Mandatory Member Requirements

Though Plumb has acting directors and coaches, our coaching philosophy extends beyond that. We aim to be a family-centric club where parents are active participants. Speech and debate are not like any other activities or sports. This is life training that will cross apply for whatever else your students do, now and in the future; parental support is integral to success. We welcome all of you to this incredible journey!

--YEAR 1--

Student Requirements:

~ Attend club weekly
~ Do all assigned homework
~ Compete in 2+ events (must include Impromptu and Original Oratory)
~ Compete in a fall tournament and at least two spring ones
~ Recruit at least three community judges (per student) for local tournaments

Parent Requirements:

~ Attend club monthly to learn and grow along with your students
~ Help students with homework
~ Bring a dish to share for the weekly family potluck
~ Judge at the tournaments your students compete in
~ Help your students recruit required number of community judges

--YEAR 2--

Student Requirements:

~ Attend club weekly
~ Do all assigned homework
~ Compete in 3+ events (one from each category)
~ Compete in a fall tournament and at least two spring ones (more, if possible!)
~ Recruit at least three community judges (per student) for local tournaments

Parent Requirements:

~ Attend club monthly where you will now be given a specific role in which to serve
~ Help students with homework
~ Bring a dish to share for the weekly family potluck
~ Judge and/or staff at the tournaments your students compete in
~ Help your students recruit required number of community judges

--YEAR 3+--

Student Requirements:

~ Attend club weekly
~ Do all assigned homework
~ Compete in 3+ events (including ones your coaches are challenging you to do)
~ Be prepared to support novice and younger students
~ Compete in a fall tournament and at least three spring ones (more, if possible!)
~ Recruit at least three community judges (per student) for local tournaments

Parent Requirements:

~ Attend club monthly and serve in your given role (may or may not be the same as last year)
~ Help students with homework
~ Bring a dish to share for the weekly family potluck
~ Judge and/or staff at the tournaments your students compete in
~ Help your students recruit required number of community judges

Note 1: Novice students who are older will be expected to meet the above requirements, but may also be challenged personally to take on more depending on their own personal development and interest. The above information is just a baseline from which to start and assumes the student is beginning in middle school.

Note 2: The study of and training in apologetics is required for all speech members even if they are not competing in this event. We feel that every one of us should be well-versed in Biblical truth and that this is the most important training we can invest in.

Note 3: While not all debate students will be participating in Parliamentary Debate, they will be included in any training that takes place for that as it is included in debate registration.

Note 4: We will discuss parent schedules with each family ahead of time and come up with a parent rotation schedule for club meetings. We want to respect your commitment of only needing to come monthly, while also making sure we have the help needed on a weekly basis.