Urban Debate Volunteer Engagement at Its Best

Urban Debate Volunteer Engagement at its Best
A Manual for the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues
Powered by Serve Smart, NAUDL and the Citi Foundation

Winter, 2014
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Debate is a life-changing activity, preparing students for success in school and beyond. To
thrive, urban debate leagues need the support of a strong bench of dedicated volunteers. The
following manual outlines the steps needed to increase volunteer engagement and retention
within the urban debate community, while taking into account the constraints that many leagues
face in allocating resources to volunteer management.
A first step to effective recruiting is to consider both the needs of the league and the volunteers.
As league staff, we must consider our strategic priorities and how volunteers can help us
advance them. We must also consider how we will provide our volunteers with the direction,
alignment, and commitment they need to become engaged members of our community.
When recruiting volunteers, offering a diversity of volunteer roles is essential to accommodate
different skill sets and time commitments. The five primary volunteer roles in urban debate are
volunteer coordinator, tournament judge, tournament support, mentor/coach, and financial
donor. As volunteers invest more in their debate leagues and become more valuable, they
should have the opportunity to take on more challenging roles with more responsibility.
Both debate veterans and debate newcomers make excellent volunteers. These two groups
bring unique perspectives and life experiences to the urban debate community. While veterans
can often jump right into judging or mentoring at higher levels, debate newcomers sometimes
feel more comfortable starting in less intense roles like middle school or novice judging, hosting,
or helping with tabulation. Both veterans and newcomers can be recruited via mass messaging
and community partnerships, but word of mouth is almost always the most effective method of
outreach.
NAUDL has designed a sign-up process to streamline recruitment efforts. The process captures
registration data and introduces volunteers to why urban debate matters and what roles are
available to them. Once a volunteer completes the sign-up process and potentially a
background check, the system sends confirmation emails about the volunteer opportunity,
contact information for the leagues volunteer coordinator, and appropriate training materials.
Training helps set volunteers up for success in their assignments. Training documents included
in this manual should be customized and sent to a new volunteer before her first shift. It is also
recommended to start out volunteer shifts at tournaments with an orientation session. If
possible, newcomers should be allowed to shadow seasoned volunteers to learn their roles and
get acquainted with how tournaments run. Experienced volunteers can check in with
newcomers to answer questions and offer support. Making community spaces available allows
volunteers to socialize and informally interact with debaters.
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Consistent demonstrations of volunteer appreciation from staff and students are essential for
retaining volunteers and strengthening debate communities. Thanking can take the form of
verbal recognition at the end of a shift, a letter in the mail, or a volunteer awards ceremony at
the end of the season.
Soliciting feedback from volunteers on their service experience helps us to continue to learn and
improve. Feedback can be given through online surveys, which allow leagues to discover
insights and measure how their volunteer engagement efforts are performing over time.
A note about this document. We hope that this manual supports you in growing urban debate. If
you have suggestions for how this document could be improved (edits, ideas, etc.), please
make a note of it using the comments feature in Google Docs (Insert/Comment).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I INTRODUCTION
II VISION
III PLANNING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Needs of Your League
The Needs of Our Volunteers
Volunteer Roles
Role Progression Over Time
IV RECRUITMENT
A Special Note on Recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator
Debate Newcomers
Debate Veterans
Outreach Strategies
Mass Messaging - Good
Community Partnerships - Better
Word of Mouth - Best
Sign-Up Process
V TRAINING
Onboarding
Supervision
Community Spaces
Youth Protection Policy
VI THANKING
Principles of Thanking
Tactics for Thanking
Feedback
VII CONCLUSION
VIII ADDENDUM
Volunteer Program Needs Assessment
Volunteer Coordinator Role Description
Tournament Judge Role Description
Tournament Support Role Descriptions
Mentor/Assistant Coach Role Description
Recruiting with Mass Messaging
Recruiting with Community Partnerships
Recruiting with Word of Mouth
Why Volunteer In Urban Debate?
Volunteer Assignment Confirmation Email Template
Volunteer Welcome Packet Checklist
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Orientation Session Trainer Notes

Volunteer Coordinator Training
Tournament Judge Training Guide
Tournament Support Volunteer Training
Mentor/Assistant Coach Training Materials
Thank You Email Post Tournament
Volunteer Metrics
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INTRODUCTION
Urban debate changes lives. We know that students in urban public schools have little more
than a 50 percent chance of graduating from high school. Yet, for urban debaters, those odds go
up to 90 percent. Urban debaters not only graduate on time, but they graduate prepared for the
next steps in their lives. Debate equips them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in college
and their careers, and to contribute to their communities.
Urban debate takes place in 19 cities across the country. The national leader of the urban
debate movement, the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL), works with
partner leagues to provide urban middle and high school students with debate programming.
In 2011, NAUDL set an ambitious five-year goal to triple the number of urban debaters in the
U.S. In 2011, we had 4,000 debaters. In the 2013-14 school year we had 8,400
debaters nationwide. We are both proud of what weve accomplished and committed to pressing
forward towards our goal.
Our next wave of growth as a movement is likely to come from improved volunteer engagement.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our work and the better we can engage and retain them, the
more students we can get debating.
That is why NAUDL has developed this manual. With funding from Citi Foundation, advisors
from urban debate leagues, and a partnership with Serve Smart, we sought to discover urban
debate volunteer engagement at its best. We conducted 40 interviews, cataloged existing
resources, analyzed results, and identified patterns. Using what we learned, we created this
manual on volunteer engagement.
This manual was written to help you develop or enhance your volunteer program. You know
your league best, and you know what your volunteer engagement goals are. This manual will
hopefully serve as a tool to help you achieve those goals. Most of the recommendations do not
require extra funding. Some will require extra time to get up and running, but will save staff time
and money down the road. Throughout this manual you will find sections that have headers that
read, League Specific-Customize. Use these sections as guides and suggestions, and
populate them according to your leagues standards and unique needs.
If you have ideas or suggestions on how to make this manual more practical and user friendly,
please email them to NAUDL at info@urbandebate.org. Wed also like to hear whats working
for you in volunteer engagement. If you have a strategy or success story that other leagues
might benefit from, please send it to us.
Lastly, thank you. Your passion for urban debate and hard work change lives every day.
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II
VISION
At our best, urban debate leagues develop relationships with volunteers that are mutually
nourishing and sustained over time. The unifying theme that ties together our findings is
volunteer retention. Volunteer retention is essential for the following reasons.
A. Saves Resources and Time
Volunteer retention can be a lifesaver for staff time and resources. Spending hours to get
a new recruit signed up, trained, and oriented is an investment in that volunteer.
Retaining volunteers reduces turnover and extra work for staff.
B. Improves Quality
As volunteers gain experience, they gain confidence and skill in their roles and begin to
see the difference their contribution is making. Over time, returning volunteers become
more invested in urban debate, they become role models for students, and they are
more likely to bring more sophisticated levels of support to the league.
C. Builds Community
A strong community keeps both students and volunteers coming back to urban debate.
Committed volunteers build relationships over time, resulting in friendships with staff and
other volunteers, and mentorships with students. A strong debate community manifests
as a young debater looking forward to feedback from his favorite judge at tournament
and a staff member knowing she can count on the tournament host to show up on time
with donuts and coffee. Strong community makes people feel welcome in urban debate,
and it is the best possible result of our volunteer retention efforts.
Now that we are clear on the vision of cost-effective volunteer retention, lets get into our
discoveries about how to make this happen.
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III
PLANNING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
A successful volunteer program brokers a mutual exchange of value between leagues and
volunteers. If we design our volunteer roles correctly, both leagues and volunteers walk away
from the relationship feeling served and wanting more.
A.
The Needs of Your League

Designing a volunteer program begins with you and your mission. These are points to get you
thinking about what your league needs from a volunteer program and how youll make it
happen. We highly recommend printing and filling out the Volunteer Program Needs
Assessment handouts to assist with this process.
B.
Remember your goals. Does your league seek to grow the number of student debaters? Are
you aiming to increase the quality of your leagues programming? All volunteer engagement
efforts should be in service to your leagues larger strategic priorities.
Take stock. What is the status of your current volunteer program? Is it a sleek rocket that can
take you to the moon. Or, are you still pulling together the necessary parts? Identifying your
programs strengths and weaknesses can help you learn what to sustain and what to improve.
Make a plan. As you go through this guide, take notes on easy wins and big opportunities that
your league could act on in the coming months. Review your notes to create a plan that feels
both reasonable and energizing.
Mobilize support. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a league to engage volunteers.
Think through whom you can invite to help you turn your plans into reality or help you hold
yourself accountable for following through. You may want your team to go through this needs
assessment as well.
Take action. Make it happen. Put your plan into action and pull in the volunteer support that you
and your league are looking for to keep changing lives.
The Needs of Our Volunteers

Volunteers look to leagues to provide them with three things: direction, alignment, and
commitment. This framework, developed by the Center for Creative Leadership, is a useful
criteria for shaping the design of your volunteer program.
Direction. Understanding what your league is seeking to accomplish and why the work is
important.
Alignment. Clarity in what is expected of them. This includes how to perform their duties,
behavior expectations, and how their efforts contribute to the larger success of the league.
Commitment. Motivation to contribute to the success of the league. People volunteer with
urban debate for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of the most common drivers of volunteer
commitment.
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Make a difference. Volunteers seek to make contributions that matter. This means believing in
the cause and in the value of their contribution.
Experience flow. Our lives are filled with everythings from tasks that are effortless to nearly
impossible. Volunteers love the feeling of working hard on a task, but also experiencing
success.
Develop skills. Volunteers want to learn new knowledge and practice new skills. They want to be
challenged and grow.
Connect with others. Volunteers want to feel connected. They want to interact with students.
They want to be seen and valued. They want to feel part of a community. They want to connect
with like-minded individuals. They want to make friends.
C.
Volunteer Roles
The following are roles that align volunteer needs with the needs of leagues. Roles help
volunteers know what is expected of them. Volunteers vary in their skills, interests, and
availability, and our volunteer roles need to take this into account. Our interviews surfaced the
need for a dedicated volunteer coordinator position, plus additional volunteers to fill four primary
volunteer roles. Your league might have slightly different needs or titles. As always, please feel
free to tailor this to your specific context.
Urban Debate Volunteer Roles

Mentor/
Volunteer Coordinator
Tournament Judge
Tournament Support
Financial Volunteer
Assistant Coach
1) Volunteer Coordinator
The volunteer coordinator is the lynchpin to the leagues volunteer engagement efforts.
This role oversees the recruitment, training, and thanking of volunteers. Some leagues
are able to commit a full time staff member to the volunteer coordinator position. Other
leagues use a committed part time volunteer. The important thing is that each league
has someone who is dedicated to leading volunteer engagement. More details on this
role can be found in the Volunteer Coordinator Role Description.
2) Tournament Judge
More tournament judges are needed than any other volunteer position within urban debate. Our
research found that every judge allows four more students to debate in a tournament. Judges
observe and take notes on debate rounds, provide feedback, and choose the winning team.
More details on this role can be found in the Tournament Judge Role Description.
3) Tournament Support
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Some volunteers are best at helping out behind the scenes. Tournament support roles
include food preparation, host, promoter, tab room operator, and driver. These behindthe-scenes roles help ensure the tournaments are both welcoming and well run events.
More details on these roles can be found in the Tournament Support Role Descriptions.
4) Mentor/Assistant Coach
Debate alumni have noted that some of their most impactful volunteer relationships have
been with mentors, both inside and outside of the classroom. Debate mentors connect
with a single debate team, lead career discussions, and judge practice debates. This
role can be customized by the league to include some coaching duties. More details on
this role can be found in the Mentor/Assistant Coach Role Description.
5) Financial Volunteer
It was also noted that some volunteers prefer to contribute financially as opposed to, or
in addition to, making contributions of their time. Financial volunteers help garner the
resources necessary to fund our work. This role falls under the auspices of league
fundraising staff, but it is mentioned here to highlight the link between volunteer
engagement and fundraising efforts.
D.
Role Progression Over Time

A volunteers responsibilities should grow in sync with his or her debate expertise and
commitment. The diagram below shows just some of the paths for how a volunteer might
progress through different roles over time.
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Sample Role Progressions Over Time
Tournament Judge
Novice Judge JV/Varsity Judge

Judge Trainer, Supervisor
Tournament Host,
Support
Tab Room, Promoter,
Lead for Host,
DriverTab,
Train
Promoter
and Supervise Others
Mentor
Financial Volunteer
Guest Speaker
Mentor/
Assistant Coach
Coach
Donor Personally Significant

Fundraiser,
Gift Board Member
New
Sustained, Committed
Champion to Others
Volunteer
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IV
RECRUITMENT
Now that we have defined the roles were looking to fill, the next step is to track down the right
volunteers to fill them. Given the critical nature of the volunteer coordinator role, we begin with
recruitment tactics for that position. We then look at the differences between debate newcomers
and debate veterans, including what theyre good at, what they need, and how to recruit them.
This section ends with an outline of the ideal user experience for volunteers signing up for their
placements online.
A.
A Special Note on Recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator

Finding someone to serve as your leagues volunteer coordinator is perhaps the single most
impactful move you can make to improve volunteer retention. This role can be full or part time,
paid or volunteer. What is important is that there is someone with a dedicated focus on
volunteer engagement.
Consider the following avenues for finding a volunteer coordinator:
Promoting an existing volunteer who is already contributing leadership to the league. Talk with
them about their passions and goals, and explore how those things might connect with the
leagues need for a volunteer coordinator.
Hiring a stipended intern, part-time staff member, or full-time staff member. For some leagues,
this is absolutely the right investment, strengthening programming while freeing up other staff
for fundraising.
Sponsoring an AmeriCorps VISTA. Multiple leagues use VISTAs to fill critical staffing roles. A
VISTA is a full-time employee who serves with your league for a year, with a the financial
obligation of your league ranging from free to ten thousand dollars. You can learn more about
the opportunity and application process in this brochure on Becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA
Project Sponsor. Natanya Meyer at NAUDL can offer additional help with the application
process and can be reached at natanyameyer@urbandebate.org.
Now that weve covered the specifics for recruiting a volunteer coordinator, lets explore how we
recruit volunteers for other roles.
B.
Debate Newcomers
1) What They Offer

Debate newcomers have had little or no experience with debate. They bring a wealth
and diversity of backgrounds and perspectives to the leagues. As mentors and judges,
they encourage debaters to adapt their arguments for different audiences. Debate
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newcomers are often less competitive about debate than veterans. This can be
beneficial because debate newcomers tend to view the development of the individual
debater as equally important to whether or not the debater wins the tournament.
2) What They Need
The most important thing to note about debate newcomers is that they do not yet know
or love debate. Help them see why urban debate matters and how their contributions are
critical to urban debates success. Give them clear, jargon-free training. Make them feel
valued with a role thats appropriate to their skill set and experience. Give them an
opportunity to connect with students and other volunteers. Help them find their place in
this unique culture that is urban debate.
This is where a dedicated volunteer coordinator can prove essential. By helping
newcomers get signed up, keeping them in the loop about upcoming events and
opportunities, and making new volunteers feel like valued members of the community, a
good volunteer coordinator can help volunteer newcomers fall in love with urban debate.
3) Entry Points
While most volunteers will serve as judges, it is important to make other volunteer
positions available, when possible, to accommodate different interests and comfort
levels. If you find yourself with a particularly hesitant volunteer, it might make sense to
partner him or her with a supportive and seasoned volunteer while the new volunteer
gets acquainted with the debate process.
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Entry Roles for Debate Newcomers
Tournament Judge
Novice JudgeJV/Varsity Judge Trainer, Supervisor
Tournament Support
Host, Tab Room,
Lead Promoter,
for Host, Tab,
Driver
Promoter,
Train andTransport
Supervise Others
Mentor/
Coach
Financial Volunteer
Mentor
Assistant Coach
Coach
DonorPersonally Significant
Fundraiser,
Gift Board Member
New Volunteer
Champion to Others
4) Where We Find Them

Debate newcomers come to us from all walks of life, including law firms and other
corporations, local and national service organizations, universities and schools, as well
as through family and friends. We reach them through community partnerships and
personal asks. Mass messaging through press releases and volunteer databases is
another marketing tool, but is not usually as effective as focused appeals to debate
friendly audiences.
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Where We Find Debate Newcomers
Media
Civic Org. Partners
National Volunteer Databases

Corporate, Law Firm Partners
Students Recruit
Coaches Recruit
City Volunteer Databases
University Partners
Volunteers Recruit
GOOD
Mass Messaging
BETTER
Community Partnerships
BEST
Word of Mouth
Focus
Lets make the newbie experience concrete with a story about Evan, a volunteer recently
recruited to support the New York City Urban Debate League. Evan is a 31-year-old marketing
associate from Citibanks New York office. Hes never debated, but he has done some public
speaking and stand-up comedy, and he understands that expressing ones self in front of an
audience is a great way to build confidence. Evan gets an email from his human resources
representative about a company-sponsored volunteer opportunity with the NYUDL. After doing
some research on their website, Evan signs up to volunteer at the next tournament. Based on
his skills and interests, he signs up to assist in the tab room and also ends up giving a short
talk on humor in persuasive speaking during lunch. Evan is excited to use his talents at the
tournament, enjoys his interactions with students and other volunteers, and plans on signing
up for the next tournament.
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C.
Debate Veterans
1) What They Offer

Debate veterans already know and love debate. These volunteers tend to be current
high school or university debaters or alumni, either from inside or outside of the urban
debate community. Veterans bring both the gift of experience and an easier recruitment
sell. They may even have personal experiences about the way that debate can
transform lives. Even if theyre new to your specific league, debate veterans are likely to
feel at ease in a tournament setting. They understand what kind of feedback students
need to become better debaters, are better equipped to jump into higher responsibility
roles, and are more likely to share urban debate with friends, family, and colleagues.
2) What They Need
While debate veterans may bring vast experience in arguing cases, many are new to
leadership roles like mentoring and judging. Theyll need perspective and coaching on
what its like to sit on the other side of the table and deliver feedback that is both
challenging and supportive. This is not usually a steep learning curve, but is an essential
part of training for all new volunteers. Reiterate why urban debate and volunteering
matters, as they might not have had a chance to think about debate from a social impact
perspective. Give veterans opportunities to connect to the debate community; equip
them with training on soft skills, such as positive youth development and feedback
delivery; and make sure they embrace the community and confidence-building aspects
of urban debate, not just the competition. Debaters who come back as volunteers are an
incredibly valuable resource. Lets make them feel respected for their knowledge and
appreciated for their time and effort.
3) Entry Points
Most debate veterans arrive ready to jump into more senior roles. Find a match between
their interests and the needs of the league and invite them to make a recurring
commitment.
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Entry Roles for Debate Veterans
Tournament Judge
Novice Judge JV/Varsity Judge

Judge Trainer, Supervisor
Tab Room,
LeadPromoter,
for Host, Tab,
Driver
Promoter,
Train and
Transport
Supervise Others
Tournament Host,
Support
Mentor/
Coach
Financial Volunteer
Mentor
Assistant Coach
Coach
DonorPersonally Significant
Fundraiser,
Gift Board Member
New Volunteer
Champion to Others
4) Where We Find Them

Connecting with debate veterans about volunteer opportunities is best done with
targeted outreach. Mine alumni databases. Form community partnerships with local
debate teams, universities, and law firms. Have alumni, coaches, parents, and students
make personal asks. Encourage graduating debaters to keep in touch through league
social media pages.
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Where We Find Debate Veterans
Students Recruit
Law Firm Partners
Coaches Recruit
University Partners
Volunteers Recruit
GOOD
Community Partnerships
BEST
Word of Mouth
Focus
Lets make the debate veteran experience concrete with another story. Robin is a 20-year-old
pre-law student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She discovered debate as a high school
freshman. During the next four years, debate transformed Robin from an unfocused wall
flower to a confident young woman who speaks her mind. Robin will tell you how debate
changed her life, and she is motivated to help others get the same opportunities she did. She
found the perfect opportunity when the professor of her communications class told her that
she could earn service learning credits as a volunteer with her old debate league. That same
week, Robins old policy debate partner from high school sent her a Facebook message
asking her to volunteer as a junior varsity judge. Robin couldnt resist the opportunity to give
back, earn extra credit, and reunite with an old friend. Now Robin judges at least four times a
year, and occasionally writes blog posts for the leagues website about the tournaments she
attends.
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D.
Outreach Strategies
Here are concrete tactics for recruiting volunteers. Make sure your recruiting efforts emphasize
how debate builds confidence and community, improves performance in school, and increases
college enrollment. Below are some strategies you can use to reach potential volunteers.
1) Mass Messaging - Good

Mass messaging, like TV and radio ads, has the appeal of reaching a large audience.
However, when time and financial constraints are considered, its usually more effective
to target focused audiences. If you do use mass messaging, there are a few costeffective methods that may help you find a friendly audience. Learn more about mass
messaging methods in Recruiting with Mass Messaging.
The Dallas league was recently covered on the Dallas morning news, which led to a
partnership with the Bush Center.
2) Community Partnerships - Better

Community partnerships form the cornerstone of many successful urban debate
leagues. A strong partnership can be a wellspring of volunteer energy and leadership
that can be sustained across multiple years. Learn more about these partnerships in
Recruiting with Community Partnerships.
The Rhode Island, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta leagues have had
considerable success in their partnerships with corporations, law firms, community
organizations, and local universities.
3) Word of Mouth - Best

Recruiting volunteers via word of mouth is by far the most effective method. People are
more likely to say yes when asked personally. Learn about some word-of-mouth
methods in Recruiting with Word of Mouth.
The New York league has been quite successful using social media to stir up volunteer
engagement.
E.
Sign-Up Process
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League Specific - Customize

After weve reached our potential volunteers with a compelling message, the final step is for
them to go online and sign-up. This can be done in person with pen and paper, but moving the
sign-up process online helps streamline data capture and centralizes communications. This
section covers what our research revealed about how to structure a quality sign-up process.
Luke Hill at NAUDL is in the process of developing the database and webpage integration for
volunteer sign-up. Contact Luke at lukehill@urbandebate.org to find out the latest best practices
for streamlining your sign-up process.
Volunteer Sign-up Process

1. Why This Matters 2. How to Help
Why Urban Debate Matters

Role Description
Why Volunteers Matter Role Fit Quiz
3. Register
4. Confirm
Available Shifts
Display Confirmation and Prep
Sign-up
Immediate
Form Email with Confirmation and Pre
Backgroud
Day Before
CheckEmail with Confirmation and Pre
1) Why Volunteer?
When a potential volunteer visits an urban debate leagues sign-up page, he or she
needs to first learn why the success of urban debate is so important, and why volunteers
are a critical piece of that success. This why section needs to be told with both
numbers and stories, ideally with photos and quotes from former debaters and
volunteers. Heres an example of a Why Volunteer Page that you can use in your signup system.
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2) Role Selection
Now that the volunteer has determined that volunteering for urban debate is worthwhile
and potentially gratifying, he or she needs to learn about the different ways to help. This
section includes volunteer role descriptions, as well as the Your Perfect Debate
Volunteer Role quiz that helps volunteers find the best role for them.
3) Registration
At this point, the volunteer gets to select from concrete volunteer slots for specific roles.
The form should include which roles are available, at what times and dates, and at which
locations. The volunteer enters his or her contact information and agrees that it will be
used for a quick criminal background check. The volunteer is given a one-click option to
share the opportunity with friends via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Below are some
possible form templates that could be used for registration and background checks.
Sign-Up Process Sample - Registration Page 1

This page allows the volunteer to enter their information, availability, and role preference.
Sign-Up Process Sample- Registration Page 2
Once the volunteer submits the info on Page 1, Page 2 loads with several assignment options to
choose from.
Sign-Up Process Sample - Registration Page 3
Once the volunteer submits their assignment choice on Page 2, Page 3 loads with a
confirmation message.
4) Background Checks
Criminal background checks are optional depending on the league, but if youre not
screening, we recommend that your league consider adopting it as a best practice. One
in ten volunteer background checks come back with a previously undisclosed criminal
history. Background checks not only help ensure the safety of our students, but they also
reduce the liability that a league takes on when recruiting new volunteers. This article
from Verified Volunteers provides more information on why background checks are
important, especially for organizations that work with young adults: To Screen or Not to
Screen.
NAUDL is in negotiations with Verified Volunteers to offer leagues a significantly
discounted rate on volunteer background checks, with the added option of letting
volunteers choose to pay for their own background check. Some leagues have also
been successful obtaining discounted or free background checks through their school
districts.
The Memphis and Boston leagues have put a background check policy in place that
has become a crucial part of their volunteer recruiting process.
5) Confirmation Emails
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Upon completion of the sign-up forms and background check, the volunteer receives a message
that he or she is confirmed for a volunteer slot, pending the results of the background check in
the next couple of days. The message should reiterate information on the role for which the
volunteer registered, time slot, and location. The message should also include a photo and
contact information for the leagues volunteer coordinator and an invitation to find this person at
the tournament host table. If possible, the volunteer coordinator should reach out to each new
volunteer with a personal email or phone call. Lastly, the message should include links to
general and role-specific training materials that the volunteer can review before the tournament.
All information in the confirmation message is automatically sent out to the volunteer via email
upon submission, and once again the day before the volunteer commitment. This Volunteer
Placement Confirmation Email Template can be used for new volunteers.
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TRAINING
Imagine that youre a new debate volunteer who is going to judge at a tournament next
weekend. You want to make a difference, you want to do a good job, and you want to connect
with people at your placement.
At our best, we offer a passionate purpose, connection to others within the urban debate
community, and training in the skills volunteers need to be successful in their roles.
We must also communicate in ways that newcomers are likely to understand. This can be tough
because, as experts in debate, you and your colleagues can easily succumb to The Curse of
Knowledge, where you forget what newcomers dont know. This is a great article on the The
Curse of Knowledge. For example, terms like 2N and flowing are likely to be foreign to
debate newcomers.
Doing training well contributes to a volunteers satisfaction and likelihood to continue
volunteering with the league in the future. There are certainly some volunteer touch-points that
are more training intensive than others, like orientation, but training is ideally woven into every
interaction within urban debate.
A.
Onboarding
Volunteer orientation actually begins during the online sign-up process. During sign-up, the
volunteer is familiarized with the overall purpose of urban debate, the significance of the
different volunteer roles, key information for navigating the tournament, and role-appropriate
basic training materials.
The volunteers orientation continues at the service site. The host greets the volunteer and gives
the volunteer a welcome packet. This welcome packet includes a reiteration of the materials
presented online, as well as a name tag, volunteer badge, and a clipboard to help visually
identify the person as a volunteer. Here is a sample Welcome Packet Checklist for tournament
judges.
The host answers any questions that the volunteer might have and then directs the volunteer to
the orientation session. The orientation session is led by the volunteer coordinator or a
volunteer champion, and is attended by all volunteers, including returning volunteers. This is
important because it develops a sense of community amongst volunteers and provides an
opportunity for newcomers to meet and learn from returning volunteers.
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Drawing from these Orientation Session Trainer Notes, a session leader supports the volunteers
in connecting with one another and sharing the key purpose that motivates them to volunteer
with urban debate. This orientation session creates a sense of comradery and connection to the
underlying purpose of the work. The session also covers some basics of positive youth
development, a volunteer code of ethics, shift schedule, and tournament logistics.
At the end of the group orientation session, most of your debate newcomers should have the
basics in hand and be ready to go. For less confident volunteers, however, your league might
want to consider offering debate newcomers the chance to shadow a debate veteran to learn
the ropes. This isnt critical but is an option for providing a gentler on-ramp when appropriate.
B.
The following are role specific training materials that you can use with your volunteers:
Volunteer Coordinator Training Materials
Tournament Judge Training Materials
Tournament Support Training Materials
Supervision
Every volunteer should have a point person he or she can go to with questions. This is likely to
be the volunteer coordinator, host, or a champion volunteer. The point person should check in
with less experienced volunteers from time to time, especially when newcomers are first starting
out. These check-ins help volunteers feel supported and valued. This is also a great chance to
answer any unresolved questions, help volunteers process their experiences, and suggest
course corrections as volunteers begin settling into their roles.
C.
Community Spaces
Some volunteers find the din of background discussions energizing. Others find it exhausting.
Design your community spaces so that there are options for those wanting to socialize and
those wanting silence. The volunteer lounge can be a place of retreat for introverted volunteers.
Reserve it for volunteers and staff only.
Conversely, judge/debater interactions outside of rounds offer potentially significant moments for
mentorship and connection. Consider hosting a lunchtime career panel where volunteers are
interviewed, or perhaps optional topic tables where students can join volunteers at tables
dedicated to a specific topic of the volunteers choice.
D.

Urban debate leagues are committed to creating a safe environment for our young debaters.
Because of this commitment, we recommend that all leagues adopt a youth protection policy.
p.25
This presentation from Mentoring.org outlines why a Youth Protection Policy is so important for
programs that work with youth: Going Beyond the Background Check: Incorporating SAFE
Practices in Volunteer Programs.
NAUDL is implementing this Youth Protection Policy for national tournaments. Pending a youth
protection policy for all of urban debate, we strongly encourage leagues to adopt and train all of
their volunteers in a youth protection policy. While a policy like this is primarily for the protection
of our debaters, it also serves to protect adult staff and volunteers.
p.26
VI
THANKING
Its critical to volunteer retention that volunteers feel their contribution is valued and appreciated.
There are a couple of underlying principles that should undergird our thanking efforts, and there
are a handful of tried and true appreciation activities that we recommend. We end this section
with an emphasis upon the importance of gathering and learning from volunteer feedback as a
means of improving your program over time.
A.
Principles of Thanking
Acts of appreciation must flow from an attitude of appreciation. At our best, our leagues have a
strong cultural norm of appreciating volunteer contributions.
Similarly, students should be part of the thanking process whenever possible. It is more
meaningful for a volunteer to hear a student express appreciation for how debate volunteering is
impacting his or her life than for a staff member to thank the volunteer on behalf of students.
Lastly, thank often. At our best, volunteers are consistently recognized for their contribution. A
volunteer who has already been thanked in person will likely feel all the more appreciated when
he or she receives a kind note or email.
B.
Tactics for Thanking

Tournament volunteers can be thanked in person in a variety of ways. For example, after each
round, debaters should be encouraged to individually thank their judges. This creates a
connection between volunteers and students, as well as promotes an environment of gratitude.
Likewise, at the end of a work shift, volunteers should have a final huddle to debrief and be
thanked by the host and/or training supervisor. Tournament award ceremonies can include
awards for judges, nominated by students during lunchtime. The awards can be something as
simple as a certificate in a frame. The gift is far less important than the sentiment.
Volunteer coordinators should receive auto-generated reports at the end of tournaments
covering who volunteered, for what role, and how they can be contacted. Staff or students
should use these reports for to send out hand-written thank you postcards. Depending upon
league capacity, volunteers could also receive a phone call from staff thanking them for their
service and soliciting feedback.
In addition to personal touch points, Luke Hill at NAUDL, lukehill@urbandebate.org, is working
on an automated email out to volunteers after tournaments that includes a quick word of thanks
and a feedback survey. This Thank You Email Template is the starting point for the note of
thanks.
p.27
Some leagues have shown interest in giving token gifts to volunteers, such as UDL branded
swag, pins, or gift cards. Another possibility is achievement badges for repeat service that
volunteers can add to their nametags. Below are some companies that will put your logo on just
about anything:
Inkhead
4Imprint
Cafe Press
Consider hosting an appreciation picnic or awards ceremonies for volunteers at the end of the
school year. Again, theres no need to break your budget on these events. A potluck barbeque at
a city park will work. Whatever path you choose, make sure that your volunteers know that they
are valued members of the league community.
C.
Feedback
Feedback loops allow your league to learn how to improve its volunteer engagement efforts,
thus increasing retention over time. Luke Hill at NAUDL, lukehill@urbandebate.org, is
developing a survey that will go out to volunteers to track your leagues volunteer engagement
efforts. You can check out the Survey Mock-Up to get an idea of the types of questions that it
will ask.
After volunteers fill out their feedback surveys, responses will be sent to leagues, along with
data collected from the volunteer sign-up process. This report will give you actionable insights
into your volunteer programs performance, allowing you to refine your program over time. The
Volunteer Metrics handout gives you a sneak peek into some of the items likely to be in the
reports.
p.28
VII
CONCLUSION
Urban debate is a powerful pathway for students to achieve academic and life success. The
experience can be equally beneficial for those who volunteer with urban debate, but only if we
set our volunteers up for success. This begins with careful planning, effective recruiting,
thoughtful placement, and quality training. It ends with a warm thank you and a request for
feedback.
As a key leader within your league, youre positioned to help urban debate realize its potential
for impact. Use the recommendations in this manual as guides to create the volunteer program
you want to see. The wider urban debate community is here to support you. If you have ideas or
suggestions on how to make this manual more practical and user friendly, please email them to
info@urbandebate.org.
p.29
VIII ADDENDUM
Volunteer Program Needs Assessment

Sure, this volunteer manual could make for some pleasant bedside reading, but youre not
looking for a new pastime. Youre looking to make real change. These worksheets are here to
help you chart your volunteer program upgrade. Print them out. Put pen to paper and plans into
action.
Remember Your Goals
Begin with your destination in mind. Does your league seek to grow the number of student
debaters? Are you aiming to increase the quality of your leagues programming? Any volunteer
engagement efforts should be in service to your leagues larger strategic priorities.
My leagues strategic priorities for this
academic year are...
Is volunteer engagement relevant to this

priority? If so, how?
(example: Our big push this year is to start

our middle school debate program. Our goal
is to grow from zero middle school debaters
last year to 50 this year).
(example: It is going to take a lot of work to

get the middle school program off the ground.
1. We already have the school district
partnership but need four teachers to serve
as coaches. I guess theyre volunteers in
some ways and will need to be recruited,
trained, and thanked. 2. We will also need
around a dozen judges and a few other
volunteers to run the middle school
tournament. 3. Lastly, better managing our
volunteers at the high school level could free
up more of my time to focus on building the
middle school program).
p.30
Take Stock
What is the status of your current volunteer program? Is it a sleek rocket that can take you to
the moon. Or, are you still pulling together the necessary parts? Identify your programs
strengths and weaknesses to help you know what to leverage and what to improve.
A. Jot down as many notes as you can about your volunteer programs assets. Dont forget names
of great volunteers, words that describe great parts of your programs culture, etc.
B. Review your inventory and circle the items that are your biggest strengths.
C. Repeat the above steps, this time for your volunteer programs weaknesses.
D. New strengths and weaknesses might come up for you as you read through this manual. That is
great because it means youre considering new ideas!
Strengths and assets of our volunteer
program
Areas of our volunteer program in need of

improvement
(example: 1. We have a highly committed

core group of volunteers who show up every
tournament. 2. We have a strong culture of
camaraderie and mentorship between
debaters, coaches, staff, volunteers, etc.)
(example: 1. When we recruit new

volunteers, we rarely say why urban debate
is so important. 2. We could do a much better
job of thanking volunteers for their service.)
Make a Plan
This is where the rubber hits the road. What are you going to do to upgrade your leagues
volunteer program?
p.31
A. Articulate your vision for volunteer engagement in your league. Make sure it is a SMART
(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound)
My vision for volunteer engagement in my league is
(example: By December of next year, I want to see us double the number of deeply
committed volunteers who show up to every tournament from our current six to twelve).
B. Read through the volunteer engagement manual and take notes as you go. Look for easy wins
and big opportunities that your league could act on in the coming months.
Big result
(example: Start holding an

volunteer orientation before
tournaments)
(example: Sponsor a VISTA

to serve as Volunteer
Coordinator next year).
Small result
(example: Start sending

thank-you notes after
tournaments)
(example: Get a radio public

service announcement calling
for volunteers)
Small effort to make

happen
Big effort to make happen
C. Choose the tactics that strike the right balance between reasonable and energizing. These
should be tactics that you feel excited about putting into practice in the coming months. Identify
the immediate next step for putting that tactic into action.
Tactics Im committed to acting on to ramp The immediate next action step to get this
p.32
up volunteer engagement in my league...
tactic moving forward...
(example: Were going to get a committed

volunteer to take on the role of volunteer
coordinator. This will be a huge step forward
for our leagues ability to consistently engage
our volunteers.)
(example: Janis would be perfect for this role.

She already fulfills it in an informal capacity,
and I bet that shed be eager to take it on
more formally for a few hours per week. As a
next step, Im going to give her a call
tomorrow to see if shes available to meet
about this over coffee.)
Mobilize Support
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a league to engage volunteers. Who can join you
on your volunteer engagement taskforce? Who can help hold you accountable for following
through?
These are people Im going to mobilize to

support this volunteer program upgrade...
Here is how each person will best

contribute...
p.33
(example: Marc from my board has been

bugging me about volunteer training already.
Hes capable and already passionate about
volunteer engagement.)
A.
B.
C.
D.
(example: Ill see if Marc will give me

feedback on my volunteer program action
plan and then a 30 min weekly call with me to
check in on how things are going.)
Take Action
Alright. This is your moment. Close your eyes.
Remember why this work matters to you. Is it the face of an alumni whose life you know was
transformed by debate? Is it a life-shaping conversation that you had with a debater at the last
tournament? Is it the impact that debate has made in your own life? Remember your purpose.
Now, envision what will be possible when youve been wildly successful at improving your
leagues volunteer engagement. Imagine the amplification of this beautiful work, what it will look
like and what people will be saying.
And commit yourself. Commit to making this future a reality.
Act.
p.34
Volunteer Coordinator Role Description

The Volunteer Coordinator is a staff position responsible for supporting our volunteer population.
Other volunteers rely on you to successfully fulfill their roles.
Desired Traits
Passion for the empowerment of urban youth
Strong interpersonal and communications skills
Ability to actively listen to volunteers and match them with their ideal roles
Organized and detail oriented enough that everyone on a list gets thanked, and able to prioritize
between different tasks
Versed in the use of social media, especially Facebook
Comfortable leading training sessions with groups of volunteers
Knows or eager to learn the basics of debate
Responsibilities
Program Design
Work with the executive director to set the leagues volunteer program goals and approach
Recruitment
Utilize mass messaging, community partnerships and word of mouth tactics to recruit volunteers
Review flagged volunteer applicants from criminal background check
Training
Tailor existing training materials to meet the needs of your league
Lead orientation sessions before debate tournaments
Managing
Provide follow-up and support for all volunteers through email, phone calls, and occasional inperson meetings
Assist executive director in managing tournament volunteers
Thanking
Help create a welcoming and appreciative environment for new and returning volunteers
Organize volunteer appreciation efforts such as events, thank you cards, emails, and gifts
Feedback and Learning

Review volunteer feedback, analyze trends, and suggest ways to improve the volunteer
experience
p.35
Example Candidate
Lets look at an ideal fit for the volunteer coordinator role. Tanya Johnson has been volunteering
as a judge with her urban debate league for three years. She is on a first-name basis with
league staff and many of the repeat volunteers. She is friendly and a natural networker. It is the
human element of connecting with people and giving back that keeps her engaged and fulfilled.
The league leadership recognizes Tanyas dedication and vocalizes the need for someone to
coordinate volunteers. Tanya reviews the job description and asks for a few adjustments to the
role and then commits for an entire season. She brings her talents, personality, and ideas to the
job, while also learning from this manual and the volunteer coordinators for other urban debate
leagues. Tanya meets with league staff on a regular basis to keep volunteer engagement efforts
on track.
p.36
Tournament Judge Role Description

We are looking for a passionate individual who is eager to participate in the empowerment of
youth in urban communities. A successful judge will interact with and guide students through
their learning process. This volunteer will preside over debate rounds, setting the tone, marking
time, offering encouragement, and determining the winner. Students eagerly anticipate and
welcome thoughtful judge feedback, as it helps them become better debaters.
Desired Traits
Passion for the empowerment of urban youth and making a difference in the lives of teens
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to actively listen and take notes during debate rounds
Interest in current events and government policy
Ability to leave opinions and biases at the door and judge arguments objectively
Responsibilities
Prepare for each assignment by studying training documents and videos
Actively listen and take notes on each debaters arguments
Give each debater concise, useful feedback on what they did well and where they need to
improve
Score the debaters and select a winner
Interact with debaters outside of the debate rounds to build trust and community
p.37
Tournament Support Role Descriptions

Tournament support volunteers are critical to the successful running of each debate tournament,
both for the logistical support they provide and for the engaging, friendly environment they
create. Tournament support roles include driver, host/food prep, tab room operator, ballot table
coordinator, promoter, and hall monitor.
Driver Responsibilities
Must have valid drivers license and clean driving record
Provide transportation to tournaments for debaters and volunteers when needed
Coordinate rideshare opportunities of judge shuttles from work sites or universities
Host/Hospitality Responsibilities
Make tournament participants feel welcome
Assist debaters and volunteers in getting signed in and finding their assigned rooms
Provide coffee and snacks for tournament volunteers and staff
Tab Room Operator Responsibilities

Tabulate the scores of each debate and the winning team of the tournament
Promoter Responsibilities
Take pictures and video at tournaments
Interview members of the urban debate community
Write blog posts for the league website
Promote the league via social media
Ballot Table Coordinator Responsibilities

Provides the link between tournament judges and the tabulation coordinators
Check that judging ballots are filled out properly and completely
Make sure all ballots are sent to the tab room
Hall Monitor Responsibilities

Help volunteers and debaters find their rooms
Discourage disorderly conduct
p.38
Mentor/Assistant Coach Role Description

We are looking for mentors and assistant coaches to inspire and guide the urban debaters of
our community. This is a chance to nurture young minds and help them build the confidence
they need to succeed in debate tournaments and their academic lives. The students we serve
need role models they can look to for guidance, support, and encouragement to step outside of
their comfort zones and grow.
Desired Traits
Passion for the empowerment of urban youth and working with teens
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Interest in actively listen to youth
Responsibilities
Consistent presence at weekly debate practices
Weekly coordination of lesson ideas and goals with coaches
Attend a training prior to beginning the program and be available by email or phone periodically
to discuss progress at your school
Attend tournaments to support your debaters
Be a positive and affirming role model who promotes the values and mission of the league
Assistant coaching duties as assigned
p.39

News Articles
Is one of your debaters a super star? Okay, so they all are. But maybe one of them has a
particularly compelling story. Or maybe you have an alumnus who made it into college and a
fulfilling career because of debate. If youve got a compelling human interest story, its likely
theres a local newspaper, TV station, radio station, or blog thats interested in telling it. Most
news media websites have submission information on their Contact Us page. You can send
story ideas (preferably with images or video), or write the article or press release yourself, and
save them the work. Be sure the article touches on how volunteers are essential to urban
debate, and include a call for volunteers either in the article body or your headline. Here are a
few resources on how to write a press release:
Nonprofit MarCommunity - How to Format a News Release

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network - Press Releases for Nonprofits: Information and Sample
Releases
4Good - Nonprofit Press Release Template
Idealist and Other Volunteer Sites

Websites that allow volunteers to match skills and interests with opportunities can be a great
way to connect with potential debate newcomers in your area. Some of these sites, like Idealist,
have fees for posting volunteer opportunities, and some of the HandsOn sites have a pervolunteer fee. The HandsOn network also has regional affiliates in many major cities. Check the
HandsOn Network action center map to find an affiliate near your league. Other great volunteer
matching sites include VolunteerMatch and AllforGood.
Flyers at University and College Campuses
Creating and posting a flyer advertising volunteer opportunities is a relatively cheap and
sometimes effective way to get the word out. Make sure to your homework and place the flyers
in places where theyll be seen. Search online for Law and Communications departments at
local universities, and in which buildings they reside on campus. These are great locations for
posting on bulletin boards.
When making the flyer, use the software you have available: Microsoft Publisher (part of the MS
Office Suite), Google Lucidpress (a free app), or even PowerPoint or Google Apps. Be sure to
use bright colors and large text. An image of students debating would be ideal. Your flyer will
probably be competing for attention with many others in the posting space. Keep the message
succinct and short, and include both web and email addresses. These flyers dont need to be
print-shop fancy. They just need to be visible and get your message out.
p.40
Most publication software comes with flyer templates built in. Here are a few websites with ideas
and free flyer templates as well.
4Over4 - 7 FREE Flyer Templates for Non Profit Organizations

NetPrint - Leaflet Flyer Templates
eHow - How to Make a Volunteer Flyer
p.41
Recruiting with Community Partnerships

A strong community partnership can make all the difference for an urban debate league. Rhode
Island Urban Debate Leagues partnership with Brown University, for example, has been the
leagues single largest source of volunteer talent and leadership. This guide lays out the basic
steps for establishing a community partnership.
What Makes a Good Partnership?
Successful partnerships are built upon a mutual exchange of value. The relationship needs to
be a win-win, where youre both better off as a result of the collaboration. Ask not just what
potential partners can do for urban debate, but what urban debate can do for your partners.
You Offer Partners:

Engagement - Companies interested in increased employee satisfaction want their employees
engaged in community service. School courses that require community service hours need
partner organizations to host their students.
Recognition - An organization can use its partnership with an urban debate league as a
marketing tool for both recruitment efforts and positive brand recognition.
Job Skills - Companies can use debate volunteering as a training grounds for their employees to
learn mentorship, public speaking and feedback delivery.
Partners Offer You:
Time - Organizations who value community service can often mobilize a large number
employees to give their time.
Talent - Organizations can provide professional volunteers with years of experience in the
workforce.
Treasure - Community partnerships will often result in not only in donated time and talent, but
also donated funds. Some organizations include grants in their community partnerships.
Where Should We Look for Potential Partners?
Based upon the experiences of the wider urban debate community, you should consider the
following groupings as good potential partners for your league.
Universities
University Debate Teams - Some leagues have been adopted by
local university debate teams. Volunteering with the league then becomes the expected
norm for college debaters. If successful, this type of engagement can be a wealth of
volunteers on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
University Service/Community Engagement Offices - The staff at a
universitys community engagement office can match students or campus service groups
with your league.
Specific University Courses - Professors who teach courses
dealing with youth development, youth empowerment, public speaking, debate,
p.42
communications, and others topics may be interested in offering extra credit to students
who volunteer with your league.
Service Clubs - Most universities have a handful of clubs dedicate
to community service who would be interested in sending members to your league. Look
for Circle K, Community Action Corps, and the philanthropy chairs within fraternities and
sororities.
Law Firms and Corporations

Law firms are good potential partners because arguing cases is such an integral part of the
legal process. Law firms can promote service opportunities amongst their employees and
potential sponsor a one-off or annual tournament.
Corporate volunteers often come with an additional advantage, which is that their company is
more likely to give corporate grants to the organizations where the corporate employees
volunteer.
Community Civic Organizations
Local civic organizations like Toastmasters, Kiwanis, and Rotary are reliable channels for
reaching potential volunteers. Ask a member if you can give a brief presentation at one of their
meetings to promote the volunteer opportunity.
How to Form a Partnership
Map Potential Partners in Your Community
What institutions and clubs exist within your community? Figure out which partnerships would
provide the highest value to your league and/or be the easiest to land.
Develop Your Outreach Strategy
Connect - Does your board of directors know anyone in these organizations? Have them make
an introduction. A warm introduction is much more likely to get a response than a cold call or
email. If you dont have any personal ties into the organization, dont despair. There are other
ways to get connected. Do some research and figure out who in the organization you should
call. You can use the sample call script below and follow up with an email. Walk the delicate line
between being persistent and being accommodating. The goal is to connect with the right
person and set up an in-person meeting. Ask yourself, why would they want to talk with me and
learn about my league?
Explore a Partnership - Be prepared walking into a meeting and know your audience. During
the meeting, talk about how youd like to explore a partnership. Talk about why urban debate is
important and what youre looking for in volunteers. But first, ask to hear more about their
organization and what they look for in their partnerships and volunteer opportunities. Listen first.
Then share, making sure that your points map back to what theyre looking for.
Educate and Ask - Ask if you can give a short presentation to the entire group of potential
volunteers. Share why urban debate is important. Have an alumni or student share their own
debate experiences and what debate means to him or her. Reveal how members of the group
can help and invite them to sign up to volunteer. Bring a laptop or tablet so they can sign up on
p.43
the spot. Leave them something, like a quarter-sheet of paper flyer, with instructions for how to
sign-up online.
Pilot the Relationship - The first time that members of the organization volunteer with your
league, think of it as going on a first date. Take things slow. If the volunteer experience goes
well, then it might make sense to ask for a second date or initiate a more enduring partnership.
Find Your Champion - Organizations dont say yes, people do. If you want to establish a more
enduring partnership, youll need to find someone in the organization who wants to champion
your cause. This person will invite colleagues, promote the opportunity, and be your point
person for coordinating the efforts of the partnership.

Community Partnership Call Script
Calling to ask for partnerships can be an intimidating task. Below is a sample script to help you
start those conversations.
Hi Dr. X. My name is Rhonda, and Im with the St. Louis Urban Debate League. Am I catching
you at a good time? (If they cant talk, try to schedule a time when you can call back.)
Im calling to see if your members might be interested in volunteering with the St. Louis Urban
Debate League. We use debate to help middle and high school students succeed in school and
in life. Do you think that your members might be interested in learning about how they could get
involved? Wonderful. (Ask questions such as, now what types of volunteer opportunities do
your members tend to be interested in? How do you let them know about opportunities? Is there
a meeting I could present at or would you prefer that I sent you information via email? And, are
there any questions you have for me?)
p.44

Word of mouth tends to be the most effective method for recruiting volunteers. It work within
pre-existing social networks and is highly personal. Yes, it takes more time to reach people by
phone than by newspaper, but the conversion rate of people asked to people saying yes is
manyfold higher. Moreover, new databases and social media channels open up the possibility of
mobilizing an entire network of relevant people with ease.
Friends and Family
Friends and family who have witnessed the life-changing effects of urban debate will be the
most receptive group to your volunteer requests. They already care. Your job is just to let them
know that they are needed. Try and create a cultural norm within your league where students,
coaches, volunteers and staff all reach out to people they know asking them to get involved.
Graduating Debaters
Graduating seniors are an incredibly valuable volunteer resource that shouldnt be lost. Have
coaches and mentors talk to graduating debaters about staying in touch via your leagues
Facebook page, blog, or newsletter. If they are planning on going to college in a different city,
ask them to like the Facebook page of the local urban debate league there as well. Have them
look into receiving service learning credits at their university for volunteering with urban debate.
Remind them how important volunteers are to leagues and how much their experience will be
valued as returning alumni.
Alumni Databases
NAUDL has prioritized the development and upkeep of an alumni database. This offers the
potential for easily reaching out to alumni in your area. Contact Luke Hill from NAUDL at
lukehill@urbandebate.org to request a list of debate alumni in your area.
Social Media
Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are not just for showing off the latest tournament
results. These tools can be an electronic rallying point for your league community. If a large
number of people follow your leagues Facebook page, it might prove a successful channel for
promoting volunteer opportunities. Even easier than building a league following is simply to
have league members post a call for volunteers on their personal accounts.
Additional Resources
Heres some resources on how to use social media as a tool for volunteer recruitment.
Constant Contact - Engage, Inform, Recruit: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Recruit
Volunteers
NPQ - How Nonprofits Use Social Media to Engage with their Communities
The Case Foundation - 5 Tips to Starting a Nonprofit Blog
p.45
Why Volunteer In Urban Debate?

Thank you for considering a volunteer position with urban debate. Our organization and
tournaments could not run without passionate, dedicated people like you. The work we are
doing with urban youth is life changing, not only for our debaters, but for our entire community.
Why Urban Debate Matters
We are facing an educational crisis. Students in urban public schools have little more than a fifty
percent chance of graduating from high school. This couldnt be more significant. Not graduating
from high school makes one twice as likely to live in poverty as compared to someone with a
college degree, and 63 times more likely to face incarceration.
Urban debate provides students with a powerful pathway to progress. 90% of debaters in urban
schools graduate, as opposed to 50% of their peers. What is more, each semester that a
student debates, his or her grades improve. Urban debaters not only graduate on time, but they
graduate prepared. Each semester that a student debates, he or she becomes more likely to
test as college ready, enroll in college, and graduate from college.
Lets bring these stats home with a brief video from NAUDL about Rashid Campbell, a former
debater with the Bay Area Urban Debate League. Rashid was homeless while in high school
and debate provided him with the support and opportunities that he needed to graduate and
enroll in college at the University of Oklahoma.
Urban debate is powerful. And wed like to invite you to become a member of our community.
Please read on to discover how you can support urban debate.
p.46
Volunteer Assignment Confirmation Email Template

Hello, Evan!
Welcome to the St. Louis Urban Debate League! My name is Sunny Monroe, and I am the
Volunteer Coordinator here at the St. Louis Urban Debate League. We rely on dedicated
volunteers like yourself to make our tournaments happen, so we are deeply grateful for your
time and energy. We hope you find urban debate as exciting as our debaters do.
You are confirmed for the following volunteer assignment:
Tournament Policy Judge, Dec 16, 8-12
Kennedy Middle School
123 Jones Street
St. Louis, MO 63116
Please check in at the information table just inside the main entrance. Youll be directed to room
206 for volunteer orientation, where youll meet me. The following are training documents and
videos you can use to prepare for your assignment:
Tournament Judge Training

New Judges Handout
Common Debate Terms
Video demonstration of judging a policy debate round
Please email me at smonroe@udl.org if you have any questions. Were excited to have you
aboard!
Thank you,
Sunny Monroe
St. Louis Urban Debate League Volunteer Coordinator
p.47
League Specific- Customize
Volunteer Welcome Packet Checklist

This is a sample list that may be customized for your league.
Name tag
Clipboard and timers for judges
Role descriptions
Start and end time of assignment
Name and contact information of volunteer coordinator
Address of tournament location and map indicating parking, check-in area, and rooms where
judging will take place

Copy of basic training materials
Copy of youth protection policy
p.48

This is a sample agenda for a one-hour volunteer orientation session. Feel free to tailor it to
your league. The goal of this session is to set volunteers up for success, giving them the
direction, alignment, and commitment they need to contribute while enjoying their experience.
Objectives
Volunteers will touch base with the purpose behind urban debate and articulate their personal
motivations for volunteering.
Volunteers will receive recognition and appreciation for their time and effort.
Volunteers will get to know other volunteers so that they feel connected to the urban debate
community.
Volunteers will receive training in giving feedback and the other core functions of their roles.
Sample Agenda
TIMING
ACTIVITY
2 minutes
Welcome and Thank You
10 minutes
II
Who Is in the Room
5 minutes
III The Urban Debate Movement
20 minutes
IV How You Make a Difference Drew Dudley video
15 minutes
5 minutes
VI Final Questions
Review Roles
57 MIN TOTAL
Welcome and Thank You

Take a few minutes to welcome your volunteers, thank them for coming, and introduce staff.
Who Is in the Room?
Help the volunteers get to know each other and what brought them to urban debate. For small
groups, share in a circle. For larger groups, break into groups of four. Suggest a conversation
starter like, There are a lot of places you could be right now. Why did you choose to be here?
Going around the circle, please share your name and why you chose to volunteer with urban
debate.
The Urban Debate Movement
p.49
In this section, draw from Why Volunteer. Here are some points you might touch on:
Give statistics on how debate improves school performance, graduation rates, and college
enrollment rates. Urban youth are systemically disadvantaged in terms of achieving academic
and career success. Debate is a powerful correcting mechanism, a pathway to progress.
Debaters go on to be successful in college and are prepared to be knowledge workers in
twenty-first century workforce. This is the purpose behind our work: preparing urban youth for
success in school and life. Heres some statistics from the NAUDL website you might use:
Debate takes our youth from 50% likely to 90% likely to graduate from high school.
Each semester that a student debates, his/her grades will improve.
Debaters are more likely to test as college ready.
After graduating from high school, 86% of urban debaters enroll in college.
Urban debaters are 80% more likely to graduate from college.
Urban debate equips students with twenty-first century job skills like research and critical
thinking.
Discuss the consequences of high dropout rates on cities:
High school dropouts are twice as likely to live in poverty versus individuals with college
degrees.
High school dropouts have 63 times the incarceration rate compared to college graduates.
Historically, debate has been available to youth in well funded suburban schools, not students in
urban schools, who are disproportionately students of color.
Urban debate is a national movement that makes debate accessible to urban youth. We have
19 regional leagues that receive guidance and support from the National Association of Urban
Debate Leagues (NAUDL).
One of the things that makes debate special is the positive, encouraging community we create
for the students and for each other.
Make these points concrete with a testimonial video from the NAUDL website.
Hope Sauceda, Houston UDL
Michael Barlow, Atlanta UDL
Kevin Hirn, Chicago UDL
Time permitting, invite participants to share how the purpose behind urban debate might
resonate with their own life experiences.
How You Make a Difference
In this section, talk to the volunteers about how theyre making a difference as positive role
models. Regardless of their roles, they are showing up and investing in the debaters.
Show the Mentoring Is Everyday Leadership video.
p.50
One of the most important spaces for mentorship is in the feedback process. You can use the
following is a script and exercise to discuss useful feedback with your volunteers:
One of the most important things that we can do for our debaters is let them know how they are
doing. Sometimes, they need some help some constructive feedback. More often, they need
to know what they are doing well so they can continue to build on that. Lets take a minute and
talk about giving effective feedback.
Think about a time when you received effective feedback. Feedback that helped you
develop in some way. It could be about a strength or a weakness. Regardless, it helped
you realize something about yourself. Jot down some notes about what made the
feedback effective. How was it delivered? Who delivered it? Where? Find a group of
three and share your experience. Then, take seven minutes with this group and create a
quick outline of what effective feedback looks like.
Go around the room and have each group share one or more things from their sketch,
depending on how much time you have. If available, use a whiteboard or flip chart to
keep a running list of what they share about effective feedback. Add these points to the
list if they arent brought up by others:
Delivered with good intent effective feedback is shared because the giver is hoping the
receiver will be able to use it to get better.
Shoot for an 80/20 ratio of positive feedback to constructive feedback. This helps people focus
on what is going well and keep from shutting down.
Delivered in a timely manner.
Delivered in an appropriate setting. Depending on the situation, this could be in the debate room
after the debate or in a common area.
Wrap up with the challenge to give at least five pieces of specific, positive feedback
during the day today.
Talk to volunteers about safety. We are all required to uphold an environment free from bullying,
violence, and coercion. All of our one-on-one interactions with debaters must be in public areas.
Direct them to our Youth Protection Policy handout and ask for questions and concerns.
Let the volunteers know that they make a difference in the lives of these youth by helping make
debate happen. We already established that debate changes lives. Whether they are judges,
working in the tab room, or some other role, they are helping these students plug into this
important pathway to progress.
Most of the volunteers will be debate judges, so review judging basics next. Have the rest go
over their role descriptions in their welcome packet. Supervisors of roles should raise their
hands and connect with their volunteers.
How to Judge
p.51
Direct volunteers to go through the judge training materials packet.
Show the Introduction to Judging Policy Debate presentation.
Go over the three roles of a judge - educator, decision maker, and arbitrator - and what these
roles entail (see Tournament Judge Training Materials).
Clarify logistics such as schedules, room assignments, and how to fill out the ballots.
Questions
Take questions from the volunteers as time allows.
p.52
Volunteer Coordinator Training

Congratulations and welcome to the team!
Introduction
First and foremost, thank you for stepping into your new role as your leagues volunteer
coordinator. Without you, we cannot support our volunteer population. Without volunteers, urban
debate does not sustain, much less grow. Please refer to Why Volunteer in Urban Debate for
more insight on why our work is so important.
To prepare for your responsibilities, please take some time to look through the entire Urban
Debate Volunteer Engagement Manual. Every section of the manual will be relevant to your
position. Below is an overview of your duties.
Recruiting
You will spend at least 30% of your time getting the word out about volunteer opportunities in
our league. Please review the recruiting links below. Mass messaging and community
partnerships are useful methods for outreach, but nothing is more effective than word of mouth.
That means not only face time at tournaments and volunteer requests on the leagues Facebook
page, but also building and activating your network of urban debate champions within the
community.
Recruiting with Community Partners
Matching Volunteers with Roles

Many volunteers will select their own roles, or choose a role based on the skills and interests
quiz in the online sign-up process. However, not all volunteers will sign up through the online
form, and some may need guidance on which role is right for their experience and availability. In
these cases, get a feel for their experience and comfort level, and walk them through the roles
that might be a good fit. Below are the volunteer role descriptions.
Tournament Judge Job Description
Tournament Support Job Descriptions
Mentor Job Description
Volunteer Communication
p.53
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Keeping volunteers up to speed on where they are needed, necessary training, and how they
are valued will take up a good part of your time. The online scheduling system will send out
auto-responses about volunteer assignments, training materials, and post-assignments thank
you notes, but its your job to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Below is a sequence
for ideal volunteer communication.
Auto-response confirmation of sign-up and role assignment (assignment confirmation email
template).
Auto-response notice of background check results.
Email from you welcoming the volunteer to the community and checking if they have questions
or concerns.
Auto-response reminder of next volunteer assignment.
Post-assignment email to new volunteers from you thanking them for their time and effort and
inviting feedback on their first experience (thank you email template).
Auto-response post-assignment thank you for veteran volunteers.
Annual survey asking all volunteers for feedback.
Various emails inviting volunteers to workshops, awards ceremonies, volunteers appreciation
events, or other social gatherings.
Various emails informing volunteers of new opportunities, like blogging or lunchtime discussion
leads, and requests for word-of-mouth outreach.
Volunteer Training
Once you get up and running in your role, youll be leading the volunteer orientations at each
tournament. The purpose of these meetings are to help volunteers connect with each other,
understand how the tournament will run, where they need to be, and who will be available for
questions and support. Youll be assisting the executive director or another staff member at your
first few tournaments until you feel ready to run the orientations yourself. Below are some
relevant training documents.
Tournament Judge Training Materials
Tournament Support Training Materials
Gathering Feedback
Volunteers are the best source of information on how well our recruiting and retention efforts are
working. You will gather feedback through emails, conversations with volunteers, and an annual
emailed survey, and run metrics reports to spot trends. Please read the Feedback section of the
Volunteer Engagement Manual for more specifics.
Volunteer Appreciation
Letting volunteers know that they are an appreciated, valued part of the community is the best
way to keep them coming back. Demonstrations of appreciation dont need to be extravagant,
but they do need to be consistent. Volunteers should always receive a thank you email, either
from you or from the scheduling system, after an assignment (sample thank you email
template). Events like end-of-year picnics and volunteer awards ceremonies make volunteers
feel like an essential part of the community. Take a look at the Thanking section of the Volunteer
Engagement Manual for more ideas.
p.54
Safety
Urban debate leagues are serious about creating the most secure environment possible for our
young members. To maintain such an environment, we have developed a Youth Protection
Policy. As with all members of the urban debate community, it is your responsibility to uphold the
Youth Protection Policy.
Deepening Your Training

Lastly, there is an immense trove of volunteer coordination resources on the internet. These
wont be tailored to urban debate but can still be quite valuable. Here are few recommended
resources to take your training deeper:
Online learning developed by Points of Light
PDF Manual on Volunteer Engagement developed by Hands On Network
List of best practices in volunteer engagement curated by Idealist.org
Manuals on Planning, Recruiting and Managing volunteers by AmeriCorps.
Sometimes volunteers can detract from the mission of urban debate. It is a situation that wed
prefer never happen, but it is important to be aware of the possibility. This article will help you
navigate the difficult world of volunteer boundaries.
p.55
Tournament Judge Training Guide

Introduction
Congratulations and welcome to the team!
Thank you!
Tournament judging is the engine that makes urban debate possible. Because of you,
four more students are able to participate in urban debate, four more young people have
the opportunity to challenge themselves, improve their public speaking skills, and
increase their passion for learning. Thank you for your contribution! If you would like to
know more about why this work is so important, please refer to Why Volunteer in Urban
Debate.
A Note on Safety
Urban debate is committed to providing our youth with the most secure environment
possible. To maintain such an environment, we have developed a Youth Protection
Policy to which all members of the urban debate community must adhere. While this
policy is primarily for the protection youth members, it also serves to protect adult staff
and volunteers.
Lets Get Started
Debate judging is for everyone - debate veterans and debate newcomers alike. Debate
veterans generally are paired with more advanced forms of debate, but not always. As
long as youre willing and able to invest in youth, youre good to go.
The following materials are presented to prepare you for judging your first debate round.
As with anything, please dont hesitate to ask questions. League staff are here to help!
1.
This Introduction to Policy Debate Prezi by the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues
gives a great overview of the debate judge role.
2.
Next, review the remaining materials in this document -- theyll walk you through the Role of the
Judge, What a Debate Looks Like, and the Judging Process.
3.
Still want more? At the end of this document weve included some links to training videos
created by Urban Debate Leagues across the country - these are a great resources as well!
The What of Urban Debate Judging:
(The following was developed by the Atlanta Urban Debate League)
What Is the Role of a Judge?
p.56
Educator
Judge feedback after the debate helps students to advance their knowledge about their
arguments, about debate, and about how to become more persuasive. Debate is about
persuasion. Debaters have a duty to adapt to their judges. Some judges have judged
many debates and are familiar with debate jargon. Other judges are less familiar with
such jargon and should not feel that they must know all the terms that debaters use to
be good judges. Intelligent, fair minded individuals who listen carefully to the arguments
made are 100% qualified to judge even the highest levels of debate.
Decision Maker
The judge is a decision maker. He or she must ultimately vote for the team that
presented the better arguments. This decision is usually best understood as the judge
imagining that they were in a position to put the affirmative plan into effect (as Congress
and the Supreme Court would), and needed to weigh the merits of the plan based on the
arguments made in the debate. The judge must set aside his or her personal opinions
about the topic and evaluate the positions based on the arguments made by the
debaters.
Arbitrator
Occasionally, judges might have to intervene during the debate if there is a problem.
This might be anything from two partners not getting along with each other to someones
evidence being misplaced. However, it is most often a student who is too nervous or
upset to go on debating. The judge should do his or her best to try to allow the debaters
to work things out themselves. If the debaters clearly need the judges help, try to be
supportive and helpful, but with the ultimate goal of continuing with the round. On a
related note, please do not disclose your decision to the debaters at the end of the
round.
What Is a Typical Day for a Judge?
1. Sign In
When you arrive at the school, find the registration table, where you can check in to let
us know you have arrived. You may then go to the judges lounge for breakfast or the
cafeteria to see the kids.
2. Scan the Pairings
Before the first round, pairings will be released in the cafeteria. This is a list of who will
be debating who in the next debate round. There will be four different pairings, one for
each division of competition. On the pairings, the affirmative team is listed on the left
side and the negative team is listed on the right side. Look for your name in the last
column of the pairing list under the label judges. Be sure to check all four pairings for
your name. If you are listed as a judge (and you probably will be), advance immediately
p.57
to step 3. If you are not listed as a judge, please stand near the registration table. The
tournament staff may need you to replace another judge or take a ballot that was not
picked up by another judge.
3. Pick Up Your Ballot
Go to the registration table to pick up your ballot and have your name checked off the
pairing.
4. Go to Your Round
Find the room number in which you are listed to judge. If both teams are not in the room
when you arrive, give them a few minutes to find the room. In many cases, students are
just finishing a previous debate or still trying to find the room. If they do not show up after
10 minutes, report back to the registration table or the tab room and let the tab room
staff know.
5. Fill in the Top Portion of the Ballot
Ask the debaters for their school and their names and fill in the information on the
appropriate lines. Double-check ballot accuracy.
6. Begin the Debate
When all four debaters are in the room and ready, and when you are ready with flow
paper, a pen, and a timer (you can use your cell phone), tell the debaters to begin the
debate. Be sure to:
Encourage students who refuse to give speeches. They are usually very nervous in the
beginning of the year.
Try to give all novice teams a chance to finish the 1AC (first speech of debate). If they go past
time, make sure they at least read the plan.
Discourage tag team cross examination (both partners participating in cross-x at the same
time). It is important that all debaters participate, not just the best one from each team.
7. Take Notes and Time the Speeches
As the debate proceeds, take notes on the arguments that each speaker makes. In
debate lingo, this process of taking notes is called flowing. Encourage debaters to use
all (at least most) of their speech time.
8. Render a Decision
At the conclusion of the debate, reflect briefly on the arguments by reviewing your flow
sheet. Next, vote in favor of either the affirmative or negative team. Explain your decision
in the space provided on the ballot. DO NOT REVEAL WHICH TEAM YOU VOTED
FOR. Some debaters refuse to debate in the third and fourth rounds if they know they
are not going to win an award.
9. Oral Critique
Provide an oral critique by offering constructive criticism. Point out things the debaters
did well and make suggestions regarding things they should do differently (you should
p.58
also write these constructive comments on the ballot so that coaches can review them).
Be sure to allocate speaker points and ranks.
10. Return Your Completed Ballot
Hand in your completed ballot at the registration table or tab room.
11. Repeat
These steps are taken for each debate round in the tournament. There will be four
rounds at the tournament, followed by an awards ceremony in the auditorium or
cafeteria.
What Does a Debate Look Like?
1st Affirmative
2nd Affirmative
(1A)
(2A)
1st Negative
2nd(1N)
Negative (2N)
Table
Table
Podium
Table
Judge
Room Setup
The teams will typically set up on opposite sides of the classroom, with the podium from
which both teams will speak located in the front of the room.
In urban debate, there are two teams competing against each other around a particular
debate topic - the Affirmative Team and then Negative Team. The Affirmative Team will
be arguing in favor of the Resolution; the Negative Team will be arguing against it.
What Are Some Special Rules/Customary Practices?
Starting Time
The judge announces the start of the debate. Both teams must be ready to begin upon
the judges announcement. Judges may deduct speaker points for violations.
p.59
Prep Time
Each team can use a cumulative total of eight minutes for preparation time (prep time),
at any time during the debate and in any number of individual periods. Judges
traditionally announce prep time remaining after each usage. When a teams prep time
has elapsed, their speakers must begin speaking as soon as it is their turn.
Road Map
Simply means that debaters will list out the following issues/arguments they are
addressing before their speeches. VERY helpful for judges.
Cross-Examination
Judges should listen attentively to cross-examinations, but do not credit arguments or
evidence presented during cross-examination speeches. These arguments must be
raised during one of the regular speeches to be considerable by the judge.
Rebuttal Arguments
Debaters may not introduce new Affirmative arguments or new Negative attacks.
Debaters can offer new analysis or evidence on issues already raised in the
Constructives. Debaters are trained to point out new arguments and how they should be
regarded or justified, so judges need not treat this as a rules/ethics violation, but should
rather discount new arguments in their final decision about the debate.
Rudeness
Debaters may not interrupt, distract, or act impolitely to judges or opponents. Judges
may deduct speaker points for violations.
Tag teaming
This means both debaters on a team can answer questions during cross-examination.
This is discouraged.
Observers
Guest observers are permitted in the debate room, but must keep a distance from the
debaters and remain silent during speeches. Judges may eject violators from the debate
room.
Coaching Period
Coaches, teammates, and observers may not talk to or signal debaters after the debate
round starts, inside or outside the room or via electronic communication. This will be
investigated as cheating if it is determined to be an attempt to aid the debaters unfairly
during the course of a debate after the first speech has begun.
Electronics
Students are allowed to use laptops and other electronic devices as a means to store
and/or read materials from the evidence packet(s) provided by the Urban Debate
p.60
League. Students are not allowed to go online (research, email, texting, chatting,
facebook, etc.) during a debate round, including during the judges oral critique of the
round.
How Do I?
How Do I Determine the Winner?
The most important job of the judge is to carefully listen to the arguments made by both
teams and, based on those arguments alone (not your personal position/opinion), decide
whether or not you agree with them. It is important to remember that the argument
content of the speeches is the most important factor in determining a winner. Neither the
quality of a cross-examination nor ones speaking abilities/vocabulary should determine
the winner of a debate.
Example of how you might decide a debate round:
The affirmative team will provide a list of pros that are associated with their plan. The
negative team will provide a list of cons associated with the plan. After weighing the lists
of arguments against each other, if you agree with the affirmatives plan based on the
arguments presented in the debate round, than you should vote for the affirmative team.
If, conversely, you think that the affirmatives plan is a bad idea, then you should vote for
the negative team.
How Do I Assign Speaker Points?
(The following was developed by the Chicago Urban Debate League)
Speaker points are given by the judge to each individual debater in a debate round. They are
used to award individual speakers at the end of the tournament, and to break ties between
teams with similar win-loss records to determine elimination round qualification.
Whereas deciding who wins and who loses is determined by evidence and argumentation,
speaker points are generally given on the basis of style, form, presentation, and
persuasiveness. As such, they are inherently subjective, that is, rooted in the judges personal
conception of persuasive speaking style. Also, a debater may lose the round and still receive
high speaker points and vice-versa.
Potential criteria to help you make your determination: Clarity of Enunciation, Modulated or
Dynamic Voice Tone, Concision, Organization and Structure, Explanation of Evidence,
Responsiveness, Comparative Weighing of Issues, Eye Contact, Appropriate Use of Non-Verbal
Gesture, Verbal Variation (e.g., Pause for Effect, Use of Metaphor), Poise, Good Posture,
Respect and Courtesy for Others. This is only a partial list; you probably have your own
additions/subtractions to what counts as a "persuasive" style.
p.61
Speaker Point Rubric

30An amazing job. It is one of the most impressive speeches you have seen. You have only
very minor suggestions for improvement. These should be rare.
29-29.5Excellent job. The speaker was clear, confident, and made a minor error or two but
was very impressive overall.
28-28.5Very good job. You were impressed but not blown away by the quality of the
speeches.
27-27.5Good job. The speaker made some errors but was speaking clearly, was generally
organized, and you understood most of their arguments.
26-26.5Average job. There were problems with organization, the speaker did not clearly refer
to arguments made by the other side and respond to them, but the speaker made a good effort
and did their best.
25-25.5Below average job. The speaker still followed procedure but made very few
arguments, was terribly disorganized or read a canned speech during rebuttals instead of
referring to specific arguments. This is generally the lowest score given in middle school.
Please note that giving a speaker less than 25 points is considered punitive and requires an
explanation.Common reasons for giving a speaker less than 25 points:
Regular use of profane language.
Abusive tactics against an opponent.
Ignoring stated dislikes given during the introductory statement.
How Do I Deliver Feedback?
Be Encouraging - The debaters will look up to you. Compliments can be a great motivator, and
negative comments can be very discouraging. Even if they look confident, middle school and
high school debaters are probably very nervous. Provide only a few suggestions for
improvement, not a list of everything they did wrong.
Compliment Sandwich - A good strategy is to couch suggestions in a compliment. For example,

Your 2AR was very impressive, especially when you explained X. Imagine how well you would
do if it were a little more organized.
Write a Detailed Reason for Decision (RFD) on the Ballot. While the oral critique helps the
debaters, it does not help their coaches, so be sure to write comments on the ballot in addition
to talking with the debaters after the debate ends. These comments give coaches direction
concerning what things the debaters need to improve.
Base Decisions on the Strength of the Teams Arguments.

Which team gave more reasons for discrediting their opponents arguments?
p.62
Was there a team that extended their arguments all the way to the end of the debate without
being attacked by their opponent?
Who did and did not use evidence?
Who did or did not flow? If they did not flow well, they most likely missed some important points
to address.
Was there a team that got confused and started arguing for their opponents stance?
Additional Resources
Judge Training Videos
While some of the logistics and details may vary based on your location, the overall
message and approach of the video below should be relevant wherever you might be
located.
Kansas City Training Films, Boston Training Video
Debate Terms and Tips

New judges sometimes tell us that learning to judge debate is like learning a new
language. These resources can help you with new terms that you may encounter as you
learn about the world of debate.
St. Louis Debate Terms
Chicago Judge Reference Guide
Chicago Judge Recommendations
Round Flow Sheet and Sample Ballot

(From Atlanta Manual)
THE CONSTRUCTIVE
Constructive
Speeches
Description
Novice
JV
Varsity
High
School
1AC
Presents the Plan. After the speech, the

2NC cross-examines the 1AC.
4 min
4 min 5 min
6 min
CX
1AC gets questioned by the 2NC
2 min
2 min 2 min
2 min
p.63
1NC
Speaker rejects the AFFs claiming that it

will not work and/or bad things will
happen if the plan gets implemented.
4 min
4 min 5 min
6 min
CX
1NC gets questioned by the 1AC
2 min
2 min 2 min
2 min
2AC
This speech responds to ALL of the

claims made by the 1NC. It also revisits
many of the points discussed in the 1AC
to rebuild the case and persuade the
judge that the plan is still a good idea.
4 min
4 min 5 min
6 min
CX
2AC gets questioned by the 1NC
2 min
2 min 2 min
2 min
2NC
This speech should focus on

approximately half (or more, but not less)
of the arguments first articulated in the
1NC. This speaker responds specifically
to each attack made against their
disadvantage and/or case argument to
persuade the judge that the plan is a bad
idea. A smart 2NC will leave some
arguments for the 1NC to win back in the
1NR.
4 min
4 min 5 min
6 min
CX
2NC gets questioned by the 2AC
2 min
2 min 2 min
2 min
THE REBUTTAL
Rebuttal
Speeches
Description
Novice
JV
Varsity
High
School
1NR
This speech should focus on the negative

arguments that WERE NOT COVERED in
the 2NC.
2 min
2 min
2 min
4 min
The speaker should not present the same

arguments as their partner.
Arguments that are not extensions of
things sais previously should not be
listened to or voted on.
p.64
1AR
The speaker should swiftly address all the

negative arguments from both the 2NC
and 1NR.
Any dropped argument could mean a
negative victory.
This speech should also explain why the
benefits of the affs plan outweigh the
disadvantages that the negative team
claims will happen.
2 min
2 min
3 min
4 min
2NR
The Speaker should narrow the debate by

picking a few arguments that they believe
the negative side is winning.
Only arguments that are extensions of
things said in the 2NC and 1NR are
allowed.
2 min
2 min
3 min
4 min
2AR
The speaker should respond to the 2NRs

arguments, while also pointing out
significant arguments that have been
dropped by the negative and arguments
that the affirmative team is winning.
The speaker should explicitly tell the judge
why their arguments outweigh the
negatives arguments.
2 min
2 min
3 min
4 min
p.65
SAMPLE BALLOT
1AC: Good job getting through the evidence. Make sure to allow time for a solvency argument.
1NC: Great speaking voice. Make sure you continue to cite your sourcesyou stopped about halfway
through.
2AC: You filled in the solvency missing from the 1AC-great! Also, I can tell you were flowing because you
responded to each of the 1NCs arguments so far.
2NC: Thanks for the roadmapit helped me track your on case arguments and the introduction of your
disadvantage. Make sure you are flowing for your partner while they are speaking.
1NR: Wonderful speaking presence. It seemed as though you repeated the arguments made by your
partner earlier. Try to generate new arguments on the key issues.
1AR: Remember, dont read new evidence. But you chose the strongest arguments from the neg to
attack-well done.
2NR: Try to use all of your speech time. Also use your flowsheet-you dropped a couple of the Affs
arguments. I loved how you brought up the huge impacts your disadvantages could have!
p.66
2AR: You brought up valid points, but remember to persuade the judge why YOU should win, not just why
the other team did worse.
p.67
Tournament Support Volunteer Training

Welcome and thank you! Tournament support volunteers are essential for our debate
tournaments to run. These roles are a great way to get familiar with the world of debate, meet
some wonderful people, and becoming part of a community that supports excellence for young
people. Please refer to Why Volunteer in Urban Debate for more insight on why our work is so
important.
Each urban debate league has different needs in terms of tournament support volunteers.
Below is a brief description of the different roles, followed by some general tips for any position.
Were so glad to have you on the team!
Support Roles
Driver
Debate changes lives. Your job is to help ensure that students and volunteers are able to
make it to where debate happens. Making this happen ranges from finding the appropriate
bus route to shuttling people where they need to go.
Host/Hospitality
One of our greatest assets is our strong sense of community. Your job is to help amplify that
sense of community by making people feel welcome. This is especially true for volunteers
who might be new to our community. A hello, handshake and a warm smile can go a long
way. A remembered name and a cup of coffee or a snack can seal the deal.
Ballot Table
The desire to win keeps our students researching and refining their debate skills. The ballot
is in charge of the all mighty ballot, which, when picked up by a judge, imbues that judge
with the power to determine the winner and provide feedback.
Tab Room
If debate were an animal, the tab room would be its brain. You determine pairings; collect
completed ballots, track wins, losses and speaker points; and ensure that judge feedback
ultimately makes it back to the appropriate debate coach.
Promoter
Urban debate is a universe of good stories waiting to be told. Your job is to tell those stories.
You choose your medium (Photography? Writing? Video?). You choose your audience
p.68
(Debaters? Volunteers? Staff?). And, you choose your channels (Newspaper? Social
Media? Blog?). The goal is to use the power of storytelling to strengthen our community and
share our work with others.
Hall Monitor
Urban debate requires a safe, respectful environment to thrive. Your job is to help support
our students in staying out of trouble by monitoring hallways and generally providing an
adult presence.
General Training Tips
Safety First
Urban debate leagues are serious about creating the most secure environment possible for
our young members. To maintain such an environment, we have developed a Youth
Protection Policy to which all members of the urban debate community must adhere. Please
review the policy before your first shift.
Get Familiar with Urban Debate
Youre going to be supporting a debate tournament, so its important to understand the
basics of how a tournament is run. Start by watching this four-minute Training Video
developed by the Boston Urban Debate League. It is somewhat focused on tournament
judging but is also a good introduction to the overall layout of the tournament.
A Few Norms
Here are a few of the most important norms of the urban debate culture:
Introduce yourself. We like to model the behavior we want to see from our debaters. Introduce
yourself, say hello. Remember that debaters are often nervous, even when they dont appear to
be. Reach out to the young people you see and offer them a word of encouragement.
Wear your nametag. This lets everyone know who you are and how you are supporting urban
debate.
Stay flexible.Tournament day can be hectic. Its important to remember that we are all doing the
best job that we can. If you run into a problem or something isnt clear, please ask for help.
People might be busy, but we like to encourage the friendliest atmosphere we can. If youre a
debate veteran, reach out to those folks who are new. Lets create a positive community for our
debaters and for ourselves.

Congratulations and Welcome to the Team!
p.69
Mentoring can be one of the most fun and effective ways to help young people learn and
develop. You will get to create positive, meaningful relationships with debaters, and we promise
that you will learn as much from them as they learn from you. For more insight into why this
work is so important, please refer to Why Volunteer in Urban Debate.
According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, mentoring
relationships have been shown to improve youth's self-esteem, behavior, and academic
performance. We are glad you can join us and make a difference in our debaters lives.
Classroom mentors are also great resources to our coaches. Urban Debate League coaches
are often full time teachers who are juggling many classroom and student demands in addition
to coaching the debate league. Showing up each week helps coaches be better coaches and
builds a stronger community of support for our debaters.
Below, you will find some orientation videos and training materials to prepare you for mentoring
with urban debate. We hope you find these resources valuable and informative. Thank you for
your support!
We also want to note that urban debate places the greatest importance on creating a secure
environment for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, we have developed a
Youth Protection Policy to which all members of the urban debate community must adhere.
Setting the Stage
Here are some great resources to get you started:
Leading with Lollipops (6 minutes)
In this TedX video, Drew Dudley explains the power that we can have in each others lives,
even through small gestures. We think this is a great video for explaining the power that
mentoring can have in the lives of our youth.
An Introduction to Tournament Day (4 minutes)
This training video, create by the Boston Debate League, provides a great introduction to
what Tournament Day is like for volunteers and for our debaters. Watching this video will
give you a sense of what your debaters might be experiencing on Tournament Day and
gives you some insight into the life of our other volunteers. On Tournament Day, help your
debaters connect with our other adult volunteers - this is a great opportunity for youth to get
to know other adults in the community and understand all the possibilities they have ahead
of them.
Documentary on Urban Debate (3 minutes)
Crottys Kids Trailer gives a great overview of the power that debate can have in the lives of
urban youth.
p.70
Other Tips and Advice

These are great words of wisdom for effective mentoring.
Keep Things Real
Debate can be a formal process with a language of its own. While learning the terms and
the process of debate is important, we see the quality of the mentoring relationship as even
more important than who wins which tournament. Sometimes, it can be easy to get caught
up in jargon or the content. We encourage you to continue to talk with these young people
as youd talk with anyone else. Keep things at a human level. As one tournament judge
said, Theres often a know-it-all attitude in debate. A lot of kids fear that and learn that
emotional-distance is what debate is about. There can be a tough guy/cool pose. When you
try and break through that and talk with them as kids, on a human level, they RESPOND.
Its Okay if You Dont Know
Students can tell when we are faking. Learning is about making mistakes, about not
knowing, and searching out the answer. You will be going through a learning curve as you
enter the world of debate. Its okay to not know things - this can give the students an
opportunity to teach you or for you both to figure something out together.
Be Comfortable Modeling Vulnerability
Similar to the above statement, modeling vulnerability is a great way to build trust with
students. Growing up is tough - we make mistakes, were insecure, and adults can be
scary. Helping young people understand that were people too, with flaws and questions,
just like them, can strengthen your relationship.
Deal with Silence
Sometimes, when were working with young people, especially in a group, we can get blank
stares and silence. This might mean that their minds are elsewhere, but it more often
means that they are processing whatever just happened and trying to figure out how to
respond. Its okay to just be with the silence and wait for their response - see what
happens.
Listen
As adults working with young people, we can often feel like Were here to save the day.
Or that I have so much to offer, I cant wait to share. More often than not, what young
people need is a listening ear, rather than advice or a lecture. Practice listening twice as
much as sharing. Youll be surprised what you learn and how great a relationship you can
develop with the young people youre working with.
Take a Coach Approach
Related to listening, when a young person comes to you with a challenge, a great response
is an open-ended question. This helps them build critical thinking skills as they work out
their problem on their own. Sometimes, they will need advice, but more often, they need a
good question to get them thinking on the right path.
p.71
Engage with the Hard Stuff

As young people start to trust you, they may tell you things that are challenging about their
lives and things that they are currently dealing with. Make sure youre aware of the sorts of
things you need to report and to whom - child abuse, sexual abuse, self-harming, etc. You
should tell your debater that there are certain things you have to report, but that other
things will be kept confidential. If youre not sure, ask your UDL Executive Director.
Attitudes
Teenagers are going through all sort of changes: physical, emotional, social, and
intellectual. Sometimes a great kid might come into the room in a terrible mood. Pretty
much all the time, its not about you and it will pass once they get engaged in the days
activities. Dont let their moodiness throw you off your game!
Have Empathy
A huge part of your role as mentor is to relate and have empathy. First and foremost,
remember that you serve people from different walks of life, with different personalities and
expectations. Its crucial to remember that what is on the surface is not all there is to that
person. Watch this video about empathy: Under the Surface.
Its not just important to have empathy for the population you serve. You also need to have
empathy for yourself. Recognize your limitations and communicate them to those around
you, both the students youre mentoring and the person to whom youre reporting. Ask for
patience when you dont meet expectations and remember how valued you are.
Set Appropriate Boundaries
Setting and maintaining boundaries can be tough, especially when youre also wanting to
connect and be vulnerable. They are difficult to set, but crucial. Make sure that your own
behavior is appropriate for an adult mentoring a youth, and require that the youth, likewise,
behave appropriately.
Setting appropriate boundaries from the beginning enables you to successfully fulfill
expectations. You can listen, offer advice, and guide students, but remember not to over
promise, as this could result in inappropriate relationships and expectations.
Remember to Have Fun
Mentoring should be fun. Our tournaments and our leagues are competitive and sometimes
we get lost in that competition. However, the best learning environment we can create is
one where people feel welcome, supported, and engaged.
Advanced Resources
If, after a few months, you find youre still really into mentoring and want to take your training to
the next level, consider this paid online course by Mentoring Central.
p.72
For those taking on coaching or assistant coaching roles, the Saint Louis Urban Debate League
has curated a great list of coaching resources, including drills and exercises you can use with
your students.
p.73

(This is adapted from the Boyscouts of America youth protection policy:
http://www.scouting.org/Training/youthprotection.aspx)
Introduction
Our leagues are vigilant about creating the most secure environment possible for our young
debaters. To maintain such an environment, we have developed the following procedures.
Required Reporting
There are two types of scenarios that require reporting:
1. When you witness child abuse or neglect, or suspect a child has been abused or neglected (see
"Mandatory Report of Child Abuse" below).
2. When you witness a violation of the urban debates Youth Protection Policies (see "Reporting
Violations of Urban Debate Youth Protection Policies" below).
Mandatory Report of Child Abuse
All persons involved in urban debate shall report to local authorities any good faith suspicion or
belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused; physically or emotionally
neglected; exposed to any form of violence or threat; or exposed to any form of sexual
exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online
solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You may not abdicate this reporting
responsibility to any other person.
Steps to Reporting Child Abuse
1. Ensure the child is in a safe environment.
2. In cases of child abuse or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.
3. In addition, if the suspected abuse is in the urban debaters home or family, you are required to
contact the local child abuse hotline.
4. Notify the urban debate executive or his/her designee.
Reporting Violations of Urban Debate Youth Protection Policies
If you think any of the urban debate Youth Protection Policies have been violated, including
those described within Urban Debates Barriers to Abuse, you must notify your local league
executive or his/her designee so appropriate action can be taken for the safety of our debaters.
Urban Debates Barriers to Abuse
Urban debate has adopted the following policies for the safety and well being of its members.
While these policies are primarily for the protection of youth members, they also serve to protect
adult leaders.
Minimum two-deep leadership on all outings required. Two registered adult leaders, or
one registered leader and a parent of a participating debater or other adult, one of whom
must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and outings. Appropriate adult
p.74
leadership must be present for all overnight debate activities. Coed overnight activities,
even those including parent and child, require male and female adult leaders, both of whom
must be 21 years of age or older, and one of whom must be a staff member of the urban
debate league.
One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. In any situation
requiring a personal meeting, such as a debater/coach conference, the meeting is to be
conducted in view of other adults and youths.
Separate accommodations for adults and debaters required. When traveling, no youth
is permitted to sleep in the hotel room of an adult other than his or her own parent or
guardian.
Privacy of youth respected. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in
situations such as changing clothes and taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that
health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital devices is prohibited. While most
debaters and leaders use cameras and other imaging devices responsibly, it has become
very easy to invade the privacy of individuals. It is inappropriate to use any device capable
of recording or transmitting visual images in restrooms or other areas where privacy is
expected by participants.
No secret organizations. Urban debate leagues do not recognize any secret
organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the urban debate program are open to
observation by parents and leaders.
No hazing. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part
of any debate activity.
No bullying. Verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited in urban debate.
Youth leadership monitored by adult leaders. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the
leadership techniques used by youth leaders and ensure that urban debate policies are
followed.
Discipline must be constructive. Discipline used in urban debate should be constructive
and reflect urban debates values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
Members are responsible to act according to the law. All members of the urban debate
league are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in
the federal, state, and local laws. Physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol
have no place in the urban debate program and may result in the revocation of a members
membership.
p.75
Units are responsible to enforce Youth Protection Policies. League leaders are
responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary.
The parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for
assistance.
Mandatory reporting of child abuse. All involved in urban debate are personally
responsible to immediately report to law enforcement any belief or good faith suspicion that
any child is or has been abused or exploited or endangered in any way. No person may
abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.
Social media guidelines. The policy of two-deep leadership extends into cyberspace.
Another adult leader should be copied on any electronic communication between adult and
youth member.
Violations of any of these Youth Protection Policies must immediately be reported to the league
executive director.
p.76
Thank You Email Post Tournament

Hello, Evan.
Congratulations on your first successful volunteering assignment with the St. Louis Urban
Debate League! We rely on dedicated volunteers like you to make our tournaments happen, so
we are deeply grateful for your time and energy. We hope you found urban debate as exciting
as our debaters do.
I would love to learn more about your volunteer experience. Your feedback can help us continue
to grow as a community. Would you be available for a 20-minute phone call? I am available
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Please let me know of a
time that works for your schedule.
If you enjoyed your experience and would like to sign up for another volunteer assignment,
thats great too! You can go directly to our scheduling page.
Again, Evan, thank you so much for coming out and supporting our urban debaters. I hope to
see you at another tournament soon.
Thanks,
Sunny Monroe
St. Louis Urban Debate League Volunteer Coordinator
p.77
Volunteer Metrics
The Volunteer Metrics handout will serve as a guide for interpreting volunteer engagement
reports.
Individual Volunteer Responses
MEASURE
SIGNIFICANCE
ACTION
DIRECTION - I understand
why my volunteer service is
important. (strongly
disagree=1, disagree=2,
somewhat disagree=3,
neutral=4, somewhat
agree=5, agree=6, strongly
agree=7)
This measure tells us

whether or not the volunteer
has been sufficiently trained
in the overall goal that he or
she is helping to serve.
A score of 6 or 7 indicates
success. Anything below that
signals that the volunteer
needed more training on the
purpose behind our work.
ALIGNMENT - I was given

the training and support I
needed to fulfill my volunteer
role. (strongly disagree=1,
disagree=2, somewhat
disagree=3, neutral=4,
somewhat agree=5, agree=6,
strongly agree=7)
This measure gives us a

sense of whether or not we
equipped the volunteer with
sufficient training and support
to perform his or her role
successfully.
A score of 5, 6 or 7 means
that the volunteer had
sufficient training to perform
his or her role. Less than that
indicates that the volunteer
was in the distressing
position of not feeling
sufficiently equipped.
COMMITMENT - I feel
motivated to continue
supporting urban debate.
(strongly disagree=1,
disagree=2, somewhat
disagree=3, neutral=4,
somewhat agree=5, agree=6,
strongly agree=7)
This metric captures the

overall sentiment of the
volunteer about volunteering
again. It is often a function of
whether or not the volunteer
had sufficient direction and
alignment.
A response of 6 or 7 indicates
that the volunteer is
motivated to volunteer again.
A lower score could indicate
weak direction or alignment,
a specific negative
experience, or that
volunteering with urban
debate is simply not the right
fit for this volunteer.
On a scale of 0-10, how likely

would you be to recommend
debate volunteering to a
friend or colleague?
This measure reveals the

overall sentiment of the
volunteer towards the urban
debate volunteer experience.
A score of 9 or 10 means that

the person is a promoter for
urban debate to his or her
network. A score of between
0 and 6 is someone who will
be a negative promoter, and
a score of 7 or 8 is indicates
neutrality.
Why? (short answer)
Lets the volunteer explain his
Celebrate the bright spots
p.78
Would you like a call from our

volunteer coordinator to
discuss any of this further?
(check box)
or her most critical high point

or low point. This question
helps you understand why
your volunteer is either elated
or discontent.
and question how you can

repeat them. For negative
experiences, discern how
they might be rectified.
Gives the volunteer a chance

to request a phone call to
discuss the experience more
in depth. This is particularly
relevant as a warning system
for unhappy volunteers.
Be sure to follow up with the

volunteer if he or she
requests it. Use it as an
opportunity to be a good
ambassador for urban debate
while also discovering ways
that volunteers can best be
supported.
SIGNIFICANCE
ACTION
Summary Metrics
WHAT
Number of new volunteers,

Lets you know how youre
number of returning
doing in terms of retaining
volunteers, and percentage of volunteers across time.
total volunteers who are
returning. Ideally, there would
be a graph with this data over
time.
High numbers of volunteers is

good. High retention rates is
better.
Aggregate charts for each of

the direction, alignment, and
commitment questions
An important set of
speedometers for assessing
how your program is doing in
terms of providing volunteers
with the fundamentals of a
successful volunteer
experience.
Review the data. Identify

strengths to exploit and areas
of weakness to work on.
Net promoter score (%

promoters minus %
detractors)
Use this as a high-level

speedometer for the overall
sentiment of volunteers on
urban debate volunteering.
Discern which of the different

factors of volunteer
engagement are driving your
score and develop tactics for
strengthening them.
List of recent volunteers, their

roles, and contact information
Lets you know who you need

to thank.
Do something (email, gift,

award, etc.) to thank each of
the volunteers on the list.
Total dollar value of volunteer

activity at your league this
season
This number is based off of

the estimated $22.55 hourly
value of volunteer labor by
This is a great number for

helping volunteers feel like
theyre making a big
p.79
Independent Sector in 2013.

It lets you quantify the value
that your league is receiving
from volunteers.
contribution. It can also be

used for grant applications.
p.80

Urban Debate Volunteer Engagement at Its Best

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Urban Debate Volunteer Engagement at its Best

A Manual for the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues

Powered by Serve Smart, NAUDL and the Citi Foundation

Orientation Session Trainer Notes

PLANNING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The Needs of Your League

The Needs of Our Volunteers

Urban Debate Volunteer Roles

Role Progression Over Time

Sample Role Progressions Over Time

Novice Judge JV/Varsity Judge

Donor Personally Significant

A Special Note on Recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator

1) What They Offer

Entry Roles for Debate Newcomers

Novice JudgeJV/Varsity Judge Trainer, Supervisor

4) Where We Find Them

Where We Find Debate Newcomers

Civic Org. Partners

National Volunteer Databases

City Volunteer Databases

1) What They Offer

Entry Roles for Debate Veterans

Novice Judge JV/Varsity Judge

4) Where We Find Them

Where We Find Debate Veterans

Law Firm Partners

1) Mass Messaging - Good

2) Community Partnerships - Better

3) Word of Mouth - Best

League Specific - Customize

Volunteer Sign-up Process

Why Urban Debate Matters

Why Volunteers Matter Role Fit Quiz

Sign-Up Process Sample - Registration Page 1

Youth Protection Policy

Tactics for Thanking

Volunteer Program Needs Assessment

Is volunteer engagement relevant to this

(example: Our big push this year is to start

(example: It is going to take a lot of work to

Areas of our volunteer program in need of

(example: 1. We have a highly committed

(example: 1. When we recruit new

(example: Start holding an

(example: Sponsor a VISTA

(example: Start sending

(example: Get a radio public

Small effort to make

Big effort to make happen

up volunteer engagement in my league...

tactic moving forward...

(example: Were going to get a committed

(example: Janis would be perfect for this role.

These are people Im going to mobilize to

Here is how each person will best

(example: Marc from my board has been

(example: Ill see if Marc will give me

League Specific - Customize

Volunteer Coordinator Role Description

Feedback and Learning

League Specific - Customize

Tournament Judge Role Description