Minutes

January 12, 2002

I. President Cardoza called the meeting to order at 9:17am. Tim Campbell and Chuck Ballingall were absent. Mikendra McKoi served as proxy for LeAnn Richards, and Myrna Goodwin served as proxy for Bob Stockton.

II. Corrections to the minutes from September 22:

            A.  p.1, item I: "Fieni" should be Fiene.

            B.  p. 1, item II-D-2: "Ladnese" should be Lagnese.

            C.  p. 1, item II-D-3: "Tilly" should be Quintilian.

            D.  p. 5, item VII-B-3a: The meeting is not in room 150; the rent is $150.

E.   p. 5, item VII-B-3b: Council members are encouraged to stay in the hotel if they can; however, they need not stay for four nights.

F.   p. 5, item VII-C-1: "Twentieth" should be Twenty-first or 21^st.

            G.  p. 6, item VIII-B-3: In Corey's absence, the committee distributed the section.

            H.  p. 7, item IX-A-1: "Vittel" should be Vettel.

 

 

III. President Cardoza

            A. Handouts:

                        1) Revised Articles of the Constitution: 3,4,6,7,14.

                        2) Qualifier allocations for State Tournament 2002.

3) Team Debate rules and judging guidelines -- intended to catalyze discussions within leagues about the state of debate in California.

4) Hall of Fame nominees (ballots to be cast during lunch).

 

B. Announced the creation of a database which the Area Chairs can use to register students for the 2002 State Tournament. The database should streamline that process considerably. Cardoza thanked the Area Chairs for taking on the new method, as well as Reed Niemi for helping to develop the database.

 

~ Two disks were given to Area Chairs, so Cullen asked if one contained an Excel version and the other Microsoft Works. Cardoza replied that both disks contain both versions.

 

~ Macdonald asked if she could get a copy of the database on compact disc. Cardoza said he could do that for anyone who would prefer that medium.

 

C. Reminded the Council that written declarations of candidacy for the Council's elected offices needed to be given to him today. All candidates would be announced at meeting's end.

 

 

IV. VP Activities Niemi

A. The database for State looks great, and it will probably reduce the Area Chairs' workload considerably.

B. Buchanan High seems to be an excellent site. The administration has been quite gracious. All of the tournament 'headquarters' (tab, judges, etc.) will be within 200 yards of each other.

C. Handed out an information sheet for the 2002 Tournament. League Presidents should also have registration cards for the tournament hotels.

D. Encouraged everyone attending the tournament to stay at our official hotels.

E. Announced that registration for State 2002 would be at the Piccadilly Inn, not on campus.

 

~ Keller-Firestone asked about the availability of food for students. Boone replied that several vendors would be brought onto campus so that food would always be available to students.

~ Cardoza praised Boone for her excellent rapport with the Buchanan administration. He also thanked Fernandes for her assistance in negotiating with the hotel in order to have registration there.

 

V. VP Curriculum Williamson

A. Thanked Cummings for filling in last September.

B. UC accreditation:

1) So far, all "Oral Interpretation" templates have been approved by the UC for visual-performing arts credit.

2) Handouts of approved course templates:

a. Carondelet: Students can receive visual-performing arts credit without taking the Acting 1-2 course if they compile a portfolio and participate in a number of performances. Competing in speech tournaments is one of the performance requirements. The complete procedure for challenging the Acting 1-2 course was distributed.

 

b. Long Beach Unified district's course template for "Forensics: Argumentation/Debate". This is an approved course for "f" credit (general elective, not visual-performing arts).

                                   

~ Cardoza encourages those who are assembling a course template for first-time approval to "cut and paste" sections of: 1) previously approved course templates as well as 2) the California visual and performing arts standards.

 

~ Williamson also cautioned teachers about the course titles. "TV Production" and "Speech and Debate" are two titles that tend to be rejected by the UC.

 

~ S. Niemi asserted that she was having trouble getting her "Oral Interpretation" course approved for English credit. Williamson suggested changing the course's title to "Rhetoric".

 

C. Handbook revisions:

1) Individual Events section is complete. Debate and Congress revisions are pending.

2) New handbook should be published by the end of Summer 2002. The handbook will be assembled in a three-ring binder, rather than in book form, to allow for easier insertions/revisions in the future.

3) A box will be added to the CHSSA Assessment Form; by checking the box, a coach could automatically order a Coaches' Handbook.

 

 

D. The Western States Communication Association has invited CHSSA to present a workshop under the California State Communication Association "umbrella". Williamson will present a debate workshop during their conference in Long Beach March 2-5, 2002. Rita Pritchard might accompany her.

~ Macdonald also encouraged the Council to elect Anne Rosbor, a former San Diego speech coach, President of CATE (California Association of Teachers of English). Please spread the word to your English Department chairs, as well.

 

E. Handout: Early draft of the MultiMedia curriculum packet. Many more ideas and lessons will be added.

F. Handout: Copies of a postcard from Educational Video Network. They are offering a free thirty-day trial for their speech and debate videos.

G. Extra copies of the Listening curriculum packet and the "How to Host a Tournament" section of the Coaches' Handbook are available for those who need them.

 

VI. VP Public Relations Fernandes

A.     State Tournament News

1)      The Dinner Dance will be at the Fresno Plaza. Cost is $18. The menu includes chicken, some pasta dishes, and salads. The students will have a free soda bar. Weber and Fernandes urge coaches to attend.

2)      Registration is at the Piccadilly Inn at Cedar and Shaw. The registration area is small, so coaches are advised NOT to bring students to register.

~ Montgomery inquired about rooms. Fernandes stated there are 110 rooms, up to four per room. She also acknowledged that the hotel will give students breakfast every day throughout the weekend.

3)      Both State hotels have waived the energy surcharge.

 

B.     Upcoming Council meetings

1)      Spring 2002: May 16-18 at the Radisson near LAX. Rate is $84. Registration cards for the hotel will be given to Cardoza in two weeks.

2)      Fall 2002: Sept. 19-21, same place (Radisson LAX).

3)      Winter 2003: Jan. 9-11, Hyatt Islandia. Rate is $84 (which is cheaper than our rate this year!)

 

~ Goodwin expressed concern that the Winter meeting is starting to regularly conflict with the Fullerton invitational, which several Council members from Southern California attend. Since the Council meetings were initially moved off of Martin Luther King weekend to accommodate the invitational at James Logan HS, she'd like to see Fullerton given the same consideration.

 

~ Cummings noted that many Council members are on the tournament staff at the MLK invitational, which is why the meeting was moved. Fernandes added that Fullerton has started using Council members as well.

 

~ Cardoza thanked Goodwin for bringing the Fullerton conflict to the Council's attention. He pledged that, in the future, the Fullerton conflict will be considered when scheduling the Winter meetings.

 

C.     Finance Report: Johnson continues to send letters out. Fernandes is meeting with the Franich foundation.

 

VII. Secretary Pinza

A. Conducted a "paper roll call" of all the handouts. A complete list of all handouts from the meeting is provided at the end of these minutes.

 

B. Asked that coaches check their committee assignments in the directory. All committee rosters will be corrected before the May meeting.

 

C.     Goodwin asked about the status of the website -- is the content current?

1)      Barembaum replied that the Constitution was about eighteen months old because that was the last time he received an electronic update. If revisions are submitted electronically, he can easily put them on the site.

2)      Corey asked if the site's content could be provided in a form other than "pdf". Is there a way to download items as text documents? Barembaum said there is a way and outlined the procedure:

a. On the Acrobat Reader, click the "T" button. The cursor becomes an "I" beam (instead of the hand). 

b. Click and drag to select the text you want.

c. Hit Control + C (to copy text).

d. Paste the text into a blank Word document.

 

3)      SECRETARY'S NOTE: The minutes and directories will continue to be distributed electronically to all whose e-mail addresses are listed in the directory.

 

VIII. Treasurer Barembaum

A.     Will be leaving at the lunch break to meet his students and take them to Fullerton. Thus, expenses must be sent to his home address via "snail mail".

B.     Handouts:

1)      League and Area reports listing which schools have paid CHSSA dues and the amounts they have paid. Names and address of schools are also provided, but they are in no particular order.

~ Underwood: This information is current through what date? Barembaum: the dues listed are 2002 dues only. The actual directory of schools contains both current members and schools that paid dues in 2001 but have not renewed.

~ Are late fees included in the assessment totals? Underwood asked. No, said the treasurer.

 

2)      Reminded the Council that all State Tournament entries must be postmarked no later than April 1, according to the Constitution. Entry fees for the tournament are assessed as of April 20. This deadline will be enforced to allow ample time to double-check schools' assessments.

 

3)      Last year, about half of the assessment forms and dues arrived at the State Tournament, giving Barembaum very little time to check them against the entries. As a result, at least one school competed at last year's tournament without paying CHSSA dues. To avoid this in 2002, deadlines will be strictly enforced.

~ Brasher encouraged coaches to mail in entries as soon as possible, since the tournament is a week earlier this year. Macdonald also reminded the Council that the post office has slowed down due to the anthrax scare.

 

 

IX. Editor Glahn

A.     The Feb. 1 issue of the bulletin will focus on tournaments.

1)      The State Tournament will be featured. Glahn is working with Boone to get some pictures of Buchanan that aren't blanketed by the Central Valley fog.

2)      A portion of the "How to Host a Tournament" section from the Coaches' Handbook will be included.

3)      A Pennsylvania coach has penned some reviews (more expository than critical) of software programs designed for tournament operations.

B.     Next issue will focus on curriculum. Calling for submissions:

1)      Ask teachers and speech alumni to write articles.

2)      Submit lessons that correlate to the California Standards for Speaking and Listening.

3)      Write and submit articles that illustrate how worthwhile our activity is, even if it's not tested on the High School Exit Exam!

4)      Submission deadline: March 1

 

 

X. Historian Cummings

A.     Gertrude Baccus passed away on October 10. She had been ill for some time.

1)      One of the original ten coaches inducted into the CHSSA Hall of Fame.

2)      Coached and taught at Redlands HS from 1949-1973.

3)      Her students won numerous awards at the District, State, and National levels, including two National Champions. Students have also gone on to succeed in many fields, including education, law, medicine, religion, government, business, and the arts.

4)      President of the Citrus Belt at a time when that league boasted 29 schools.

5)      When CSU San Bernadino established their invitational in 1984, they named their travelling trophy the Baccus Quality Sweepstakes award.

6)      Popular speaker Larry Burgess notes that Baccus always spoke of the art and responsibility of speaking. She would tell her students, "The voice and the logic you apply behind it can be a weapon or an agent employed for good."

~ Cardoza recommended sending a letter of condolence to Redlands and its district. Macdonald advised that a letter to her church might be more appropriate since that is where she was most active over the last twenty-five years.

~ Johnson suggested putting this letter in the bulletin.

 

B.     The Stockton County Board of Education has asked Cummings to assist in their creation of a statewide debate workshop for migrant students. This would not be affiliated with CHSSA, but Cummings welcomes input from the Council. He suggests starting them with Congress and moving towards an LD format that covers policy issues.

 

C.     Handout: A letter from Cummings offering to read original scripts and make comments.

 

D.     Looking for someone to write Extemp topics for State. Please send Cummings all of the topics you use in league tournaments from January through April.

~ Corey: Send them after each competition or all at once? Cummings: After each tournament.

 

E.      Cummings is now in charge of sending bulletins to Hall of Fame members. He's trying to ensure that members don't receive duplicate copies. Goodwin suggested a mailing list for retired Hall of Fame members that wouldn't be duplicated on Glahn's list of current coaches. Cummings is also compiling a complete Hall of Fame mailing list.

 

F.      David Dansky has contributed to the 21^st Century Fund.

 

G.     Hall of Fame vote will take place during lunch. In addition, league presidents have been given two ballots per league. Those ballots must be sent to Cummings no later than February 15.

 

 

 

XI. Area One Chair Brasher

A. Apologized for the poor audio on some of her recently copied videotapes. All of her equipment seemed to die at once. New machines are on the way.

                        1) Has extra copies of the OPP, LD, and Congress tapes from 2001.

2) A professional company is willing to donate their video dubbing services. Details to come.

 

B. Thanked Barembaum for the complete directory of schools; this should help get more assessment dues in by the due date.

C. Has extra Area One reports for anyone who needs one.

D. Willford reported that the Urban Debate League has contributed 14 schools to GGSA. Barembaum added that at least one school in Southern California is a member of Urban Debate League, NFL, and CHSSA.

 

XII. Area Three Chair Cullen

            A. Leagues are currently recruiting new schools.

            B. Three floats from Alhambra H.S. won awards at the Rose Parade.

 

XIII. Area Four Chair Macdonald

A. State 2003 will be held at CSU San Bernadino from April 25-27. The LaQuinta and Hilton hotels will be contacted.

 

B. Indicated that her Area Four roster has some schools that are not in Barembaum's directory. She handed her roster out to Area Four coaches. Many Urban Debate League schools join CHSSA from Area Four.

 

C. Macdonald is currently writing Langauge Arts curriculum for the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) that will include Oral Language lessons. She offered to share her creations with anyone who was interested.

 

D. Nephew Alex has won five debates!

 

XIV. Area Two Chair Underwood (Host Area for State Tournament -- Boone gave report.)

A. Directions from the Piccadilly and Ramada hotels to the Buchanan campus will be in the next bulletin.

B. The first LD round will start at 2pm. Buchanan is still in session at that time, so no food will be available until after the round.

C. Once school ends on Friday (2:45), the campus is completely ours.

D. A "Things to Do Around Town" section will also be featured in the next bulletin.

 

XV. Committee Reports

 

            A. IE Committee -- R. Niemi

1) Does NOT recommend motion 01-05-K [counting ranks of sixth and seventh as 6 or 7 in a student's cumulative score]. Judges don't work hard to distinguish the bottom three ranks, and a score of 5 shows more compassion toward the student.

                       

2) Proposed the creation of an ad hoc committee to discuss the implications of allowing students with professional acting experience to compete in interpretive events.

 

                        3) Illegal scripts at State

a. When a league loses a qualifier due to the use of an illegal manuscript at State, where does that qualifier go? The Area Chair should apply the same procedures in the Constitution that are used to shift State Tournament berths in the event that a league isn't able to fill all of its slots at their qualifier tournament.

 

b. Niemi noted that many DVDs currently come with the screenplay, which can be printed from any computer with a DVD drive.

i. This would be a legal manuscript so long as the cover of the DVD was xeroxed as the title page.

ii. Johnson suggested an addition to the By-Laws that specifically addresses the use of electronic media in interpretive events.

4) Does NOT recommend adding Storytelling as a main event at the State Tournament -- that would require the deletion of an event, and Storytelling seems to incorporate the same skills as Original Prose and Poetry.

a. Cummings noted that Storytelling has a strong cultural component to it that makes it unique among current speech events.

b. Niemi said the Committee would probably consider it as a consolation event at State.

c. Cardoza asked the Committee to continue its discussion in this vein.

                       

5) The Committee applauds the Curriculum Committee's decision to add a box to the assessment form so coaches can order the new handbook.

 

6) Does NOT recommend motion 01-09-G [restricting Thematic pieces to poetry and prose only.]

 

 

 

 

7) RECOMMENDS the creation of three levels of sweepstakes awards for State: schools with 1-4 entries, 5-12 entries, and 13 or more entries.

a. The top five schools in each category would earn a sweepstakes award for that category.

 

b. The top sweepstakes awards should be named after retired Hall of Fame members. Ideally, the size of the programs coached by these members would coincide with the category that bears their namesake trophy.

 

c. Suggests the creation of an ad hoc committee to research and recommend names of Hall of Fame members after whom these sweepstakes awards should be named. Because of their extensive knowledge of Hall of Fame members, Niemi recommended Brasher and Cummings for this committee.

 

8) Committee discussed the use of professionally manufactured (and designed?) visual aids in Expository. Two key issues were addressed:

a. What can be done to ensure that the student originates the design for a visual aid, even if others help him/her execute the design?

~ Boone suggested adding a section to the Expository cover sheet wherein the student signs to verify that s/he originated the ideas for all visuals.

b. Even if the student does design them, if s/he hires a professional to create the posters, does that give the student an unfair, economic advantage over students who can't access the same resources?

~ Several Council members expressed concern about the difficulty of determining which visuals are "professionally" done.

~ Niemi proposed an addition to the Expository ballot that instructed judges to look for visuals that enhanced, rather than dominated their attention. Corey and several others vehemently endorsed this ballot revision.

~ The Committee will continue to investigate this issue.

 

9) RECOMMENDED Motion 01-09-H [Inserting excerpts from another piece into a Humorous, Dramatic, Duo, or Oratorical Interpretation] with the following amendments:

 

            a. Strike all bold print in the following sections of the motion:

A-2c, B-2b.

 

b. As amended, this motion would allow excerpts from another piece of literature to be used in the introductions and transitions of HI, DI, and Duo.

~ Barembaum asked if a student would be allowed to add, for instance, lyrics from a song that was mentioned in the interpretation piece. Niemi replied that the addition would be acceptable in the introduction or during a transition.

 

10) Did NOT recommend that all impromptu speakers be allowed into the contest room at the start of the round. Early speakers could be refuted by later speakers, providing an unfair advantage for the latter.

~ Goodwin pointed out that, in today's climate, leaving an adult (judge) alone in a room with one student is not a good idea.

~ Ko mentioned that this would still be a problem in Extemp even if we eliminated it in impromptu.

~ Barembaum, the author of this proposal, withdrew it until the May meeting so he could discuss it directly with the Committee.

 

B. Congress Committee - Alexander

1) 12 bills and resolution have been chosen for the State Tournament. League Presidents have them now.

2) Bob DeGroff will send the materials for the State Congress to anyone designated by the League Presidents, so long as the names, addresses, etc. are provided. Please send this information to DeGroff as soon as it is available.

3) Corey asked if the Committee had reviewed the process by which the Outstanding Presiding Officer was selected at the State Tournament. Alexander replied that the issue was on their May agenda.

 

            C. Debate Committee - Ko

1) Due to the absence of a number of members, discussion rather than action ruled the day.

2) Remanded motions 01-09-E [hybrid debate teams], 01-05-O [school protection], and 01-09-I [constructive/rebuttal rules] to the May meeting.

3) Considered adding Parli debate as an event at State.

a. Committee is concerned that, because Parli is easier than LD or Policy, its inclusion would kill LD and Policy programs. Students would devote themselves to the easier event.

 

b. R. Niemi offered to share rules of Parli. He has hard copies as well as a CD-ROM. Niemi also suggested that Parli could be a possible consolation event at State.

 

c. Underwood would like to see a video demonstration of the event as part of the consideration process.

 

d. Cummings noted that Parli resembles Extemp in that teams are expected to have comprehensive files of evidence in anticipation of topics. Niemi added that under the current Parli proposal, evidence would not be emphasized.

 

e. Cardoza asked that the committee issue a report on the connections between the California Language Arts Standards and the rules of Parliamentary debate. He'd like to see this report published in the next bulletin.

 

4) Committee also discussed the state of debate in California. It has a vague idea of which leagues are experiencing difficulty. The matter will continue to be discussed.

 

D. Executive Council: Brought Motion 01-09-G [deadline for State drops] before the Council as an addition to "Old Business". Which brings us to....

 

XVI. Old Business

A. Motion 01-09-E was maintained by the Debate Committee

 

            B. Motion 01-09-G

[SECRETARY'S NOTE: A lengthy discussion ensued before a vote on this motion was taken. Below, I've listed highlights of key issues. I've tried to include each significant argument and cite its source accurately while avoiding repetition. If your points are not included below, and you feel they should be, please let me know or correct these minutes at the May meeting. My thanks and apologies in advance - PCP.]

 

1) S. Niemi understood that motions to revise the by-laws were inappropriate at the Winter meeting. Cardoza replied that the Council has a "gentleperson's agreement" to not consider by-law revisions that affect event rules of competition at this meeting. 01-09-G is appropriate because it does not affect the rules of competition.

 

2) Debate regarding the timeline for drop notification

a. MOTION: Cummings - to replace "seven days" with "three days".

~ Macdonald: If Area Chairs come to the Tournament with the alternate's competitor card already filled out (and a manuscript, if necessary), 24 hours should be plenty of notice for the drop.

~ Cummings: Area Chairs need three days to find the alternate.

~ Underwood: The most significant problem is the changing of entries on the day of the tournament, not three days or 24 hours prior.

                                   

 

~ Brasher and Macdonald: The Area Chairs must be given every chance to find an alternate.

~ Cullen: 24 hours isn't enough time, especially if the Chair is travelling to the Tournament.

 

c. MOTION: Underwood - to replace "prior to the first day of the State tournament" with "prior to the start of registration for the State tournament".

~ Carleno: A specific day and time should be established since the days of the tournament are standardized.

 

 

                        3) Debate regarding a timeline for notifying alternates.

~ Montgomery confirmed that the deadline in the motion refers to when the VP Activities needs to be notified about dropped entries.

~ Goodwin: How long does the Area Chair have to find an alternate?

~ Cardoza: At minimum, between 8pm on Wednesday and the start of registration on Friday. The early drop notification helps the tournament staff locate the dropped contestant's card in the tab room.

~ Glahn: This timeline gives an unfair advantage to schools who can afford to take alternates to the State Tournament. Travelling alternates are easier to register when a student drops late.

~ Underwood and Goodwin: There needs to be a deadline for notifying and determining the alternate.

~ Cardoza surveys the Area Chairs: Do we need a deadline for providing alternates before the State Tournament begins?

            > Brasher: No

> Underwood, Cullen, Macdonald: Yes. Substitutions should not be made at the State Tournament.

~ Willford: 8pm the day before the tournament might be too early, since some Area Chairs may be traveling at that time. Suggests 10pm.

 

 

C. Montgomery asked if late fees from State were placed in the General Fund. Cardoza confirmed that they were. Montgomery asked if a By-laws revision would be necessary to ensure that those fees are placed into the 21^st Century Fund. Cardoza referred him to the Treasurer.

 

XVII. New Business: Cummings requested that anyone who wished to speak on behalf of current Hall of Fame nominees do so now. Several speeches were made on behalf of all nominees.

 

XVIII. Good of the Order

A. Willford asked why the Congress bills for State were sent to qualifying students, rather than posted like the debate topics are.

1) Cullen replied that this ensured that all qualifiers had the same amount of preparation time. Willford argued that the mail time varies from league to league, so the prep. time remains unequal.

 

2) Keller-Firestone noted that the bills used to be handed out right after the Congress qualifier tournaments. Montgomery noted that leagues hold their Congress qualifiers at different times; therefore, some leagues would still have an unfair advantage.

 

3) Cardoza suggested that the Congress Committee meet a day early during the Winter meeting so that bills could be printed and distributed at the Saturday Council meeting. Alexander added that leagues could use these same bills at their qualifiers.

 

4) Cardoza asked the Congress Committee consider the issue of when to publish and distribute the State Tournament bills during the May meeting.

 

B. Goodwin suggested posting the State Congress bills on the World Wide Web, which led to a discussion of whether CHSSA needed to hire a Webmaster.

1) Macdonald and Glahn agreed that CHSSA should pay the person in charge of the website's maintenance.

 

2) R. Niemi inquired about the cost of hiring a webmaster. Johnson stated that he had a retired friend that could be persuaded to donate his services.

 

3) Macdonald proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate the possibility of hiring a webmaster. She suggested that those with computer knowledge should sit on this committee, and Barembaum (our current webmaster) should chair. Barembaum, Boone, Macdonald, Goodwin, and Ko accepted her invitation. {Cardoza wishes to keep Goodwin on the committee so that a coach from outside the Council can provide input.}

 

            C. Touching stories.

1) Cardoza relayed a unit that he had heard about wherein students learned how to knit scarves. For two weeks, class consisted of nothing more than sitting in a circle, knitting scarves, and discussing various issues of the day. Students participated with enormous enthusiasm and actively listened during the discussions.

 

2) While Brasher was visiting her parents in a Los Angeles rest home, she volunteered to read Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul to the home's other residents. Eventually, this led to Brasher teaching the residents about current adolescent lifestyles. The response was so positive and the experience so rewarding that Brasher is now videotaping her students' readings and sending the tapes to various rest homes.

~ Montgomery added that many colleges look for community service hours when considering applicants. This could be one of a number of selling points for this program.

 

            D. Announcement of Candidates for Elected Offices

                        1) President: Cardoza, Macdonald

                        2) Vice President of Activities: R. Niemi

                        3) Vice President of Curriculum: Williamson

 

XIX. Meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm.

 

 

Submitted, Paul C. Pinza