Communications Training

Safety Protocol & Training

Learn the safety requirements for all Communications Team members, including name tag enforcement, the “More than Two” rule, and visitor handling.

Child Safety Training

All staff must watch the abuse prevention training video and/or read materials provided.
- Read and sign the NCFCA Child Safety Policy & Worker Acknowledgement

Key Rules to Enforce

Name Tag Compliance: All participants, judges, and visitors must have a name tag.
- If the person is not a competitor – Escort them to the Welcome Table.

Use friendly, clear language:

“Thank you for being here! Let’s head over to the Welcome table to get you a nametag so you’re set for the rest of the tournament.”

If the person is a competitor – Direct them to Logistics for a replacement name tag. It is the competitor’s responsibility to decide if they have enough time before their scheduled round.

More than Two Rule & Open Door Policy

No adult should be alone with a competitor who is not a family member.
Doors should remain open until debate or speech round begins.
There are multiple rules to keep in mind. A student should never enter a room where only one adult is present. As a Communications Staffer, help ensure the competitor’s safety by discreetly and casually asking them to wait in the hallway. If a debater needs to set up, they should wait until their competitor or partner arrives, or until the judge leaves the room.

Extra Safety Duties

Missing Competitor Protocol

Locate Competitors who did not compete
When a competitor misses a round of competition, Comms will alert the RC that the student did not show up to the room.
Neither Comms nor Safety is responsible for tracking the student or their parents down.
The RC will follow up with the student and parent. If the student is truly missing when the RC reaches out, the RC will alert the Safety Coordinator to begin a search.