It’s easy to get excited over speech and debate, isn’t it? Most parents and educators agree that speech and debate is the most exciting training opportunity for young people imaginable, which is why many of us invest our hard-earned resources into young people’s success.
Speech and debate is the best. This leads to today’s big announcement…
After 24 years of running Monument Publishing, I’m handing it over to Steven Vaughan, coach of LOGOS Colorado and longtime Monument Member. I have two GREAT reasons why I couldn’t be happier with this new development in Monument, followed by one FANTASTIC reason current members should be ecstatic about it.
I’ll never forget Steven’s embrace of speech and debate when he attended my debate camp in 2007. Over a hundred students attended with a couple dozen parent-coaches. There was an odd number of student teams, and Steven asked if he could debate. I presented the idea to the kids, and many jumped at the chance to debate a couple coaches. He partnered up with the late Mike Winther (another famous cheerleader for speech and debate). The two had a blast and won the round against the students (chalk on up for the coaches!), further galvanizing their enthusiasm for this wonderful activity.
Steven’s enthusiasm is contagious, but a second reason is more important: integrity. Steven has led evidence integrity committees and insisted on raising the ethical bar for speakers and debaters. Monument considers this to be one of the most important issues facing leagues right now: students must be trained to seek truth, not manipulate it, and letting research guide debate is paramount to successful debating.
Monument is at the forefront of evidence standards, which is why you have trusted our briefs and cases over the years. There are fly-by-nights out there who publish questionable material that get kids in adjudication trouble at tournaments. Not with Monument. Steven will continue this march of integrity in everything Monument publishes.
Integrity itself goes beyond just league rules and standards. The value is upheld in business and coaching, too. Steven is an entrepreneur, a public speaker and business coach. He’ll breathe a lot of life into Monument, no doubt! Steven has also served in leadership roles in NCFCA, Stoa, CHEC (Colorado’s homeschool organization), and many more. And here’s a sign of his integrity: as much as he would have loved to continue serving on Stoa’s Board of Directors, he resigned to keep any suspicion of conflict from arising.* Integrity, indeed!
Steven’s integrity rolls into a third reason I’m so excited over this transition, and this reason impacts YOU!
As with any business acquisition, there will be pricing changes and benefits will likely swap around, and many have questioned whether Steven would keep Infinity on the books. Many of you have invested in Monument these past few years by upgrading to this incredibly valuable (and expensive) membership level. This has given you added benefits, most notably being a member forever.
Will Steven honor current Monument Infinity Members? Yes! Steven has agreed to honor all existing Infinity Members. So, if you’re an Infinity Member now, you’ll remain an Infinity Member forever, and get any new benefits offered!
Season 23 will be here before you know it. If you aren’t upgraded yet to Infinity, you will want to do so by May 31, 2022. After this date you will be invited to renew for Season 23, but pricing and benefits will change (more benefits, but an increase in price too). It will be better for you to upgrade in Season 22 and get everything ready forever! To do this, click on the ACCOUNT link at the top of the page and scroll down to…
This link brings you to your membership page. This link, in turn, has another special link to upgrade at a $99 discount when you use the code
UPGRADE23
This is the most cost-effective way to upgrade your current membership. This link expires May 31, 2022!
Owning Monument has been a true blessing for 24 years. Lots of great memories and exciting years of competition. I couldn’t be more proud of Monument. And I couldn’t be happier than I am now to pass on the reins to Steven!
Chris Jeub
Founder of Monument Publishing
* Stoa members can expect an article in their next StoaByte News explaining the reasoning behind Steve’s resignation.