Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons^™

Relating To Publics: An Additional Role Of The Director Of Forensics, Ryan Lauth

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Without fostering effective relationships with students, departments and administrators, a forensic program can easily succumb to budget cuts. This paper attempts to analyze the relationships that must be managed for a director of forensics to run a successful program. To this end, a review of the literature is given, an analysis of this literature is conducted and research questions are given that will further enrich future inquiry into the public relations role of the director of forensics.

Perceptions Of Past Competitors: Presentation Of The Data, Leah White, Larry Schnoor, Grant Anderson

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

In the past five years several well established forensic programs in our region have been discontinued. The reasons given to justify these decisions often centered on a lack of resources available to sustain the programs. Certainly the presence of scarce resources in an academic setting is understandable, but what many current coaches and competitors found especially concerning was the perceived lack of resistance by faculty at those institutions who were themselves once forensic competitors and coaches. In fact, in some cases former competitors were active and vocal supporters of the decision to end their institution‟s forensic program. The idea for …

"No, It Has Nothing To Do With Csi": Using Public Relations To Promote New Forensic Programs, Christopher J. Fenner

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Directors of new forensic programs are commonly faced with the challenge of building program support within communities that have little, if any, prior knowledge of competitive forensics. The diversity of forensic events, organizations, and awards can make message development and program promotion a daunting task. The organizing schemata of a public relations campaign and an understanding of college and community media needs can be powerful tools for a new program director. This report provides forensic directors with specific strategies and tactics for implementing a public relations campaign to build program support.

Maintaining And Enhancing Institutional Relevance: Long-Term Program Sustainability In An Era Of Increased Intra-Institutional Competition For Resources, Brendan B. Kelly

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

The preservation and growth of intercollegiate forensic programs does not, and should not, depend on the singular factor of competitive results. The value of a program is rooted, in great part, in intra-institutional factors. This paper puts forth an assertion related to increasing the institutional value of forensics programs. Emphasis is placed on expanding the scope of the program goals and framing the success of a program on a non-competitive basis. The intra-institutional framing of program identity as "centers of excellence" functions as a central tenet.

Constructing A Vision In A Small Group: A Narrative Analysis Of A Forensics Team, Ryan Lauth

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

In an effort to replace many of the forensics programs that are lost every year to budget cuts and coaching changes, many in the forensics community are making an effort to build new teams. Through the observation of team meetings and interactions I have used small group theory to analyze the vision the new team at Miami University has constructed. Hopefully, other coaches can use this information to develop a unifying vision that can foster team growth.

Despite the long and impressive competitive success at Miami University, the turnover in the coaching staff has also resulted in a high turnover …

Helping Programs Survive: Utilizing The Concepts Of Sustainability As Viable Means Of Program Growth, Brian R. Klosa

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

One of the many responsibilities and duties of a forensics coach is conducting long range planning for their respective program. Recruiting students and retaining them is paramount to surviving. When numerous programs across the country have ceased to exist, examining this issue takes on paramount important. In the past, the forensic community has engaged into important discussion about the growth of programs within our activity. However, I adamantly believe directors at smaller programs need to shift their focus from growth to developing a philosophy of sustainability. This paper will defend this position by describing the concept of sustainability as it …