• Develops lifetime business communication

and leadership skills• Empowers members with skills that benefit

the wider community

Competition Events• Debate– Lincoln-Douglas Debate (1 on 1)– Public Forum Debate (2 on 2)– Congressional Debate

• Speech– Public Address (Declamation, Original Oratory)– Interpretation (Dramatic, Humorous, Duo)– Limited Prep (Extemporaneous, Impromptu)

Communication• Coach Contact Information– Fr. Michael: michael@delbarton.org; cell: 201-317-6822– Mr. Bauchan: pbauchan@delbarton.org; cell 301-821-

5180– Prof. Zizik: Catherine.Zizik@shu.edu; cell: 973-632-0582

• Team Bulletin emailed to all parents weekly; posted weekly on team Google Drive folder for students Team Schoology page (available to anyone): http://schoology.delbarton.org/group/12735787

Tournament Schedule• Local tournaments– NJ Speech & Debate League (State Tournament in March)– NJ District, National Forensic League (national qualifier in

March at Delbarton)– Paterson Catholic Forensic League (national qualifier in

February)• Travel tournaments– Some require missed classes– Most limited to varsity competitors & a specific number of

entries– National tournaments (NCFL & NSDA Nationals) at the end

of the school year require qualification

Meetings, Practices, and Tournament Registration

• Meetings and practices– Business meeting: every Tuesday at 2:45 PM– Practices 2 days a week, usually 2:45-4:45 PM (varies by

event, occasional evenings for speakers)

• Tournament registration– Done 4 to 6 weeks in advance, sometimes further out (for

travel tournaments)– Students confirm registrations at Tuesday meetings

Tournament Attire and Materials• Required tournament attire

– Dark suit (blue or gray), white dress shirt designed for a tie, tie, white t-shirt, dark dress belt, dark dress socks, black or burgundy dress shoes (dress shoes = that carry a shine)

• Students should NOT wear– Khakis and a blazer– Shirts not designed for a tie– Casual cloth belts (Vineyard Vines) or shoes (any shoe not shinable)– White socks

• Required Materials for All Tournaments– 8 ½ x 11 pad folio (for speakers AND debaters) and pads– Small bag or briefcase– Red & black pens (team supplies these)

Travel Tournament Policies• Detailed policies found in team Handbook (on

our Schoology page)• Safety is the absolute priority• “Travel together, stay together, return

together”• The entire team celebrates Mass when we

travel on a Sunday (just as for an all-school Mass on campus)

Parental Involvement• Judging (Mr. Bauchan, Judge Chair)– We provide training & judge support• NJSDL judge training at Delbarton: Sunday 10/12, 12-

4:30 PM, FAC

– Family commitment: Judge at 3 tournament days/year OR judge substitution fee ($150/tournament day or $450 for the year)• Register at SignupGenius.com (linked on team

Schoology page)• Can be at one multi-day tournament or over several

tournaments• Use fee to hire judges provided by tournaments

Parental Involvement• Fundraising– Direct contributions (optional)• Suggested amount: $600 per family• In-kind donations also accepted (miles, points)

– Christmas Wreath sale• Each family is asked to sell at least 10 wreaths OR you

can substitute $150 in lieu of participation (similar to soccer & other athletic teams’ sales)