Membership in a national honor society should be the objective of the ambitious and forward thinking high school student and teacher. The greatest value of membership is the encouragement and incentive it gives you to become an effective speaker and hence a more successful and more influential citizen. NFL trains for leadership. To be a leader in your school today and a leader in your community tomorrow, become an NFL member.
Membership provides:
Honor Society status and National Merit for Forensic Achievements
- The NFL is the largest and oldest speech and debate honor society. Joining the NFL enables a school to claim a nationally merited speech and debate honor society driven program at their school.
- NFL offers a framework for national comparison, enabling students to see how they measure up against other students from across the country who also compete in speech and debate.
- According to research, NFL membership is a major asset for student admissions essays and applications for college.
- The NFL offers awards systems, such as the Academic All-American and the NFL Student of the Year, to students for combined success in scholastics and forensics.
Training and Resources for Debate and Speech Educators and Students
- NFL trains youth for leadership in business, government, law, education and many other professions.
- NFL teaches members to think critically and speak persuasively, preparing them to be engaged and effective global citizens.
- NFL trains coaches and teachers as part of its core mission. Click under RESOURCES or CURRICULUM to retrieve free manuals, lesson plans, and competitive enrichment packages that have proven successful for thousands of debate and speech coaches.
Credit Points
- Every speech, win or lose, earns points and national credit simply for participation in the art of forensics.
- Point systems can be particularly helpful when trying to gain support from parents, principals, school boards, and alumni.
- The NFL point system has proven to be a successful tool to ignite competitive drive among students.
Rostrum
- Rostrum, NFL’s monthly magazine published September - May, will be delivered to each NFL member school. The magazine informs members of the latest trends in speech and debate.
- Rostrum also gives coaches publication and research opportunities.
- Rostrum also publishes information about the leading forensic camps in the nation and upcoming programs that will benefit your students and school.
- Rostrum is archived ONLINE.
Mentoring
- The NFL has recently launched a National Mentoring initiative with the help of District Chairs and committees.
- Member coaches help each other with NFL-sponsored activities.
- Relationships with fellow NFL coaches enable constant support and guidance and encouragement.
Programs
Outside of the National and District Tournaments, the NFL provides several programs for coaches, teachers, and students that aid in their growth as a speaker and leader through the partership of outside organizations and groups. The NFL Programs are as follows:
- Summer Coach Workshop Scholarship Program
- UNF/NFL People Speak Global Debates
- Bickel & Brewer National Public Policy Forum
- NDCA Evidence Share
For more programs and additional information, click HERE.
Alumni status
Join the following as an NFL Alum:- Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon
- Vice President Hubert Humphrey
- Multiple Members of Congress
- Ted Turner, founder and CEO of CNN
- Oprah Winfrey, television host and philanthropist
- Jane Pauley, anchor and television host
- Shelly Long, Emmy award-winning actress
- Kelsey Grammar, Emmy award-winning actor
- Brian Lamb, CSPAN founder
- Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
- Michael Urie, star of Ugly Betty
And a million MORE!
