NYSDCA—The New York State Debate Coaches Association invites all coaches of middle school and high school debate in the Empire State to join the organization. Those interested in joining should e-mail Jon Cruz, director of forensics at the Bronx High School of Science.

Additionally, nominations for the Board of Directors are now being accepted. Once one joins, one may nominate any number of NYSDCA members (including oneself) for candidacy. Nominations should also be e-mailed to Jon Cruz. The deadline for nomination is Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

The following e-mail was sent out to New York State debate coaches:

The New York State Debate Coaches Association seeks to to grow debate in the state, to develop infrastructure that responds to the contemporary and growing needs of the evolving debate community in the state, and to recognize the significant accomplishments of debaters, debate coaches, and debate programs in the state.

On behalf of the fellow founding members of this new organization, I would like to extend an invitation to all of our colleagues in the Empire State to join the NYSDCA. We are looking forward to introducing a number of initiatives in our inaugural year, including providing educational resources for both new and established programs in the state and providing an NYSDCA championship tournament.

Our web site is located at NYSDCA.org.

The initial organizational meeting was attended by Stefan Bauschard (Lakeland High School), Jon Cruz (The Bronx High School of Science), Harry Feder (The Beacon School), Erik Fogel (Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice), Chetan Hertzig (Harrison High School), Sheryl Kaczmarek (Newburgh Free Academy), Jim Menick (Hendrick Hudson High School), Diane D. Steiker (Byram Hills High School), Adam Stevens (Brooklyn Technical High School), and Joe Vaughan (Scarsdale High School). It was at this meeting that our organization’s constitution was adopted. It will be possible for the general membership to amend the Constitution in the future. The Board of Directors, once elected, is empowered to set organizational policies.

Speaking of the Board of Directors, the NYSDCA is accepting nominations for the Board. If you would like to nominate a candidate (self-nominations are permitted), please contact me by Monday. A description of the structure of the Board and its responsibilities is available on the NYSDCA web site.

If you would like to join the NYSDCA, please contact me to be immediately invited to our Google Group. All New York State debate coaches on the middle and high school level are welcome to join this organization. In organizational matters, each school is entitled to one vote, cast by the designated head coach of the school.

Those who apply for membership now will be able to vote electronically in Board elections to be held next week after nominations have been received. Annual membership fees, per school, have been set at $50. Fees will be waived for schools with a demonstrated financial need. Fees will be collected after the start of the school year in September.

Jon Cruz

P.S. The NYSDCA site, as part of its efforts to celebrate debate in the state, includes several news items of recent events affecting debaters and debate coaches in the state. If you have items you’d like to share, please send them along!