Winter 2010
Join us in Changing Lives through the Power of Debate
As we look back on a historic year for urban debate, we at the NAUDL and in Urban Debate Leagues feel incredibly thankful to our supporters nationwide. Thanks to your efforts and generosity, the NAUDL recently completed its three-year Expansion Plan. With our local partners, we launched or revitalized debate leagues in 10 cities, which now serve over 2,000 students a year. Read more about these accomplishments here.
But our work is not done. While 19 cities have Urban Debate Leagues, dozens more do not. That is why we are announcing a new three-year campaign, Changing Lives through the Power of Debate. Over the next three years, we aim to launch 10 new Urban Debate Leagues and bring the power of debate to 5,000 more students.
We are asking you to join us and our Board of Directors in making a new three-year pledge to Changing Lives through the Power of Debate. A three-year contribution provides the NAUDL with the stability to build lasting institutions for debate, ensuring your donation pays dividends. If you cannot make a three-year pledge at this time, I hope you will make a one-time contribution to support debate throughout the coming year.
Thank you for your consideration. Please visit our website to contribute today. Together, we can change lives.
Sincerely,
Linda L. Listrom
Executive Director
Annual Dinner Venue Announced
This spring, urban debate will return to New York for its fourth Urban Debate National Championship and Annual Dinner. The NAUDL’s 2011 Annual Dinner will be held April 14, 2011 at the Hilton New York Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Guests will have the opportunity to meet fellow supporters of urban debate and to hear firsthand about the exciting work going on in Urban Debate Leagues. The Annual Dinner will be followed by the Urban Debate National Championship, April 15-17. Mark your calendars now.
Strengthening the Milwaukee Debate League
In 2006, the Milwaukee Debate League launched as a joint project of the National Debate Project and the Einhorn Foundation. Since its launch, the Milwaukee Debate League has given students in the Greater Milwaukee area the opportunity to participate in policy debate. Recently, the NAUDL joined the National Debate Project and the Einhorn Foundation to support the League’s continued growth.
In the coming months, all three partners will work together in a strategic effort to build a Board of Directors to provide the Milwaukee Debate League with a stable and sustainable future. As a private partner, the Board of Directors will strengthen the League’s foundation by assisting with fundraising, advocacy, and overall stewardship of the League. This collaborative effort in Milwaukee also strengthens the Urban Debate Network by providing a road map for future partnerships to strengthen and build Urban Debate Leagues.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining this effort as a volunteer, supporter, or Board member, please contact the NAUDL's Diana Dunker at DianaDunker@urbandebate.org.
Meet Our New Director of Development
The NAUDL is delighted to announce that in January Barbara Carney will join the staff as the Director of Development. Barb has more than 22 years of fundraising experience with Chicago-area nonprofits. She has served as the Director of Development at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, After School Matters (a nonprofit that runs apprenticeship programs for disadvantaged teens), the National PTA, and a local charter school, and she was the Executive Director of Art Resources in Teaching, a visual arts education nonprofit. Most recently, she has been the Director of Grants Administration for Ceasefire, a youth violence prevention project. Barb also has a personal connection to urban debate: both of her sons debated for Jones College Prep High School, a member of the Chicago Debate League.
The NAUDL seeks a Director of League Training and Support
The NAUDL is seeking candidates for the position of Director for League Training and Support, a new position in the organization. The Director will help Urban Debate Leagues recruit more students, recruit better coaches, raise more money, and improve league sustainability by developing training programs for local leagues on advocacy, nonprofit management, and fundraising. Candidates must have at least five years of experience in an urban public high school, as either a teacher or a principal, and at least three years of experience as a staff member at a nonprofit organization. For a full description of the position click here. Anyone who is interested in this position should contact Mandela Okere at mandelaokere@urbandebate.org.
News around the network
Chicago
- Allstate has become a premier sponsor of the Chicago Debate League. Law firms DLA Piper and Baker & McKenzie will also sponsor new debate programs at schools in Chicago. Additionally, this year the CDC launched a new mentor coach initiative to promote excellence in coaching. Learn more by following the CDL blog.
Boston
- The Boston Debate League has once again been chosen as an official charity for the Boston Marathon.
- The BDL’s first tournament drew over 200 students, nearly a 10-fold increase from just three years ago. To build on this growth, the BDL is launching a new “Go Deep” initiative to start new debate teams, triple the size of existing teams, and expand the use of Debate Across the Curriculum. The BDL has already raised nearly $1 million to support the initiative.
Atlanta
- The Atlanta UDL has recently held three well attended public debates and discussions on the topic, "Should an Islamic Cultural Center be built near Ground Zero?" Using a variety of formats, elementary students to adults participated in the event highlighting the amazing public speaking skills of the Atlanta debate family both past and present.
Dallas
- For 2010-2011, the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance has introduced a Top School award at each tournament to motivate even higher participation. Dallas has already set new participation records for its first two tournaments! For the latest news from the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, check out the new Facebook group “Dallas Urban Debate Alliance,” follow @DallasUDA on Twitter, and visit the newly renovated website, www.dallasurbandebate.org
Rhode Island
- On December 4th, Rhode Island Urban Debate League debaters competed against debaters from the Boston Debate League in Rhode Island’s largest ever urban debate tournament. The New England Debate Invitational hosted over 200 high school debaters and approximately 70 coaches and volunteers from Rhode Island and Boston.
Debate in the News
- The 2010 Urban Debate National Champions from Whitney Young, Misael and Kevin, have had their accomplishments reported by several local media organizations, including WGN, Univision and WTTW. (Click on the links to watch these videos.) The Chicago Debate Commission once again congratulates Misael and Kevin on their unprecedented season.
- CNN profiles two Atlanta UDL debate "geniuses."
- The Houston Chronicle reported on the revival of urban debate in Houston, and profiles two Houston UDL teams.
- What Kids Can Do looks at the Jersey UDL
- WCTV pays tribute to Vincent Binder and recognizes the NAUDL's Binder Memorial Fund.
- Denver Public Schools highlights the Baker Hostetler Classic from the Denver UDL.
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