The following proposals were passed by the NDCA Board on July 4th, 2014. The vote counts are noted next to each proposal.
Proposal 14.06.09.01 - Award Clarification (6-0 Vote, with 3 no votes)
I move that the bylaws be amended to reflect the following: ANNUAL AWARDS The David P. Baker Award: Awarded to the top Baker points earning policy debate team that is competing at the National Championship Tournament. Dukes and Bailey Cup: Awarded to the to top Dukes and Bailey points earning Lincoln-Douglas debater who is competing at the National Championship Tournament. Educator of the Year: The goal of this award is to recognize someone who has made outstanding educational contributions to the debate community. In order to be nominated, an individual must be a member of the NDCA. Any member may submit a nomination. A nomination must be for a current active coach. A statement in support of the nominee is encouraged with the nomination. All nominees fitting the above criteria will be placed on a ballot. All voting members will be given one vote. Tournament Host of the Year: The goal of this award is to recognize tournaments that most closely adhere to NDCA best tournament practices, as outlined in the NDCA tournament procedures. In order to be nominated, the tournament host must be a member of the NDCA. Any member may submit a nomination. A statement in support of the nomination is encouraged. All nominees fitting the above criteria will be placed on a ballot. All voting members will be given one vote. Rising Star Award: The goal of this award is to recognize outstanding coaches in their first five years of high school coaching. In order to be nominated, an individual must be a member of the NDCA. Any member may submit a nomination. A nomination must be an active coach in their first five years of coaching. A statement in support of the nominee is encouraged with the nomination. All nominees fitting the above criteria will be placed on a ballot. All voting members will be given one vote. Service and Leadership Award: The goal of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to the debate community, especially contributions on behalf of the NDCA. To be nominated, the person must be a member of the NDCA. The Board will nominate and select the final award winner.
Proposal 14.06.09.02 - Board Member Removal (5-1 Vote, with 3 No Votes)
I move that the following be added to the Bylaws: BOARD AND OFFICER REMOVAL PROCEDURES In the event of gross misconduct or dereliction of duty, Board members can be removed from the Board if at least 7 Board members vote for the removal of the member. Appointed officers serve at the will of the Board and can be removed by a majority vote of the Board at any time.
Proposal 14.06.09.03 - Formalizing Existing Procedures (6-0 Vote, with 3 No Votes)
I move that the bylaws be amended to reflect the following: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES The National Debate Coaches Association will maintain a set of tournament procedures for each event offered at the National Tournament. Those procedures will be made publicly available on the tournament invitation and the organization’s website. These procedures can only be changed by a majority vote of the board. OFFICIAL AGENT OF THE NATIONAL DEBATE COACHES ASSOCIATION St. Mark’s School of Texas is listed as the official address of the National Debate Coaches Association. The Chief Financial Officer and Chairperson will be listed as the official agents on tax documents. NATIONAL FEDERATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS TOPIC MEETING The NDCA should ensure that at least one member attends the annual NFHS topic meeting to represent the NDCA. If the chosen representative is unable to obtain funding the NDCA will reimburse partial or total travel costs for the representative as decided by a vote of the Board. The NDCA Board will ask the delegate to caucus with other NDCA members in attendance in order to cast the NDCA vote, if possible.BOARD ELECTION PROCEDURES Board members serve three-year terms. The election timeline is as follows: September 01 - The Board will encourage election candidacy statements to be submitted. September 15 - The ballot for the election will be sent to members. October 01 - Deadline for ballots to be cast. Election results will be announced as soon as possible. Each voting member will receive a number of votes that corresponds to the number of seats open in the election cycle. For example if there are 3 seats on the board open in the election each voter can vote for up to 3 candidates. The member may not submit more than one vote for a particular candidate. A member does not have to use all of their votes but may only cast one vote per candidate.