Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Club 19:14?
Club 19:14 exists to teach homeschooled students oratorical and analytical skills through the vehicle of competitive speech and debate. Our name refers to Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Our desire is that pleasing the Lord be at the center of how we conduct all matters in this club.
Who is eligible for membership?
Club 19:14 is open to any homeschooling family that home schools 51% of the time. However, there is a membership cap. There are two classes of membership, senior members and junior members.
Senior members are ages 12-18 by January 1, 2009. Senior members are required to compete in two tournaments per year.
New junior members are ages 8-11 by Sept. 1, 2008 and must have an older sibling participating as a senior member in the club. Junior members are not required to compete at tournaments, but are encouraged to do so.
When and where does Club 19:14 meet?
Club meetings are weekly, September through December (except for holidays), then the first, third and fifth Mondays of the month, January through April.
Meeting
times
are 1:00-3:00 p.m. for Speech and 3:30-5:30 p.m. for Team Policy
and Lincoln Douglas Debate (which is only open to seniors). There is a
half-hour break for fellowship between speech and debate. Meetings are
held at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Prosper, Texas, which is on
the west side of Custer Road about 2 miles north of Hwy. 380.
What is NCFCA?
NCFCA is the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. NCFCA believes that formal speech and debate can provide a means for home schooled students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills, addressing life issues from a Biblical worldview in a manner that glorifies God. To provide these opportunities to home schooled students, NCFCA shall facilitate qualifying tournaments throughout the country and the annual national tournament. Family NCFCA affiliation is required for all Club members. For more information on the NCFCA, see: www.ncfca.org.
What skills can members acquire from participation in speech and debate?
Speech Skill Set• Grammar skills are refined
• Writing skills
• Verbal communication skills
• Non-verbal communication skills
• Organization skills
Platform Speech Skills Set
• All the speech skill set PLUS...
• Thematic learning on topic that the speech is written about
• Outline writing
• Writing of speech
Apologetics Speech Skills Set
• All the speech skill set PLUS
• Thematic learning of central Bible themes
• Writing outline cards to be used for event
• Logic
• Analysis Skills
• Worldview
Extemporaneous Speech Skill Set
• All the speech skill set PLUS...
• Current Events
• Economics
• Policies (Foreign and Domestic)
• Quick Organization skills
• Quick Reading skills
• Analysis skills
Debate Skill Set
• All the speech skill set PLUS...
• History (world and U.S.)
• Civics
• Economics
• Philosophy
• Worldview
• Logic
• Analysis skills
Participation in the Club can “replace” other school subjects, depending on the level of involvement your student chooses. By being involved in Debate and Speech you are covering most subjects except Math and Science
What is required of members on Club days?
All students are responsible for coming prepared to Club Day with completed assignments in order to benefit fully from what is being offered. Assignments are designed to help students produce finished works and be ready for competition by January.
In the spirit of our Psalm 19:14 motto ("May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer"), all members must adhere to a code of conduct. All club members are to exhibit a kind, polite and respectful attitude toward others at all times and to behave in a manner that brings glory and honor to God.All club members are required to stay within the geographical boundaries set by the administration of the facilities we use and are to strictly adhere to all established rules/regulations.
If a student is disrespectful, uncooperative or disruptive, the student will be given 1 warning. If the behavior continues the leadership will consult with the parents. Habitual problems will result in dismissal from the club.
Mistakes will occur, but how they are dealt with is important. Conflicts will be resolved according to Matt 18:15-17, whereby the offended goes “directly" to the offender to resolve the issue, refraining from gossip and rumor. If necessary, one or two board members will assist to resolve the matter.
Is tournament participation required for members?
All senior students are required to compete in at least two tournaments with at least one speech event during the club year 2008-2009. Debate and impromptu competition do not fulfill this requirement. All spring competitions are sanctioned through the NCFCA. Practice tournaments MAY be available in the fall for senior students, further enhancing the learning process and preparation for competing. Junior members are not required to participate in tournaments, but are encouraged to do so.
What are the student time requirements outside of Club?
Speech Time commitment per speech event:
(If you are doing multiple speech events, additional time may be needed.)
Fall Semester 3 - 5 hours per week
Spring Semester 2– 3 hours per week
Debate Time commitment:
Fall & Spring Semester 4 - 6 hours per week
These hours given here are in addition to student participation time at Club Day. These time requirements will vary and are dependent on the student’s age and ability. They are meant to serve as a guideline only. Each family will need to determine their maximum time of input at home; these are merely stated as minimums.
What is the parent's role at Club?
Teaching speech and debate skills is labor intensive. Club meetings will include instruction and practice. We need parents
to coach: that is, to listen to the students and offer helpful advice,
depending on what was taught that day. For this reason, every child
must have a parent present at Club. If you think you have no skills to
share, do NOT despair! You can learn along with your child. We’re in
this together! You will lean by doing and by observing others.
Parents
with students in speech are required to participate during speech
sessions. Parents with students in debate are required to participate
during debate sessions.
Parents are responsible for making
sure their students are completing their assignments. With junior aged
students it might be necessary for you to help them write their
required speech(s) for Club Day participation.
Parental time and
support is mandatory for all tournaments that the student attends and
any Practice Tournaments hosted by Club 19:14.
How is Club information communicated?
All announcements including club meetings, tournament information and other events will be communicated through the Club 19:14 parent Yahoo group.Families are responsible for checking email regularly to stay informed.To join the Yahoo group, send parent’s name and email address to info@club1914.org. To join the yahoo group for debate discussion, send the student’s and/or parent’s email address to the same address.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. The spirit of the dress code is modesty and professionalism with the intent to glorify Christ. The goal is to minimize the focus on the body or outward appearance and maximize the focus on the development of ideas and communication skills. Students should wear modestly fitted clothing. Shorts should be knee length or longer. No t-shirts with offensive slogans, no tank tops, no midriffs showing, no low-cut blouses, no short skirts.
What are Club costs?
Club Fee: Annual and nonrefundable $50 for the first child, $20 for each additional child, $100 family maximum
Club 19:14 Speech and Debate Camp Costs:
New Member Orientation (all new Senior students): $15.00
Debate Camp (Mandatory for all Debate Students): $20.00
NCFCA Fee: approximately $45 annually
Tournament Fees:
- Approximate Speech entry fee is $25 - $55 (depends on # of speech events you compete in)
- Approximate Debate entry fee is $25/team member for Team Policy and $35 for LD.
- Tournament Clothes: All competing students are required to wear Professional Business Attire (suits/sport jackets + tie) at every tournament.
- Traveling Expenses/Tournament: You will need to also add travel expense to the above costs.
Example: ONE tournament in Houston, for a family with one student competing in debate and two speech events:
• $50 to $60 - tournament fees / student
• $225 - hotel expenses / room ($69 x 3 nights)
• $25 - food / person
• $50 to $100 - gas
Approx. total costs for one tournament = $350 - $525
You can estimate travel expenses at $400 for a family of four including two nights in a hotel. Most tournaments are in Texas. You choose the tournaments in which you would like to participate. Note: Expenses can be lowered depending on where you stay, taking your own food, carpooling options, and optional free “Host Housing” provided by the families where tournament is hosted.
Required Textbooks:
Junior Speech – Beginning Public Speaking, Teacher’s Edition, one copy per family, $17
Senior Speech – Required: As I Was Saying, $22. Recommended but not required: The Art of Interpretation, $22.
Team Policy Debate – Blue Book: Debating the 2008-2009 Debate Resolution by Jeub and Trefethen, $49.95; Story of Philosophy by Bryan Magee, $15 (one per family).
Lincoln Douglas Debate – Red Book by Kim Anderson, $29.95; Story of Philosophy by Bryan Magee, $15 (one per family).
What is the Junior program like?
The Junior program is available for younger siblings of Senior members who are age 8-11 by September 1, 2008, and it's purpose is PURE FUN!!! This is a no pressure, no high expectations activity that we want them to ENJOY as they learn speaking skills. All junior speech students will have instruction, assignments, practice and critiquing during Club days. Memorization of speeches is required. Parents may help their students with speech writing assignments. Debate is not available for this age group.Is there childcare for younger siblings and what is the cost?
Childcare is available for younger siblings at the church during Speech club only.
Childcare Costs:
1 child: Fall Semester $ 90.00
How do I join?
Registration for the 2008-2009 year is now closed. Registration for the next competition year is open during the month of May every year. Limited space is available. To inquire about registration, please contact our Club 19:14 Administrator. NOTE: Due to space limitations, applications will be taken in the following order: 1) current members in good standing (i.e. have fulfilled all Club requirements and have joined by April 30th of the preceding competition year). 2) new students, and 3) current students that have not fulfilled current year’s requirements.