Advisory Board Role
Advocacy
The local Advisory Board advocates for the area’s Urban Debate
League both before its formal establishment and thereafter.
Establishing the League
The local UDL Advisory Board sets the strategy for building and establishing
the League and helps steer and direct this strategy’s execution
so that the UDL is sustainable over the long term. “Establishment”
in this context refers to achieving institutional investment in, and
ownership of, the UDL. In the UDLs that the NAUDL builds, this institution
is primarily the local urban school system.
This effort can involve reaching out to individuals working in various
areas of the school system and providing the academic and business
case for the establishment of a UDL This often includes conversations
with individual school board members and other decision-makers in
the school system, up to and including representatives of the Superintendent
or CEO’s office.
Post-Establishment Advocacy
The local UDL Advisory Board raises the visibility of the League throughout
the civic community through promotion and advocacy efforts. It also
promotes the UDL and, where appropriate, communicates with school
board members and employees of the school system.
After the UDL has been established, the Advisory Board advocacy strategies
can include a newsletter, media outreach and cultivation, and events.
Newsletters can be distributed by regular mail, email or other electronic
means. Media outreach and cultivation can involve regular or event-specific
announcements. Local UDL Advisory Board-sponsored events can be centered
on tournaments (e.g., the city championship) or other related developments
(e.g., a debate-themed movie).
