RHS Forensics Way better than CSI

 

*The Updated Contract / Constitution for 2009 - 2010

Will Be Here Soon*

 

 

The Ridgeland High School Forensics Team Constitution

 

 

Whereas, the Ridgeland High School Forensics was founded on August 15, 2003 in an attempt to provide a source of entertainment, but more importantly to provide guidance in academics and professionalism

 

Whereas, the establishment has proven to be beneficial in both aspects and maintains its goal to better the futures for its participants and wishes continuance in that it allows only worthy members of the student body who may be seen as followers of good conduct

 

Whereas, the institution has come to grow into larger numbers and in the goal of choosing and maintaining those students seen fit with good conduct, must establish rules and regulations adhered to by all members of the institution, therefore

 

We the members of the Ridgeland High School Forensics team hereby create, document, and establish the following rules, regulations, procedures, and punishments for the purpose of bettering this establishment.

 

 

 

The Code of Conduct

 

Whereas, the Ridgeland High School Forensics Team is an establishment in which the overall activities are both beyond school property and additional to the schedule of the Ridgeland High School academic curriculum

 

Whereas, in any event in which members of the Ridgeland High School student body are involved, the students are held with the utmost responsibility to provide a proper example for all, and to represent a maturity and responsibility with which will reflect the school adequately

 

The members of the Ridgeland High School Forensics Team are to be held with the duty of representing their school properly and acting in a manner of maturity and professionalism.

 

Any member who breaks this code will be given a warning the first time. Upon a second infraction the student will be put on probation, and when a third infraction occurs the student will be suspended for the remainder of the season, but may be allowed to return upon review of the Executive Committee and Coach. 

 

 

* This code pertains to all facets of this constitution.

 

 

Elections

-The requirements for a position are:

President – Senior, NFL member

• In charge of all team meetings

• Emcee at showcases, etc…

• Primary organizer and leader of bootcamps, workshops, etc…

• Creates and organizes fundraisers

• Assists Mrs. Howell in setting up class rehearsals

• Assists with deciding competition of students and judges

• Oversees all offices and committee heads

Vice-President – Junior, NFL member

• Takes the place of the President when they are unable to fulfill their duty.

Secretary – Any grade, NFL member

• Enter NFL points

• Takes minutes at team meetings

• Write thank you notes

• Handles money as assigned by Mrs. Howell

• Assists with fundraiser (taking chic-fil-a back, etc..)

• Reserve hotel rooms

• Create fliers and programs

Reporter – Any grade, NFL member

• Takes pictures at tournaments, workshops, parties, etc…

• Updates the team website

• Updates the team scrapbook

• Writes newspaper articles promoting RHS Forensics

• Gets out notices to out of class members

Head – Any grade, NFL member

-2 days prior to the elections, a sign-up sheet shall be posted which must be signed between the hours of the posting of the sheet and 3:30 of Election Day

-The Executive Committee shall be elected prior to the Division Heads

-No one may run for more than 2 positions (this includes both executive and division head)

-Each candidate must give a short speech followed by a question and answer period

-Only currently active RHS team members may vote and they must be an NFL member

-If any Head or Executive Committee member is improperly performing their duties (as seen by the Executive Committee and Coach) they may be replaced with a student chosen by the executive committee

-All officers and heads must be enrolled in the Forensics class

 

 

Heads

-All heads are responsible for their division and how it performs

 

-Any complaints should be brought directly to the attention of the head, then the Executive Committee, then to the Coach

 

 

Debate

-All cases must be seen as viable and adequately prepared as seen by the head of debate and the forensics coach

-All cases must be:

Performed at least twice

Prepared by the date assigned by the coach or head

Organized

Present and ready before any practices and before leaving for competition

 

-All teams will have one test tournament, and should they attend a 2^nd tournament they will be required to perform a 3^rd

-However should someone change partners, they will start at the test tournament

 

 

Interpretation

-Pieces must be approved by the head of interpretation and the forensics coach

-Pieces must be appropriate (see decency clause for rules)

-Head and Coach must have a current copy of the piece at all times

 

 

Speech

-The head of speech is altogether responsible for the Extemporaneous Speaking and Television Commentary boxes and preparation materials for rehearsals

-Head sets up all rehearsal times for speech days

 

 

Congress

-The participants of this event are responsible for having their research and proper knowledge to perform well in a Congress session

-A notebook with all bills and research for each person will be left in the extemp room

 

 

-The head of Congress is responsible for:

 

1) Assembling bills and resolutions

2) Correcting grammatical and formatting errors in bills

3) Suggesting changes in ideas to the authors of bills

4) Deciding which pieces of legislation will be sent for competition

5) Make sure students have research in their books

 

 

Absences

-Students may miss one competition for school reasons

-Students may miss two competitions for personal reasons

-No rehearsal may be missed without permission by the Coach

-No one may compete in the second semester, which did not compete in the first

-Anyone who violates this code will be immediately removed from the team for the remainder of the season

 

 

Events

-Extra events above the number of four (4) shall be held on an individual basis

-A request for an extra event shall be taken to the executive committee for review

-Any person requesting an extra event must pay $5 for this event

-All students must compete in at least two events (one must be an individual event) at each competition

 

In-Class/Out-Class

-There shall be a set rubric for all class members, which they shall be graded by accordingly

-Students In-Class are not required to come to any after school rehearsal other than decision days first semester as set by the President. If class members do no come to these days they will have a strike.

 

 

Fundraisers and Occasions

-If we host a tournament, all members must either work or compete

-During the month of April, students going to Nationals will be required to work at least once a week in fundraisers.

-Everyone on the team will be required to work at least once per month at fundraisers

-The president must work at every fundraiser sale

-Parents must either judge at least one tournament or pay $20 to buy judges

-At MHSAA every student must have someone provide help for the tournament or pay $30 for expenses

 

 

Dress Code   

-Men must be in a professional style suit, with dress shoes, belt, socks, and tie.

-Women must be in a professional style suit, with a blazer and matching slacks, a knee-length skirt, or an ankle length skirt

-No casual dress will be acceptable during competition

-Competitors who are not competing may wear either their suit or the agreed upon outfit, given in the contract

-All suits must be a solid dark color, such as black or grey

-No bright or neon color may be used

-All members must wear properly fitting clothes (No baggy pants or tight shirts)

-No hats may be worn during any point in the competition

-All members must be well groomed at all competitions (No outrageous hair color or make up)

-A team t-shirt must be purchased and will be worn to fundraisers, etc…as stated by President and Coach

 

 

 

*Amendments may be made at any point during the year

 

 

 

 

The Ridgeland High School Forensics Team Contract

 

 

 

The following is a contractual agreement in which all members of the Ridgeland High School Forensics Team must sign, having agreed to the following:

 

 

• ALL of the rules and regulations instated by the Team Constitution

• An understanding of the rules and regulations instated by the Team  Constitution

• Dedication of time to the Ridgeland High School Forensics Team

• The payment of $20 Team dues, and any other expense that may be instated by the Team Coach

• Team wear includes suits ONLY and no casual wear

• The purchase of a Team T-shirt

 

 

Having agreed to these terms, I _______________________, do hereby commit myself to the Ridgeland High School Forensics Team, and agreed to conduct myself with the utmost maturity, and will follow the tasks given me by the Team Coach.

 

 

 

 

   _________________________          _________

      Parent / Guardian                            Date

 

   _________________________     __________

      Student Signature                           Date

 

   _________________________     __________

      Coach Signature                              Date

 

 

*Last Updated August 2007*