OLYMPIAD NOV

Dear Debate Coaches and Competitors,

On behalf of the United States of America Forensics Olympiad(USAFO), we are delighted to invite you to the USA Forensics Olympiad 2023-2024 season, which features a series of monthly open-entry (“Open”) tournaments in September - March, leading up to an invitational event in April.

Before going any further, we'd like to take a moment to introduce ourselves, USAFO. With a background in speech and debate ourselves, we firmly believe in the power of forensics participation. Increased involvement not only translates to heightened competitiveness, fostering greater growth for everyone. However, most notably, speech and debate endows numerous lifelong abilities and advantages upon those who participate. But unlike other activities, we’ve firsthand experienced the lack of a comprehensive national system that connects the USA to the international debate community. At present, the void in this aspect is denying us profoundly substantial chances for progress. Here’s how we’re changing this:

Accessible, consistent year-round programs and tournaments
Partnerships with schools and learning providers across the US
A rewarding qualification/bid-based, cash-prize system
Invitational high-quality events to foster top talent

With this program, our aim is not only to address the deficiencies and gaps of quality debate exposure nationwide, but also elevate the caliber of discourse in our country to standards that compete on the global stage.

All our tournaments use current NSDA & internationally relevant topics, are completely online, and offer cash prizes and bids to our invitational finals event in April.

We're excited for you to join us, and it’s because of debaters like you who make our ambitions possible.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in round!

Sincerely yours,
United States of America Forensics Olympiad

Events

Qualification:
The USA Forensics Olympiad welcomes all students 18 & under. No citizenship or location requirements apply for all tournaments.

Public Forum
Location: Online
Divisions: Varsity PF, JV PF, Novice PF, Middle School PF
Topic(s):

November & December Open ~ NSDA Nov/Dec
Resolved: The United States federal government should forgive all federal student loan debt.

Vital Stats:

All Divisions: 5 Preliminary Rounds, >= 3 Elimination Rounds(based on entries)

Lincoln-Douglas
Location: Online
Divisions: Lincoln-Douglas Open
Topic(s):

November & December Open ~ NSDA LD Nov/Dec
Resolved: The United States ought to prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands and waters.

Vital Stats:

All Divisions: 5 Preliminary Rounds, >= 3 Elimination Rounds(based on entries)

Judging

As a judge, you automatically abide by the Judge Policies & Procedures. Please make sure to read it before signing up as a judge.
All judges must be available for all preliminary rounds, the first elimination round, and one round beyond the elimination of the last contestant from their representing school.
A minimum qualification for judges is a high school diploma.
Schools entering students in lower divisions should anticipate some of their judges being assigned to cover higher-division rounds.

General Tournament Rules
USAFO, when written anywhere on this doc, represents USA Forensics Olympiad.

All judges are expected to adhere to the codes of conduct that govern activities of USAFO, as well as those set forth by the NSDA. Judges will need to confirm their acknowledgment and comprehension of these conduct guidelines before they are eligible to participate in the judging process. Detailed instructions will be furnished as the tournament's commencement draws closer.

It is imperative that judges refrain from concurrently evaluating at other tournaments. If such an occurrence is identified, we will promptly remove the judge from our panel and duly notify the respective alternative tournament.

Should there be any concerns regarding judge qualifications, these should be brought to the attention of the tournament director prior to or immediately after the relevant competition. All tournament directors possess the authority to enforce penalties against schools whose appointed judges fail to fulfill their obligations for the designated rounds.

Elimination Round Participation
We expect participants in the various tournaments to compete in the elimination rounds. Debaters who choose not to debate rounds for any reason (other than that they are scheduled against another competitor from the same school) will be treated as having forfeited the round. There are no “co-champions”.

Code of Conduct
The tournament is dedicated to creating an environment that fosters inclusivity and respect. USAFO does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age or against a qualified disabled individual, in any of our programs, and this includes this tournament.

Online Technology Policies
Observers: Observers are allowed, but they must remain muted and keep their video off at all times. They are required to rename themselves as "Observer -- Name." Observers must have an affiliation with an institution that has active entries in the tournament and must be registered as an observer on that institution's roster. To access the rooms in classrooms.cloud, observers must: (A) possess a tabroom.com account, (B) be added to the team roster as competitors or judges, (C) link their account, and (D) be entered into the "Observer Division" as either a competitor or a judge. Unregistered observers will not be granted access to the zoom rooms, and the tournament reserves the right to remove observers from rooms as needed.
Alternative Platforms: As a safety measure, participants (judges, coaches, students) are prohibited from switching to alternative video platforms outside of the tournament-hosted rooms in classrooms.cloud. If such a suggestion arises, please notify tournament personnel immediately. Judges who switch to a separate platform will be penalized as if they did not fulfill their judging responsibilities and will be disqualified from the tournament.
Judge Video: Recognizing the importance of visibility for both competitors and judges, the tournament encourages participants to keep their cameras on whenever possible during speeches and RFDs. Brief pauses are understandable. If necessary, cameras can be turned off to improve streaming quality.

I will keep a copy of this form for reference. *

YES

We are signing up with the understanding that my child will work to be ready by the tournament date. If we choose to drop out because my child is not ready that will be considered when making assessments for future classes. *

YES

I understand that if I fail to drop the tournament before the deadline that I will still be responsible for the fees of both my son or daughter, along with that of his or her partner and the fines. *

YES

I understand that if payment is not received we won't be registered and our spot will be given up to someone else. *

YES

I confirm that I have completed all necessary paperwork for this tournament. *

YES

I understand that The Golden State Academy has no control over tournament entries other than the initial sign up. I understand that my child's priority will be based on either the last time I signed up OR the date paid, whichever is latest. *

YES

I understand that my child must check in and check out periodically at the tournament with the coach and that if I do not my child will be barred from participating in following tournaments. This is to ensure coaches can see where students are at competitively and to give any initial feedback for improvement. *

YES

I understand that I can check my entry status through tabroom.com. *

YES

I am a consenting adult. I understand that by submitting this form I agree to all that has been covered. *

YES

USA FORENSICS OLYMPIAD OCTOBER OPEN

18-19 November 2023

Information

Entry Price

Schedule

Drop Fee

Contact Info

Registration Form

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

Telephone

Email (preferred)

Locations