CONSTITUTION OF THE GEORGIA FORENSIC COACHES ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 1 – NAME & PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization will be the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association. The organization may also refer to itself as “GFCA” and/or the “Association.” The purpose of the organization will be to foster, promote and regulate high school speech & debate activities in the State of Georgia.

ARTICLE 2 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership Statement.

Any accredited, degree-granting public school, private school or Non-Traditional Education center in the State of Georgia will be eligible to become a member of the Association. Membership will be obtained upon the school satisfying the dues requirements of the Association.  

Each member school is required to have an official sponsor and/or person employed and/or approved by the school principal at that school.  

Section 2. Dues.

The dues of the association should be established for each year at the annual meeting of the members of the association. Membership will run from September 1 to August 31. Dues must be paid by the start of the first State Championship(s) the member school wishes to participate in order to be eligible to compete at said Championship.

ARTICLE 3 – MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings.

The bi-annual meetings of the association should be held at the beginning of the school year and at the end of the school year at a site to be determined by the Executive Committee of the association or at such other time and place designated by the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee may call for a special meeting of the Association, to be held at a time and place designated by said Committee.

Section 2. Notices

Notices of all meetings will be given by email not less than ten (10) days or more than ninety (90) days before the meeting, to each official coach or sponsor listed at each member school with the GFCA.

Section 3. Quorum

For all meetings other than the bi-annual meetings, a quorum of the members of the association must consist of members of record in good standing, which represent not fewer than fifty (50) percent plus one (1) of the member schools of the association, and a majority of the Executive Committee. Action may be taken on behalf of the association by a majority vote of the members present and entitled to vote at any duly constituted meetings.

Section 4. Voting Procedures

1. Each member school in the Association will have one vote for all votes taken by the GFCA. 

2. While member schools are encouraged to attend meetings, general proxy voting is allowed by the following process when a member school cannot attend:

1. A general proxy gives the proxy holder the right to vote as they see fit on any business that may come up at a meeting. All proxy votes will be recorded and may be reviewed by the absent member, All proxy votes are final and may not be altered subsequent to the meeting.
2. The member school must notify the Director of Programs about the choice to use “general proxy voting” via email by the close of business the day before the scheduled meeting. The email must include to whom the member school is giving the voting rights and the designated member school must be copied on the email. Each member school can only be designated as a Proxy of at most two (2) other member schools.
3. On the day of the meeting, the designated school  signify all votes for the absent school.

Section 5. Records.

All recorded meeting minutes will be made available to all members in good standing with the organization no more than ten (10) days following an annual, special or executive meeting by the Director of Communications.

ARTICLE 4 – LEADERSHIP

Section 1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the Association will include: the Chair of the Committee, Director of Operations, Director of Programs, Director of Communications and Director of Finance. The Executive Committee will have and may exercise all powers of the Association in the management and direction of its affairs when members of the Association are not meeting.

1. Action.  A majority of the members of the Executive Committee may determine its action by vote of the full membership of the Executive Committee. Any proposed changes to the constitution and/or bylaws must be set forth for vote to all members in good standing of the association at any duly constituted meeting before the proposed changes may be enacted.
2. Meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee will be held at such times and places at the call of the Chair of the Committee or any two members of the primary officers by written, email, telephone or personal notice duly given or served to each member of the Executive Committee by not less than ten (10) days before a meeting. A meeting of the Executive Committee may be held without notice if all members of the Executive Committee are present.

Section 2. Term of Office.

Each officer will serve for the ensuing two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until their death, resignation, or removal.  Each term begins July 1st of each school year.

Section 3. Powers and Duties of Officers.

1. The Chair of the Committee will be the chief executive officer of the Association, will preside at all meetings of the members and of the Executive Committee and will have general supervision of the Association. The Chair will serve the Association’s chief spokesperson, promoting it through special events, competitions, face-to-face conversations, and in the media. The Chair will drive discussion about the vision, purpose, and goals of speech & debate, encourage involvement, and teach others to take on leadership responsibilities.

2. The Director of Operations will be responsible for organizing, coordinating, and managing tournaments organized by the Association. The Director of Operations will create roles in the tournament to include all members of the Executive Committee and to increase volunteer participation from the Association membership.

3. The Director of Programs will strategize and coordinate programs to determine and fulfill needs for the advancement of the Association’s purpose. Programs may include but are not limited to judge training and recruitment, curriculum, and workshops.

4. The Director of Communications will perform such duties as are incident to their office including recording minutes of all meetings, sending appropriate communications to the membership including a monthly newsletter.  

5. The Director of Finance will perform duties as are incident to their office (i.e. collect dues and disburse funds). The Director of Finance will maintain official financial records. The Director of Finance will be responsible for securing any additional funds from third party organizations. The Director of Finance is responsible for releasing an annual report at the meeting at the beginning of every school year.

Section 4. Committees and Appointments

1. The Association, by resolution or resolutions duly adopted, may appoint committees and appointments as it may deem appropriate, or the Executive Committee, by resolution or resolutions duly adopted, may appoint such committees, as it may deem appropriate. Such committees will have the powers and authority conferred upon them by the association or the Executive Committee, as the case may be.

2. The Executive Committee will annually appoint individuals to serve in the following positions:

1. State Championship Assistance Team

1. Ombudsperson
2. Equity Officer
3. Extemp Prep Coordinator
4. Election Officials (2)

2. GFCA Election Directors (2)
3. GFCA Novice Policy Packet Coordinator
4. NFHS Policy Topic Wording Committee State Representative.

1. The Executive Committee Chair should solicit the names of GFCA Member Coaches who are planning to attend the NFHS Topic Committee Meetings and who are interested in serving as Georgia's representative.
2. The Executive Committee should select a Topic Representative from the list of people who are attending.
3. When possible, the Topic Representative should not be the author of a Topic Paper at that year's Topic Meetings.
4. The Topic Representative should survey Georgia's policy debate coaches before the meetings about their relative rankings of the topic papers.
5. The Topic Representative should update Georgia's policy debate coaches during the meetings as topics develop and choices are narrowed.
6. Topic Voting Procedures

1. The Executive Committee Chair or their designee should distribute the initial list of Policy Debate Topic options and conduct a vote where policy coaches of GFCA Member Schools will be asked to rank the initial set of topics.
2. The vote will be conducted using the instant runoff method where lower-ranking choices are eliminated and votes are redistributed to higher-ranking choices.  If there is a tie after the vote, the GFCA will use school preference (most 1’s, most 2’s, etc) to break the tie.  
3. The Executive Committee Chair or their designee should submit Georgia's ranked set of votes on the initial list of Policy Debate Topics to the NFHS.
4. The Executive Committee Chair or their designee should distribute the final set of Policy Debate Topic options and conduct a vote where policy coaches of GFCA Member Schools will be asked to vote for their final preference.
5. The Executive Committee Chair or their designee should submit Georgia's vote on the final set of Policy Debate Topic options to the NFHS.

Section 5. Eligibility and Elections.

1. All officers of the Association must be listed as an official sponsor or coach of a member school and must be at least twenty-two (22) years of age.  Any member-elect who does not meet these qualifications by the start of their term, will be disqualified from their elected office.
2. No multiple offices may be held simultaneously by the same person, or persons representing the same school.
3. Elections will be held annually following the spring meeting for the association.

1. Each officer will serve for the ensuing two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until their death, resignation, or removal.
2. In odd calendar years, elections will be held for Director of Operations and Director of Finance. In even calendar years, elections will be held for Chair of the Committee, Director of Programs, and Director of Communications.
3. Each election will be directed by two (2) Election Directors appointed by the Executive Committee each year. The Election Directors are not allowed to be considered for nomination to an office position for the GFCA.
4. The nomination process will begin the day of the annual spring meeting for the association and will be open for seven (7) days. All nominations are to be submitted and seconded to both Election Directors via email. All presented and seconded nominations are recorded by the Election Directions for balloting.
5. Ballots will be sent to the membership via email within five (5) days of the close of the nomination period.

1. All ballots will be kept secret by the Election Directors.
2. Member schools will have seven (7) days from the distribution of ballots to submit their votes. Any votes received after seven (7) days from distribution will not be counted in the election.
3. Member schools may vote for members representing their school for office.
4. The Election Directors must announce to the membership via email the election results within ten (10) days of the distribution of ballots to the members. The results must be published to each official coach or sponsor listed at each member school with the GFCA.

4. Any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the association present and entitled to vote at any duly constituted meeting.
5. Any vacancy in any office resulting from any cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term thereof by the Executive Committee or the association by vote at any duly constituted meeting.

ARTICLE FIVE – AMENDMENTS AND BY LAWS

The constitution and bylaws of the association will be subject to alteration, amendment or repeal, and any new provision may be made by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the association entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of the association. All amendments should be attached in the following section for written record.  In the instance that the GFCA Constitution has been abolished, all GFCA Bylaws are rendered null and void.

BYLAWS  OF THE GEORGIA FORENSIC COACHES ASSOCIATION

BYLAW 1 - MEMBER SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

1. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

1. Students are eligible to compete for the GFCA member school in which they are enrolled as a degree-seeking student if they meet academic and participation standards set by that member school.

1. Students enrolled in grade nine (9) in a middle school or junior high school which is a feeder school to a member high school may only compete for the school in which they are enrolled.
2. Students enrolled in grade eight (8) in a middle school or junior high school which is a feeder school to a member high school may only compete for the school in which they are enrolled subject to the rules in this Constitution & Bylaws.
3. A student that transfers into a member school during grades 9-12 becomes immediately eligible if they meet academic and participation standards at their current school. All transfer eligibility questions will refer to the Georgia High School Association Constitution & By-laws. 
4. Questions concerning eligibility should be addressed to the Chair of the Executive Committee who will serve as the chair for any transfer hardship process.

2. COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

1. Students have twelve (12) consecutive semesters or six (6) consecutive years of eligibility starting from the date of entry into their first high school speech or debate division in Georgia. Students can only attend the GFCA Varsity State Championship(s) four (4) consecutive years.
2. Students may only compete in a “novice” or “first year” division in the school year in which they entered their first high school speech or debate division in Georgia. Students may only compete in the “rookie” division if they are in their first four (4) tournaments.

1. A student’s novice or first year eligibility begins after four rounds of competition in high school speech & debate divisions.  

3.  Students may only compete in a “second year” division in the school year in which they entered their first high school speech or debate division or the next year that they compete.
4. A student’s eligibility expires upon graduation from high school or after ten consecutive semesters, whichever comes first. Once a student is no longer eligible, they may not compete at GFCA state tournament events.

3. COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

1. Students in Sixth Grade and Below

1. Students in sixth (6th) grade and below may not participate in a high school division at a high school speech and debate tournament in Georgia.
2. Students in sixth (6th) grade and below may participate in middle school division at a high school speech and debate tournament. These students should not be paired or judged against high school competitors.
3. Students in 6th grade may participate in the NSDA Springboard Series in Rising Star divisions without exhausting any GFCA eligibility.

2. Students in Seventh and Eighth Grade

1. Seventh (7th) and Eighth (8th) grade students may compete in high school speech and debate (or divisions in Georgia provided they attend a feeder school of a member high school. They may also compete in middle school divisions at high school speech and debate tournaments.
2. Students in grade seven (7) may participate in “first year,” “rookie,” “novice,” “junior varsity” and/or “second year” speech and debate divisions at a high school speech and debate invitational.
3. Students in grade eight (8) may participate in any division offered at a high school speech and debate invitational.
4. Students in grade eight (8) may participate at the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship but not the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.

4. TOURNAMENT SANCTIONING

1. The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association will have a calendar of competitions sanctioned by the Association on the website annually. 

1. The season for competition runs annually from August 15 to April 1.
2. Competitions must be run by an official school coach or sponsor to be sanctioned by the Association.
3. Competitions at different school locations hosted by different schools are permitted to be scheduled on the same date(s).
4. The Association encourages application of all rules at invitational tournaments, but its rules only govern the State Championship(s). Each invitational is subject to their own rules.

BYLAW 2 - EVENT RULES & REGULATIONS

1. MAIN DEBATE EVENTS

1. Lincoln Douglas Debate

1. Resolution: The resolution will be one requiring a value judgment.  The resolution is set by the National Speech & Debate Association.  The State Championship(s) will use the current resolution for the month in which the competition occurs.
2. Entries:  An entry is composed of one student.  Each  entry will debate both sides of the resolution in the course of a tournament and advance on its own record.
3. Order Of Speeches:

2. Policy Debate

1. Resolution: The resolution will be one requiring a policy judgment.  The current national resolution will be used annually, set by the National Federation of State High School Associations.  
2. Entries: An entry is composed of two students from the same school; each entry will debate both sides of the resolution in the course of a tournament and advance on its own record.

1. First Year Policy Debate Restrictions: All first-year competitors (i.e. novice) will only be allowed to use the approved novice evidence packet in first year policy debate divisions through January 1.

1. The GFCA Executive Committee will release the approved novice evidence packet by the Monday after the Fall Meeting each year.
2. Accompanying the packet each year, the GFCA Executive Committee will release the rules for use of the packet and the release schedule of the arguments.

3. Order of Speeches: Each debater must give one and only one constructive speech, one period of questioning, one period of answering, and one rebuttal speech, in the following order:

3. Public Forum Debate

1. Resolution: The resolution focuses on an advocacy of a position derived from current issues. The resolution is set by the National Speech & Debate Association.  The State Championship(s) will use the current resolution for the month in which the competition occurs.
2. Entries: An entry is composed of two students from the same school; each entry has the possibility of debating both sides of the resolution and will advance on its own record.
3. Procedure and Order of Speeches:

1. Prior to every round, there will be an automatic coin flip sent by the Tabulation software to teams in round.  The winner of the automatic coin flip will have up to five (5) minutes to choose either the side of the topic they wish to debate or the speaking order position they wish to have in the debate.  The remaining option is given to the team who does not win the coin flip.  If the team that wins the automated coin flip does not make a selection within five (5) minutes, the selection will be deferred to the other team.
2. Once sides and speaking positions have been decided the order and time limits of the speeches are as follows:

2. CONGRESS EVENTS

1. Congress is a legislative assembly competition where students draft bills (proposed laws) and resolutions (position statements), which they and their peers later debate and vote to pass into law and then take action on by voting for or against the legislation.
2. Cycles on legislation will follow the following structure:

1. Speeches introducing legislation are allotted up to three minutes, followed by two minutes of questioning by other delegates. A student from the school who wrote the legislation gets the privilege of recognition (called authorship), regardless of precedence; otherwise the presiding officer may recognize a “sponsor” from the chamber, provided this recognition follows the precedence guidelines above. Regardless, this speech of introduction must be followed by two minutes of questions. Should no student seek recognition for the authorship/sponsorship, the chamber will move to lay the legislation on the table until such time that a student is prepared to introduce it.
2. The first negative speech must be followed by two minutes of questions.
3. Following the first two speeches on legislation, the presiding officer will alternately recognize affirmative and negative speakers, who will address the chamber for up to three minutes, followed by one minute of questioning by other delegates. If no one wishes to oppose the preceding speaker, the presiding officer may recognize a speaker upholding the same side. When no one seeks the floor for debate, the presiding officer may ask the chamber if they are “ready for the question,” at which point, if there is no objection, voting may commence on the legislation itself. There is no “minimum cycle” rule.  
4. All rounds use direct questioning, where the presiding officer will recognize contestants for continuous 30-second blocks of unmoderated, question-and-answer exchanges between the floor speaker and recognized questioner. Recognition for direct questions must follow the same preset recency table.
5. The presiding officer ends debate on legislation one hour (inclusive of recesses) after the author/sponsor is recognized, or sooner if a delegate moves to previous question. No motion for previous question is required if the Presiding Officer determines the chamber has reached the time limit

3. Congress will use parliamentary procedure as determined by the National Speech & Debate Association and default to any other Congressional procedures as per the National Speech & Debate Association High School Unified Manual.

3. MAIN SPEECH EVENTS

4. Dramatic Interpretation

1. Purpose: Dramatic Interpretation is defined as an individual event where the student memorizes and then delivers a dramatic cutting arising from dramatic literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity to convey orally the meaning of that dramatic literature through characterization and narration.
2. Topics:  Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another forensic event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. Monologues, prose, and poetry selections are acceptable.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
4. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The presentation may not use physical objects or costuming.
2. Use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.
3. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

5. Duo Interpretation

1. Purpose: Duo Interpretation is defined as a two-person event where the students memorize and deliver a cutting arising from literature suitable to the contestants’ personality and maturity to convey orally the dramatic meaning or humor of that literature through dual and/or multiple characterization and narration.
2. Topics:  Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another speech event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. If the selection is prose or poetry and contains narration, either or both of the performers may present the narration.
3. During the presentation the team must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
4. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should students go beyond the grace period, the students may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The presentation may not use physical objects or costuming.
2. Focus may be direct during the introduction [the performers may look at each other] but must be indirect [off-stage] during the performance itself
3. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

6. Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Purpose:  Extemporaneous Speaking is defined as an individual event where an original synthesis of the speaker is presented with current fact and opinion on a designated current event topic, usually presented in conjunction with numerous sources
2. Topics:  Topics, phrased in a question format, should be balanced between United States and International issues of concern.

1. For United States topic areas, questions can cover U.S. domestic and U.S. foreign policy.
2. For International topic areas, questions can cover the domestic affairs of foreign countries and the foreign affairs of all countries, including the United States.
3. The list of questions phrased for contest use and based on subjects discussed in periodicals during the current school year.
4. The contents of the list must not be disclosed except as contestants draw questions.
5. A new subject area will be used for each round with no duplication of questions.

3. Procedure

1. Thirty minutes before the contest is to begin, the first speaker must draw three (3) topics, choose one (1), and return the other two (2). The other contestants draw in like manner, in the order of speaking, at intervals of seven (7) minutes.
2. As soon as a question is chosen, the contestant will prepare a speech without consultation and without references to prepared notes. Evidence rules are detailed in the Evidence Policy section for Extemporaneous Speaking in this Constitution and Bylaws.
3. The time limit is seven (7) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. At the State Championship(s), the final round will include a cross-examination period

1. Each speaker will be assigned a speaker order position. Drawing will take place at 12-minute intervals. Thirty minutes after speaker first has drawn, speakers first and last will enter the contest room. Speaker first should give a speech and speaker last should listen and may take notes. At the conclusion of speaker first's speech, speaker last will question speaker first for two minutes. Speaker last will return to the prep room and speaker first will stay and question speaker second. Speaker second will question speaker third, etc.
2. Unless it is unavoidable, students from the same school should not cross-examine one another. Speaker order should be adjusted accordingly.

4. Performance Documents/Aids: Speeches must be delivered mostly from memory at State Championship events; students are allowed the use of the front and back of a 4” x 6” notecard during their speech.  

7. Humorous Interpretation

1. Purpose: Humorous Interpretation is defined as an individual event where the student delivers a humorous cutting arising from literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity to convey orally the humor of that literature through characterization and narration.
2. Topics:  Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another forensic event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. Monologues, prose, and poetry selections are acceptable.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
4. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The presentation may not use physical objects or costuming.
2. Use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.
3. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

8. Impromptu Speaking

1. Purpose: Impromptu Speaking is defined as an individual event where an original synthesis of the speaker is presented with a  clearly articulated argument comprising a specific, direct response to the given prompt, well-supported claims, clear structure, uniqueness, and vocal and nonverbal delivery choices that reflect the speech’s purpose.
2. Topics: The topic may be phrased as a question, event, literary phrase, philosophical or metaphorical word or statement, abstract word or idea, or other statement that could generate several supported points of developed speech. Topics should not be from specific current events that would require prior research or study, but rather from appropriate age-level general knowledge
3. Procedure/Length

1. A judge in each section/room will be provided an envelope containing a uniform set of topics, with a different subject area used for each round. Each speaker will draw three topics, choose one, and return the other two to the envelope.
2. The speaker has seven minutes in which to prepare a response and present a speech.  Students may consult published books, magazines, newspapers and journals or articles including those on the Internet and other electronic sources.
3. The time limit is seven (7) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period, which includes both preparation and speaking. Students may take as much preparation time as desire of the time limit, but may be ranked lower for extensive use of planning rather than speaking.

4. Performance Documents/Aids: Speeches must be delivered mostly from memory at State Championship events; students are allowed the use of  the front and back of a 4” x 6” notecard during their speech.  

9. Informative Speaking

1. Purpose: Informative Speaking is defined as an original speech designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience to gain understanding and/or knowledge of a topic. Any other purpose such as to entertain or to convince should be secondary. The use of audio/visual aids is optional.
2. Topics: Effective speeches provide new information or perspectives on a topic, including those that are widely known. The responsibility for choosing a worthwhile topic rests with the contestant. A fabricated topic may not be used. Any non-factual reference, including a personal reference, must be so identified.

1. The contestant may not use an informative speech which they used in any contest, including in Informative Speaking, prior to the current school year or during the State Championship(s) in another speech event.
2. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest. 
3. Manuscripts must be available at State Championship(s) in the event of a protest.  The script must identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, include a work-cited page in APA or MLA format. Failure to present a written copy of the informative upon request will result in disqualification.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:  Audio/visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message.

1. If used, the audio/visual aids should enhance or support the message rather than distract from the overall effectiveness of the presentation.
2. During the presentation, no electronic equipment is permitted. Electronic equipment is defined as any object requiring an electrical cord, battery, or solar power to operate it (projectors, cell phones, radios, iPads, computers, etc.).
3. The use of live animals or any additional people as visual aids is not allowed during the speech.
4. Items of dress put on and/or removed for illustration during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation.
5. Visual aids may not violate policies as dictated by local and state law (weapons, drugs, etc.)
6. Contestants may not distribute items to the judges or audience before, during, or after the round. This includes but is not limited to food, objects, handouts, flyers, and promotional merchandise.  
7. The host school is not responsible for providing any facilities, equipment, including tables, chairs, or easels, or assistance in a contestant’s use of visual aids. Expedient set up and take down of aids is expected.
8. If a visual aid displays published pictorial material, the source must be included in the work-cited page but does not need to be cited orally.
9. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

10. Original Oratory

1. Purpose: Original Oratory is defined as an individual event where the student writes, memorizes, and then delivers a persuasive speech arising from their personal feelings, convictions, or a source of concern regarding their community, beliefs and/or the larger world.
2. Topics: Topics for the original oration may be selected by the student and with the aid of the coach or teacher, but the oration itself must be the product of the contestant alone and not their coach or teacher. The oration may simply alert the audience to a threatening danger or strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause. Any appropriate subject may be used, but the orator must be truthful. Any non-factual reference, especially a personal one, must be so identified.

1. The contestant may not use an Original Oratory which they used in any contest, including in  Original Oratory, prior to the current school year or during the State Championship(s) in another speech event.
2. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest.
3. Manuscripts must be available at State Championship(s) in the event of a protest.  The script must identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, include a work-cited page in APA or MLA format. Failure to present a written copy of the oration upon request will result in disqualification.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids: Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

11. Programmed Oral Interpretation

1. Purpose: Programmed Oral Interpretation is defined as a program of thematically-linked selections chosen from two or three genres: prose, poetry, drama (plays). At least two pieces of literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used. All selections must be verbally identified by title and author. Competitors are encouraged to devote approximately equal times to each of the genres used in the program. This distinction pertains to these two or three genres as a whole, not types of literature within a genre (such as fiction/nonfiction).
2. Topics:  Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.

1. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and 8male contestant may play a female role.
2. During the presentation the contestant must name the author(s) and the book(s) or magazine(s) from which the cutting was made.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes maximum with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The use of manuscript during the performance is required. Common practices include the use of a binder or folder. Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it remains in the contestant's control at all times. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted.  Pictures, graphics, and/or illustrations are considered a visual aid, even if included in the original manuscript, and may not be displayed. The contestant must address the script; however, introduction and transitional material may be memorized.

4. SUPPLEMENTAL ASYNCHRONOUS FORENSIC ACTIVITIES

12. After Dinner Speaking

1. Purpose: After Dinner Speaking is defined as an individual event where a speech is presented with the purpose to entertain an audience by advancing a relevant point through the use of humor.
2. Topics: Topics for After Dinner Speaking may be selected by the student and with the aid of the coach or teacher, but the speech itself must be a product of the contestant alone and not their coach or teacher. After-Dinner speeches are characterized by humorous content development, creativity, uniqueness, timeliness, clear organization, significance, credible sources, and vocal and nonverbal delivery choices that reflect the speech’s purpose.  It is not a monologue or stand-up comedy routine. While the speech is basically humorous, it can offer some serious thought on a subject.

1. The contestant may not use an After Dinner Speaking which they used in any contest, including in After Dinner Speaking, prior to the current school year or during the State Championship(s) in another speech event..
2. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest.

3. Length: The time limit is eight (8) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids

1. Visual aids are not permitted in this event.
2. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

13. Declamation

1. Purpose: Declamation is defined as an individual event where students deliver a portion or portions of a speech previously delivered, non-self-authored speech.
2. Topics: The speech the student delivers can be any publicly delivered speech. Commencement addresses, historical speeches, political speeches, and celebrity speeches are common examples that students may use to select their declamation.

1. Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.
2. The contestant may not use a Declamation which they used in any speech contest prior to the current school year. The same declamation must be used for the duration of the tournament.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.

3. Length: The time limit is ten (10) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period.  Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. Visual aids are not permitted in this event.
2. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

14. Expository

1. Purpose: Expository is defined as an individual event where students write, memorize and then deliver an informative speech without the use of a visual aid.  
2. Topics: Topics for Expository may be selected by the student and with the aid of the coach or teacher, but the speech itself must be a product of the contestant alone and not their coach or teacher. An effective Expository introduces them to either a completely new topic or something new about a topic people may know a lot about. The speaker should provide unique insights and explore interesting implications. At its core, Expository Speaking is an informative speech. Students doing Expository may cover topics ranging from an organization to a product , a process or concept.

1. The contestant may not use an Expository Speaking which they used in any contest, including any portion from an Original Oratory or Informative Speaking, prior to the current school year or during the State Championship(s) in another speech event.
2. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest.
3. Manuscripts must be available at the State Championship(s) in the event of a protest.  The script must identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, include a work-cited page in APA or MLA format. Failure to present a written copy of the expository upon request will result in disqualification.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. Visual aids are not permitted in this event.
2. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

15. Original Spoken Word Poetry

1. Purpose: Original Spoken Word Poetry is defined as an individual event where students write and perform original poetry to express ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning.
2. Topics: Topics for Original Spoken Word Poetry may be selected by the student and with the aid of the coach or teaacher, but the poetry itself must be a product of the contestant alone and not their coach or teacher.  A successful performer will craft a piece that elicits critical thought, reflection, or emotion. As opposed to traditional Poetry, Spoken Word Poetry is created to be performed aloud and may feature rhythmic flow, vivid imagery, word play, gestures, lyrical elements, and repetition.

1. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest.
2. Manuscripts must be available at the State Championship(s) in the event of a protest.  The script must identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, include a work-cited page in APA or MLA format. Failure to present a written copy of the program upon request will result in disqualification.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:  

1. Students may memorize or use a manuscript in this event.

1. If students use a manuscript, the intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it remains in the contestant's control at all times.

2. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted.  
3. Pictures, graphics, and/or illustrations are considered a visual aid, even if included in the original manuscript, and may not be displayed.

16. Prepared Commentary

1. Purpose: Prepared Commentary is defined as an individual event where students prepare a short speech responding to topics related to societal, political, historic or popular culture.
2. Topics: Topics will be thematic in nature and center around a theme for the State Championship(s). They will be posted at least four weeks prior to the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship.

1. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified orally and in manuscript of the speech in the event of a protest.
2. Students will prepare a speech by consulting published books, magazines, newspapers, journals, or sources found on the internet. The internet may be used for preparation. There is no time limit on preparation.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids: Speeches must be delivered mostly from memory at State Championship events; students are allowed the use of  the front and back of a 4” x 6” notecard during their speech. The student must deliver the speech seated behind a table or desk.

17. Pro Con Challenge

1. Purpose: Pro-Con Challenge is defined as an individual event where students explore topics given by the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association while showing off their writing, research and delivery skills. Students will deliver a PRO speech for the resolution AND a CON speech against the resolution in the same video recording.  
2. Topics: Topics will center around issues pertaining to the state of Georgia.  They will be framed as debate resolutions.  They will be posted at least four weeks prior to the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship.
3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a fifteen (15) second grace period for each side of the resolution, culminating in a ten (10) minute speech with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids: Speeches can be read to the judges in the recording or presented from memory.  

18. Poetry Interpretation

1. Purpose: Poetry Interpretation is defined as an individual event that uses writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. Poetry may rely on verse and stanza form.
2. Topics: Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.4, the Source Verification Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.5 in case of protest at the State Championship(s), and be aware of the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.6.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another speech event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author(s) and the book(s) or magazine(s) from which the cutting was made.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The use of manuscript during the performance is required. Common practices include the use of a binder or folder. Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it remains in the contestant's control at all times. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted.  Pictures, graphics, and/or illustrations are considered a visual aid, even if included in the original manuscript, and may not be displayed. The contestant must address the script; however, introduction and transitional material may be memorized.

19. Prose Interpretation

1. Purpose: Prose Interpretation is defined as an individual event that uses writing which expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs: fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies).
2. Topics: Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.4, the Source Verification Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.5 in case of protest at the State Championship(s), and be aware of the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in bylaw 2.5.6.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another speech event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author(s) and the book(s) or magazine(s) from which the cutting was made.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The use of manuscript during the performance is required. Common practices include the use of a binder or folder. Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it remains in the contestant's control at all times. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted.  Pictures, graphics, and/or illustrations are considered a visual aid, even if included in the original manuscript, and may not be displayed. The contestant must address the script; however, introduction and transitional material may be memorized.

20. Radio Broadcasting

1. Purpose:  Radio Broadcasting is defined as an individual event where students prepare a news script using up to date material designed to inform and/or entertain an audience.
2. Topics: Topics for Radio Broadcasting may be selected by the student and with the aid of the coach or teacher, but the script itself must be a product of the contestant alone and not their coach or teacher. An effective radio broadcast balances information with entertainment.  At its core, Radio Broadcasting is about writing and delivery.
3. Length: The time limit is three (3) minutes with a fifteen (15) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. The use of manuscript during the performance is required.
2. Visual aids are not permitted in this event.

21. Storytelling

1. Purpose: Storytelling is defined as an individual event where students share a story with an audience, performed as if the audience were a group of young children.
2. Topics: Any story selection is acceptable and may be selected by the student and with the aid of a coach or teacher.  Selections should adhere to the Interpretation Publication Policy, the Source Verification Policy, the Artistic Plagiarism Policy detailed in this Constitution & Bylaws.

1. The contestant may not use a cutting from the same single source which they used in any contest prior to the current school year or during the current school year in another speech event. The same selection must be used for the duration of the tournament, but may not be used for another event at the same tournament.
2. Adaptations to material may only be used for the purpose of transition. The gender stated by the author must be honored. However, a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.
3. During the presentation the contestant must name the author(s) and the book(s) or magazine(s) from which the cutting was made.

3. Length: The time limit is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st.
4. Performance Documents/Aids:

1. Students may use a full range of movement to express themselves and may incorporate a chair in a variety of different ways, though the chair may not be used as a prop during the performance. Students may be seated for their performance.
2. Visual aids are not permitted in this event.
3. Speeches must be delivered from memory at State Championship events; students using manuscripts must receive a rank of 9 in that round.

5. POLICIES CONCERNING EVENTS RULES & REGULATIONS

22. Electronic Device Policy

1. Contestants electing to use computers are responsible for providing their own computers, batteries, extension cords, and all other necessary accessories. Tournament hosts will not be responsible for providing computers, printers, software, paper, or extension cords for contestants. Students and judges should not unplug anything from classrooms to gain access.
2. Contestants choosing to use laptop computers and related equipment accept the risk of equipment failure. Judges and/or tournament directors will give no special consideration or accommodation, including no additional speech time or prep time, should equipment failure occur.
3. By choosing to use laptop computers in the round, debaters are consenting to give tournament officials the right to search their files. Debaters who do not wish to consent should not use computers in the round. 
4. Students in violation will receive a forfeit for the debate.

23. Evidence Policy

1. Debate and Congress Events

1. Students electing to use electronic devices have the responsibility to provide a copy of any evidence read in a speech for inspection by the judge or opponent upon request. Printers may be used. Evidence may be printed in the round or produced electronically, but must be provided in a format readable by the opposing team and the judge. If a competitor/team is unable to produce evidence under question or refuses to provide the evidence, the competitor refusing such action could receive an automatic loss for or other actions deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
2. Students can access the internet for evidence retrieval during the round.
3. If a competitor is found to have falsified evidence in support of a point, a penalty may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee depending on the deliberate nature of the falsification.

2. Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Students may use computers or electronic devices to store and retrieve their subject files to read, as well as prepare their speeches to organize their thoughts on the computers.  Cell phones or smart phones are not to be used in speeches except for timing purposes.
2. Source Materials: Students may consult published books, periodical articles, newspaper articles, think tank articles, government reports or journal articles saved on their electronic retrieval device provided:

1. There are no notations made within or on the saved article other than citation information.
2. Any highlighting or underlining of the articles is done in only one color within each article. Bolding, italicizing, or any other manipulation of the original text of sources (other than highlighting or underlining as previously stipulated) is prohibited.
3. Students from the same school may share computers during preparation. However, communication among contestants during preparation time is strictly prohibited.

3. Prewritten Extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs or outlines are prohibited from the prep room, whether stored electronically or present in hard copy form.
4. Students can access the internet for evidence retrieval during the round.
5. Ethics in the use of research must require the speaker to accurately cite references. If a competitor is found to have falsified evidence in support of a point, a penalty may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee depending on the deliberate nature of the falsification.

24. Interpretation Publication Policy

1. Selections used in the oral interpretation main events of Dramatic, Humorous, and Duo Interpretation must be cuttings from a single work of literature (one short story, play, or novel), unless poetry is used, in which case cuttings may come from one or more poems from a single source. If the source is an anthology collection of short stories, plays, or novels, each selection of literature is independent and only one selection can be used, even if it is from the same author. If the source is an anthology which includes poetry, multiple poems may be used from this single source by one or a variety of authors. Song lyrics may be used if the performer has an original, hard copy of the lyrics such as sheet music or a CD jacket or if they can be found from online sources that meet the digital source rules below.
2. Any source material is permitted as long as it meets the standards outlined below:

1. Original source material must not be written by the competitor who is performing it.
2. Original source material must be publicly accessible throughout the duration of the tournament. Digital printed publications such as web pages and PDFs retrieved or purchased from web pages are permitted as long as the web page is publicly accessible throughout the duration of the tournament. Digital unprinted publications such as videos, audio files, and films are permitted as long as the original source is publicly accessible throughout the duration of the tournament and the competitor can obtain an official transcript of the original source.

1. For print publications such as novels, short stories, plays, or poetry, the original source is the physical book or e-book. Presenting the physical book, e-book or photocopies of original literature is sufficient to prove that a printed publication is publicly accessible.
2. For digital printed publications such as web pages and downloadable PDF’s, original source material must be publicly accessible for viewing or purchase. Competitors must present a printed manuscript to be used in the case of a protest, but presenting a printed copy of a website is not alone sufficient to prove that a digital printed publication is publicly accessible.
3. For non-English print material that a competitor will perform in English, the original source material in its original language must be publicly accessible. Competitors must present an official English translation to be used in the case of a protest. An official translation must be obtained in one of two ways:

1. An official translation is obtained through the original source’s producer, licensing agent, or copyright holder
2. Or, an official translation is obtained through a translation service which uses non-automated, manual translation. Then, the competitor receives approval to perform the translation by the original source’s producer, licensing agent, or copyright holder.

4. For digital unprinted publications such as videos, audio files, and films, the original source must be publicly accessible for viewing or purchase. Competitors must also present a printed official transcript of the original source to be used in the case of a protest, but presenting an official transcript is not alone sufficient to prove that the original source is publicly accessible. An official transcript must be obtained in one of two ways:

1.  An official transcript is obtained through the original source's producer, licensing agent, or copyright holder
2. Or, an official transcript is obtained through an official transcription service such as TranscribeMe, Scribie, or iScribed, which use non-automated, manual transcription. Then, the competitor receives approval to perform the transcription by the original source's producer, licensing agent, or copyright holder.

25. Interpretation Source Verification Policy:

1. It is the affirmative duty of each coach and each student entered in Interpretation contests to determine absolutely that the cutting being performed meets all rules for material.  Interp source material must be available at the State Championship(s)  in the event of a protest.
2. The original published source of any selection used must be immediately available at the State Championship(s). When requested by tournament officials, access to the source material upon demand, either in electronic or print form, must be presented.
3. Pages are to be placed in the order in which they are performed (e.g., if text from one page is used more than once within the cutting, that page should be copied again with those words highlighted and reinserted where it is used in the cutting). Students are not required to photocopy or print pages that are not used in their cutting.
4. All words used from the script should be highlighted (any words/lines not used should be left unmarked).
5. Any word changes (to eliminate profane language) and/or additions (for transition) must be indicated clearly in ink. Failure to clearly indicate the addition of words will be subject to disqualification. Changes to the script may only be used for the purpose of transition or to eliminate profane language. Transitions may be used to clarify the logical sequence of ideas. They are not to be used for the purpose of embellishing the humorous or dramatic effect of the literature.

26. Artistic Plagiarism Policy

1. Videos of previous interpretation performances and/or other video media are intended to provide educational examples for coaches and students. They are not intended to serve as a model to directly imitate or duplicate in performance. Although universal human emotions may lead to similarities in portrayal of characters, wholesale impersonation, including cutting, blocking, and/or interpretation (verbal and/or nonverbal portrayal of characters and text) of material of previous performances is prohibited and grounds for penalty.
2. Given the extent of the artistic plagiarism, the performance penalty may range from lowering the ranking in the round to disqualification.  
3. It is the burden of proof of the individual filing the protest to provide documented evidence of the artistic plagiarism demonstrated in the performance. This includes providing access to the plagiarized video material and written verification of examples to substantiate the complaint.

6. Outside Assistance Policy

1. Competitors may not interact with any person not participating within the round for the purposes of a competitive advantage. This includes any electronic communication, direct contact while the competitor is in preparation (such as extemporaneous speaking prep time or debate round prep time), prompting or any hand or body signaling during a round.

7. Artificial Intelligence Policy

1. Artificial intelligence should not be cited as a source; while something like ChatGPT may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and sources, the original source of any quoted or paraphrased evidence must be available if requested. Students are prohibited from quoting or paraphrasing text directly from generative AI sources like ChatGPT in events in which speeches must be the original created work of a competitor.

8. Forfeiture Policy

1. Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Duo Interpretation are considered team activities. Once tournament competition begins should one or both members of a team be unable to participate in a scheduled round of competition the team must forfeit those rounds.
2. Students are expected to be on time for their rounds and actively participating at the posted start time.  If students are more than fifteen (15) minutes late, they will forfeit those rounds.
3. In debate events, a “forfeit” will be given a loss. In speech events, a “forfeit” will be marked as a rank of “9” unless the entry was kept from competing as a direct result of tournament logistics.
4. An entry may not have more than one “forfeit” and still be eligible to advance to elimination rounds.

BYLAW 3 - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PROCESSES, RULES & REGULATIONS

1. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LOGISTICS

1. The GFCA governs four separate State Championship events throughout the year. Each event will have a separate invitation clarifying specific rules and processes.

1. First & Second Year Speech & Debate Championship
2. Varsity Congress State Championship
3. Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship
4. Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship

2. The date of each State Championship event will be decided by the GFCA at the beginning of the year meeting annually and the location will  be decided by the GFCA Executive Committee no later than October 15th of each school year.

3. The GFCA maintains minimum entry requirements to award a State Championship.

1. In speech divisions at any State Championship, there will be at least 6 total entries from at least three schools when registration closes.

1. At the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship, if registration closes and a division has not met this requirement, the event will be collapsed with its corresponding pair.  If the event still does not meet the minimum entry requirements, the event will be canceled. For example, if 1st Year Dramatic Interpretation does not meet the minimum entry requirements, it will be collapsed with 2nd Year Dramatic Interpretation if it meets entry requirements. If the event is collapsed, the GFCA will only recognize winners of a combined division and not separate awards.  
2. At the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, if registration closes and the division has not met this requirement, the event will be offered during the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activity.  The event will forfeit its points in its respective sweepstakes formula.  If the event still does not meet the minimum entry requirements, the event will be canceled. 
3. At the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship, if registration closes and the division has not met this requirement, the event will be canceled.

2. In debate divisions at any State Championship, there will be at least six total entries from at least three schools when registration closes.

1. At the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship, if registration closes and a division has not met this requirement, the event will be collapsed with its corresponding pair.  If the event still does not meet the minimum entry requirements, the event will be canceled. For example, if 1st Year Lincoln Douglas does not meet the minimum entry requirements, it will be collapsed with 2nd Year Lincoln Douglas if it meets entry requirements. If the event is collapsed, the GFCA will only recognize winners of a combined division and not separate awards. 
2. At the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, if registration closes and the division has not met this requirement, the event will be canceled.

3. In congress divisions at any State Championship, there are 24 entries from at least four schools when registration closes.  If registration closes and the division has not met this requirement, the event will be canceled.

4. An official coach and/or sponsor must accompany their students throughout the duration of the State Championship(s). Students attending without a coach or sponsor will be disqualified.

2. Member School Entry Eligibility

1. Eligibility for First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championships

1. To attend the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship, GFCA member schools may enter unlimited entries in speech and debate events as long as the students meet the eligibility requirement as defined in the GFCA Constitution & Bylaws.

2. Eligibility for Varsity Speech & Debate State Championships and Varsity Congress State Championships

1. GFCA Member Schools may enter up to four entries in each of Policy, Public Forum, and Lincoln Douglas, eight entries in Congress, and six entries in each speech event at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship. Entries must have attended at least two invitationals that meet State Championship minimum entry requirements hosted by schools in Georgia.

3. Eligibility for Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship

1. To attend the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship, GFCA member schools may enter unlimited entries in events as long as the students meet eligibility requirements as defined in the GFCA Constitution & Bylaws.

4. Double Entry Policy

1. Students are allowed to compete at multiple State Championship events as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for each.
2. Double entering  is defined as a student entering two divisions at a single State Championship event.

1. GFCA member schools may double enter students in two speech events at the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship and Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.  Triple entering will not be allowed.
2. GFCA member schools may not double enter students competing in a debate event.
3. GFCA member schools may enter competitors in unlimited events at the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities State Championship

5. Member Schools Judging Eligibility

1. For each State Championship event, each member school attending will be required to bring one (1) judge per two (2) debate entries, every six (6) entries in speech, and/or every four (4) entries in congress.  

1. For the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship, current high school juniors or seniors in their third or fourth year of high school competition are allowed to judge.

1. Juniors or seniors in their third year of high school competition may judge first year divisions only.
2. Juniors or seniors in their fourth year of high school competition may judge first and/or second year divisions

2. For the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, judges in debate divisions have to meet an experience criteria as established below.

1. In order to be eligible to judge Policy Debate at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, individuals must have judged at least four (4) rounds at the high school level in Policy Debate since June of the year before the state tournament and at least (8) rounds at the high school level in Policy Debate in the current and/or preceding school year.
2. In order to be eligible to judge Public Forum or Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, individuals must have judged at least (8) rounds at the high school level in that debate event in the current and/or preceding school year.
3. At the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, any adult attending the tournament that contributes to the competitive debate effort in Policy, Public Forum, or Lincoln Douglas for a school must be entered into a judge pool for a minimum of two preliminary and/or elimination rounds; for Speech, anyone attending the tournament that contributes to the competitive effort for a school must be entered in the judge pool. This includes any volunteers contributing debate or speech work. If the judge’s rounds are included in their team's obligation owed, the judge will be obligated for elimination rounds. This rule does not apply to coaches contributing to the running of the tournament as determined by the Director of Operations. Parents (who are not also coaches) do not need to be in the pool. Any school found violating this rule will lose their judge bond and mutual judge preferences will be removed for all competitors.

3. For the Varsity Congressional Debate State Championship, all judges must be adults and out of high school.

2. At the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, judges fulfilling a school’s obligation are obligated two full rounds past that school’s exit from the tournament in that judging pool. The round obligations are for preliminary rounds only. All judges are obligated for the first two elimination rounds unless covered by additional judges in missing timeslots. If judges need to be timeblocked, other judges should be entered to fulfill that timeblock obligation. For example, if a school owes 6 rounds of policy debate for a 5 round preliminary tournament, the school would need to supply two judges to fulfill those preliminary round obligations and both judges would be obligated to judge at least the first two elimination rounds. If a judge cannot cover the elimination round obligation, an additional judge should be supplied to cover that obligation.

3. STATE TOURNAMENT PROCESSES

1. Running debate divisions at the State Championship(s).

1. It is preferred that six preliminary rounds should be held at the GFCA State Tournaments, but the final number of preliminary rounds will be determined by the executive committee.

1. The first two rounds will be randomly paired. Subsequent rounds will be paired using High-low speaker points within brackets. Debate tabulation software will be utilized for these pairings.
2. In preliminary rounds, students from a member school may not compete against other students from the same member school, unless unavoidable.
3. A round robin format will be used if 7 or fewer teams enter the tournament; each team will debate each entry even if they are from the same school.

2. One, two or three judges may be used in preliminary round debates, as determined by the Executive Committee. All preliminary rounds must have the same number of judges as all other debates in a round throughout the tournament. Elimination rounds must use three or more judges per round. All judge panels must consist of odd numbers of judges.

1. Judges in preliminary rounds must award a win/loss, with no ties permitted, and speaker points to each individual debater on a 30-point scale with increments of tenths. Judges will have the option of disclosing their decision at the end of each round.
2. For the GFCA Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship,  judge placement will be determined by a mutual preference system to be determined by the Executive Committee of the GFCA prior to each year’s tournament. The preference system and preference sheet must be sent to all competing schools a minimum of 3 days prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship. All judges must fill out an event specific updated judge philosophy form 7 days prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship for a school’s entry to be considered complete and the school’s students to be eligible to compete. Consequences begin if they are not completed 5 days prior to the tournament.
3. Judges in all rounds will be determined by the Tab Room of the State Championship(s). Judges may only be replaced by the Tab Room. Changes in judges without consent of the Tab Room may result in the round being re-run.
4. A preference system will not be utilized at the First & Second Year Speech & Debate State Championship.

3. All winning records at State Championship(s) must advance to elimination rounds.
4. Advancement of teams/debaters will be determined by seeding after preliminary rounds are complete.  Seeding for elimination rounds will be determined based on preliminary records. In case of ties, the tiebreakers must be in the following order:

1. High-Low Speaker Points
2. Double High-Low Speaker Points
3. Total Speaker points
4. Average Opposition Seed from Prelim Rounds
5. Random Number (as determined by Tab Room software)

5. If a team without a winning record is seeded high enough to advance to elimination rounds, then the team that they are scheduled to face would automatically advance to the next elimination round.
6. In Policy debate and Lincoln Douglas debate, if two teams debating in a given elimination round previously debated one another in a preliminary round then they will debate the opposite side of the resolution in the elimination round. If the teams have not previously debated at the tournament, then sides for elimination rounds will be determined by coin flip. The winner of the coin flip will be able to choose which side of the resolution that they will defend.
7. The team receiving the majority of ballots in an elimination round will advance to the next elimination round.
8. Brackets must not be broken in elimination rounds.
9. Elimination and/or final rounds of competition for the State Championship(s) may be postponed with the approval of at least three (3) members of the Executive Committee.  A time and location should be set before adjourning the original competition.  

2. Running speech divisions at the State Championship(s).

1.  It is preferred that three preliminary rounds should be held at State Championship(s) in all speech events except for Extemporaneous Speaking where four rounds should be held, but the final number of preliminary rounds will be determined by the executive committee. For events that do not have a final round, a fourth preliminary round should be held. The ability to complete the tournament in the allotted time must take precedence.

1. Preliminary rounds are determined by Speech tabulation software and should not be seeded from round to round.  Preliminary round sections are assigned with at least four and no more than seven entries each; the ideal is sections of six. The priorities for paneling these rounds, in order, are:  

1. Avoid entries from the same school in the same section
2. Avoid entries competing against each other multiple times
3. Avoid schools competing against each other multiple times

2. Speaker order is varied within preliminary rounds so that every entry’s average speaker position is as equal as possible to all other entries in the same event. Each entry should speak early in a round (first 2 speakers) and late in a round (last 2 speakers) at least once during preliminary rounds.
3. In all cases, the computer should be primarily used to create pairings to ensure impartiality and true randomness where necessary; however, the speech tabulation staff should check the computer to ensure pairing priorities are correctly followed.
4. If there are sections with uneven numbers of students, students receiving the lowest rank in the larger section will have their rank truncated. That is, if section A has 6 students and section B has 5, both the fifth and sixth ranked students in section A will receive a rank of 5.

2. One, two, or three judges may be used in preliminary rounds, as determined by the Executive Committee. All sections of an event must have the same number of judges as all other sections in a round throughout the tournament. All speech events must use the same number of judges in the preliminary rounds. If there are fewer than five preliminary rounds, two or more judges should be used in preliminary rounds, as determined by the Executive Committee.  Elimination rounds must use three or more judges per round. All judge panels must consist of odd numbers of judges.

1. Judges in all speech rounds should rank each entry in order, best to worst, 1-6 (or its equivalent). Ties are not permitted; points are not necessary.
2. Judges in all rounds will be determined by the Tab Room of the State Championship(s). Judges may only be replaced by the Tab Room. Changes in judges without consent of the Tab Room may result in the round being re-run.

3. If there are less than eight entries, no elimination rounds are required. Any event with eight or more entries must break to elimination rounds.

1. For events with 7 or fewer entries, determine the state champion using the following tie breaks:

1. all ranks except lowest
2. all ranks
3. reciprocals of all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc.
4. judge preference
5. online coinflip

2. For events with 8 or more entries, the Executive Committee may choose how many entries will advance to elimination rounds in each event. The break point for elimination rounds must meet the following standards:

1. Number of entries that will advance in each event will be announced prior to the start of round 1.
2. A minimum of 25% of an event’s entry total (rounded up to the nearest whole number) must advance in each event.
3. No final may be smaller than four entries. For example, an event with twelve entries must clear a minimum of four students to finals.
4. All entries whose rank totals are tied with an advancing entry also advance. For example, if the target to advance is six, but a rank total tie exists between sixth and seventh, the top seven entries advance.

3. If more than seven entries advance, section a quarter or semifinal round. Sections should have no fewer than four and no more than seven entries. If more than 21 entries advance, quarterfinals must be held. If 15-21 entries advance, semifinals in three sections are held.  Ranks are not truncated in elimination rounds.
4. Elimination rounds are snaked using Speech tabulation software: the top seeded entry is placed in the first section, and the next entries are assigned in order by seed order going into the round until the number of sections is exhausted. The next entry is placed in the last section and the rest filled in up to the first section. Then, the next entry is placed in the first section and filled in to the last, and so on.

1. Seeding in elimination rounds should use the following tie breaks:

1. all ranks except lowest
2. all ranks
3. reciprocals of all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc.
4. judge preference
5. online coinflip

2. After each elimination round, placement order is determined by the following tie breaks:

1. rank in elimination round only
2. judge preference in the elimination round
3. reciprocals all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc
4. If there is a tie after the first three steps and

1. If it is a Quarterfinal round or Semfinal round: online coinflips
2. If it is a Final Round and the tie reaches this point, then the tie will stand and both entries will receive the placement. Placement will remain in order; placement will not skip in order to accommodate the tie.

3. Six entries advance out of a semifinal round (an elimination round with two or three sections), together with any entry tied with an advancing entry on both overall rank total and ranks in the previous elimination round. Twelve entries should advance out of a quarterfinal, together with any entries tied with an advancing entry on both overall rank total and ranks in the last elimination round. Advance the top overall entries, not equal numbers from individual sections. If more than seven entries are tied to advance to finals from semifinals, or more than 14 are tied to advance to semifinals from quarterfinals, then all entries tied for the last spot on both scores are excluded from advancing.

3. Running the Congress divisions at the State Championship(s).

1. There will be at least three preliminary chambers at the State Championship. Each school will be equally divided in one less than the total number of chambers. No school should have more than four (4) entries in one chamber. For example, if there are 5 chambers, each school will have their students divided into four different chambers.  

1. Chambers must be between 8 and 15 students and divided equally.
2. Chambers will be divided using a random generator and will be announced at the beginning of the tournament.  

2. There will be at least two preliminary rounds and at least one elimination round. Each round should:

1. include at least ten minutes per student in a preliminary chamber (without exceeding one hour and fifteen minutes) and two hours in elimination rounds.
2. resetting of precedence/recency. Recency will be randomly set prior to the first session and each subsequent session to ease the process of determining who should speak by the Congress Tabroom and sent to the Presiding Office in preliminary rounds and parliamentarian in elimination rounds .
3. new legislation as per the docket as announced previously by Director of Operations

3. Each preliminary round will have two unaffiliated judges that serve as scorers and one judge that serves as parliamentarian. When possible, the tabroom should use different scorers in every preliminary round.

1. Judges in all rounds will be determined by the Tab Room of the State Championship(s). Judges may only be replaced by the Tab Room. Changes in judges without consent of the Tab Room may result in the round being re-run.

4. Scorers in all rounds should rate 1-8 points per speech, considering answers to questions; and rank their top 8 most preferred legislators. Any student not ranked in the top 8 will receive a score of 9 from that scorer.
5. The parliamentarian who may be affiliated or unaffiliated and will serve as presiding officer for each session.They will not be asked to submit ranks.
6. At the conclusion of preliminary rounds, the top half of each chamber should advance from each preliminary chamber. If there is an odd number, chambers will advance the whole number closest to half. For example, if a chamber has 13 students, that chamber will advance seven to the elimination rounds.

1. Each individual chamber is tabulated independent of others. Legislators should advance to the next level of competition, employing the following tiebreakers:

1. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping lowest rank
2. Judges’ preference
3. Reciprocal Fractions
4. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping highest and lowest ranks (“high/low”)

2. For every sixteen (16) students that advance to elimination rounds, a chamber will be added in elimination rounds. For example, if 30 students advance from preliminary rounds, there will be two elimination chambers. If there are 34 students that advance from preliminary rounds, there will be three elimination chambers. Both of these can be referred to as the Semifinal. If there are sixteen (16) or less students that advance to elimination rounds, only a final round will be held.
3. Elimination Round Chambers must be between 8 and 16 students and divided equally.
4. Elimination Round Chambers should be divided based on the snaking of preliminary results

1. Upon conclusion of preliminary rounds, advancing students should be ranked comparatively to create seedings going into elimination rounds. The seedings should employ the following tiebreakers:

1. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping lowest rank
2. Reciprocal Fractions
3. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping highest and lowest ranks (“high/low”)
4. Lowest cumulative rank
5. Coin flip

5. Each elimination round will have at least three (3) unaffiliated judges that serve as scorers. One of these judges will be asked to also serve as parliamentarian. For each round, scorers should: rate 1-8 points per speech, considering answers to questions; rank their top 8 most preferred legislators. Any student not ranked in the top 8 will receive a score of 9 from that judge/scorer.
6. If there is more than one chamber in the first elimination debate, the top half of each chamber with the lowest cumulative rank from that session should advance to the next level of competition, employing the following tiebreakers:

1. Judge Preferences in Elimination Session
2. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping lowest rank (“drop low”)
3. Parliamentarian rank

7. Upon the conclusion of the final round, the top eight (8) legislators with the lowest cumulative rank total will be recognized in order, employing the following tiebreakers:

1. Judge Preferences in Final Round
2. Adjusted cumulative rank total after dropping lowest rank (“drop low”)
3. Parliamentarian rank

4. Running the Supplemental Asynchronous Forensic Activities at the State Championship(s)

1. Three preliminary rounds are held at the GFCA State Championship(s) in supplemental events.

1. Preliminary rounds are determined by Speech tabulation software and should not be seeded from round to round.  Preliminary round sections are assigned with at least four and no more than seven entries each; the ideal is sections of six. The priorities for paneling these rounds, in order, are:

1. Avoid entries from the same school in the same section
2. Avoid entries competing against each other multiple times
3. Avoid schools competing against each other multiple times

2. Speaker order is varied within preliminary rounds so that every entry’s average speaker position is as equal as possible to all other entries in the same event. Each entry should speak early in a round (first 2 speakers) and late in a round (last 2 speakers) at least once during preliminary rounds.
3. In all cases, the computer should be primarily used to create pairings to ensure impartiality and true randomness where necessary; however, the speech tabulation staff should check the computer to ensure pairing priorities are correctly followed.
4. If there are sections with uneven numbers of students, students receiving the lowest rank in the larger section will have their rank truncated. That is, if section A has 6 students and section B has 5, both the fifth and sixth ranked students in section A will receive a rank of 5.

2. One, two, or three judges may be used in preliminary rounds, as determined by the Executive Committee. All sections of an event must have the same number of judges as all other sections in a round throughout the tournament. All speech events must use the same number of judges in the preliminary rounds. Elimination rounds must use three or more judges per round. All judge panels must consist of odd numbers of judges.

1. Judges in all speech rounds should rank each entry in order, best to worst, 1-6 (or its equivalent). Ties are not permitted; points are not necessary.
2. Judges in all rounds will be determined by the Tab Room of the State Championship(s). Judges may only be replaced by the Tab Room. Changes in judges without consent of the Tab Room may result in the round being re-run.

3. If there are less than eight entries, no elimination rounds are required. Any event with eight or more entries must break to elimination rounds.

1. For events with 7 or fewer entries, determine the state champion using the following tie breaks:

1. all ranks except lowest
2. all ranks
3. reciprocals of all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc.
4. judge preference
5. online coinflip

2. For events with 8 or more entries, the Executive Committee may choose how many entries will advance to elimination rounds in each event. The break point for elimination rounds must meet the following standards:

1. Number of entries that will advance in each event will be announced prior to the start of round 1.
2. A minimum of 25% of an event’s entry total (rounded up to the nearest whole number) must advance in each event.
3. No final may be smaller than four entries. For example, an event with twelve entries must clear a minimum of four students to finals.
4. All entries whose rank totals are tied with an advancing entry also advance. For example, if the target to advance is six, but a rank total tie exists between sixth and seventh, the top seven entries advance.

3. If more than seven entries advance, section a quarter or semifinal round. Sections should have no fewer than four and no more than seven entries. If more than 21 entries advance, quarterfinals must be held. If 15-21 entries advance, semifinals in three sections are held.  Ranks are not truncated in elimination rounds.
4. Elimination rounds are snaked using Speech tabulation software: the top seeded entry is placed in the first section, and the next entries are assigned in order by seed order going into the round until the number of sections is exhausted. The next entry is placed in the last section and the rest filled in up to the first section. Then, the next entry is placed in the first section and filled in to the last, and so on.

1. Seeding in elimination rounds should use the following tie breaks:

1. all ranks except lowest
2. all ranks
3. reciprocals of all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc.
4. judge preference
5. online coinflip

2. After each elimination round, placement order is determined by the following tie breaks:

1. rank in elimination round only
2. judge preference in the elimination round
3. reciprocals all ranks: total number of 1’s, total number of 2’s, etc
4. If there is a tie after the first three steps and

1. If it is a Quarterfinal round or Semifinal round: online coinflips
2. If it is a Final Round and the tie reaches this point, then the tie will stand and both entries will receive the placement. Placement will remain in order; placement will not skip in order to accommodate the tie.

3. Six entries advance out of a semifinal round (an elimination round with two or three sections), together with any entry tied with an advancing entry on both overall rank total and ranks in the previous elimination round. Twelve entries should advance out of a quarterfinal, together with any entries tied with an advancing entry on both overall rank total and ranks in the last elimination round. Advance the top overall entries, not equal numbers from individual sections. If more than seven entries are tied to advance to finals from semifinals, or more than 14 are tied to advance to semifinals from quarterfinals, then all entries tied for the last spot on both scores are excluded from advancing.

5. Running of Online Competitions at the State Championship(s)

1. Synchronous Online Debate Rounds

1. The general expectation is for participants while speaking to have the video turned on to maximize visual and audio cues for listeners. The judge should generally always have their video turned on. However, should bandwidth or other technical issues occur, judges are encouraged to accommodate to maximize participation of all involved.

1. Each team receives ten (10) minutes of tech time to resolve technical issues.  If the team cannot fix their technical issue within their tech time, teams will forfeit the debate.

2. Prior to the beginning of debates, judges will do a roll call to make sure each student is present, everyone will test audio and video.
3. Debaters should establish and test a means of messaging their partner during the round if they cannot be physically in the same location. This may be through instant messaging, a phone conversation, or whatever debaters deem prudent. Debaters should not plan to use a separate communication platform that requires computer video or computer audio as that will disrupt the online debate round.

2. Synchronous Online Speech Rounds

1. Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Prep rooms will be split by speaker order. All of the first speakers will be assigned to Prep Room 1, 2, or 3 on the schematic. They will report to their prep room, and the proctor will give all first speakers three questions unique to first speakers. Each speaker will privately chat the proctor which question they choose. Once the proctor receives a response from all first speakers, they will announce that prep begins. First speakers will prep with their cameras on and microphones off. The proctor will stop prep when appropriate and send them to their competition rooms. Ten minutes after the first speakers have drawn, proctors for the second speakers will be notified that they may draw and use the same process, and so on. Each set of speakers will receive three unique questions to their speaker position.
2. Judges will wait in the competition room until all speakers have performed. Judges should give time signals as usual, though competitors will be warned to time themselves because issues with time signals will not be grounds for protest.

2. Impromptu Speaking

1. Students should report to their assigned rooms on the schematic.  On the electronic ballot, judges will have designated topics for each speaker.  The judge should use the speaker order from the schematic.  . Each set of speakers will receive three unique questions to their speaker position. The judge should put the topics in the chat and the speaker will choose their speech topic.  Once their choice has been made, students' time will begin.  
2. Judges should give time signals as usual, though competitors will be warned to time themselves because issues with time signals will not be grounds for protest.

3. Asynchronous Speech Competitions

1. Competitors will submit the necessary number of recordings of their performances that will be judged throughout preliminary rounds, elimination rounds, and finals.
2. Professional equipment enhancements may not be used. Professional equipment includes professional lighting kits, professional grade camera recording and audio devices, and softboxes. Students are welcome to film their recording on their school’s auditorium stage, but the use of stage lighting is not permitted. Lavalier/lapel microphones and ring lights are permitted.
3. Competitors may not use green screens, virtual backdrops, or on-screen text during their performance in any event. The camera must remain on throughout the duration of the performance; a student may not turn off their video at any point during their recording. The use of lighting tricks like shadow puppets are not permitted.
4. Submissions or recordings may not be edited using any software; all submissions must be non-stop footage of the entire performance done through the permitted submission platform
5. The camera being used must remain stationary throughout the entire performance, and no zooming or panning is permitted. Competitors may determine how close or distant the camera is set up in order to maximize both verbal and nonverbal communication.
6. Other individuals may be present while filming, but audience interaction (laughing, applause, etc.) must not be included in the performance.

4. AWARDS FOR MEMBER SCHOOLS AT THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP(S)

6. Member School Entry Awards at the State Championship(s)

1. Each event will recognize all students advancing to elimination rounds in their events, as well as a champion and runner-up in debate events and the top six (6) in speech events, including Champions in those events. In individual or duo speaking events without elimination rounds, only Champion, Runner-up, and 3rd Places will be recognized.
2. Debate events will award speaker awards in each two-person division based on the size of the event. Speaker awards will be awarded solely on the basis of performance in the preliminary rounds. Speaker awards will be determined based on High-Low Speaker points. In case of ties, the tiebreakers will be in the following order:

1. Double High-Low Speaker Points
2. Total Speaker points
3. Opposition Wins
4. Judge Variance
5. Random Number (as determined by Tab Room software)

7. Member School Awards at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championships

1. The GFCA should recognize the top three schools in three separate Sweepstakes categories using points earned at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship and Varsity Congressional Debate State Championship.

1. Debate Sweepstakes

1. If offered at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship and the Varsity Congressional Debate State Championship, the events used to calculate these awards will include:  Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Lincoln Douglas Debate.
2. Points will only be given to debate entries reaching elimination rounds at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship. The following formula will be used to determine placements in Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Lincoln Douglas Debate:

1. 25 points for a Championship entry
2. 20 points for a Runner Up entry
3. 15 points for Semifinalists (non-advancing)
4. 10 points for Quarterfinalists (non-advancing)
5. 5 points for Octofinalists (non-advancing)
6. 2 points for Double Octofinalists (non-advancing)

3. Points will only be given to congress entries reaching elimination rounds at the Varsity Congressional Debate State Championship. The following formula will be used to determine placements in Congressional Debate:

1. 10 points for Championship entry
2. 8 points for runner-up entry
3. 5 for 3rd place
4. 3 points for finalists
5. 1 point for semi-finalists (non-advancing).

4. The Debate Sweepstakes Champion is calculated by the summation of the total points earned by the top ten debate entries from each school. The school with the highest point total will be, the school with the highest point named Champion, the school with the second highest points named Runner-up, etc.

1. In the event of a tie in sweepstakes, the following serves as the tie-break formula, in order until tie is broken.

1. Total 1st places in the specific category, then total of 2nd places, etc.
2. If not determined by [a], ties in Sweepstakes ARE allowed.

2. Speech Sweepstakes

1. If offered at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, the events used to calculate these awards will include:  Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation, Impromptu and Duo Interpretation.
2. Points will only be given to speech entries reaching elimination rounds at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.  If there is no final round, no more than 50% of the field may receive sweepstakes points.  The following formula will be used to determine placements in speech events:

1. 15 points for Championship entry
2. 10 points for Runner Up entry
3. 5 points for 3rd place entry
4. 3 points for all other finalists
5. 2 points for semi-finals (non-advancing)
6. 1 point for quarter-finals (non-advancing).

3. The Speech Sweepstakes Champion is calculated by the summation of the total points earned by the top ten debate entries from each school. The school with the highest point total will be, the school with the highest point named Champion, the school with the second highest points named Runner-up, etc.

1. In the event of a tie in sweepstakes, the following serves as the tie-break formula, in order until tie is broken.

1. Total 1st places in the specific category, then total of 2nd places, etc.
2. If not determined by [a], ties in Sweepstakes ARE allowed.

3. Student Congress Sweepstakes

1. If offered at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship, the events used to calculate these awards will include Student Congress divisions.
2. Points will only be given to student congress entries reaching elimination rounds at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship. The following formula will be used to determine placements in Congress:

1. 10 points for Championship entry
2. 8 points for runner up entry
3. 5 points for 3rd place entry
4. 3 points for finalists
5. 1 points for semi-finalists (non-advancing)

3. The Congress Sweepstakes Champion is calculated by the summation of the total points earned by the top six Congress entries from each school. The school with the highest point total will be, the school with the highest point named Champion, the school with the second highest points named Runner-up, etc
4. In the event of a tie in sweepstakes, the following serves as the tie-break formula, in order until the tie is broken.

1. Total 1st places in the specific category, then total of 2nd places, etc.
2. If not determined by [1], ties in Sweepstakes ARE allowed.

4. Overall Sweepstakes

1. All events offered at Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship will be used to calculate these awards.
2. To be eligible for the Overall Sweepstakes Award, schools must have at least 1 entry in speech, at least 1 entry in debate and at least 1 entry in Congress.
3. The Overall Sweepstakes Champion is calculated by the summation of the total points earned by the top ten debate entries from each school, the top ten speech entries from each school and the top six congress entries from each school.
4. In the event of a tie in sweepstakes, the following serves as the tie-break formula, in order until the tie is broken.

1. Total 1st places in the specific category, then total of 2nd places, etc.
2. If not determined by [1], ties in Sweepstakes ARE allowed.

8. Bruce Rogers President’s Cup at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championships

1. The GFCA will recognize a school annually at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship with the Bruce Rogers President’s Cup. The Bruce Rogers President’s Cup is awarded for a one-year possession to the member school participating in the present tournament whose total number of rounds is highest at the conclusion of the tournament.
2. The total number of rounds for all student entries accumulate from year to year.
3. The winning school each year will be set back to zero and the records for other schools carried forward to the next year.
4. A tie will be broken in favor of the school whose students were in the largest number of rounds in the present tournament.
5. A member school can only win the Bruce Rogers President’s Cup every five years

5. AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP(S)

9. Coach of the Year

1. The GFCA awards two (2) coaching honors annually to active speech & debate coaches.
2. One will be dedicated to a coach of debate events (Congressional, Lincoln-Douglas, Policy and Public Forum).
3. One will be dedicated to a coach of speech events (Dramatic Performance, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Program of Oral Interpretation, Impromptu and Original Oratory).
4. Recipients should be nominated based on the following criteria:

1. The candidate is in good standing with the GFCA.
2. The candidate demonstrates enthusiasm for speech & debate activities.
3. The candidate has a high regard and respect for the students they work with.
4. The candidate has a high regard and respect for fellow coaches.
5. The candidate works toward the improvement of the GFCA and speech & debate activities in Georgia.
6. The candidate promotes interest in interscholastic speech & debate activities through the strength of their program.
7. The candidate has acquired the respect of the students they work with as well as other students in the community.

5. The Chair of the Executive Committee will collect nominations at least six (6) weeks prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.
6. The voting process will be conducted by the GFCA State Tournament Election Officials.  Voting should open no less than three weeks before the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.   GFCA member schools should have seven (7) days to vote.
7. The awards should be presented annually at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.

10. J. Richard Bracknell Service Award

1. The GFCA will honor an individual or organization annually with the J. Richard Bracknell Service Award for service to the Association and community.
2. Recipients of the honor should be nominated based on exemplary professional service and/or support to the GFCA community.  
3. The Chair of the Executive Committee will collect nominations by January 1st prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.
4. The individual receiving the majority of the Executive Committee vote will receive the award.
5. The awards should be presented annually at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.

11. Administrator of the Year

1. The GFCA will honor a current middle school or high school administrator of a GFCA Member School annually for their support of the organization and community.
2. Recipients should be nominated based on the following criteria:

1. Encourage speech & debate education through active support of curricular and/or co-curricular programming.
2. Foster cooperation between the speech & debate program and the rest of the school, showcasing students and their achievements with other administrators, school board members, and the community at-large.
3. Lead a continuing dialogue with students, parents, faculty, and staff members to sustain and grow speech & debate participation.
4. Encourage team spirit and play an active role in the speech & debate program.
5. Demonstrate leadership and exemplify committed support to the speech & debate program’s livelihood.
6. Advocate for speech & debate activities among other principals and the community at-large.

3. The Chair of the Executive Committee will collect nominations by January 1st prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.
4. The individual receiving the majority of the Executive Committee vote will receive the award.
5. The awards should be presented annually at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.

6. GFCA Hall of Fame

1. The GFCA maintains a Hall of Fame for speech & debate coaches in Georgia.
2. Recipients should be nominated based on the following criteria including but not limited to:
3. The candidate is in good standing with the GFCA.

1. The candidate demonstrates enthusiasm for speech & debate activities.
2. The candidate has a high regard and respect for the students they work with.
3. The candidate has a high regard and respect for fellow coaches.
4. The candidate works towards the improvement of the GFCA and speech & debate activities in Georgia.
5. The candidate promotes interest in interscholastic speech & debate activities through the strength of  their program.
6. The candidate has acquired the respect of the students they work with as well as other students in the community.
7. The candidate has worked to foster the growth of speech & debate activities in Georgia.
8. The candidate has promoted speech & debate outside of the speech & debate community in Georgia as an effective educational and communicative tool.
9. The candidate has coached in Georgia for at least five (5) years.

4. The Chair of the Executive Committee will collect nominations by January 1st of odd-numbered years prior to the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.
5. The voting process should be run by the Chair of the Executive Committee.  The Hall of Fame voting body should consist of the Executive Committee plus the current members of the Hall of Fame. Abstentions should not count against the nominee. Nominees must receive 75% of the votes cast to be inducted.
6. The awards should be presented every odd-numbered year at the Varsity Speech & Debate State Championship.

BYLAW 4 - CODE OF CONDUCT

1. PHILOSOPHY

1. To maintain the high standards, the Association holds a Code of Conduct which stands as a statement of expected acceptable behavior and also as an educational instrument for the community. Each program is strongly urged to establish its own written rules and regulations to ensure the best and most workable atmosphere possible for all Association Members.
2. The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association is committed to providing its participants the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors.  This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect.  The GFCA is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination are prohibited. All participants at GFCA State Championship(s) should recognize the rights of others and communicate and act with respect for opponents, colleagues, critics, tournament hosts, and audience members. Communication or conduct which engenders ill-will and disrespect for speech & debate ultimately reduces the utility of speech & debate for all who participate in it and should, therefore, be avoided.
3. The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association is committed to the enforcement of this policy.  Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises and prosecution by authorities.

2. FAIR PLAY POLICY

1. GFCA member schools are required to conduct all relationships with other schools in a spirit of fair play.
2. It is the responsibility of a member school to use every means at its disposal to impress upon faculty, students, team members, coaches, judges, parents, and spectators the values of fair play in preparation for the management of speech & debate contests.
3. It is the responsibility of the host school to take steps to ensure the comfort and security of all students, coaches and spectators.
4. Official protests of fair play at the State Championship(s) should be brought to the attention of the GFCA Executive Committee in writing before the start of the next round following the incident. The GFCA Executive Committee will investigate the incident and take steps to ensure future incidents do not happen, including but not limited to a discussion with the individual, a discussion with the head coach, forfeiture of the judge bond, and/or removing the person from the tournament. If the action is egregious enough for bond forfeiture and/or removing the person from the tournament, the principal of the school(s) involved will be formally notified by the Chair of the Executive Committee or their designee.
5. The GFCA reserves the right to contact outside organizations to assist with the health and safety of all participants.

3. PETITION PROCESS

1. The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association defines two types of petitions that can be lodged at the State Championship(s).

1. Equity, Harassment & Discrimination: Any party seeking to petition regarding equity issues, harassment, discrimination and bullying at the GFCA State Championship(s) should submit an Equity petition. These are handled by the Equity Officer(s) in conjunction with the Executive Committee
2. Procedure & Rules Infraction: Any party seeking to petition regarding an infraction of rules or procedures at the GFCA State Championship(s) should submit an ombudsperson petition.  These are handled by the Ombudsperson and evaluated based primarily on procedures outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws.  

1. In addition to our rules and procedures, the Ombudsperson can also rely to an extent on the National Speech & Debate Association Unified Manual.  

2. Upon receipt of petitions at the State Championship(s), the Equity Officer(s) and/or Ombudsperson(s) will will notify all individuals and/or teams involved and conduct any research and interviews necessary in an attempt to gather all pertinent information regarding the perceived violation and then present the petition to only Executive Committee members for review.
3. After the Executive Committee reaches a decision regarding the perceived violation in the petition, the Equity Officer(s) and/or Ombudsperson(s) will reply to the petitioner in writing.  All petitions and petition resolutions, with personal information redacted,  will be made available to the GFCA Member Schools annually to review and discuss at the Spring Meeting.
4. Petitions of the Executive Committee’s action taken regarding a petition resolution will not be entertained. All decisions by the Executive Committee should be considered the final say on the matter.

APPENDIX 1 – CHANGE HISTORY