Constitution

The Ottawa Hills Speech and Debate Constitution


Mission Statement:

As a team, we help others to achieve their goals by building confidence and by teaching students how to

lead and communicate their ideas effectively.

We also fully embody the mission of the Ohio Speech and Debate Association: to provide educational, civic, social, and ethical development.


Our Code of Conduct

As a team, we value improvement over victory. We win as a team by pushing each other to excel as individuals, to learn as much as we can whenever possible, and to aim to become our best selves. The members of our team embody this value by:

  • Prioritizing School Work

We are an academic organization, so our activity on the weekends supports our classwork and our classwork supports our activity. We know that being a part of this team requires that we give our best work to our teachers during the week.

  • Respecting All Voices

We respect opposing viewpoints and welcome everyone to speak with clarity and kindness, even those who we disagree with. Anyone has the right to opt out of any conversation at any time. At meetings, we are silent and attentive when a coach or an officer is addressing the team, and as spectators, we are silent when someone is giving a speech to the room.

  • Respecting Others

No harassment (bullying, hazing, aggressive pressure, intimidation, or inappropriate conduct) is tolerated,period. Whether an interper, orator, or a debater, we respect everyone's right to choose a category that fits them best. We do not make mean comments about those who choose to succeed in a different category or way than we do. We always respect others’ boundaries, and we make those boundaries known so that they can be respected.

  • Following Etiquette at Team Events

We dress professionally for tournaments and follow the school dress code for all other team events. We always respect property that is not our own, both at our school and at tournaments. Make sure to always clean up after yourself and to not leave an uncleaned mess in a room. We do not leave or enter a room while someone is giving a speech, nor do we interrupt a speaker. We follow all rules and instructions set by each tournament host.

  • Managing Our Time

We do our best to arrive on time for tournaments or practices, and if we’re running late, we notify a coach as soon as possible with a phone call and a message when necessary. We are always on time for rounds, period. We inform a coach if we know we are not able to attend no later than 1 week before the tournament. If there is a valid reason we cannot attend after the deadline has passed, we will notify a coach as soon as possible to avoid any drop fees. We make time each week for practices either at school or at home. Unless we have a schedule conflict, we stay for awards to support our fellow teammates in their victories.

  • Taking Responsibility

We submit all forms that are required to participate on the team before the deadlines and we ensure that our parents are aware of all information that is provided. If there is a problem that we caused, we focus on fixing the problem rather than who was involved. We always inform a coach of problems we know about, including: if we are running late or unable to make it to a tournament, if our transportation plans change, if we are having trouble with another teammate, or if there is an emergency.

Expectations Of Team Members

In addition to our Code of Conduct, we have a few expectations for team members. We do our best to achieve these expectations, and set goals that are respectful towards the team and ourselves.

  • Listen. We follow the Codes of Conduct of our school and our team. We also do our best to follow the instructions set by our coaches. We are attentive when a coach or officer is addressing the team.

  • Encourage others to do their best. We do not compete against each other; we compete against ourselves every weekend. Our ranks are not equal to our worth or our contribution to the team. We help others with our knowledge and our encouragement, and we challenge each other to give our best at practice and at tournaments.

  • Practice to Improve. We practice at least twice monthly with a coach, and try our best to practice at least once weekly at home. Students who are going to a tournament must practice and be prepared to compete in their event at least the week before unless they get permission from a coach.

  • Participate with the Team. We help with fundraisers, tournament prep, and other team activities to the best of our ability. We try to go to every tournament that our schedule allows if we are comfortable and able to do so.


Membership Requirements

There are very few requirements to be a part of our team. In addition to following the Code of Conduct, there are a few things that the school and our team need from you to ensure your safety and success.

  • Submit All Forms. Each member must have all required forms signed by a parent and on file. This includes the medical form, transportation releases, permission forms, and any other forms that are requested by a coach.

  • Bring Judges. Each team member is required to supply one or more adults who can judge for at least two tournaments that the team member attends. Any trusted adult, including family, neighbors, and friends, are eligible to judge. Judges are essential for our team to attend tournaments, and we are penalized for each judge we do not bring. We understand that family situations may vary, and this might not always be possible. There is also an opt-out option that you can discuss with a coach if needed.

  • Permission for Early Departure. The coaching staff is not always going to be immediately accessible at tournaments while filling a judge slot. Students will never be alone, although the present adult might be a parent volunteer or other certified adult. As a result, it is essential that students do not leave the premises without direct permission from the coach. Without this, an emergency situation could put others at risk as we try to find you. Direct acknowledgement includes face-to-face discussion or the response from a coach to your text. Your text does not count as implicit permission to leave. It is also encouraged to let the coach know if you need to leave before the tournament begins so that appropriate arrangements can be made on your behalf, avoiding any delays or confusion later.

  • Inform the Coach. In addition to early departures, coaches need to be informed of appropriate issues, such as medical or logistical situations. If there is information that seems like it would be relevant to a coach, do not keep it to yourself. The coach must be informed no later than a week in advance so long as it is feasible to do so. Late drops result in fees that the team is charged for the inconvenience to the tournament host. We prefer not to pay for students who can’t go to tournaments so that we can continue to afford students who can, so please let us know of any conflicts as soon as you know you can’t go.


Consequences

*Every violation will be measured by the officers based upon the severity of the infraction. If the violation is decided to go above and beyond the strike system then it will be dealt with by the Ottawa Hills School Code of Conduct.

Violations of the team’s Code of Conduct will be discussed with the officers to discuss how the misbehavior fits into the strike system..

Strike System:

Strike 1:

Verbal Warning from Coach

Strike 2:

A meeting with the team officers to discuss the infraction and expected resolutions

Strike 3:

Suspension from tournaments for a certain period of time based on the severity of infraction

Violations of the Ottawa Hills School Code of Conduct will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis in accordance to the severity of the infraction, bringing in the school administration for appropriate consequences if necessary.

Failure to meet a requirement could affect the eligibility to compete at future tournaments until a resolution is reached.