The concept of Affiliate and Chapter status for schools in the National Forensic League dates back to its origin in 1925 when founder, Bruno E. Jacob, established the League. Originally, the granting of charters was used as both a way of honoring schools for their development and strength as a member school and as a method of controlling the size of the League. As more and more schools qualified for charter status, affiliate status became a type of "waiting list" for schools to assure that the size of the League did not outgrow the capabilities of the National Office and the ability of its officers to run it.

However, over the past 20 years, with the increase in the size of the National Office Staff, the use of computer technology, the availability of additional resources and sponsorships, and a shift in the educational goals of the policy makers, the League has moved from a limited school membership organization to one that welcomes all schools to join and attain Charter status. The fostering of such programs serves to better promote speech and debate activities in regions all over the nation.

While this is an important shift in the philosophy of the League and promotes inclusion rather than elitism, it has also raised some questions as to the validity of maintaining the Affiliate/Chapter concept. Important questions have arisen: What is the incentive to earn a charter? Why can affiliate schools move from one District to another each tournament season? What kind of infrastructure is in place to inform and assist affiliate schools if they don't belong to a particular District? How do we lower the membership turnover of affiliate schools to create continuity if various regions of the country? Why do district committees still have the right to stop an affiliate from gaining charter status if that affiliate has met the minimum requirements for charter status?

These are excellent questions that the Executive Council willingly discussed and considered at its fall meeting in late September. In addition, the council read and considered the comments that were provided by 75 of the 103 District Chairs on the issue and the recommendations presented by the Executive Secretary to make important changes in the current system. After thorough discussion and consideration of all issues involved and the impacts on the future goals of the League, the Executive Council passed a motion concerning the status of affiliate and chapter memberships.

NEW POLICY ON AFFILIATES AND CHAPTERS-EFFECTIVE 9/27/04

1. The NFL will retain the two types of school membership-Chapters and Affiliates. All current policies for maintaining and obtaining a school charter will remain the same. In addition, affiliate schools will continue to apply for chapter status through a district.
   
2. As of the 2005-2006 school year, all affiliate and chapter schools will be the member of a specific NFL District.
   
   
3. All chapter schools will remain in their current District unless that chapter school uses the proper procedure for moving Districts outlined in the NFL rules.
   
4. Prior to the 2005-2006 school year, each affiliate school will be placed in the District in which that school participated in for the 2004-2005 District Tournament series.
   
   
5. Any affiliate that chooses not to attend a District Tournament in 2004-2005 will be placed into a District by the National Office.
   
   
6. District placement for affiliates that do not attend a 2004-2005 District Tournament will be based on geographic location and District size equalization.
   
   
7. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year affiliates will remain in the District in which they are placed, unless, like chapters, that affiliate receives approval from both districts to move.
   
   
8. Once an affiliate achieves the minimum requirement for chapter status, the affiliate can petition to their current district to become a chapter. If denied, the affiliate is free to petition alternative districts for chapter status and will be allowed to move if accepted.
   
   
9. Consistent with current policy, a District can grant chapter status to an affiliate school before that school achieves the minimum standard. However, the accepting district must be the district in which the affiliate was originally placed.
   
   
10. The National Secretary will arbitrate all irresolvable conflicts in placing an affiliate.
    
    
11. Brand new affiliates who join the NFL after 2004-2005 will be placed into a District based on geographic location and District size equalization.
    
    

Summary of the Change
By the 2005-2006 school year, all affiliates and chapters will be members of a NFL District. Affiliates will no longer be allowed to shift Districts without the permission of both Districts involved. Placement into Districts will first be based on the District Tournament that each affiliate attends in 2004-2005. All affiliates that do not attend a District Tournament will be placed by the National Office. Location will be based on geography and size equalization. If an affiliate is denied chapter status, they can petition another District for that status.

What Stays the Same?
All current policies for obtaining and sustaining chapter and affiliate status will remain the same. As previously, only chapters will retain voting rights within a District. The District committees will continue to approve chapter status.

General Philosophy Behind the Change
In order to better serve the League interests, all member schools, including affiliate schools, should be part of a District. Currently, turnover among affiliate schools is too high. The National Forensic League and those that represent it should create a friendly environment that fosters support, training, and inclusion. The change will allow better communication and leadership by district chairs and the national office. It will allow the NFL leadership to better understand the state of the League in different regions. Districts will be motivated to work with affiliate schools in gaining chapter status to make their Districts stronger. This decision by the Executive Council is one that has the best interests of its members in mind.

If any coach or student has further questions about the new rule, he or she is encouraged to contact the NFL National Office.

The National Council has agreed that it is in the best interest of the League and its members to change the policy concerning District Sizes. Previously, if a District did not maintain 16 chapters or 500 District Tournament entries over a 3 year period, that District was to be disbanded. After thorough study over the course of 4 council meetings and consultation with many District Chairs and the Executive Secretary, the following changes have been approved by the Executive Council and will be implemented as of September 27, 2004.

1. All current districts will be allowed to maintain district status.
   
   
2. Any district with less than 8 chapter schools will not be allowed to hold a district tournament, however, all schools in those districts may petition to attend other tournaments in other districts.
   
   
3. All Districts will be required to maintain 16 chapters or 550 entries over a 3 year period. This will be considered “GREEN” status.
   
   
4. If a District does not meet the above size and/or entry requirements, that district will move to “YELLOW” status for one year only. No District can be at “YELLOW” status more than once in a 5 year period.
   
   
5. After one year of “YELLOW” status, any District that meets the minimum requirements will be placed back on “GREEN” status. Any District that still does not meet the minimum size and/or entry requirements will be placed on “RED” status until they meet the minimum requirements for size or entries.
   
   
6. A District on “RED” status will be limited to one entry to Nationals in each main event category, assuming that there are at least 4 entries in each category at the District Tournament. Please Note: A District on “RED” status can meet the size requirements by obtaining 16 chapters prior to their District Tournament series during the year of “RED” status and be placed back on “GREEN” status for that year.
   
   
7. No district will be allowed to split into two districts unless they establish 40 chapters for two consecutive years or 1200 district entries over a 3 year period.
   
   

Rule Summary
Instead of eliminating Districts that are small in size or lack District Tournament entries, the council has created a 3 step system to allow District committees and the Executive Secretary to work together to improve the strength and status of these Districts. If a school is moved to “YELLOW” status for the next year, the Executive Secretary will work with that District to recruit new schools and encourage stronger entry to the District Tournament. After this effort, if a District is still unable to meet the requirements, the National Tournament entry for that District will be limited to one entry per event unless that District is able to obtain 16 chapters before the District Tournament series begins that year.

Philosophy Behind the Change
If a District is eliminated (old rule), the infrastructure of the NFL is removed from that region which means that students, coaches, and programs suffer. The answer is not to eliminate Districts, but to create a step process for change. However, if a District cannot maintain a minimum size of chapters or minimum level of District entries, it should not be given the same opportunities for National Tournament qualification numbers as those Districts that are able to meet the requirements. This new concept is a positive way to motivate Districts to develop and grow. It does not threaten the existence of a District as in the past, but merely the opportunities for National Tournament participation based on size and strength.