UPDATED INFORMATION:

Hello all and thanks for registering for the Great Communicator Online Regional Contest. The top two students from this event will qualify to compete in at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in July. Please read this welcome letter from Anthony Pennay, Director of the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q4n5qccu9shmk65/Welcome%20Letter%20Regionals%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0

Quick version: (see below for more details)

1.) Pay entry fees

2.) Check the schedule

3.) Create/submit your gmail address to cherian@speechanddebate.org ASAP

4.) Review procedures and included documents

Entry Fees

If you have yet to pay your entry fee, please do so online through this link:

https://speechanddebate.wufoo.com/forms/x1lct7bo07wky6b

Any unpaid entries will be ineligible to compete on Saturday. 

The schedule will be as follows on Saturday, May 23: 

Introductory meeting: 9am CST (http://speechanddebate.adobeconnect.com/lobby/) 

Round 1: 9:15 CST

Round 2: 10:15 CST

Round 3: 11:15 CST

Round 4: 12:30 CST

Quarters: 1:30 CST

Semis: 2:30 CST

Finals: 3:30 CST

**We will expedite rounds throughout the day. Please pay attention to your email or wait in the lobby area. 

All ballots will be entered through the Tabroom online system so all judges must have a registered account. Please be sure to get this done prior to the tournament. Ballot instructions are available here: 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rzod302l3bt7drv/Updated%20Ballot%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0

Coaches, please be sure that judges have access to this document for reference even though ballots will be recorded through Tabroom. 

Procedure for online debates

Because of the different time limits for this format, we were not able to use our own online debate platform. However, we are very confident that using Google Hangouts will work for everyone involved. All student competitors and judges should reply to this email with the gmail account they wish to have used for this event. An account is free to create and one can be created solely for use in this event. Pairing notices will be sent through Tabroom to these accounts. Judges will invite the two competitors to the hangout and proceed with the debate. 

If at any time a problem occurs, the students and/or the judges can enter the lobby. If Hangouts fails, the debates can be organized through the lobby. If at anytime students, judges, or coaches have a question, they can enter the lobby to discuss the issue with a tournament administrator. The lobby will be staffed all day. 

Addressing technical difficulties

Regardless of the platform, there is always a risk of dropped connections, lags or other issues. Judges are to use their best judgment in evaluating the situation providing time to students who have a faulty connection and need to restart or repeat a portion of their speech. As the primary platform is a Google Hangout, we expect that everyone will have sufficient bandwidth to conduct an audio only debate if video presents a consistent problem for a user. All users should try to turn off video and try an audio only debate. If a student does not arrive or can not participate in the debate, please enter the lobby to try to address the issue. 

If you have any other questions regarding the competition that are not addressed here or in the documents provided, please email a reply to this message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you (virtually) on Saturday! 

Purpose

The Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series is designed to develop proactive informed, educated, and conscientious citizens and leaders by creating and hosting a national series of high school debates. This nonpartisan debate series will culminate in a National Championship, hosted on-site at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and will showcase the talents of top ranked high school debaters from diverse regions across the country.

The National Championship itself will promote civic engagement, highlight the legacy of President Reagan as both "The Great Communicator" and a legendary presidential debater, and spotlight several of the nation's most promising high school communicators. Engaging in civil discourse around the principles of government is a hallmark of American democracy, and the Reagan Library has frequently served as a venue for civic and political leaders to examine pressing national and world issues since its inception. National qualifiers will compete to earn the title of the "Ronald Reagan Great Communicator National Champion".

Eligibility

Any student, in grades 9-12, during the 2014-2015 school year, who lives within the United States and is enrolled in an accredited U.S. high school, home school, or home study program is eligible to compete in the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series.

Topic

The United States federal government should provide affordable post-secondary education to its citizens.

Entries

Entries will be accepted from around the United States.  Entries will be on a first come, first serve basis, up to 8 per school until we reach the entry limit of 100. No unaffiliated entries will be accepted.

Qualifying for Nationals

The top two winners of the online competition will be automatically qualified for Nationals held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA. Each winner will receive a flight and hotel room for themselves and one chaperone each to attend the Nationals from July 23-26, 2015. Further details will be given to the winners.

Registration Fee

$20.00 per debater as well as 1 judge for every 2 debaters or fraction thereof.

Schedule

The schedule will be announced the week of 5/16 and sent to all registered participants. The number of rounds will be determined by the number of registered participants.

Format