Texas Forensic Association Constitution and Contest Rules Revised April 2020
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Texas Forensic Association Constitution and Contest Rules Revised April 2020 The purpose of the Texas Forensic Association is to bring about more effective cooperation among the members of the speech and theatre arts profession in the discharge of their special responsibilities in forensic and theatre activities; to create a means of educating the general and professional publics to the important educational functions of forensics and theatre arts; to make collective action possible on problems of common professional interest; and, in general, to maintain and advance the ideals and standards of the speech and theatre arts profession. The Texas Forensic Association shall promote the interests of interscholastic speech and theatre by encouraging a spirit of fellowship among participating students and teachers. Activities viewed as central to the organization’s function include debate, theatre, and competitive individual speaking events. The Association continues to set high standards and strives to meet new goals for the benefit of Texas Teachers and students. The model of the Texas Forensic Association has been recommended for other states where similar needs are felt. 1 Table of Contents Contents Constitution ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Article 1. Name .................................................................................................................................... 6 Article II. Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 6 Article III. Membership ......................................................................................................................... 6 Article IV. Executive Council ................................................................................................................. 7 Article V. Meetings ............................................................................................................................... 8 Article VI. Committees ......................................................................................................................... 8 Article VII. Amendment ........................................................................................................................ 8 By-Laws ................................................................................................................................................. 10 Code of Professional Standards ............................................................................................................. 17 TFA in Review (1972-2017) .................................................................................................................... 19 Hall of Fame Life Members ................................................................................................................ 22 Hall of Fame ....................................................................................................................................... 23 TFA Leadership .................................................................................................................................. 24 TFA State Champions ......................................................................................................................... 29 Standing Rules: Competition Events Guide ............................................................................................ 43 Debate Overview ............................................................................................................................... 44 Evidence Rules ................................................................................................................................... 44 Required Documentation ............................................................................................................... 44 Evidence Misrepresentation ........................................................................................................... 45 Use of Computers During a Round .................................................................................................. 46 Policy Debate ..................................................................................................................................... 47 Lincoln-Douglas Debate ..................................................................................................................... 48 Public Forum Debate .......................................................................................................................... 49 World Schools Debate ........................................................................................................................ 50 Congressional Debate ........................................................................................................................ 53 Floor Debate .................................................................................................................................. 54 Legislation ...................................................................................................................................... 55 Parliamentary Procedure ................................................................................................................ 56 Ballots and Forms ........................................................................................................................... 56 2 Extemporaneous Speaking ................................................................................................................. 56 Original Oratory ................................................................................................................................. 58 Duet Acting ........................................................................................................................................ 60 Duo Interpretation ............................................................................................................................. 62 Dramatic Interpretation ..................................................................................................................... 64 Humorous Interpretation ................................................................................................................... 66 Informative Speaking ......................................................................................................................... 67 Program Oral Interpretation .............................................................................................................. 69 Judge Conduct ................................................................................................................................... 70 Standing Rules: ...................................................................................................................................... 71 Invitational Qualifying Tournament ....................................................................................................... 71 Operations Manual ................................................................................................................................ 71 Hosting an Invitational Qualifying Tournament .................................................................................. 72 Qualifying Numbers ........................................................................................................................ 74 Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 74 Procedure for Processing Protests of Violations .............................................................................. 77 Debate Tabulation ............................................................................................................................. 77 Pairing of Preliminary Rounds ......................................................................................................... 77 Advancement ................................................................................................................................. 78 Elimination Brackets ....................................................................................................................... 78 Determining Speaker Points for Forfeit or Bye ................................................................................ 79 Congressional Debate Tabulation ....................................................................................................... 80 Entry Numbers and Requirements .................................................................................................. 80 Presiding Officers ........................................................................................................................... 81 Scoring and Advancement .............................................................................................................. 81 Speech and Interpretation Tabulation ................................................................................................ 82 Appendix A – Seeding Order for Debate Elimination Rounds .............................................................. 84 Standing Rules: ...................................................................................................................................... 85 State