ABOUT THE TEAM Events           Because there are so many and varied speech & debate events, we encourage all of our members to find forensic events that suit them. In interpretive events, we also encourage our members to select their own material to perform, with guidance from the coaches.           The primary emphasis in forensics is upon development of public speaking ability and for that reason, beginning members will participate in events which present the best opportunities for learning and development at that stage. As a member progresses beyond the beginning stage, he or she may compete in other events which may require more background.            In particular, members who are interested in interpretive events should begin in an individual event before competing in the dramatic duo event.           Because it is a good learning experience and because often there are only limited slots for each event at tournaments, each member, once past the beginning stage, is encouraged to be prepared to compete in more than one event. Practices           General practices will normally be held once or twice weekly during the school year and will usually be at Meyers. Occasionally, practices may be held at coaches' homes. When at Meyers, practices will usually begin at 7pm and end at 9pm. Practices will be noticed by postcard and e-mail and notices should also appear in the showcase. If you ever have any question about the timing or location of practices, get in touch with us.           Should you have transportation problems regarding practice, let us know and we will try to help.           We expect members to attend practices, unless excused in advance by the Borlands. The coaches will schedule times to work with you alone to make up missed practice opportunities, when convenient.           Practices are for the purpose of practice and feedback from the coaches. Of course, you need to be practicing and working on your events outside of practice as well. However, practice is not the time or the place to search for material to perform or to do research generally. At practices you should be either performing your material in a room or serving as a critical audience as other members are performing their material in a room. You should not be "practicing" in a hallway without a coach.           It is expected that you will be present for the entire practice period. If you have a special circumstance, let the Borlands know and we will try to schedule you accordingly. Tournaments           We compete at tournaments at different places and at different levels of skill throughout the year. Some tournaments require competitors to have qualified by having successfully competed at some earlier, qualifying tournament. Others have only a limited number of slots a school may register. Therefore, which members will invited to compete at which tournaments in which events will necessarily be a decision made by the coaches based upon the level of preparation and performance demonstrated by the various members who want to compete.           Opportunities to compete at any tournament are not automatic. Once you have demonstrated that you are prepared to compete in an event, you may be asked by a coach if you wish to be registered to compete at a tournament.           Tournaments are almost always on Saturdays. Most tournaments begin around 8 am and many require significant travel, such as to Carlisle, Philadelphia and Bethlehem, so you need to be prepared to be up and at it early in the morning. These also are all day events and, depending on travel, you may not be returning until very late Saturday evening.           Registrations for some tournaments are made as long as months in advance, but for most, registrations are made about within a week of the tournament           Registration to compete at a tournament is binding on your part. Aside from illness, there will be no acceptable excuse for cancellation or failing to attend. Not only must the team pay an entry fee for each individual registration at most tournaments, it must also pay a penalty for every registrant who does not compete. For members who compete in the partnered events, dramatic duo and policy debate, this commitment is particularly important to your partner as well as the team in general. If you are not sure whether you will be able to compete at the time your registration commitment is expected, don't register. In particular, if you need to clear your commitment to compete at a particular tournament with your parent or parents and you haven't done so by the time your registration commitment is expected, don't register.           Your registration to compete at a qualifier is also your commitment to compete at the tournament for which the qualifier is held. Accordingly, you must not register for a qualifier, if you are unable to commit to compete, or haven't cleared with your parents your commitment to compete, at the tournament for which the qualifier is held.           Certain tournaments, such as Harvard, involve overnight travel and only a limited number of members may compete. Invitations to compete at these tournaments will be based upon the coaches' discretion based upon demonstrated commitment, skill, experience and performance.           Selection for invitation to register for qualifier tournaments will be based upon the coaches' discretion, as well, with greater emphasis on demonstrated excellence in performance. Awards of Letters and Senior Honors           To recognize our most committed and outstanding members, letters are awarded annually. The criteria for the award of a letter are to have achieved a minimum of 75 credit points that year pursuant to the National Forensics League, a copy of which point schedule is attached, or have competed that year in at least two thirds of the tournaments for which that member's grade was eligible, exclusive of national or state tournaments for which one must qualify. Although seventh and eighth grade members are not eligible to earn NFL points, for purpose of letter eligibility, points will be maintained.           Lettering seniors who have earned NFL membership are also eligible for additional NFL honors at graduation.           The grant of a letter or other award is conditioned upon being a member in good standing on the team at the end of the season and the member's compliance with the rules the team during the season. The E. L. Meyers Speech & Debate Team Constitution           We, the people of E.L. Meyers High School Speech & Debate team hereby certify this document to the basis as how this team shall be run and organized. I. OFFICERS           A. President: The job of the president is to keep order during meetings; keep team order in and out of school;and, issue warnings to misbehaving team members.           B. Vice President: The job of the vice president is to act in loco president; will mark absentees of officers at meetings; and, issue warnings.           C. Secretary: The job of the secretary is to tabulate the NFL points and to assist in press releases.           D. Visual Design Chairman: The job of the visual design chairman is to help with showcase and shirt designs.           In the absence of an officer, the preceding order is followed.           E. Term limits: Term limits consist of four years of eligibility, but two years of eligibility per office. A term begins following the end of the last tournament.           F. Chairs: The holder of the position of the chair will confer with coaches about their respective events. Chairs will be assigned from: Interp., Policy, LD, Congress, Extemp., Dec/00.           G. Requirement to run for election.                     1. Any member of classes 9 through 12 must have attended three tournaments that year.                     2. Any members of classes 7 through 8 must have attended two tournaments that year.                     3. You can run as long as there are no suspensions from the team on record.           H. Elimination of Officer during term: If an officer misses 15 practices during a term, a meeting of the three other officers to dismiss will be held. Skipping a tournament after committing will equal five absences from practice. Following a suspension, a separate meeting will be held to determine the officer's status. II. MEMBERS           A. Voter Eligibility:Voters must have attended one tournament that year and be present on election day. Special circumstances may apply.           B. Voting Policy: All votes will be done electorally.                     1. 12th and 7th grades receive 7 votes.                     2. 8th grade will receive eight votes.                     3. 9th grade will receive nine votes.                     4. 10th grade will receive ten votes.                     5. 11th grade will receive eleven votes.           It is a winner take all system, ties split electoral votes. Method of voting is decided by the grades.           C. Disciplinary Act: Anyone behaving in an inappropriate manner can receive a warning from the president, vice president, or coach. Warnings will be followed by suspensions. Coaches have the final say. Refer to school drug and alcohol policy.           D. Amendments: Amendments may be suggested by anyone but will require either a unanimous executive decision of the officers or ¾ popular vote. If a major overhaul is needed, another convention can be called with grades 9-12 receiving two representatives and grades 7-8 receiving one, elected by grade. III. RATIFICATION In conclusion, the ratification of the great constitution will be divided by 7 out of 11 committee members or ¾ population.