ANNUAL REPORT
2016-2017
401 Railroad Place, West Des Moines, IA 50265-4730
MISSION The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate.
VISION We envision a world in which every student has access to membership in the National Speech & Debate Association, providing the educational resources, competitive opportunities, and expertise necessary to foster their communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.
Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thank you! You make speech and debate happen. You gave students online workshops, scholarships, and awards. You invested in curricula, professional development opportunities, tournament logistics, and other materials to support coaches. But this year, you went above and beyond and connected our vast network of alumni and supporters to make National Speech and Debate Education Day a big success! In 2017, more than 30 states, cities, and school boards passed resolutions officially declaring March 3 the day to celebrate the importance of speech and debate education. I look forward to celebrating you and speech and debate again this year on March 2, 2018, with our next National Speech and Debate Education Day! Sincerely,
J. Scott Wunn NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT | 2016-2017
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As a coach and educator, I like Big Questions Debate because it allows students to discuss big philosophical ideas in a format that all levels of students can attempt. In a time where teachers are constantly told to increase the rigor and broaden the curriculum, this style of debate offers — Jeff Stutzman, Concord High School Coach Elkhart, Indiana
Big Questions is a debate format where students grapple with complex worldview questions. The Big Questions series is part of a three-year grant from the John Templeton Foundation. During the 2016-2017 academic year, the National Speech & Debate Association awarded more than $370,000 to speech and debate teams for Big Questions events focused on the topic Resolved: Science leaves no room for free will. 2017 Big Questions Debate final round competitors Rebecca Roy (Watertown High School, South Dakota) and Xavior Lewis (Lee's Summit North High School, Missouri) . 4
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT |
2016-2017
debaters and teachers an opportunity to do both.
2017 MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
TOTAL STUDENTS
HIGH SCHOOL NEW INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEW INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT
150,000
29,206
2,939
ACTIVE HIGH SCHOOLS
ACTIVE MIDDLE SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER CHAPTERS
3,379
652
2,040
MEMBERSHIP FEE WAIVERS
DIRECT PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
$
236,902 $ 573,038 $ 216,600 NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT | 2016-2017
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Yvanna Cancela posing with member coaches,
students, and alumni on National Speech and Debate Education Day. Yvanna is the first Latina state senator in Nevada and an NSDA alum.
I think the best thing about debate is that it
Alumni across the world proudly celebrated March 3, 2017. In addition to the U.S. Senate resolution, Nevada was one of more than 30 state, city, and local governments that passed a resolution declaring National Speech and Debate Education Day! Leading the charge for the Nevada resolution was NSDA alum and state senator Yvanna Cancela.
forces you to listen, whether or not you agree with the other side. The same should be done in the political world. We should be listening a lot more, not just to craft our answers, but to truly listen and engage. There are valid ideas on both sides, and when we have respectful but tough — Yvanna Cancela, Nevada State Senator Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart, Alum 6
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT |
2016-2017
conversations, we can come up with great policy.
Face-to-face with constituents, or speaking to them on the phone, Yvanna uses the skills she learned in high school debate every day. "Debaters are equipped with the research and advocacy tools that are needed now more than ever."
2016 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2016 EXPENSES
2016 REVENUE
$5,028,791
$5,181,136 EVENTS
EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS
FUNDRAISING
DUES AND FEES
EVENTS
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT
SALES
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES BUILDING AND GROUNDS MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
37%
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
3%
FUNDRAISING
38%
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT
17%
EVENTS
28%
EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS
3%
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
32%
DUES AND FEES
13%
SALES
27%
EVENTS
2%
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT | 2016-2017
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Last night I was made aware that I would be the first African American female debater on the PF final stage. If there is anything I would want people to learn from this [final] round, it is to let every minority in PF know that this is possible, and that my experience will be used as a stepping stone for the empowerment of youth of color in this activity.
— Cornelia Fraser, 2017 Public Forum Champion Duke University Student – Public Policy Major
Cornelia Fraser and Rafey Khan (who Cornelia describes as her best friend from Nova High School in Florida) were crowned national champions in front of a physical audience of 2,800 and an online audience of 6,500 through the livestream. For weeks and months after that night, Cornelia received messages from debaters, coaches, parents, and community members who told her the impact this historic moment had on their lives. An aspiring civil rights attorney, Cornelia knows debate will help her succeed. “It taught me how to think logically about arguments and refutations on the fly, while also making me learn how to read my audience.” 8
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT |
2016-2017
2017 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT SPONSORS PLATINUM LEVEL — $250,000
GOLD LEVEL — $100,000
Arthur N. Rupe foundation A N R F
RUBY LEVEL — $25,000
Creative Solutions for Societal Issues
SAPPHIRE LEVEL — $10,000
JAMES M. COPELAND
TOM AND VICTORIA ROLLINS
EMERALD LEVEL — $5,000
A. C. ELEY FUND CARMENDALE FERNANDES FUND MIKE & GILLIAN GOODRICH FOUNDATION THE JEPS FOUNDATION
HAROLD C. KELLER FUND HARLAND B. MITCHELL FUND LANNY D. AND B. J. NAEGELIN FUND DONUS AND LOVILA ROBERTS SANDRA SILVERS FUND
RICHARD B. SODIKOW FUND BOB AND SALLI STOCKTON WILLIAM WOODS TATE, JR., FUND JOE AND PAM WYCOFF
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT | 2016-2017
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2017 DONORS
AUGUST 1, 2016 – JULY 31, 2017 QUARTERFINALIST ($1,000 – $2,499) David and Kathie Abel Hunter and Michael Arton Robert J. Feldhake In Memory of Carmendale Fernandes
Michael and Linda Langford In Honor of Jim Robbins and In Memory of Joy Robbins
David and Lilliana Lopez Kerry Maguire and Tom Stossel FINALIST ($5,000 AND UP) James Copeland Ed and Liz Holland Adam and Ashley Johnson Tom and Victoria Rollins Cheryl Watkins SEMIFINALIST ($2,500 – $4,999) Anonymous (2) David Charles and Sophia Lynn Frederick GroceryAnchored.com Joan Van Wyke Joe and Pam Wycoff
In Honor of Chesterton High School Forensics Team
Edgar B. Marx Jr. Christopher Regan Donus and Lovila Roberts Melisa Wilson J. Scott and Megan Wunn OCTAFINALIST ($500 – $999) Kirby Chin Cherian and Betsy Koshy Nathan Leys Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed Joshua D. Swartsel
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT |
In Memory of Carl Grecco
Robert Ickes
In Honor of Gay Brasher, Pam and Joe Wycoff, Steven Kirk Schappaugh and In Memory of Mr. David T. Horn
Beth and Pat Ingram Arlyn Miller Johnny Molson Michael and Jackie Oakes Melvin Douglas Olson Deano and Vicki Pape James W. Rye, III Jamey Siefert
In Memory of B.J. and Lanny Naegelin
Steven and Anna Schappaugh St. Andrew's Episcopal School In Honor of Jade Lewis and In Memory of Perry Tyner Tate
David A. Wendt
Kristen Anderson
Meredith Corporation
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DOUBLE OCTAFINALIST ($250 – $499) David and Barbara Dansky Jamie Harper
2016-2017
COMPETITOR ($100-$249) Anonymous Dr. Kenny and Nancy Barfield Jennifer Burton Alden B. Chace Jr. Helen S. Corry Autumn Geist – The Public, A Speech Consulting Company
Mary C. Hanmer Steve and Lynn Hanon Aaron Hardy Gail and Bob Ihrig Esther Kalmbach Abigail Karlin Sarah Knobloch Tomas Lorinc Tim Luke and Kay Heidbreder Art McMillion Raymond and Pamela McComas Christopher Palmer Dr. Randy Patterson Lois Pierson Warren Poschman Dr. Paulette and Bruce Reikowski Michael Reszler Ehud J. and Liora Schmidt Amy and Ray Seidelman Alexandra Shilko Jill Sitnick In Memory of Carl Grecco
Margaret Owen Thorpe Lisa and Darrell Vossekuil Nicole and Darrel Wanzer-Serrano Jonathan Wolshuck Carol and Dave Zanto
DONOR ($0-$99)
Colin Malinak
Jarrius Adams
Scott and Beth Maltzie
Shawn and Lynn Aiken
Judith and Samuel Mamet
Timothy and Lauren Averill
Sarah and Zach Mannheimer
Duane Benton
David and Diane Marx
Arthur and Emily Bratton
John and Susan Mathis
Lauren Burdt
Virginia J. Mayes
Don and Ann Crabtree
Randall McCutcheon
Walker Desing
Karen McHale
Kathy and Dan Dumke
Steve Meadows
Shannon Duus
Anthony Peavy
Katherine Ferman
Sister Mary Patricia Plumb
Jimmy Ficaro
Ashok Reddy
Steve and Ari Gloss
Annie Reisener
In Honor of Robin Gloss
Jane Hagedorn Katie Hines Jennifer Jerome William and Valerie Koeber Emily Kriegel Robert and Sandra Krueger Mark E. Kulda Clare Lascelles Ken and Michelle Law Walter Lemanski
Maria Nubia Serrano Erin Sheehan Matthew Stensrud Jill Van Wyke Stephanie and Scott VanderBruggen Chad Wagner John and Kathleen Whatley Shelby and Ryan Young
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