Texas Forensic Association Constitution and Contest Rules

Texas Forensic Association Constitution and Contest Rules Revised December 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 Constitution .................................................................................................................................................. 3 By-Laws ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Code of Professional Standards .................................................................................................................. 15 Code of Conduct ......................................................................................................................................... 17 TFA in Review (1972-2017) ......................................................................................................................... 28 TFA State Champions ........................................................................................................................... 38 Standing Rules: Competition Events Guide ................................................................................................ 52 Debate Events Overview...................................................................................................................... 53 Speaking Events ................................................................................................................................... 67 Interpretation Events Overview .......................................................................................................... 73 Judge Conduct ......................................................................................................................................... 82 Standing Rules: Invitational Qualifying Tournament .................................................................................. 83 Hosting an Invitational Qualifying Tournament .................................................................................. 84 Debate Tabulation ............................................................................................................................... 91 Congressional Debate Tabulation ........................................................................................................ 94 Speech and Interpretation Tabulation ................................................................................................ 96 Appendix A – Seeding Order for Debate Elimination Rounds ............................................................. 98 Standing Rules: State Tournament Operations Manual ............................................................................. 99 General Rules ..................................................................................................................................... 100 Entry and Eligibility ............................................................................................................................ 103 Documentation Requirements .......................................................................................................... 106 Judging ............................................................................................................................................... 107 Tabulation of Events .......................................................................................................................... 108 Protests .............................................................................................................................................. 109 Debate Rounds .................................................................................................................................. 110 Congressional Debate ........................................................................................................................ 113 Speech and Interpretation Rounds .................................................................................................... 116 Consolation Events ............................................................................................................................ 120 Awards ............................................................................................................................................... 121 2 Constitution *The following section may be amended by the two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at any annual meeting, special meeting, or mail ballot provided that copies of the Proposed amendment have been mailed to all members or placed on the official TFA website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the vote, or without prior notice by a three-fourths majority of those present and voting. Article 1. Name The name of this organization shall be the Texas Forensic Association. Article II. Purpose Section 1: The purpose of this association is to bring about more effective cooperation among the members of the speech, debate, 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. Section 2: This organization 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 Texas Forensic Association, however, assumes no legal liability for copyright violations or other actions by participants or members. Article III. Membership All members of the Texas Forensic Association must also be members of the Texas Speech Communication Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations. Annual dues for these organizations must be paid through TSCA registration. Section 1: Persons engaged in directing forensics and theatre arts shall be eligible for membership and shall become members upon payment of annual dues. This type of individual membership shall remain with the person rather than the institution during the membership term (i.e., if the person changes schools the membership will remain with the person). These members must represent a school, defined as an organization, institution, or group which grants a diploma or its equivalent as recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and/or Texas Education Agency to provide instruction for grades nine, ten, eleven, and/or twelve. 3 Directors of colleges and universities, recognized and accredited, by the U.S. Department of Education are allowed membership in the organization for purposes of hosting tournaments. Section 2: Persons friendly to the aims of the organization: retired coaches, administrators, college students, spouses, and out-of-state coaches or out of state institutions, shall be eligible for membership in TFA only, but shall not be allowed to host a qualifying tournament nor compete in the State tournament. Membership will be attained upon payment of a $5.00 annual fee. Section 3: Institutional memberships shall be available for institutions by payment of annual dues. This type of membership shall remain with the institution during the membership period regardless of personnel changes. These members must represent a school, defined as an organization, institution, or group which grants a diploma or its equivalent as recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and/or Texas Education Agency to provide instruction for grades nine, ten, eleven, and/or twelve. Colleges and universities, recognized and accredited, by the U.S. Department of Education are allowed membership in the organization for purposes of hosting tournaments. Section 4: Emeritus life membership shall be granted to individuals whose service to the Texas Forensic Association has been of the highest merit. The Hall of Fame/Emeritus Membership Committee shall designate the honorees. These members shall be members of TFA only and shall pay no dues. Section 5: The membership period is from September 1 to September 1. Benefits for the current membership year shall be extended only to those paying membership dues on

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