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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>I think that this looks very
good. I am very impressed with the work done by the committee. That being
said, with a document this long, there are sure to be some disagreements.
Below, I have listed some of the sections that I either am unsure of the reasoning
or I have concerns about. I think that some of these concerns may have been
addressed at the most recent coaches’ meeting, but are not currently
reflected in this document.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Fair disclosure: The
section on 1.65 below is one that would deal with an Alpharetta student. We
have a student that transferred custody to an uncle in order to attend
Alpharetta. The purpose is to take a college level math class that was not
offered at his former school. However, this would not be a bona fide move. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Some of my
thoughts/concerns:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>1.11 and 2.21: Do we need
to require the paperwork for certification of eligibility? Can we just trust
coaches to certify eligibility and allow some type of appeal of challenge if an
issue comes up? I am a little bit concerned about our ability to effectively
process the discussed forms.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>1.45: In the rare case that
a 7th grader is no longer challenged by middle school debate, is there any
reason that they should not be allowed in high school novice divisions? Also,
the 60% rule seems meaningless in the context of the debate schedule. Maybe a
number of competitions would provide a better limit.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>1.65: We need to include
academic situations, including students transferring due to the availability of
a class (exclude debate classes) or academic program (such as IB).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>2.41: Could we put this date
at August 1st. Some schools begin prior to August 10th, and I feel that we
should be able to begin meeting as soon as teachers report to work. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>2.44: It seems like a large
number of tournaments would have violated this rule at times in the past. If
we want to follow this, that is great, but I think that we need to either agree
to enforce it for all rounds (including late elims) and establish a punishment
for the host school, or bump the time back a little bit. Otherwise, rule 2.45
may come in to play more often. Also, should college hosted tournaments be
exempt (Finals of the Barkley Forum would be after this time).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>2.45: does this function for
anything but the State tournaments. What happens if they host school is unable
to contact 3 members of the Executive committee?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>2.71: A number of students
are beginning to record their rounds to review and critique later with
coaches. In the past, we have asked only verbal consent of the involved
participants rather than written consent of tournament directors and others.
Can we allow verbal consent or at least only written consent of competitors?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>2.93: This would stop
coaches from checking a ballot during the tournament. If a tournament wants to
have an open tab room that gives coaches access to ballots, why shouldn't they?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>3.23: This is different
from what we agreed on at the Fall meeting. This should only says 2
tournaments instead of 3. Many of the other discussions at the meeting about
the qualification process and deadline for regular season qualification have
not been included.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>4.12: We may want to move
this date back a little bit (maybe November 1) since it is already September
and we don't know where state will be this year.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>4.33: 10 days is a bit much
for this deadline. Could we just say all drops must be done by 5 days prior to
the tournament and you must still pay the cost of your entry or some drop fee.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
thegfca-bounces@lists.gradyspeaks.org
[mailto:thegfca-bounces@lists.gradyspeaks.org] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Jeffrey Miller<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, September 15,
2010 8:53 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> thegfca@lists.gradyspeaks.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [GFCA] Constitution
Voting</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Below is an important message from GFCA President, Mario Herrera.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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-----------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Coaches--<br>
<br>
Some great things are happening in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region> speech and debate!
Congratulations to <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Jenny Heidt</st1:PersonName> at
Westminster Schools and Deanne Varitek at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Gwinnett</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Central</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">High School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> for hosting
the first two tournaments of the year! Both had fantastic success and set
a great tone for the rest of the year. Thanks to both coaches, their
schools and communities for their hard work and dedication to the activity.<br>
<br>
Voting for the new Constitution is September 15 through September 21 at 7pm
EDT. All votes should be sent to Jeff Miller. Jeff will send out
confirmation emails when votes are received. Some things to keep in look
at as you vote: If you find spelling or grammar errors, please let us
know so we can assure the document is correct. These corrections will not
require a new document, but will inform membership of the correction of these
anomolies. No changes will be made that will fundamentally change the
document. Results will be announced on the website September 22nd.<br>
<br>
Additionally, the bylaws of said Constitution must also be decided.
PLEASE NOTE: These bylaws affect EVERY school that participates in this
activity and should be evaluated with a critical eye. We have set up the
listserv through the this website for such discussion. Any changes will
be discussed and added/deleted as decided upon by the Executive Committee as
deemed necessary before the actual vote. This is a HUGE document, so when
we vote it will be by Section. I believe this will avoid coaches/schools
having to vote down the entire proposal when it is one section they may not
agree with. I think it also makes evaluating the document more
manageable. Discussion and changes to the document should take place from
Wednesday, September 14th through Sunday, September 26. This is to assure
that ALL programs have a chance to have their opinions heard and that
governance of the activity is precise and fair. Voting for the bylaws
will begin on Wednesday, September 29th and end on Tuesday, October 5th.
More details will be provided before the voting begins. <br>
<br>
Thanks to GFCA Treasurer John McClellan of Warner Robins HS for doing the
legwork on a bank account for the organization. We are currently looking
in to the process for becoming a 501(c)3 organization, making us a charitable
organization. More on this as we find out information.<br>
<br>
Colleges and universities are being contacted about hosting the Varsity Speech
and Debate Tournament in March. So far, Georgia Tech has expressed great
interest in hosting the tournament. I have contacted several such schools
to host so we can fulfill the expressed desire of coaches to allow double-entry
in events should students meet qualifications. In order to achieve this,
THE TOURNAMENT MUST BE TWO DAYS, WITH A START TIME OF (HOPEFULLY)
MID-AFTERNOON ON FRIDAY. THIS IS FOR ALL EVENTS, NOT ONLY DEBATE!
If you have any site proposals for the tournament, please let me know as soon
as possible. I would like the site to be settled by October 15th.
Any later than this does not allow teams to make appropriate travel plans, so
this date is firm. The site must be approved by the Executive Committee.<br>
<br>
Any school wishing to host the First/Second Year State Championships in
February should also contact me. The schedule has not been decided, but I
assume it will follow the format of the Varsity tournament. If we have <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Varsity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in the Atlanta-metro area, I think
the First/Second Year tournament should be outside of metro-Atlanta if there is
a school that would like to host. Contact me if you would like more
information.<br>
<br>
Finally, a note to coaches regarding state qualification: Keep track of
tourmanents your students attend and when they qualify to State.
Tournament directors: please send all results of your tournaments to Jeff
Miller so we can keep track of qualifications/attendance. This will be a
learning process, but I know we are up to the task.<br>
<br>
Thanks to everyone for their hard work, and thanks for your dedication to your
teams and to Georgia Speech and Debate.<br>
<font color="#888888"><span style='color:#888888'><br>
Mario Herrera<br>
GFCA President.</span></font><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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