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ARTICLE I -- Name

The name of this honor society shall be the National Forensic League.

ARTICLE II -- Purpose

It shall be the purpose of this organization to promote the interests of interscholastic debate, oratory, and public speaking by encouraging a spirit of fellowship and by conferring upon deserving candidates a worthy badge of distinction.

ARTICLE III -- Members

A. Admission

1. Eligibility. Any instructor or student in a school holding a charter or affiliate membership in the National Forensic League, who has participated in high school speech activities to the extent of qualifying for the Degree of Merit, and who, if a student, ranks scholastically in the upper two thirds of his/her class, shall be eligible to become a member of the National Forensic League. A person who has participated in high school speech activities, but has not otherwise qualified, may be elected if the Executive Council concurs.
   
2. Election. The Local Chapter or the faculty shall vote by ballot on each application for membership, and a three-fourths vote shall be necessary to elect.
   
3. Certification. The accepted application, endorsed by the chapter sponsor and principal, shall be forwarded with the membership fee to the Executive Director who shall issue a certificate of membership.
   

B. Classes of Membership

1. Active. Only high school students and instructors in debate or public speaking shall be eligible for Active Membership.
   
2. Alumni. All active members in good standing become Alumni Members upon graduating or withdrawing from their chapter institutions.
   
3. Honorary. Any Chapter or National Officer may nominate, and the Executive Council may elect, Honorary and Associate Members who may receive special insignia, but not the right to vote.
   
4. General. The Executive Council may elect members to the General Chapter.
   

C. Degrees of Membership

1. Merit. Eligible persons who have 25 credit points, 10 of which were earned in competitive speaking, shall upon election, receive the Degree of Merit.
   
2. Honor. Members who have the Degree of Merit and a total of 75 credit points shall receive the Degree of Honor.
   
3. Excellence. Members who have a total of 150 credit points shall receive the Degree of Excellence.
   
4. Distinction. Members who have a total of 250 credit points shall receive the Degree of Distinction.
   
5. Special Distinction. Members who have a total of 500 credit points shall receive the Degree of Special Distinction.
   
6. Superior Distinction. Members who have a total of 750 credit points shall receive the Degree of Superior Distinction.
   
7. Outstanding Distinction. Members who have a total of 1000 credit points shall receive the Degree of Outstanding Distinction.
   
8. Premier Distinction. Members who have a total of 1500 credit points shall receive the Degree of Premier Distinction.
   

D. Seals

The Seal of the Society shall be affixed to all certificates of membership. For the Degree of Merit the Seal shall be white; for the Degree of Honor, bronze; for the Degree of Excellence, silver; for the Degree of Distinction, gold; for the Degree of Special Distinction, rose; for Degree of Superior Distinction, blue; for the Degree of Outstanding Distinction, purple; and for Premier Distinction, black.

ARTICLE IV -- Credit Points

A. Debates

For all interscholastic debates won, a participant shall receive 6 points. For each losing or non-decision interscholastic debate, s/he shall receive 3 points. If teams are rated, the highest rating shall be scored as a debate won. All other ratings shall be scored as debates lost.

B. Contests

1. Points. Credit points for interscholastic contests shall be awarded according to the following schedule:

Category	1st	2nd	3rd or A	4th or B	5th or C	All Others
Original Speeches	6	5	4	3	2	1
Interpretation or Reading	5	4	3	2	1	1
Other Contests	4	3	2	1	1	1

2. Small Contests. If only four schools compete in the contest, or section points shall be reduced by one. If only three schools, by two. No points for a two-school contest.

C. Congress

1. For each speech, not exceeding five a day, a participant in the NFL district congress shall receive not more than six points as determined by an official scorer. The scorer shall not award more than 120 points for each hour of legislative session. Presiding for one hour shall be scored as one speech. Every student in attendance shall receive 2 points.
   
2. For each speech, not more than four a day, a student in a congress or legislative assembly may be awarded up to six points. The scorer shall not award more than 120 points per hour of legislative session. Speaking in committee or presiding for one hour may be scored as one speech. The scorer may not award more than 24 points per day to any student. Congress points may be recorded only in the service/group speaking category.
   

D. Service Speeches and Novice Judging

For speaking to a radio or television audience or to 25 adults, a non-member student shall receive 1 point. A member shall receive 2 points; if holding the Degree of Honor, 3 points; Excellence, 4 points; and all degrees of Distinction, 5 points. The Degree must be on record in the National Office before advanced points will be awarded.

If an interscholastic debate or contest is held before an audience qualifying it as a service speech, the participants shall receive points under both the interscholastic and service schedules.

A student holding the Degree of Excellence in the national office may receive 2 points for judging novice competition; limit 4 rounds per day.

E. Limits

No student may record more than 750 points for debates; 750 points for contests; or 750 points for service/group speaking; and not more than a total of 1500 points. The NFL district and national tournaments and congresses shall be recorded beyond these limits.

F. Instructors

For every point awarded to a contestant coached by him/her, an instructor shall receive 1/10 of a point; except as noted in By Law 25.

G. Supplementary

The Executive Council may grant additional points for excellence in NFL district or national competition and reduce points for practice tournaments. With the concurrence of the Board of District Chairs, it shall have authority to establish schedules of credit points for speech activities other than those named in this constitution; but such schedules shall expire on June 30th following enactment.

ARTICLE V -- The Local Chapter

A. Establishment

1. Eligibility. Any senior high school or academy shall be eligible to apply for a charter from the National Forensic League if it shall have engaged in forensic activity to such an extent that its students would have received during the two years immediately preceding its application 1,000 credit points.
   
2. Petition. The petition for a Charter made on the official form shall be endorsed by an officer of the governing body of the institution and forwarded with a chapter fee to the District Chairman.
   
3. Election. The petition shall be referred to the District Committee in the district in which the petitioning school is located, and be accepted or rejected as such committee shall determine.
   
4. Charter. A charter bearing the seal of the Society and signed by members of the Executive Council shall be granted to each Local Chapter. It shall be valid for a period of three years from the thirtieth of June preceding authorization. On expiration, it may be renewed for three years upon payment of the annual dues for one year and the attainment of the minimum standards prescribed by the Executive Council for charter renewal.
   

B. Powers

1. Constitution. Each Local chapter may adopt a constitution of its own choosing, not inconsistent with the national constitution and the by-laws made thereunder; and elect its own officers, which shall be at least a president and a secretary.
   
2. Suspension and Expulsion. The Local Chapter shall have power to suspend, reinstate, or expel any member by two-thirds vote.
   

C. Votes

1. Number. The number of votes cast by each member shall be: One, if s/he holds the Degree of Merit; Two, if the Degree of Honor; Three, if the Degree of Excellence; Four, if the Degree of Distinction; Five, if the Degree of Special Distinction; Six, if the Degree of Superior Distinction; Seven, if the Degree of Outstanding Distinction and Eight, if the Degree of Premier Distinction. Instructors shall cast one additional vote for each diamond awarded them.
   
2. Use. In any and all votes taken by Local Chapter, District Organization or National Organization (except Executive Council or District Committee); or in any election, referendum, or question whatsoever coming before any body of the National Forensic League, this method of voting shall be employed in good faith, a majority of the votes cast controlling unless otherwise provided in this constitution. No decision shall be valid if otherwise arrived at.
   

ARTICLE VI

The District Organization

A. Organization

The Chapters of the National Forensic League in each state shall constitute a District, but the Executive Council may divide or consolidate states to create districts of approved size.

B. Function

Each District shall hold an annual tournament and congress of representatives of its Chapters and shall carry into execution such other functions as may hereafter be assigned to it.
ARTICLE VII -- National

A. Executive Council

1. Members. The national officers provided for in Section B shall constitute the Executive Council.
   
2. Powers. The Executive Council shall be vested with the supreme legislative and executive power of the National Forensic League and its decisions shall be final unless appeal therefrom is made and sustained by general referendum as hereinafter provided.
   
3. Meetings. The Executive Council shall meet at least once each year at the call of a majority of its members.
   

B. National Officers

1. Personnel. The National Council shall consist of a President, Vice-President, six Directors, and one representative from secondary school administrators.
   
2. Election. Eight directors and an alternate director shall be chosen by the active members in even numbered years in such manner as the Executive Council shall prescribe. The Council will elect the President and Vice President. In odd numbered years the Executive Council shall elect a school administrator as a director.
   
3. Terms. In the 1992 election the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected for four year terms. The next four candidates will be elected for two year terms. The candidate finishing ninth will be alternate for two years.
   
   In 1994 and subsequently the four candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to a four year term. The fifth candidate will be the alternate for two years.
   
4. Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs in an office filled by the votes of the active members the Council alternate shall serve out that term. Additional vacancies shall be filled by alternates according to the order of finish in the last general election. But school administrator vacancies shall be filled by a vote of the Executive Council.
   
5. Duties
   
   a. President. The President shall be responsible for the enforcement of all provisions of this constitution and all regulations enacted under its authority.
   
   b. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall act as President in case of the temporary vacancy of that office or for the unexpired term if that office becomes vacant, and shall perform such other duties as may hereafter be required.
   
   c. National Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be responsible for all administrative work required by the provisions of this constitution. The Director shall keep a complete record of the standing of each member; file applications for membership; issue charters and certificates of membership; collect charter fees, membership fees, and other sums due the League; pay all legitimate bills of the League from the treasury; and conduct nominations, elections, referenda, and votes of the national organization. The Director's compensation shall be determined by the Executive Council.
   

The Executive Director shall not be a member of the Council nor shall the Secretary have a vote on issues which come before the Council. The Director shall report to and advise the Council as the Council requires. The National Council determines policy; the Executive Director has full responsibility for implementing policy.

C. Fees

1. Regular. The charter fee and membership fee shall be established each year.
   
2. Special. Additional or special fees may be levied only by a majority vote of the Active Members.
   

D. Suspension and Expulsion of Chapters

1. Suspension. A permanent charter shall be suspended if its active membership at some time during the school year does not reach five, or fails to pay the annual chapter dues before December 1.
   
2. Reinstatement. Any Chapter which under any provision of this constitution or for due cause by vote of the Executive Council is suspended, shall be reinstated upon removing the cause of suspension.
   
3. Expulsion. Any suspended Chapter failing of reinstatement within three years shall be expelled, or the Executive Council may expel for due cause.
   

E. Initiative and Referendum

1. Initiative. Any question shall, at the request of three members of the Council or 10 per cent of the Chapters, be submitted to a vote of all Active Members. If a majority of all eligible votes is cast in favor of the proposed question and reported to the Executive Director within thirty days from the date of submission, it shall be declared effective as the will of the society.
   
2. Referendum. Any action by a local chapter, District Organization, or National Organization, shall at the request of three members of the Council or 10 per cent of the Chapters, be submitted to a vote of all Active Members. If a majority of all eligible votes is cast in favor of repealing such action, and reported to the National Secretary within thirty days from the date of submission, then such action shall be repealed.
   
3. Recall: For malfeasance or professional misconduct in office an officer or director of the Executive Council may be removed from office for cause upon motion by five (5) members voting. Recall of officer(s) and/or director(s) may be initiated by the membership at large following the same standards as outlined in initiative and referendum procedures.
   
   In cases of Initiative and Referendum or Recall:
   
   a. Each chapter petitioning must submit its request by separate letter on school or chapter stationery. It must be signed by the chapter sponsor.
   
   b. When an issue is put up for a vote, a position paper explaining the pros and cons of the proposition must accompany the ballot.
   
4. Limitations. No action by initiative or referendum shall be valid if it is contrary to any provision of this constitution.
   

ARTICLE VIII -- The Emblem

A. Description

The official emblem of the National Forensic League shall be a key or pin, duplicates of the originals filed as such with the Executive Director. The emblem for the student shall be silver; the emblem for the instructor shall be yellow gold.

B. Jeweling

1. Members. Emblems may be jeweled to designate the highest degree held by the member: Emerald for the Degree of Honor; Blue Sapphire for the Degree of Excellence; Ruby for the Degree of Distinction; Two Rubies for the degree of Special Distinction; Three Rubies for the Degree of Superior Distinction; Four Rubies for the Degree of Outstanding Distinction; Five Rubies for the Degree of Premier Distinction.
   
2. Instructors. A Diamond-Set key or pin shall be awarded to an instructor attaining 1,500 points; additional diamonds for 3,000, 6,000 and 10,000 points; and an additional diamond for each 3,000 instructor credit points over 10,000. A minium of five years coaching is required for each diamond.
   

C. Procurement

The emblem shall be procured only on order registered in the national office.

ARTICLE IX -- General

A. Magazine

The National Organization shall publish at stated times a magazine devoted to furthering the purposes of this society and advancing the interests of interscholastic forensic contests.

The Executive Council shall select the Editor and constitute the Board of Managers.

B. Secrecy

No Chapter of the National Forensic League shall engage in any secret practices or impose any obligation of secrecy upon any of its members.

ARTICLE X -- Amendment

Amendments may be added to this constitution when proposed by five members of the Executive Council and ratified by a majority vote of the Active Members.

Ballots cast on an amendment shall be counted 30 days after submission of the amendment, or as soon thereafter as a majority of the membership has reported its vote.

By-Law No. 2

No application for membership shall be accepted by the national office unless it is completely, correctly, and neatly filled out with ink or typewriter.

By-Law No. 5

No certificates of membership and no advanced degrees shall be granted except in consequence of credit points duly reported and recorded.

By-Law No. 6

The procedure in voting by District or National Organization, unless directed otherwise by the Council, shall be as follows:

1. The Executive Director shall mail to each Chapter an official ballot on which its president and sponsor shall certify the vote of that Chapter in the election or question at issue.
   
2. Each ballot shall count as many votes as the chapter has members and degrees on record on the closing date for voting.
   
3. In counting ballots in any preferential voting, the Executive Director shall first separate the ballots according to the first choice expressed thereon. The person receiving the lowest number of votes shall be declared defeated and his votes distributed according to the next choice expressed on those ballots. Votes for committee alternate shall not be counted for district chairman.
   
4. The person who then has the lowest number of votes shall be declared defeated and his votes distributed.
   
5. This process shall be continued until all have been eliminated except the number to be chosen, and the person or persons remaining shall be declared chosen.
   
6. The Executive Director shall preserve the original ballots for one year.
   
7. When a ballot is incorrectly marked, the obvious intentions of the voter, as reasonably construed, shall govern; and the ballot counted accordingly.
   

By-Law No. 10

The Executive Council shall publish an official publication, Rostrum, once a month from September to May. Four copies shall be sent to every Chapter and affiliate Chapter.

By-Law No. 11

1. In each District there shall be a District Committee to pass on charter applications; conduct the District tournament and congress; and perform such other duties as may be assigned to it.
   
2. The Chapters in each District shall elect a Chairman and two other members by preferential ballot; the ballot for each Chapter to be counted for as many votes as that Chapter is entitled to cast on May 1st. The term of office shall begin on August 1, and continue for one year.
   
3. A position shall become vacant upon the death or resignation of the duly elected member or upon his/her transfer to another NFL District. If a vacancy occurs, it shall be filled by the person next in line for the position vacated.
   
4. The District Chairs from each of the several Districts shall constitute the Board of District Chairs and shall serve as an advisory body to the Executive Council.
   
5. The District Chairs shall by virtue of their office, be candidates for members of the Executive Council upon filing nomination papers as may be prescribed. Past District Chairs may be candidates for members of the Executive Council upon filing nomination papers. Any coach who has served for at least 5 years may also run.
   
6. All names submitted for election to the Executive Director shall be placed on the ballot along with incumbents who file for reelection at the regular election of the Executive Council.
   

By-Law No. 14

1. The National Organization shall grant a Distinguished Service key to any member earning 20 citations according to the following schedule, and a Distinguished Service plaque to any member earning 50 citations

Point Type	Pts.
Recruiting new Affiliate	2
Sponsoring new chapter	2
Year as District Chairman	1-3
Member District Committee	1
Year as National Officer	3
Editor of The Rostrum	3
Managing District NFL Tournament or Congress	1-3
Holding Tournament for 10 Schools	1
Directing Tournament for 10 Schools	1
Service at National Tournament	1-3
Article in The Rostrum	1-3
Article on NFL in Educational Journal	1-3
Talk on NFL before Convention	1-3
Other Service requested by Council	1-5

2. In cases of variable number of citations to be granted, the Executive Director shall determine the number. Citations approved shall be returned to the chapter and retained until the required number for an award has been attained.

3. Requests for Citations must be filed within one year from the date of the service.

By-Law No. 15

Any name on the national records shall be marked "Inactive" if such person has not earned and reported ten credit points during the previous school year.

By-Law No. 16

An instructor may transfer to his record one-tenth the number of credit points earned as a student.

By-Law No. 17

1. A trophy to be known as the [Pi Kappa Delta/Bruno E. Jacob] trophy, shall be given at the close of each National Speech Tournament to the participating Chapter which then has the largest number of tournament points as herein provided.
   
2. One point shall be recorded for each round of participation in individual contest events in the National Tournament and two points for each round of debate participation.
   
3. The record shall begin with the first National Tournament in 1931 and all points gained by a school shall remain to its credit until it has received the trophy.
   
4. If more than 50 per cent of the points necessary for the procurement of the award were gained under the direction of one instructor, such instructor shall receive a miniature replica of the trophy in recognition of his/her service in effective speech education.
   

By-Law No. 18

1. The Executive Council hereby elects to Honorary Membership persons nominated therefore as herein prescribed:
   
   (a) Chapter Honoraries nominated by a Chapter in good standing, not more than one a year nor more than one for each 100 degrees enrolled by that Chapter.
   
   (b) State Honoraries nominated by Chapters casting a majority of the votes in the state at the time of nomination, not more than one a year.
   
   (c) National Honoraries nominated by the Executive Council, but not more than one for each 10,000 degrees enrolled in the National Organization.
   
2. The insignia for national honorary membership shall be a yellow gold key. Appropriate certificates shall be issued by the national secretary.
   

By-Law No. 19

A credit point report sheet shall be entered in the national records only when:

1. It qualifies a student for membership or degree with application and fee submitted.
   
2. One division of the record form for a member is completely filled.
   
3. The report completes the limit for one category of speaking.
   
4. The report restores an inactive member to active status by adding 10 points or keeps him/her from becoming inactive.
   
5. The member graduates or withdraws from school and the report is marked "Final Report."
   

Each sheet constitutes a separate report and must meet one of these requirements to be recorded.

By-Law No. 20

1. A trophy shall be awarded at the close of each National Student Congress to the participating school which then has the largest number of congress points as herein provided.
   
2. One point shall be recorded for each legislative day of participation by a member; five points for Most Outstanding award; four points for Outstanding; two points for Superior; and two points for Presiding Officer.
   
3. The record shall begin with the first National Student Congress in 1938. A chapter receiving the trophy shall thereupon begin a new record.
   

By-Law No. 21

1. The members and degrees enrolled by each school shall be carried on a cumulative record at the national office.
   
2. The school having the largest totals on record on July 1 in each district shall receive a National Award for Excellence in speech. Not more than one award may be given in a district each year. Thereupon, new cumulative records shall be opened for such chapters.
   
3. An award shall be presented to the leading chapter in each district. No school shall receive this award in less than five years.
   

By-Law No. 23

1. No credit points shall be awarded for an interscholastic contest if the actual speaking time for a participant is less than two-thirds of the prevailing time for each event: Specifically less than ten minutes for a debater, seven minutes for Oratory or Interpretation, five minutes for Extemp or Reading, forty minutes for Discussion, two minutes for Impromptu, or five minutes for other contests.
   
2. No points for interscholastic debates or contests shall be awarded for events held during the normal summer vacation. National tournament and congress are excepted. Boys' and Girls' Nation Conventions are allowed.
   
3. No service speaking points shall be awarded for announcing over a public address system in the high school. No points shall be awarded for any service speaking less than four minutes in duration.
   

By-Law No. 24

1. A Chapter not having paid the annual chapter fee on December 1 shall be suspended. It shall (1) be recorded as having no voting power in determining district standing, (2) receive only one copy of The Rostrum, (3) be ineligible to participate in the district tournament or student congress, and (4) receive no credit point recording service.
   
2. All rights shall be restored on payment of chapter fee; but if the chapter becomes delinquent for a second year, its charter shall be revoked.
   

By-Law No. 25

An instructor shall receive no credit points for a report sheet which requires correction by the national office or is filed after October 15 for work during the previous school year by a graduated student.

By-Law No. 26

During May and June the national office shall give priority to recording credit point reports for seniors and for schools needing enrollments to qualify for charter renewal; laying aside reports for other students until time permits recording them.

By-Law No. 27

1. Ninth grade students in a junior high school may be elected to membership by the NFL chapter at the senior high school they expect to attend.
   
2. Ninth grade students may, if local rules permit, participate as members of the senior high school team at interscholastic tournaments.
   
3. No credit points shall be recorded for debates or contests between senior high schools and junior high schools, or between junior high schools; unless they occur as part of a senior high school tournament.