Write Next Year’s Topic!
From the Dec NFA Newsletter:
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CALL FOR TOPICS: 2008-2009
A CALL FOR TOPICS will be included in the NFA Fall mailing requesting each school that has an interest in and an intent to participate in LD Debate in the following academic year to submit a topic area for consideration to the Chair of the NFA Lincoln-Douglas Committee (Dr. Marty Birkholt) by January 20th. Topic area briefs should be sent to the Chair of the LD Committee by e-mail: MARTYBIRKHOLT@CREIGHTON.EDU
In order to be accepted for consideration, the topic area must be in the form of a l-2 page brief which includes:
1. A statement of the significance of the topic area in current events;
2. A statement of why the topic is interesting, challenging, and/or provocative;
3. A statement of the perceived educational value of the topic area for debaters;
4. A brief bibliography of selected readings (5-10) that capture the nature of the controversy surrounding the area; and
5. Contact information should the committee need further clarification.
Remember, in order for a brief to be accepted, it must meet all of the above qualifications.
All briefs that are submitted will be confirmed by the Chair of the LD Committee. If you submit a brief and do not receive a confirmation, please call Dr. Marty Birkholt at 402-280-2524.
NARROWING PROCEDURES:
If more than ten briefs are submitted, the LD Committee will narrow the field using a weighted preferential voting system in which each first choice on a ballot receives 10 points and so on down to each tenth choice receiving 1 point. Any ties for tenth place will be broken by the LD Committee Chair.
By January 31st, the Committee will distribute the briefs to the LD Community and the membership of the NFA, for discussion and consideration. This mailing will include a ballot on which the school should rank its top three choices and return to the Chair of the LD Committee to be received by February 16th. The topic area will be selected by using the following method: ballots will be tallied using a weighted preferential voting system in with 1st place receiving 3 points, 2nd place receiving 2 points, and 3rd place receiving 1 point.
Please remember to return the ballots to Dr. Marty Birkholt, Director of Forensics, Department of Communication Studies, 2500 California Plaza, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178-0305
The LD Committee will formulate resolutions based on the selected topic area; the community is encouraged to submit their ideas and recommendations to the committee chair, Mark Hickman. A ballot will be sent out by March 16th with five (5) resolutions for consideration. In order for the a ballot to be counted, all five resolutions must be rank ordered. The ballots must be returned to the NFA President to be received by April 13th. A weighted preferential voting system with 1st= = 5 points, 2nd= 4 points, 3rd = 3 points, 4th = 2 points, and 5th = 1 point will be used. Ties will be broken by the President of the NFA, who may at his or her discretion consult with the LD Debate Committee.
RESOLUTION ANNOUNCEMENT:
The winning resolution will be known only to the President of the NFA until it is announced on AUGUST 1st.
The Lincoln Douglas Committee will be waiting to hear from you. If your school is involved with Lincoln Douglas Debate, this is your opportunity to become active in the selection of the topic area for 2008-2009. Dr. Marty Birkholt is waiting to hear from you. The only way the system will work is if you become involved in the process. There are definite deadline dates that have been established. On behalf of the L/D Committee and the NFA tournament staff, please take time to participate in this process during this academic year.
Also remember, your students that are engaged in Lincoln Douglas Debate wish to be considered in this process of topic and resolution selection. Please take time to include them in your consideration of topic areas and resolution selections.
The Lincoln Douglas Committee for this year is as follows:
Dr. Marty Birkholt, Chair, NFA Council Member, Creighton University
Vicki Karns, Tournament Director, Suffolk University
John Boyer, Elected Member, Lafayette College
Curt Gilstrap, Elected Member, Drury University
Nichelle McNabb, Elected Member, Otterbein College
Marcus Schultz-Bergin, Student Member, Washburn University
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