INCLUSION COMPETITION EVENTS
Inclusion Commitments for 2018-2019 compiled by Amy Seidelman and Annie Reisener
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ach year, the NSDA solicits recommendations from coach caucuses that convene at the National Tournament to help drive inclusion efforts for the following year. For 2018-2019, our inclusion commitments are still based on the caucus recommendations, but with the benefit of two additional steps we’ve taken to gain input and prioritize. First, we conducted a multicultural organizational assessment this summer, inviting the organization’s coaching leadership, including district and caucus leaders, to share their opinions of our progress in many areas of work including our resources, practices, standards, honor code and code of ethics, and leadership. The results of that survey, which garnered approximately 160 external stakeholder responses, were provided along with caucus recommendations to the Third Thing Institute, headed by Dr. Sherry Watt at the University of Iowa, for further analysis. After review of the feedback we received through both
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channels, the Third Thing Institute recommended we focus on external training and leadership this year. A focus on external training means developing training materials that address diversity and inclusion as it relates to coaching, recruitment, and activities. These materials should be easily accessed by all members, clearly related to the aims and needs of speech and debate, and provide clear definitions of what the organization means by diversity and inclusion as well as clarify existing policies. Leadership means identifying position(s) dedicated to the development and support of diversity and inclusion initiatives, assessing structural diversity to intentionally recruit or promote qualified individuals from underrepresented minority groups, particularly in terms of race, and assessing and improving the climate of the NSDA to help support these individuals. To that end, we commit to the following actions.
ROSTRUM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
The NSDA will highlight best practices for diversity and inclusion within the speech and debate community. • Promote the NSDA Harassment and Discrimination policy as a best practice for speech and debate tournaments. (Winter) • Promote the NSDA best practice guides for Safe Tournaments including gender-neutral restrooms, use of the NSDA Harassment and Discrimination policy, inclusive dress codes, and pronouns. (Fall) • Provide cultural competency training for members including webinars and Rostrum articles on various students’ identities. (Winter) • Update and promote an invitation that coaches or district leaders can send to administrators of under-resourced schools to learn more about speech and debate. (Fall) • Continue to invite administrators and decision makers from under-resourced schools without speech and debate programs to attend the National Tournament and start a speech and debate program. (Spring) The NSDA will strive for leadership that represents the diversity of our speech and debate community. • Continue to collect and analyze demographic information of NSDA staff, tab staff, district leadership, National Tournament finalists, and wording committees to ensure our