December Newsletter

Seasons Greetings to each of you. I am officially out of school for Christmas break, so I am hurrying to get this December Newsletter to you before your school lets out for the break. If you are like I am, you are greatly needing this break!

There is a new Coaches Page on the website. Please view this page (click on the

above to view the page). I would very much appreciate your comments and ideas. Please send nominations through the website email for the January coach of the month. This coach will be featured on the Coaches Page. I will go strictly by the nominations received. I think that there are many things each of us do that could be featured in order for us to better know each other's programs. And there are those who work extra hard who deserve extra recognition.

There are several January tournaments. Information for each will be posted on the website. Currently the Greenville HS and Southside HS tournament letters are posted.

Let me express my concern about the . . . shortage of judges at tournaments this season. Please be aware of the following:

1. Host schools need to have at least 15-20 host school judges in order for the judges pool to be adequate.

2. Schools with large entries need to train judges to judge events that their students are not competing in. (IE: A school with no oral interpretation entries should bring judges that are trained to judge oral interpretation since this is the event that is open for them to judge.)

3. We are in need of training more judges in Extemporaneous Speaking.

4. Ted Turner Debate is to be judged by IE and lay judges. Please train your IE judges for this event. Updated information can be found on the website - click on Ted Turner Debate Rules and Ballot.

5. Experienced judges are a vital part of having successful State and District tournaments in March. Fulfillment of judging requirements will be strictly adhered to at the District tournament.

Again, let me remind each school to keep up with paying all dues and fees owed to the NFL. "When you enroll members online you must print the application, have the principal sign it, and keep it in your NFL chapter record book. You will automatically receive a bill for your new members in the same envelope with their membership cards. Please pay within 30 days. Bills over 60 days will be charged a $25 late fee." (from Jim Copeland, National Secretary)

January's letter will include the District information. Please make sure that you have updated copies of the District Manual (click for a printable copy of the manual from the NFL Website). District registration forms require bibliographical information concerning interpretation pieces. It is also requires that complete texts of interpretation pieces be presented at the district registration. Make sure you are gathering these materials now.

As the SC District Chair, I am interested in nominating - on behalf of South Carolina - Gladys Robertson to the NFL Hall of Fame. (Nominees must be retired coaches or have been NFL coaches for a minimum of 25 years.) SC has never had a Hall of Famer. Gladys was the founding coach for the SC district and served as the SC District committee member when SC was part of the Georgia District. She was the first SC District Chair. Since Nationals is in Atlanta, I find it appropriate that she be nominated for the induction that will be held in Georgia. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.