Updated 2/7 (Deadlines)
To all NCFL-member Speech and Debate Coaches:
The Maine Catholic Forensic League Diocese and Poland High School cordially invite all members of the Maine CFL organization to attend the National Qualifying Speech and Debate Tournament at Poland High School on Saturday, February 14, 2015. Please read through all the information in the invitation carefully to facilitate a safe and speedy tournament.
National Qualifiers
At this time, the diocese offers three qualifiers this year in each category, so the tournament will not have entry limits.
There will be qualifiers in the following categories:
- Student Congress
- Lincoln Douglas Debate
- Public Forum Debate
- Extemporaneous Speaking
- Oral Interpretation of Literature
- Dramatic Performance
- Duo Interpretation of Literature
- Original Oratory
- Oratorical Declamation
Every attempt will be made to run every category, but if a category is not full, the students who are entered into the category are the national qualifiers by default. However, all students should be prepared to compete during the tournament. In other words, a student must be entered and present in order to obtain their spot to nationals.
Events
There are no novice levels at this tournament. Also, there is no double-entering at this tournament.
Since the NCFL recognizes different competitive categories, please review the event descriptions on the NCFL web site. Of note:
- Oratorical Declamation is limited to freshmen and sophomore students.
- Dramatic Performance consolidates genres from Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation.
- Extemporaneous Speaking consolidates both domestic and foreign subjects.
- Student Congress debates in a single chamber (i.e. there is no Senate or House assemblies).
Coaches: It is the coaches responsibility to bring copies of all competitive material used by the students to the tournament in case of a challenge.
Topics
Lincoln Douglas
Resolved: Just governments ought to require that employers pay a living wage. (NSDA Jan/Feb topic)
Public Forum
Resolved: On balance, economic globalization benefits worldwide poverty reduction. (NSDA Feb. topic)
Student Congress
Students will debate the docket used at the 2015 MFA State Tournament.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Students will respond to prompts written toward the same topics used at the 2015 MFA State Tournament.
Registration
Registration must be complete by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 via Tabroom.com. No adds will be accepted after this time.
Judges’ names and area of expertise should also accompany the registration.
Please make sure that students have their codes before they come to the tournament.
Drops
Drops may be done via Tabroom.com until 5:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 without fee or penalty. Drops on tournament day result in a nuisance fee–fewer drops, fewer delays!
Send drops made after 5 p.m via email to D’Arcy Robinson at [email protected].
For drops on the day of the tournament, call or text the MFA hotline at 207-370-4632.
Judges
Schools are required to bring a certain number of judges based on entries:
Public Forum Debate: One judge for two entries (a team equals on entry) or any fraction thereof*. Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: One judge for every two entries or any fraction thereof*. Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Student Congress: One judge per five entries or fraction thereof*. Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Speech: One judge for every three entries (Duo counts as one entry) or any fraction thereof*. Every other judge must be unaffliated.
*Round up to the number of required judges. That is, if you enter three PF teams, you must provide two judges.
NOTE: You must provide the judge for all rounds. If a judge departs early with no one to cover the remaining rounds, the responsible team will be penalized accordingly!
Fees
All entries: $7 per entry
Hired judge: $60 per judge (if available)
Drops on tournament day will be assessed a $10 nuisance fee per drop. An entire school drop on the day of the tournament will incur a penalty fee of the entire entry plus the nuisance fee.
Checks and POs should be made out to:
D’Arcy Robinson, CFL Moderator.
1457 Maine Street
Poland, Maine 04274
Awards
National Qualifying medals will be awarded to the three top contestants in each category. Two alternates will be recognized in case the national qualifier is unable to attend.
Tentative Schedule
Be early! This is tentative because there may need to be adjustments due to the number of entries. If possible, schedule will be tightened up so please tell students and judges to be flexible.
All students are guaranteed four rounds.
8:00-8:30 Registration check-in (get there early)
8:45-9:00 Tournament meeting in theatre
9:15 Round I: All events, Student Congress session one. Rounds will be posted as quickly as possible.
12:30 Lunch after Round III available for students in the Café along with snacks. Coaches and judges will have lunch supplied in the coach’s lounge.
2:30 Awards
Directions
We are located approximately 45 minutes from Portland, half hour from Lewiston, and two hours from Bangor.
Please plan accordingly to arrive on time.
Poland Regional High School is a nut-free school.
Sincerely,
D’Arcy F. Robinson, CFL Moderator