RBHS Speech and Debate

Membership Agreement
2017-2018
Debaters:

Whether you are just beginning your journey or are an experienced competitor, welcome to the
RBHS Speech and Debate Team!

Outlined in this document is information pertinent to you throughout the course of this school
year; among that information includes contact and communication details, tournament schedule,
coaches responsibilities as MSHSAA regulated positions and CPS employees, tournament
schedule, meeting and membership specifics, MSHSAA eligibility, and travel policies.

1. Contact information:

Coach Contact Information

Ben Niewoehner bniewoehner@cpsk12.org

Head Coach and Civic Studies Teacher

Matt Johnson mjohnson@cpsk12.org

Assistant Coach and Civic Studies Teacher

Feel free to contact Mr. Niewoehner when there are questions or concerns. The preferred
method of contact is email. You will receive Mr. Niewoehners phone number during
tournaments. Please refrain from using this number unless on a tournament or it is an absolute
emergency.

This is Mr. Johnsons first year. Unless there is a need to contact him specifically, please direct
contact to Mr. Niewoehner. You will also receive his phone number during tournaments; the
same expectations apply as to Mr. Niewoehners previously mentioned phone policy.

2. Remind app - Communication:

While were on the subject of contact and communication, this year we will use the Remind
app for mass communication purposes.

To be added to the Remind conversation for RBHS Speech and Debate, simply:
Take out your phone
Open up a blank text
Enter this number - 81010
Type this message - @rbhsspe
Press Send
From there, you will have the option to add the app to your phone. I encourage everyone to add
the app. This will make communication much easier between you and Mr. Niewoehner. This will
be used for quick communication purposes, such as updates/reminders and questions/answers.

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 RBHS Speech and Debate
Membership Agreement
2017-2018

3. MSHSAA Coach/CPS Employee responsibilities:

Going along with communication, emergency needs, and safety, I want to openly express my
roles and expectations as a both a MSHSAA coach and CPS employee. Please read the
following closely.
____________________________________________________________________________

Given that it is a new year with a new members on the team, I feel that it is important to, again, address a few items
that are essential to setting the tone for a healthy and productive debate season.

The first item is that I want you all to know that I respect you as people. I respect you as students and debaters. I
respect you as professionals. And, in respecting you as professionals, that means I expect you, in return, to respect
me and each other as professionals. Please treat each other with dignity and kindness.

The second item is, that as the Speech and Debate Coach, I am expected to fulfill several responsibilities. I am
responsible for coaching, mentoring, guiding you, and encouraging you in your learning. Most importantly, I have
a responsibility to maintain safety for all team members and participants in our learning community.

This leads me to the third item I would like to address. I fundamentally believe it to be essential for students to learn
from their peers (given that your peers are the people who are working in the trenches alongside you in order to
achieve success). However, it is important for all members of the team to understand that as coaches, Mr. Johnson
(Assistant Coach) and I are the two people recognized by the state as positions of authority overseeing the team.
While several clubs here at Rock Bridge are entirely student-driven with a co-sponsor to legitimize the organization,
debate operates in a different way. Speech and Debate here at Rock Bridge is not a club; it is recognized by the
Columbia Public School District and MSHSAA as a fully competitive team activity. We are governed by the
policies of MSHSAA, the Columbia Public School District, and more specifically, the policies here at Rock
Bridge High School. To clarify, the team is not governed by policies created by students of the team; the team
is governed by the policies of the previously mentioned institutions as well as the policies deemed necessary
and appropriate by the Coach and Assistant Coach. Furthermore, these institutions expect that, as the appointed
and recognized Speech and Debate Coach and Assistant Coach, Mr. Johnson and I provide for a safe learning
environment for all of our students. A safe learning environment is one that is free from disrespect, negativity,
and harassment. We expect a learning environment that is respectful, positive, and professional.

Therefore, I empower each and every one of you to take pride and ownership in your learning as you strive to
become more successful, experienced, and advanced debaters. In addition, as a fully recognized school activity, I
require that each of you seek to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all members of the team. If, for
whatever reason, a problem might arise between you and a fellow debater (or multiple team members), in
which the expectation of creating and maintaining a safe learning environment is not being met, due to the
expectations placed upon us as the leaders of the organization by the law, MSHSAA, CPS, and Rock Bridge
High School, Mr. Johnson and I are required to intervene and decide the actions that must be taken in order
to restore the team to a safe learning environment.

If at any point throughout this debate season you feel you are being placed in an unsafe situation, we ask that
you please bring the issue to our attention so that we can seek to resolve the situation for the safety of you and
of the team. Mr. Johnson and I are always here for each and every one of you.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Membership Agreement
2017-2018
4. Tournament schedule:

This is the 2017-2018 tournament schedule approved by the district. All travel is
CPS-endorsed. Please note that due to more tournaments being placed in the second
semester, we might not compete in the Liberty tournament (this is TBD).

Students are responsible for tournament fees*: $10 for non-overnight ; $30 for overnight.
Students must have signed, parent permission to compete. Additionally, students are
responsible for adhering to the Travel Policies outlined on p. 6 of this document.

Date(s) A/B day Tournament Location

10/20 - 10/21 A Parkway West (STL)

11/03 - 11/04 B Lees Summit (KC)

11/17 - 11/18 A Ladue/Clayton (STL)

12/01 - 12/02 B Mexico

12/08 - 12/09 A Pattonville (STL)

1/12 - 1/13 A Liberty (KC)

1/19 - 1/20 A Parkview (Springfield)

1/26 - 1/27 B Jefferson City

2/09 - 2/10 A RBHS

2/16 - 2/17 B Marquette (STL)

2/24 Saturday only Ladue (STL)

NSDA Congress only

3/02 - 3/03 B Mexico

MSHSAA Districts*

3/08 - 3/10 B/A Clayton/Pattonville (STL)

NSDA Districts*

4/19 - 4/21 B Springfield

MSHSAA State*

6/16 - 6/23* NO SCHOOL Ft. Lauderdale, FL

NSDA Nationals
*denotes participation is by invitation only, determined by win-loss record, speaker ranks, and overall
behavior and contributions to the debate team. Final decision is reserved for the coach.

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Membership Agreement
2017-2018

5. Team Meetings and Membership:

The following bullet points are important things to know about the structure and expectations of
team meetings.

An official meeting will be held EVERY Monday (unless otherwise stated) in room
227-228. Coaches will be in attendance.
There will be an unofficial meeting EVERY Thursday. The meeting may still take
place in 227-228. Coaches will not be in attendance unless it is the week of a
tournament OR upon request (students must make arrangements with coaches
in advance).

Attend a meeting only if you intend to work and collaborate. Yes, its a time to be with
friends and debrief on the school day. But, refrain from spending the majority of your
time bothering others, being obnoxiously loud, and/or goofing around.

There is leadership on the team. Please be advised that these leaders may be your first
point of contact if you so choose. Learn and collaborate with each other as peers. If you
need further advice, guidance, help, always reach out to Mr. Niewoehner or Mr. Johnson.
We are your coaches for a reason (remember the coaches responsibilities section
above).
Sonya Hu and Joshua Vincent are your co-chairs for this school year. The other
members serving on the Chairs and IE Panel are as follows:
Kristine Cho and Rachael Erickson in Lincoln Douglas Debate
Dalton Nunamaker and Hannah Potter in Policy Debate
Laith Almashharawi and Sid Kutikkad in Public Forum Debate
Kiren MacLeod and Megan Pullen in Student Congress
Sarah Emerson and Will Cover in Extemporaneous Speaking
Sadia Moumita in Interpretive Events (POI, HI, DI, DUO/Duet)
Kristine Cho in Original Oratory
Sarah Emerson in Informative Speaking
Madison Hopper in Radio Speaking
Megan Pullen in Prose/Poetry

As an active member of the team, you are required to compete in BOTH a debate
event and a speech event of your choosing. It is my personal goal this year to help
each member of the team grow in their individual speech event. I want RBHS to excel
not only in debate events but also speech events.

It is of utmost importance that members of the team seek the highest level of
professionalism. That looks like:
Treating individuals with dignity

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Membership Agreement
2017-2018
Maintaining ethics both in and out of round
Not trash-talking other individuals/schools (especially AT tournaments)
Refraining from use of excessive profanity (Yes, I get comments on this as your
coach when I allow this beyond a certain degree.)

6. MSHSAA Eligibility:

An important part of being able to compete is having and maintaining MSHSAA eligibility. It is
the students responsibility to make sure they are eligible to participate in MSHSAA sponsored
activities. The following information can assist in helping students and parents understand a few
of the general guidelines and rules for MSHSAA eligibility.

For a student to maintain eligibility:

(for academic eligibility) Students must be enrolled in an have earned the previous
semester 80% of the maximum allowable credits. Please reference the table below.
Correspondence courses do not count as part of the required credits
College courses may count up to 1.0 credits per semester as follows:
credit for a 2 hour college class, credit for a 3 hour college class or 1
credit for a 5 hour college class
***See your counselor or the athletic director if this applies to you***
Summer school classes may count up to 1 credit towards eligibility for fall participation if:
The class is required for LOCAL graduation
The class is not an elective or correspondence course

For FALL SEMESTER participation, For WINTER SEMESTER participation,

student must: student must:

Senior -have earned 3.5 credits in the spring -have earned 3.5 credits in the fall
semester junior year semester senior year
-be enrolled in 3.5 credit-earning classes -be enrolled in 3.5 credit-earning classes

Junior -have earned 3.0 credits in the spring -have earned 3.5 credits in the fall
semester sophomore year semester junior year
-be enrolled in 3.5 credit-earning classes -be enrolled in 3.5 credit-earning classes

Sophomore -have earned 3.0 credits in the spring -have earned 3.0 credits in the fall
semester freshman year semester sophomore year
-be enrolled in 3.0 credit-earning classes -be enrolled in 3.0 credit-earning classes
and advisory

Freshman -promotion from 8th grade -have earned 3.0 credits in the fall
-be enrolled in 3.0 credit-earning classes semester freshman year
and advisory -be enrolled in 3.0 credit-earning classes
and advisory

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 RBHS Speech and Debate
Membership Agreement
2017-2018

7. Travel Policies:

You are representing your school and your community. Be responsible, respectful, and professional.

Speech and debate competition is governed by the Missouri State High School Association (MSHSAA). Participants
must meet the eligibility requirements established by MSHSAA as well as those established by Rock Bridge High
School.

Students who participate in speech and debate give time energy and loyalty to the program. They accept the training
rules, regulations, and responsibilities associated with their activity. Students must willingly assume these obligations
with the understanding that his/her role may demand sacrifices not required of others.

In addition to the rules and regulations set forth by MSHSAA, the student handbook (student rules and guidelines for
participation in activities), and RBHS itself, program participants are bound to the rules and criteria outlined below.

Tournaments require students to participate at their fullest potential and a good night's sleep is the first step to
ensuring success during tournaments. Every student is to be in his or her room at the stated curfew time. Students
may not leave their rooms after curfew. Students who leave their rooms without the coach's permission are subject to
at least a two-tournament suspension as well as contact with their families and assistant principal.

I. Violations of the following rules will result in the following disciplinary action(s):

-1st Offense: suspension from the activity for a minimum of two consecutive tournaments.
-2nd Offense: suspension from the activity for the remainder of the season and/or next.
In addition, any offenses may be directed toward building administration for further action to be taken
according to discipline policy.

i. Students are neither permitted to invite students from other schools to rooms nor to accept
invitations to activities in rooms occupied by students from other schools without permission of their
coach.

ii. Students are expected to exude utmost professionalism, such as good sportsmanship to fellow
teammates and competing schools and refraining from unnecessary/excessive profanity (think:
"time and place") including profanity expressly directed at a coach, chaperone, or driver

iii. Students may not ride in any private automobile during any out-of-town trip. Any exception to
this MUST be approved by the principal and coach in advance.

iv. While at tournaments, students may not leave the building without the permission of their coach.

II. Violations of the following rules will result in the following disciplinary action:

Automatic suspension from the activity for the remainder of the season and/or a portion of the next.
i. Possession, transmission of, use of a controlled substance, drugs, imitation drugs, tobacco, or
alcohol is prohibited. Chaperones reserve the right to inspect rooms and luggage for possible
violations.

ii. Destruction or theft of equipment or property belonging to any school, individual, or hotel is
prohibited, and violators will accept financial responsibility for damages.

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 RBHS Speech and Debate
Membership Agreement
2017-2018

The purpose of this Membership Agreement is to hold all members of the Rock Bridge Speech
and Debate Team accountable to high stands of ethics and professionalism. By signing this
document you agree to the policies and procedures embedded within p. 1-6 of the RBHS
Speech and Debate Membership Agreement. You understand that this activity is regulated by
MSHSAA, CPS, RBHS, and that those institutions grant authority to Mr. Ben Niewoehner and
Mr. Matt Johnson to implement policy not only from these institutions but also policy the coaches
deem necessary and appropriate in order to ensure a safe and productive learning environment
for all members of the team. You reserve the right to not sign this agreement. However, if you
choose not to sign the Membership Agreement, the coaches reserve the right to remove your
membership with the team.

X_____________________________________________________________
Signature of member

X______________________________________________________________
Printed name of member

*once signed, please return to Mr. Niewoehner