2015 MSCA Business Meeting Minutes – St. Cloud Holiday Inn – CTAM Annual Conference
September 19, 2015

I .Call to order-Jason Olson, MSCA President  
II. Officer Reports
    A.   Secretary-Ceil McDonald—minutes from Sept 2014 available on-line
    B.   Treasurer- Zach Prax –approx $3400 in account
    C.   President Elect-Mike Worcester—no report
    D.   Past President- Scott Sieling—no report
    E.    MSHSL Board of Directors- Chris McDonald
          1.     Chris’ last year on board of directors. Soliciting nominees for term 2016-2020. See him 
                  for questions.
          2.     We now have team trophies at state. We were the only activity w/o them.
          3.     Time limit change at regions. Board decision Oct 1. If approved, would go into effect for 
                   the 2016 tournaments
          4.     Poetry language clean-up proposal is also at regions, and would also go into effect for 
                  2016.
          5.     Pam Wycoff and Chris talked about the possibility of Minnesota hosting the NSDA 
                  tournament in 2020. We hosted successfully in 1997 and many have asked us to do it 
                  again. Prebid approval process status: Good airport, 500 classrooms, entertainment for 
                  students, final round venue for 3500. School system willing to support and rearrange 
                  schedule, like summer school, more custodial time, etc. update on process. District 196 
                  is willing and has the classroom space needed. The convention center also has an 
                  auditorium that meets our needs.  Enthusiastic reception by those in attendance.
     F. President Jason Olson
          1.  Call for Committee.  Goal for next two years to get greater participation. Committee to 
                  work on outreach. Jason asked for volunteers for such a committee. The following 
                  volunteered: Rachel Schott (Chokia-Alberta) Roxy Janke (retired), Sandy Nieland 
                  (Rochester JM) , Ceil McDonald (SSP), Mike Worcester (Hutchinson), Tom Lucas (Bemidji), 
                  Jody Markgraf (Kimball), Bonnie Spohn (EV-W), Lisa Lechter (Windom)
           2.  Newsletter -maybe an electronic one and include tips, handouts, etc  
III. Committee Reports 
    A.  Advisory Committee –minutes on website. State tournament jury rotation system, poetry rule 
         revision, time-limit change; also session on Friday with future proposals will be discussed 
         under new business.
    B. Advisory Committee elections
         Class A candidates to replace Kathy Martin: Doug Smith-Mankato Loyola, Audree Hoovey--
         NYMills, Lisa Lechter-Windom, Casey Wacker- NYMills.  Casey Wacker was elected.
         Class AA candidates to replace Jill Lofald: Zach Prax (Eastview), Sandy Nieland (Rochester JM).              Zach Prax was elected.
         The two continuing members are:  Travis Rother - 2017 (AA) Cal Vandehoef - 2017 (A)
          State Tournament Jury: at-large spot, so open to both classes to replace Ceil McDonald
          Kathy Martin-DGF-, Suzanne White-Woodbury; Tim Coleman-Harding; Jodene Wartman-Eagan
          Kathy Martin was elected.
          The two continuing members are Margaret Kitterman (A) 2017 and Jody Saxton-West (AA) 
          2018.
  C.  MSHSL 
         1.  Cliff Janke--MSHSL Rules Clinician
              Is revising the FAQs. Rewrite with a small committee AA rep Joni Anker. Cheryl Neidt 
              volunteered for Class A. Jenn Baese asks if this is a job for advisory.  Cliff thinks that the 
              advisory has plenty to do, and also it would make the position of speech clinician moot. 
             Some discussion about whether or not the FAQs are rules.
         2.  MSCA Appointed Jury was well-received last year
         3.  The state tournament will be April 15(A)-16(AA) at Lakeville North H.S.
  D.   MSCA Website MAY SEND THINGS TO ADD TO THE WEBSITE
        1.  Join and contribute to the site.  
        2.  Send CTAM materials to [email protected] to have them posted.
        3.  Tournament Calendar-put your date on the website; do we want to use a state-wide 
             calendar, or do we just use the online registration sites. YES, CONTINUE!
  E. Category Committees
        1.  Discussion – Mike Worcester, Rachel Schott  –  
             Is this still considered a valuable resource? Yes, we will try to add another document with 
             suggestions from yesterday’s sessions on the league website; thanks to all the input 
             received yesterday
        2.  Extemp Reading- Kathy Martin
             Book thief. A chapter can be cut 2-3 ways. If a chapter is really short, can combine with the 
             beginning of the next chapter. Read the book, send questions to Kathy Martin
        3.  Storytelling- Marie Kreft, Kathleen Westgard—no update
   F.  MSHSL Hall of Fame Committee  -   Jodi Anker and Howard Vaillaincourt
          Cort Sylvester and Mike Tillman will be inducted. Oct 25
   G.  New Coach Mentorship Update -  Jody Saxton-West  [email protected]
          New coaches should contact Jody if they want a mentor. She will contact people to mentor, as 
          needed. Would like another set of eyes to look over and formalize the info she gives new 
          coaches.copies for people to look at and comment.
IV. Old Business
    A.   Professional Development Opportunities
        1.  NSDA Professional Development and Accreditation www.nflonline.org
        2.  Speak 2 Compete Institute @ St. Thomas-July
    B.   Second year of judging cycle so if you registered last year you should be ok, but head coaches 
          should still login to your Coach’s Clipboard to Vote for State Judges!  Less that 80 people voted 
          last year.  
V.  New Business
    A.  Constitutional Revisions for MSCA.
          Accepted overwhelmingly.
    B.  Ideas from sessions.
          1.  2-minute time limit. Are we creating a Boogey Man? Should we just strike the language?
               Accepted overwhelmingly. 
          2.  5 judge proposal for finals at state—different mindset when room managing vs judging.                     Those are logistical things that they would work through. Why wouldn’t we drop high-low 
               score?
               a.     First, voted whether begin without going to advisory, first. 51-45 vote to go forward 
                       now without referring to advisory.
               b.     Secondly, voted 63-36 to accept the proposal to go to 5-judge panels at State, 
                       counting all five ballots (not dropping the high/low ballots)
          3.    JOHN FOGARTY about judge voting. We don’t have changes now. Franson will change the 
                 current ballot a bit with photos and bios. There are 413 names. We have a tiny fraction of 
                 people voting. Need more people to vote. Contact people in your section to get the vote 
                 out. Some sections have 2 or fewer votes. Only 80 votes last
          4.    DONATION towards Friday snacks? Moved and seconded by Mark Thul and Linda 
                 Negebauer.  Unanimous acclamation.
          5.    DONATION to CTAM Foundation? Matthew Kolstad moved $250 donation? Carol 
                 Purrington seconded. Unanimous cclamation.

FINAL REMINDER by Pam Wycoff. Any questions about NSDA?  See her!

 

MSCA Advisory Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 27, 2015
1:00 to 3:00 PM
MSHSL Office, 2100 Freeway Blvd, Brooklyn Center

Speech Advisory:  Jill Lofald (AA), Travis Rother (AA), Kathy Martin (A), Cal Vande Hoef (A)
MSCA President:  Scott Sieling
MSHSL Rules Clinician:  Cliff Janke
MSHSL Director:  Chris Franson

I.  MSCA appointed State Jury (Administrative:  doesn’t need to be proposed.)
     A.  Well-received last year.
     B.  Tweak it so there is a rotation like Discussion so not all 3 leave at the same time.
     C.  Proposal:  A rotation will start with the 2015-2016 school year.  At the 2015 Fall MSCA 
          meeting, a new Jury member will be elected to replace the at-large member, followed by 
          replacement of the Class A member in the Fall of 2016, followed by replacement of the Class 
          AA member in 2017.  This cycle will continue to repeat into the future.  (Unanimously 
          approved at the Fall 2014 MSCA Meeting)

II.  Poetry Rule Revision: (Proposals due by May 15)  Reviewed by September 30.  Voted on in 
      October Board meeting.  Send out to Administrative Regions.  
     A.  Current rule:  Selections for poetry may include one poem or several clearly-identified poems
     B.  Proposal to add this language:  The titles and authors of each poem must be stated either in 
          the introduction of throughout the performance.  (Passed at the Fall 2014 MSCA Meeting:  
          109 for, 3 against
     C.  Look at a session at CTAM on cutting for interpretation events

III.  Time Limit Proposal:
     A.  Revise time limits for MSHSL Categories so that all non-draw events are 10 minutes and all 
           draw events at 7 minutes.  The grace period would be eliminated.
     B.  This proposal was approved by a vote at the Fall 2014 MSCA Meeting:
           75 for (48 “AA” and 27 “A”) and 37 against (10 “A” and 27 “A”)
     C.  Rationale:  Having only two time limits would provide simplicity and consistency to 
          tournaments.  The 10 minute time limit in non-draw categories would put Minnesota in line 
          with the national standard of 10 minutes.    
     D.  Send the time limit information to Chris electronically. 

IV.  Other items raised
     A.  Check published rules on the MSHSL website to make sure they are up-to-date
          1.  Music rule?  This is up-to-date online
          2.  Duo rule of allowing students to look at each other during intro?  Clean up duo language 
               to show that they can only look at each other during intro (not transitions)
          3.  Coaches need to make sure they are accessing rules from the MSHSL website for the most
               recent set of rules.
     B.  Check wording of set-up and timing for Informative.  
          1.  How does current wording affect enforcement
          2.  Is clarification/rewording needed?  Travis is doing a session at CTAM.  Cliff will update the 
               FAQs before that.  Section managers need to be informed that set-up of informative needs                  
               to be timed with signals.  
      C.  Tiebreaker idea for State Finals
          1.  “Preponderance of 1’s” rule:  A student who earns two 1’s in finals cannot be beaten 
                unless a student who places higher than him/her has the other 1.
          2.  This would prevent students who get a 1, 1, 7 or 1, 1, 8 a better chance for the 
                championship.
          3.  What about only ranking to 5 and using actual ranks for the tie-breaker?
          4.  Bring this up at CTAM.
      D.  Judges at State.
          1.  Hiring and placement ideas:  Have a hiring committee for this?  No voting process?  Rep. 
               from each section?  Not many are voting.  Can we get more people to vote?  We need more 
               to register to judge.  Add something on the registration if coach is actively 
               judging/coaching.  
          2.  Numbers in finals?  Leave a slot open in finals?  Chris could put five in finals with the 
               number that we have now.  Let’s discuss at CTAM.
       E.  Team Trophies at State  (top 3 teams)
          1.  Do we count all finalists?  Yes.  8th=1 pt, 7th=2 pts., 6th=3pts., etc. Keep it as is.
          2.  Suggestion to only count the top 10.  (Try it as it is and then tweak in the future if
               necessary. )
        F.  Section Tournaments
           1.  DQ offenses not enforced.  Chris suggested having section manager meetings online 
                before section tournaments to review rules, etc.
           2.  Discussions tasks and Ex. Speaking questions.  Mike Worcester said he and Rachel will 
                divide up tasks in the future to make sure others don’t see tasks ahead of time.  Ex. 
                Speaking:  have topics by round to prevent students from seeing ideas from other 
                students.  
         G.  Prose and Drama cuttings
            1.  Should we allow more than one piece?
            2.  Do we need a rule about this?  CTAM session?  
         H.  Plagiarism and Youtube issues
             1. Slam Poetry online
             2. How much is too much?  Discuss at CTAM.


V.  Discussion of future consideration items:  (These items might be good for CTAM sessions.  We are looking for individuals to host sessions on these topics.)
          A.  Can a student write their own piece, publish it online under a pseudonym, then
                perform it in a category other than creative expression?
          B.  For state finals tie-breaking, in the case of a 3-way tie, does finals recips have to be  the 
                first tie-breaker used?
          C.   Should Rules and Criteria for judging Discussion be revised to make the event
                 more consistent with “real world” group problem-solving activities?
          D.   Should the name of (and perhaps also the Rules for) Great Speeches be
                 revised?
          E.   Should the "quoted word" limits for Original Oratory and Informative Speaking
                 be increased?  Should submitting a Works Cited be required for these
                 events?
          F.   Should the requirements regarding writing critiques at the State Contest be
                changed?  Should critiques be written for Final Rounds?  Should critiques be
                eliminated entirely or revised for all rounds?  Maybe just a half sheet with a reason    
                for decision listed.
          G.   Should MSCA consider naming Academic Champions in speech, much as is
                 done by athletic coaches’ organizations?  We are already an academic activity
                 and Jill added that any speech team students who have a 3.0 or higher get a
                 certificate from the MSHSL.  Give a list to your A.D. of your students who can
                 get these from the league.

2014 MSCA meeting September 13, 2014

Sec minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report.  Ross Eichele.  Balance is $3249.37. Expenses for CTAM to come.  Directory is on the website. If there is error in email address please correct.

We are looking for someone  willing to help or take over the MSCA treasurer position.

Candidates for MSCA President-elect. Nominees are Chris McDonald and Mike Worcester.   Mike Worcester is elected.

No report from past-president, Kathy Martin.

MSHSL report from Chris McDonald. 

a.     The league is working on creating and approving a transgender policy.

b.     In October the league will vote on team trophy proposal.

c.      Coach's clipboard...modules much improved...good production value too and content. If you are interrupted, will save where you left off.  Important to take the judge test as well. We need to be on there to have quality qualified judges for our section tournaments...section treasurers cannot pay people whose names are not on the list.  If you pay $15, you only need to take the test once every two years.

d.     Issue of alternates...Chris is laying the groundwork and building bridges to show the uniqueness of our activity and how the lack of alternates affects the quality of our tournament.

Social media.  Please like the MSCA on Facebook and twitter.

Contact Scott if interested in helping with updating the constitution

Poetry rule clarification...language.  Poems and authors should be included in the introduction. Poems do not have to have separate introductions within the presentation, but the interpretation should make it clear as the contestant moves from one poem to another.

State jury rotation—we want to avoid having all members leave the jury at the same time, so Ceil McDonald, the at-large representative, will go off the jury after the 2015 tournament, while Jody Saxton West and Margaret Kittelson will serve a full three years.

AA advisory candidates...Travis Rother, Sandy Nieland, Amy Meyers , Rachel Evenson, and Jody Waltman are the candidates. Travis Rother was elected.

A advisory...Jody Markgraf, Cal Vandehoef, Karen Lee, and Rebecca Imsande are the candidates.

Cal Vande Hoef was elected.

Cliff Janke, rules clinician. FAQS may have outlived their usefulness as is. Cliff will go over them this year, eliminating and tweaking as needed. Our rules are generated by this organization, not the league. Maybe the FAQS had helped to create an incorrect impression of that fact.

April 18-19 A Friday, AA Saturday. Lakeville North. 2 year rotation.

MSCA site WEEBLY join, free! Discussion forums for issues. Scott will post all materials sent to him.

Category committee--Discussion.  The handbook is posted on website.  The topic for 2015 is America’s Image Abroad.

Extemp reading--Kathy Martin

For poetry--Spoon River Anthology

Prose book, Leaving Home:Stories Selected by Hazel Rochman and Darlene Z. McCampbell

1997 and 1998 editions are the same

Storytelling...Jenn Baese, one story is the same as last year. Marie and Kathleen will check whether it was deliberate or in error.

Hall of Fame committee, Joni Anker. Due date Dec 11, 2015.

Jody Saxton West is looking for mentors and mentees

Old business

Professional development opportunities

Coaches clipboard to register

New business

Jury rotation

Poetry clarification

Ethics proposal

Time limit discussion and vote

Vote passes for 10/7 time limits. 75 for (48/27 split) and 37 against (27/10)

Great speeches tabled

ER discussion

Centered on access to students with disabilities...would it cut them out of competing in this category? Vote fails, 64 NO 42 YES

Pam talked about a one year free trial membership to NSDA. See her.

Meeting adjourned at 11:44

2013 MSCA meeting, Sept 14

President Scott Sieling called the meeting to order.  Our first item of business is to elect new members to the Speech Advisory committee.

A Advisory candidates Kathy Martin, Audry French, and Monica Sullivan
AA Advisory candidates...Jill Lofald, Bethany Piety, Thor Mattick, Sandy Nieland

ELECTION RESULTS: Jill Lofald and Kathy Martin are the new speech advisory members.

Secretary minutes from Sept 2012 approved
Don Fosburgh is stepping down after 26 years as our treasurer.  Our deep thanks to him for his many years of service.  Ross Eichele has stepped up to take on the duties.  We have 187 current members.  We have had some large miscellaneous expenses the last several years.  Don thinks we should perhaps add other categories to account for some of these recurring expenses.  

President elect Jason Olson said a few words...volunteer and you will get appointed!  He thanks Scott for the changes he has already put in place, such as the new website.

Kathy, past president, no report

State tournament jury proposal...(Chris McDonald presents).  We will elect 3 people to serve on the state tournament jury for a 3-year term.  One representative will be elected from AA, one from A, and one at-large.  For their term of service, these names will be removed from the judging pool for the state tournament.

Matthew Kolstad moved, Bonnie Spohn seconded.

Jury nominees are AA: Ceil McDonald, Becky Haven, Tim Coleman, Mark Thul, Jody Saxton-West,  A candidates:  Kristine Gruenberg, Margaret Kitterman

RESULTS OF VOTE:  Jody Saxton West (AA), Margaret Kitterman (A) and Ceil McDonald (at large)

Chris McDonald gives board of directors report, also.  Few issues for debate, speech, one act...but underlines the MSHSL insistence of completing the coaches clipboard.  All coaches must take the first three tutorials!

President’s report included Minnesotan achievements at 2012 NFL tournament results.  Added to the list is Cody Goodchild from St Michael-Albertville who was in finals of Senate.

Advisory committee update by Mark Thul.  Spring meeting all done over email because no big issues needed to be decided.  Ceil asked if the team trophy proposal for the state tournament had been discussed.  Mark says no proposal was submitted for consideration.

Awards committee. Tim Coleman presented COY awards and recognition of coaches for longevity awards.
COY
1 Patty Klinnert, Stewartville
2 Nancy Sponholz, Minnesota Valley Lutheran
3 Shannon Jensen, Russel Tyler Ruthron
4 Peter Jacobson and Janelle Laurent, Belle Plaine
5 Jody Markgraf, Kimball
6 Tim Larson, Osakis
7 Brian Schilling, Cromwell
8 Kathy Martin --DGF
A Coach of the Year: KATHY MARTIN
AA awards
1 Heather Finholm, Red Wing
2 Susan Marco, Dassel Cokato
3 Alex Carlson, East Ridge
4 Tim Coleman, Harding
5 Molly Leuthner, STMA
6 Maura Brew, BSM
7 Tim Newcomb  Forest Lake
8 Jody Waltman, Little Falls
AA Coach of the Year: TIM NEWCOMB

5 year awards, etc (see print copy)

MSHSL Cliff Janke is the Rules Clinician

The MSHSL is looking for a school to host the State Speech tournaments in 2015 and 2016.  Lakeville North is considering hosting...any others interested, please contact Chris Franson SOON!
Discussion outline, Rachel Shott.  Please send us ideas.  Voted by email as well as via the state tournament drop box so as to expand voting base
ER. Same books.  See website/
STORYTELLING same book, last year.

MSHSL Hall of Fame.  2014 is an off year...Denny Swanson and Ken Knutson were inducted this past year.

New coach mentors... if you would like a mentor please contact Jody Saxton West.
State committee...Jill Lofald, Bethany Piety, 

Old Business 
Clipboard every two years

Team Trophy proposal…Ceil McDonald will find and resend.

Jill spoke about a possible banquet for the State tournament...would have to charge fee for schools...would people come down for a Thursday evening banquet before the start of the tournament?
Cliff reminds us that it would be difficult to plan for the correct number of attendees when many do not find out until one week before.

Ideas from CTAM sessions
Exploring 10 minute time limits.  Contact if interested in serving on committee
Jenn Baese, consider offering a trial Original Advocacy at your invitational
Kathy Martin ERdg--people volunteer to offer an option at invitationals to try out the new ER proposal.
Enthusiastic reception at earlier session.  Can we take a straw poll of approval today?  Much discussion ensued.  

Rick Purrington...will we have students that decide not to cut it at all, and then could rehearse all prep time?  Will there be judge preference to first student over the last?  What skill set would it be teaching?  Hasty cutting?  Where is literary analysis?

Ross Eichele...reponds...our kids will relish the opportunity for this challenge..Ross says he has not seen that play out, that quality of performance wins out, real life skills telling people about book or movie...

END of discussion…Will post on forums on our new webpage and will discuss.

Ethics session...attendees agree to craft a credo.  Use NCA credo as a beginning place
Jill asking to see if someone picked up her scripts, please return

Cliff Janke announced three coaching clinics this fall
Oct 12-Fairmont
Oct 26-McGregor
Nov 13- Park HS, Cottage Grove
Section 4A is considering dropping subsections...Marie Kreft does survey of MSCA attendees...only 7A does not have subsection contests

Odd number Section reps should be updated
Jody and Anjannette Kraus from Little Falls on state tournament committee