Membership on the Lincoln Speech & Debate Team is both a privilege and a responsibility. Because we compete as an OSAA-sanctioned activity and represent Lincoln High School at tournaments across the state and beyond, all students are expected to uphold high standards of communication, conduct, professionalism, and commitment.
All students are required to review and sign this agreement upon joining the team each year. A signed agreement confirms your commitment to the expectations outlined below and is required to remain in good standing and eligible for competition.
Student Speech and Debate Agreement
I agree to regularly review emails from the team, and respond in a timely manner to all communications. I will communicate regularly with my parents and/or guardians about upcoming tournaments, the team’s practice schedules, pending deadlines, tournament fees, permission slips, and any other information my coaches ask me to share.
I agree that I will work to create a positive, mutually-supportive team environment. I understand that I am a representative of Lincoln High School and the Speech & Debate Team, and that my actions on the team reflect (either positively or negatively) on my peers and coaches. I will model good behavior and ethical conduct at all times.
I agree to regularly attend team practices and to be fully engaged at practice. I will fully participate in and be on-time for drills, practice rounds, informational lectures and tournaments where I’ve pre-registered. I will communicate regularly with my designated team officer / squad leader so that they can track my progress during the year.
I agree to abide by all of the above team regulations as well as the Student Conduct Code set forth in the Portland Public Schools Handbook, the National Speech and Debate Association's Tournament Handbook, the Oregon Student Activities Association (OSAA) Speech & Debate Handbook as well as any and all instructions from coaches and team officers.
I recognize that tournament attire and etiquette require a level of professionalism more stringent than school dress codes and I will abide by those standards set by the coaches. I understand that I am expected to remain at tournaments until the completion of the Awards ceremony. I understand that I am expected to watch Finals Rounds if I do not qualify for elimination rounds.
I understand that my failure to adhere to team policies and procedures, and/or my failure to maintain behavior which reflects positively upon the program and Lincoln High School, may result in my disqualification from competition, removal from the team, and/or potential referral of student behavior to Lincoln High School’s administration.
Novice competitor agreements:
I agree to compete in at least one Speech event and one Debate event during my first competition year.