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Minnesota Speech Coaches Association
Summer Update ‘09
MSCA Members,
I hope you’ve found time this summer to enjoy
the summer weather, relax, and rejuvenate! I look forward
to seeing many of you at this fall’s CTAM Conference! Here
is an update on some recent MSCA news:
STAY INFORMED
Keep updated on all MSCA news
by joining the MSCA email listserv. Go to
http://mail.mnsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/msca
for instructions on how to join.
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
Tournament hosts should
enter their tournament on the online tournament calendar.
Go to the Events link in the menu,
then click on Tournament Calendar.
MSCA GROWING SPEECH GRANT
MSCA believes strongly in
furthering the professional growth of our membership. MSCA
contributed some funds this summer for two coaches who
requested help to attend the Gustavus Coaching Institute.
The “Growing Speech” grant application can be found on the
Resources page.
MSHSL SPEECH ADVISORY UPDATE
The MSHSL Speech Advisory
Committee sent two rule changes to the MSHSL Board for
approval. The rule changes in Great Speeches and Extemp
Speaking will be reviewed by the MSHSL Board at their fall
meeting. To see these proposed rule changes, go to the
Advisory Committee
page. Note that these rules will not go into effect unless
they are approved by the MSHSL Board this fall.
MSHSL RULES ON ALTERNATES
The MSHSL Board of Directors ruled at their
June 8 board meeting that only students who place 1st-3rd
at sections will be allowed to compete at the MSHSL State
Speech Tournament. This ruling eliminates alternates from
competing at state. According to MSHSL Assistant Director
Chris Franson, the League approved this rule to provide
consistency among all activities and to help high schools
save on transportation and lodging expenses.
Members of the MSCA leadership and MSHSL
Speech Advisory Committee have met and have exchanged emails
on this subject to clarify MSCA’s position.
MSCA’s position is to disagree with the
decision and the MSCA leadership is working to have this
decision overturned in the future. In the meantime, MSCA
recognizes that this rule may be here to stay for the
short-term and now our job is to make sure our State Speech
Tournament runs as smoothly and fairly as possible while
meeting this new, hopefully temporary, demand.
The MSCA leadership and MSHSL Speech Advisory
Committee are working with the State Tournament Tabulation
Directors to devise a procedure that will, as fairly as
possible, balance sections in the case of a drop. This
proposed procedure will be discussed and voted on at the
MSCA business meeting at the CTAM Convention in Rochester
September 19. The hope is to post this proposed procedure
for your review via this email list-serve and the MSCA
website prior to the CTAM MSCA meeting.
LONGEVITY RECOGNITION
In an effort to make sure
we recognize our members who have given so much to our
activity, we ask that you let Scott Sieling know how long
you’ve been coaching. Email him at
SSIELING@bloomington.k12.mn.us
Thanks Scott for leading this effort!
ATTEND CTAM!
You’ll notice with this newsletter that, as
always, this year’s
CTAM Conference offers so many valuable sessions for our
members. Please don’t let financial hardship keep you from
the Conference. Depending on your needs, perhaps MSCA can
help. Ask and/or complete the Growing Speech grant
application.
NEW COACHES!
There are many resources
to help new Speech Team coaches. Join MSCA by completing
the registration form found on the
Membership page, or check the MSCA membership on your
CTAM registration. Jody Saxton also leads our new coach
mentoring program. Contact her for information:
jody.saxtonwest@nfld.k12.mn.us
PAID LEAVE TIME FOR JUDGES
If your administration will not give you paid
leave time to judge at Section
contests, Chris Franson
at the MSHSL has a letter he can send to your administration
in support of your paid leave request.
cfranson@mshsl.org
STATE TOURNAMENT SITE FOR 2011-2012
If your school is
interested in hosting the State Speech Tournament in 2011
and 2012, contact Chris Franson
cfranson@mshsl.org.
Enjoy the rest of your
summer! See you CTAM!
Rick Purrington
MSCA President
Head Speech Coach
Marshall High School
Rick.Purrington@marshall.k12.mn.us |
