President’s Message                                                   

Fall 2008

The beautiful fall weather provided a perfect setting for our annual CTAM convention and MSCA gatherings last month.  Hopefully each of our members who attended was able to learn a new coaching technique, discover a new classroom learning activity or deepen a relationship with a colleague in our communication field.  I want to personally acknowledge the work of our CTAM officers for their work in planning and arranging a successful conference, and I also want to gratefully acknowledge the work of our MSCA members who willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with us in various workshops. 

The following are highlights of conversations and discussions at the social gathering on Friday evening and the MSCA business meeting on Saturday. 

• Representatives from the following schools provided information about their respective summer speech camps:  Gustavus Adolphus, MnSU-Mankato, and Concordia. 

• Jody Saxton-West reminded us to get involved in being a mentor to new coaches.

• Small groups gathered at various tables to discuss topics of interest from the following list:  3-class system, state tournament permanent site, abandoning section team trophies, sponsorship of coaches’ institutes, current disqualification rules, MSCA member recognition, and state tournament scoring

• There is a call for a new president-elect from an “A” school.  Elections will be held next spring; contact Rick Purrington if interested in running.  Kathy Martin from Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton has agreed to be one of the candidates.

• Jill Lofald is our new MSHSL Board member and is interested in our comments and concerns.  The most pressing issue is the location of the 2009 state speech tournament. 

• Advisory committee will now meet on April 28, 2009.  Kris Lindvall will finish Jill’s term; Ceil McDonald and Jason Olson were elected as new committee members; Chuck Cravens will continue for additional year.

• Congratulations to our new Coach of the Year recipients:  Tom Fish, St. Peter, and Joni Anker, Eagan.

• Marie Kreft was the recipient of our Distinguished Service Award.  Congratulations!

• Don Fosburgh, St. Peter, is our MSHSL Hall of Fame nominee.

• Mark Thul will serve another two-year term on the discussion committee.

• MSCA Section Reps will be posted on the website.  We need someone from the following sections:  1A, 4A, 7A, 4AA.  Please contact me with names and schools of these individuals.  We will post these names on our website in the future.

• Mike Worcester provided a draft of our revised constitution.  It will be posted on the website to view. 

• Extemp speaking and great speeches rules changes were suggested from the floor by Chuck Cravens and Sandy Nieland, respectively.  Drafts were available to review; they will be posted on the website. 

• State tournament scoring will be reviewed by a committee headed by Randy Holland, Little Falls.  If necessary, a proposal will be made and forwarded to advisory committee members.

In addition to the September meeting highlights above, a couple of new items of interest have occurred.

• The state speech tournament will be held on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.  (Although the dates have not changed, there will be a later starting time on Friday to accommodate the completion of classes prior to the contest.  Rooms and buildings will be carefully selected by MSHSL representatives, and most speaking will be done in the same building.  Additionally, look for upcoming information that will include strategies for successful competition on a college campus setting.

• MSCA leaders have drafted a letter that will be sent to the MSHSL stating our desires to maintain the section team trophy.  Comparisons to similar athletic activities were used to support the rationale explained in the letter. 

MSCA members in leadership positions are making a greater attempt to provide timely updates and copies of information to our website coordinator for posting.  We recognize the fact that we no longer have a newsletter and we can use our website more frequently to maintain communication so vital to our members.  Remember, any member can post a message of interest to our body on our website by using the address:  webmaster@mnspeechcoaches.org

As always, it takes active, passionate members to keep an organization alive and functioning.  MSCA is fortunate to have members like you who serve this organization in addition to the coaching responsibilities you have.  Best of wishes as you prepare for the upcoming speech season!

With Warmest Regards,

Cheryl B. Neidt

MSCA President