NFL Newsletter 

 South Carolina District

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August 12, 2002

Dear NFL Schools,

As I say at the beginning of each school year, where did the summer go?  The fact is, though, that the summer vacation weeks are over, and a new school year is upon us.  I am honored to have been elected your District Chair for the 2002-2003 school year.  I hope that I will be able to continue the efficient job that was done by Ruth McAllister for the past two years.  Fortunately, I have the privilege of working with a great NFL committee (Bill Evans, Dan Lesesne, and Minhaj Arastu) and past committee members.  Please keep us informed of your needs and suggestions as the year progresses.  And for this reason I have pushed to get this website up and running.  It is my desire that we use this website and email as a major means of communication throughout the year.  I plan on updating the site on a regular basis.  I need information from you so that the website can be as complete as possible.  I am looking for the following from each of you:

                    1.  Corrections on emails, phone numbers, tournament dates, etc.

                    2.  Photos featuring forensic events

                    3.  Articles from coaches

                    4.  Tournament information - invitations, results, etc.

Please note that as soon as we begin to work on the District tournament, much of this has to be done by mail - hard copies of everything.  The website will serve as information only at that point.

Now for news from the NFL.  I had the privilege of attending the District Chair meeting in Charlotte, NC, during the National Tournament.  Here are items from that meeting that all of us need to know. 

1.  In order to use the online NFL point registration you must pay your dues.  Make sure you read the NEWSFLASH 

2.  The 2003 National tournament will be held in Atlanta, GA, at Georgia State.

3.  No double entries will be allowed next year at the National Tournament.  We have not been informed yet as to the possibility of double entries at the District level.

4.  There will be new CX rules for the two Extemporaneous Speaking events (Domestic and International).  During the final round each speech will be followed by a total of 3 minutes of CX.  The CX will be in a crossfire format allowing interjections.  This will rid the CX of rambling and will allow the examiner to dig further into the true knowledge of the speaker on the topic.  Plan on using this format at Districts.

5.  Donus Roberts introduced a new event for the NFL.  The new event is a Crossfire Debate which will be in the format of a public forum on current issues. The rules will be simple - encouraging all of us to get involved as well as to involve new schools.  I have the rules in print from the NFL.  Frankly, they are not detailed.  So far no ballot has been developed for the event.  Will it be done at Nationals?  This is yet to be determined.  The Bob Jones Academy Tournament (October 12) will host this event along with all other events.  Southside has also expressed interest in having the event at their January 25th tournament.  IF YOU WANT A COPY OF THE EXPLANATION OF THE NEW EVENT, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL MAIL YOU A COPY.  (The event will be featured in the November Rostrum.)

6.  NFL Executive Secretary Jim Copeland will officially retire after the 2002-2003 season.  He will then mentor the new executive secretary and act in a "secretary emeritus" status.  Jim has been a great asset to the NFL.  The Rostrum will explain the selection schedule in a future issue.

The NFL videos are now in my possession.  If you want copies, please get me high quality VHS tapes.  There is also a release form you must fill out.  I have not yet acquired the 2002 National tapes, but I plan to do so in the very near future.

There are several other links for NFL news on this website.  Please look at them, too.

                    2002 National Tournament Results

                     Student Achievements

                     Diamond Coaches

                     NFL Website

One of my greatest concerns for Districts this year is obtaining judges.  I would appreciate your feedback on this matter.

Please add Scott Flesher at the Charleston County School of the Arts to your mailing lists.  (SC Directory)

And, if anyone reading this is not an NFL member, please contact me ASAP and I will get the information you need to get your school involved in speech and debate activities through the National Forensic League.

I trust that each of you will have a great beginning to your school year and that we will see all of you at many tournaments.

Gail