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Activating Equity Award

    Speech and debate is a multicultural activity, in which many of our participants are committed to using their voices to shed light on social injustice and propose actions for change. The Activating Equity Award was created to honor the work of groups or collectives of individuals who have dedicated themselves to the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle and high school speech and debate activities. 

    In 2022, the NSDA Governance Committee approved the creation of an award designed to honor groups of individuals (student groups, organizations, school teams, District coach leadership, etc.) who dedicate themselves to “the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle and high school speech and debate activities.” Unlike many of the existing NSDA awards, which focus on the achievements of a single individual (Lifetime Achievement and Service Awards, Keller Award, etc.), this honor would be bestowed upon a group of individuals for their collective actions over the year or years. The Award would be presented annually and would receive public recognition at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.

    Activating Equity Award 2023: Win $5,000! Nominate or self-nominate today!

    The recipient of the Activating Equity Award receives a monetary award of $5,000 to help them further their work in pursuing equity in speech and debate, along with public recognition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament.

    Why “Activating Equity”

    In alignment with our ongoing equity commitments, the Activating Equity Award acknowledges members of our community who have turned their convictions into action and strive to ensure fairness and justice in the context of speech and debate—both in round and beyond.

    Nomination and Selection

    The Activating Equity Award is a nomination/self-nomination process. Groups who feel they meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. In addition, outside parties who feel that a particular group is worthy of nomination can do so as well.

    Below are some examples of what a group or organization could be doing to enhance a culture of equity in speech and debate:

    1. Creating an organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to entry in speech and debate for marginalized identities.
    2. Creating educational resources and professional development sessions on equity, belonging, and inclusion for coaches as part of a summer coaches’ clinic.
    3. Developing a non-profit organization to provide forensic services for urban/rural children and organizations who do not have the chance to participate in forensics.
    4. Providing opportunities for speech and debate to middle and high school students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

    Check out our Rostrum article on last years semi-finalists, finalists and winner.

    The National Office is responsible for designing the application, vetting process, and evaluation rubric. The selection process is as follows:

    • Candidates for the award complete and submit the nomination/application form.
    • A committee of NSDA office staff screens the candidates and selects semifinalists.
    • A 5-7-person committee of coaches, NSDA staff, members of the NSDA BOD, and speech and debate alumni evaluate and score the semifinalists. The top 3 candidates advance to the final round.
    • The final round takes place in early May, with members of the NSDA Governance Committee serving as the final round panel. A representative or representatives of the finalist organization will give a short pitch around a prompted question. Time is also allotted for questions from the panel. Once the presentations are complete, the panel debriefs and selects a winner.

    Finalists will be invited to meet virtually with the NSDA Governance Committee and give a short presentation on their initiative as well as answer questions.

    All applications must be submitted by Friday, March 1, 2024. 

    Priority will be given to: 

      • Collaborations with students—particularly students from traditionally underrepresented communities. 
      • Collaborations with local advocates and activists committed to social justice/social change.
      • Efforts designed to increase access to participation in speech and debate — especially for students facing financial barriers.
      • Partnerships with/service to groups who work in environments where funds and other resources for support are extremely limited or non-existent.
      • Actions taking place in spaces/places where social action is particularly needed.
      • Projects that are creative and visionary with anticipated long-term impact.

    Evaluation

    A committee of NSDA staff members will screen applications to determine semifinalists. A panel of NSDA member coaches and leaders will be assembled to vet applications and determine three finalists. The finalists will participate in a Zoom presentation and interview with the NSDA Governance Committee. Evaluation of applicants will be done using a rubric consisting of four categories. Each category is weighted based on significance to the award.

    Learn more »

    Timeline

    • January 8, 2024: Nomination form opens
    • March 1, 2024: Nomination form closes
    • May 2024: Finalists announced
    • June 2024: Winner announced at Nats24

    Award Eligibility

    • The Activating Equity Award cycle is 1 year. 
    • Nominees must be an organization, such as a school district, booster club, or other non-profit corporation. If selected for an award, the nominee must be able to provide a federal tax ID number for their organization to verify eligibility. Individuals are not eligible nominees.
    • Recipients of the award must wait a minimum of 5 years before they can re-apply (e.g. the earliest the 2025 winner can re-apply is 2030).
    • An organization is ineligible to apply for the Activating Equity Award if they: 
      • Employ NSDA staff or a member of the NSDA Board of Directors 
      • Have NSDA staff or Board members sitting on their Board of Directors

    Activating Equity Award 2024

    A successful application will articulate how the group has pursued equity in speech and debate, aligned their actions, project, etc., with the NSDA’s mission and/or Core Value of Equity, as well as how they have created lasting impacts for marginalized communities. If you are self-nominating, enter your information in both the nominator and nominee sections.

     

    Nominator Name(Required)
    Nominee Point of Contact Name(Required)
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Town Hall

    Activating Equity Award Town Hall

    NSDA Director of DEI Dr. Paul Porter will be joined by our 2023 award recipient, AnnMarie Baines, Executive Director of The Practice Space. Learn more about the nomination process, evaluation rubric, and selection timeline. Get all of your questions answered!

    FAQs

    What constitutes a group?

    Nominees must be an organization, such as a school district, booster club, or other non-profit corporation. If selected for an award, the nominee must be able to provide a federal tax ID number for their organization to verify eligibility. Individuals are not eligible nominees.

    Do all members of the group have to be NSDA members?

    No, NSDA membership is not required.

    Why is this a group award and not an individual award?

    This award is designed to recognize the efforts of more than one individual in creating long-term sustainability of efforts in equity within the speech and debate community.

    Does the group have to be established?

    Yes. The group must have the ability to legally receive a $5,000 award as a legal entity.

    Are there specifics on how the $5,000 must be spent?

    The award is meant to further the cause of the group. It can be used as the group sees fit to do so. 

    Can students apply?

    Student groups can apply, but the entity they represent must be able to legally receive the cash award.