NCFCA Speech and Debate 2019 Annual Report

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A N N U A L

R E P O R T

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FORENSICS AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT FY2019 MISSION..................2 IMPACT....................4 ALUMNI...................6 SUMMIT..................8 FINANCIALS..........10 WHAT’S NEXT........12 LEADERSHIP..........14 JOIN US..................16

NCFCA 2

Twenty seasons of preparing students to communicate with integrity and grace.

Tens of thousands of students have passed through the doors of NCFCA tournaments, honing their speaking and leadership skills, blessing us with their gifts, talents, time, and passion for glorifying God in all they say and do. The Lord’s faithfulness has been evident every step of the way. He has provided facilities with open doors, parents who serve tirelessly at tournaments and beyond, partner organizations who share resources and expertise,

community members who judge round donors who give selflessly, technology t all more efficient, and staff who work fa commitments – all to prepare young Ch be ambassadors for Christ. We want to show appreciation for all that has been and those who have made those accom possible. Like Joshua’s memorial rocks f Jordan, the following pages serve as sto remembrance of God’s supply of our ev carry out the mission set before us.

d after round, that makes it ar beyond their hristians to o take time to accomplished mplishments from the ones of very need to

But we aren’t done.

As we celebrate the past two decades, we recognize that there is an ever-present challenge before us.

We must continue to foster a thriving, sustainable, and relevant organization that readily adapts to meet the changing needs of our affiliates while remaining singularly focused on meeting our mission. In the last year, we’ve spent a great deal of time gathering input, looking at trends, and discussing and praying about what the next twenty years will look like.

We know it is important to be strategic and prayerful as we move forward, and we will continue to rely on the Lord’s direction for the league. Thank you for your part in our story. We are grateful you’re on this journey with us!

Kim Cromer Kim Cromer Executive Director NCFCA 3

The whole experience was wonderful.The speeches given were top notch.

COMMUNITY

Community Judge

Our children are learning to think critically, respond verbally, overcome the fear of speaking, reserach topics, and experience camaraderie.

Some of NCFCA’s best aspects have been its Christ-centered environment and fantastic community of people.

Parent

Student

Join Jointhe theNCFCA NCFCA family. family.

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Some of the most beautiful people are formed here; excellent communicators and authentically humble people.

Parent

IMPACT

NCFCA is blessed to have tens of thousands of people working together to make our mission possible. We engage with one another in a variety of ways that unite under the common goal of equipping young Christians to think biblically and communicate effectively.

5,336 COMMUNITY JUDGES 15+ CONVENTIONS

TECHNOLOGY Our new online tournament check-in function on the app saved two hours in the tournament schedule.

SPONSORS NCFCA sponsors awarded over 4.3 million dollars in scholarships at the National Championship.

49 TOURNAMENTS

160+ LOCAL CLUBS

38,457 SPEECHES

14,288 DEBATES

37 JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS

FEEDBACK Hundreds of judges and families submitted survey responses following competitions this year. We read every response throughout the year and continue to incorporate your feedback as we move into 2020.

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Timothy Caiello

Cody Dedon

After three years of NCFCA competition, I went on to become president of my college student body where I attended on a full ride leadership scholarship, worked on the Hill in DC for a Congressman, worked in a state public policy think tank, attended a top law school on a full ride leadership scholarship, competed across America in trial advocacy tournaments, worked for the SC attorney general, and practice law at a great firm. All of these opportunities began for me with NCFCA TP debate where I discovered my voice and learned that I had God given abilities I’d never realized before. Thanks NCFCA!

After NCFCA, I continued my journey as a communicator by founding Flashbang Productions, LLC, a company dedicated to telling entertaining and impactful stories. Flashbang Productions offers comprehensive film and photo production around the world. The wind behind my sails is my belief that every person, no matter who they are or what they’ve done, has value and the potential to live a fulfilled life. I spend my personal time developing artistic passion projects and sharing time with friends and family.

Miranda Bonifield

Autumn Lindsay

I am Cascade Policy Institute’s Research Associate and Program Assistant for the Children’s Scholarship Fund in Oregon. When I’m not researching for Cascade, I can be found studying history, coaching a team policy debate club, or teaching middle school girls in my local church.

NCFCA has shaped me in more ways than I ever expected. In the three years I’ve competed it has build my confidence, given me the tools to be passionate, and prepared me to discuss important issues in a way that glorifies the Lord. Earlier this year I filmed a video in response to a Teen Vogue article. It ended up going viral, which is not something I was expecting. People were surprised to see someone so young able to speak so well. But the only reason I was able to write the script, and present it the way I did, was because of the NCFCA.

Thomas Stewart

Join the NCFCA ALUMNI family.

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NCFCA became so much more than medals vs. participation certificates, wins vs. losses, or skill vs. incompetence.

People became my focus. I was loved and given the chance to love. That chance trumped the awards, the recognition, and the popularity. I am grateful to my parents for their wholehearted support, thankful for the friends who stuck with me, and appreciative of the league for the opportunity to develop my communication skills. Friendships were forged, memories were made, and, most importantly, Jesus was sought in the cramped rooms and expansive auditoriums. Thank you, NCFCA.

Abigail Sefzik The lessons I learned from the NCFCA are unparalleled, giving me the ability to think critically, speak confidently, and address current events from a Christian perspective. It’s nothing short of a miracle that almost a decade ago I was a shy, fearridden, socially anxious girl and now by the grace of God, I am majoring with an International Corporate Communications degree with hopes of attending law school.

What I learned is that God doesn’t always call the equipped but rather He equips the called.

LEADERS Ryan Hulbert

Elliot Paul

I’m spending a year abroad at the London School of Economics where I have reprised my debate career through the British Parliamentary Debate Society. Professionally, I’ve held internships in marketing & branding, human capital consulting, and soon the tech industry. Ultimately, after graduation, I hope to return to my hometown of New York City and enter management consulting. I cannot recommend speech & debate enough and the league’s community is unlike any other. I will be forever grateful for my 7 years in NCFCA and to everyone who made them possible.

I am an alumnus of the NCFCA who competed for six years in both Lincoln Douglas Debate and Team Policy Debate as well as a variety of speeches. I’m a sophomore engineering student at East Carolina University and hope to further explore the biomedical engineering field.

I love to spend time with people, read, and play almost any sport under the sun. I will be continuing my education this Fall as a foreign exchange student in Bern, Switzerland.

Olivia Rogers

What is your NCFCA story?

Share your story with us. Email: Office@NCFCA.org

I’m currently studying political science and pre-law at Kansas State University and am planning to head to law school in the fall of 2020. My time in college has truly made me realize the impact NCFCA has had on my life. In a world that justifies mediocrity and criticizes truth, the lessons I learned in NCFCA stand out. Whether I’m speaking to three judges in a room, sitting across the table in a coffee shop, or before my university telling a story, my words have impact. So do yours. Share your message ­—even one person can make a difference and can change the world.

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NEW HEIGHTS This summer, NCFCA hosted our first annual online summit. NCFCA Summit 2019 was recorded live from the beautiful campus of the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN. Thirty-six leaders, coaches, and experts gathered via our online summit platform, inspiring and challenging participants to climb to higher heights in their faith, thinking, and communication.

NCFCA Executive Director, Kim Cromer, and Chairman of the Board, Christy Shipe, launched the Summit by providing the historical context and enduring mission of

our league. After twenty years, NCFCA continues to train Christian students to think critically and communicate effectively in order to address life issues in a manner that glorifies God. Our mission remains the key focus of all of our endeavors.

Through discussions facilitated by NCFCA Director of Education, Amy Joy Tofte, Summit speakers shared insights for current speech and debate events as well as practical tips for students, parents, coaches, club leaders, and administrators.

Affiliates from around the globe eagerly engaged the speakers with thoughtful questions during the live Q&A at the end of each session.

NCFCA Summit 2019 sessions have now been archived in the NCFCA Resource Library and will continue to equip our Affiliates. We are so grateful to the many people who contributed to this event.

With overwhelmingly positive response from both speakers and participants, we look forward to NCFCA Summit 2020 on July 27-31, 2020.

1,000+ Helping students and parents launch into

REGISTRATIONS

the competitive season equipped to think critically and communicate effectively.

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To be honest, I have not listened to a single session that was not meaningful and relevant. It was all truly well thought and well managed in the delivery. I loved the pairings of people. I loved it! Maybe the best thing I’ve been part of in the league. — NCFCA Parent

20 SESSIONS

SUMMIT

36 SPEAKERS 9

FINANCIALS Affiliate families, donors, and sponsors who support the NCFCA mission are the source of our continued financial strength.

NCFCA remains committed to stewarding its resources wisely, ensuring sustainability and the ability to provide high-quality programs for our students.

NCFCA FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

Tournament Fees and Meals 78% Affiliation fees 15% Program advertising 2% Donations 2.5%

2018-2019 Public Support and Revenue

$1.04M

Royalties and other sales 2.5%

Event Meals 28% Other Mgmt Expenses 15%

2018-2019 Functional Expenses

$1.06M

Salary Expenses 25% Other Tournament Expenses 20% Facilities 12%

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79% Gen Mgmt: 21%

National Program Activity: 35%

2018-2019 Functional Expenses

Total $1,059,648

Regional Program Activity: 44%

$1,200,000

Five-Year Financial Analysis

$1,000,000

Expense

$800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 0

Income

2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019

OF EXPENSES GO DIRECTLY TO PROGRAM ACTIVITY. In an effort to improve program quality and the overall affiliate experience, NCFCA made several strategic investments in technology, education, program development, and staff support.

A new mobile app and a revamp of the affiliate web pages enhanced tournament registration, check-in, and overall efficiency!

WHERE WE’VE BEEN. VALUE DEBATE CURRICULUM This summer, we released the much anticipated NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Value Debate, written by league co-founder, Christy Shipe. We accompanied the release with additional seminars at the National Championship and Online Summit, debate committee panels, and supplementary white papers prepared with the goal of more effectively supporting students and local club leaders.

TECH Thanks in part to your generous contributions to our End-of-Year giving campaign, we launched a customized tournament app which allowed participants to enjoy mobile check-in, view live postings, and receive up-to-date tournament announcements. The user web experience has also been greatly improved through a fully updated family dashboard and registration process. Furthermore, Digital Presentation launches as a new speech event in 2020!

SCHOLARSHIPS Through new and renewed partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, we once again offered over 4.3 million dollars of college and post-high school scholarship opportunities to our students this past year. We also partnered with sponsoring universities and other non-profit organizations to produce the Online Summit and supplementary training including over 20 educational webinars on topics relevant to the 2020 speech and debate events.

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Over the past 20 years, NCFCA has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the families we serve. Last season, you provided us with invaluable feedback about our programs and your tournament experiences. Thank you! After Nationals, 15 NCFCA leaders from around the country began to evaluate, discuss, and pray about next steps for the organization. For the first time, NCFCA invited outside consultants to help us evaluate the many facets of our work. We found, as expected, that our leadership is passionate and sure about the mission to prepare Christian young people with communication skills through competitive speech and debate. The goal is to laser-focus our mission and ensure we provide you and those who will come in the future with the right opportunities utilizing the most effective and efficient means possible. We recognize that this organization’s activities run primarily on love and a volunteer spirit from parents, coaches, club leaders, tournament staff, and regional leadership that is not reflected on any financial page. Our commitment is to serve you well. Over the next six to twelve months, expect to hear more about this process and to contribute your thoughts and ideas. We eagerly anticipate what the Lord will do in and through the league over the next twenty years!

WHAT’S NEXT.

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LEADERSHIP FY2019 BOARD John Blom Chair

Amy Willson Treasurer

Spud Battles Member at Large

Ravi Paul Member at Large

Christy Shipe Vice Chair

Esther Paul Secretary

Teresa Hudson Member at Large

Ann Langdon Member at Large

FY2019 NATIONAL DIRECTORS Kim Cromer Executive Director

Paula Pinckard Finance Director

Natalia Rosa Director of Marketing

Natalia Rosa Director of Education

Chrissy Sweetman Director of Forensics

Danny Wenzel Director of Technology

FY2019 REGIONAL DIRECTORS

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Maile Higashi Region I

Kristine Aldrich Region II

Starr van Dalen Region III

Diana Hines Region IV

Serene Schmid Region IV South

Heather Sampson Region V

Amy Joy Tofte Region VI

Mead Vest Region VII

Laurie Curtis Region VIII

Vera Williamson Region IX

Misun Min Region X

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Allyson Habersetzer

Cassy James

Ben McKay

Caleb Sampson

Dylen Tomita

Luke Kim

Ellen Vogeltanz

Micah Miller

Eli Martin

Rebekah White

Erin Guetzloe

Reese Corley

Harrison Bath

Sarah Etter

Joshua Anumolu

Shannon Kerr

Julianne Kidd

Zach Byars

Lily Corley

SPONSORS PLATINUM

GOLD

2019 HIGHLIGHT

Anderson University

Covenant College

LEGACY

The King’s College

Home School Legal Defense Association

University of Northwestern

Over the past two decades, NCFCA has been blessed to link arms with mission-minded organizations such as Worldview Academy.

By offering Christian leadership camps for junior and high school students, Worldview Academy guides students to wrestle with real issues and discover real answers in the Bible. At the 2019 NCFCA National Championship, Dell Cook, President of the Worldview Academy Board of Trustees, shared practical ways to bring the Christian worldview to bear on the questions, problems, and issues facing our young people today. Mr. Cook returned for NCFCA Summit 2019, reminding us to “keep the pathways of questioning available and trust God and His timing. He is faithful.” We look forward to our continued partnership with Worldview Academy.

Patrick Henry College

BRONZE Worldview Academy Charleston Southern University Praxis Regent University

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS Calvin Coolidge Foundation Classic Learning Test Grand Canyon University Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

PARTNERS

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Celebrating 20 years!

PRAY. Add us to your prayer

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VOLUNTEER. Serve as

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list. Commit to joining us in prayer for the NCFCA mission, leadership, families, and partners.

a judge and share your feedback to help students improve their communication skills.

sponsor for the 2020 competition season. We offer several unique opportunities to share your organization and mission with NCFCA families across the country.

social media. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and YouTube to stay up to date with our latest educational resources and competition events.

with NCFCA through Family, Coach, Alumni, Supporter, or School affiliations for the 2020 competition season.

and gift-in-kind donations are always appreciated and helpful in advancing program activities.

Watch for opportunities to join our 20th anniversary celebration!