The world of high school forensics is forever changing, and so at times must the rules and procedures of its honor society. This article is designed to serve three purposes: to describe how the process works for changing NFL rules and guidelines, to explain how individual members and schools can voice opinions about certain rules, protocols, and procedures, and to outline the key rule changes for this year.

How Does the Process Work?
The National Forensic League was established in 1925 as an organization in which its members would be able to affect protocol, rules, and guidelines through a representative system. There are 9 elected members of the National Executive Council whose responsibility is to create policy for the league that they feel is in the best interest of the membership and representative of the attitude of the majority. Four council seats are up for election every two years and each councilor holds his or her position on the council for a four year term. The ninth seat on the council is held for two years by an administrator and is appointed by the council during odd numbered years.

The Executive Council meets three times a year to discuss and make decisions concerning the policies of the league. These meetings generally take place in the early fall, early spring, and the weekend prior to the national tournament. In making or changing current policies, the council is bound by the NFL Constitution and cannot pass any rules that violate its primary tenets. Changes in the NFL Constitution require a referendum vote of the membership (see page CBH-4).

Prior to each Executive Council meeting, the National Secretary works with all members of the council in establishing agenda items for the meeting. The National President determines the official order of business for the meeting. There tend to be four to five general types of agenda items: rules or guideline issues, business/organizational issues, initiatives/programs/procedures, protests and/or petitions, and membership comments/concerns. At each meeting, the Executive Council attempts to address as many issues as possible during its 14 to 18 hours of meeting time.

During the course of the council meeting, thorough discussions and presentations occur on each agenda item. The Executive Director is often asked by the council to compile research and membership opinions on the issues to assist in the decision making process. Often these discussions lead to motions being made and seconded and those that receive a majority vote are enacted into policy that is to be carried out by the Executive Director and the National Office.

A copy of the council minutes is published in a timely fashion following all council meetings. This is the first opportunity for members to read of policy changes. However, it is always important when reading council minutes to look at the vote result immediately following the motion to determine if the motion did, in fact, pass. Often, members will mistakenly read that a rule has changed only to find out that the motion they read had actually failed.

The best way to ensure the exact policies of the NFL is to read all current manuals at the beginning of each year and watch for updates during the year. Each fall, the National Office will publish the newest version of the Constitution and By-Laws, Chapter Manual, District Tournament Manual with Appendices, National Tournament Manual, and Student Congress Manual. These updated versions are available at nflonline.org.

How Can Members Have a Voice?
The beauty of the National Forensic League is that its members have the opportunity to voice concerns and express their opinions to foster positive change in the organization. Below, are some ways that coaches and students can affect NFL policy:

• The NFL has 103 District Chairs and District Committees that serve as regional representatives. These individuals are in direct contact with the National Secretary and are asked prior to every council meeting to submit opinions and thoughts on key issues that will be discussed at upcoming council meetings. All members should feel comfortable in contacting district chairs and committee members to discuss the key issues of the league. A list of District Chairs is available on the NFL website.
• Each member should feel free to email nfl@nflonline.org or mail letters to the National Office. Although the large membership and high volume of emails may limit the Executive Director's ability to respond to every comment, a "folder of membership comments" is produced for each council member prior to the meetings to better inform them of the membership's attitude on key issues.

Many times, well-written letters and emails have lead to key agenda items that have resulted in important and historic changes in policy.

• In addition, the NFL website will be going through key renovations in the next few months which will provide additional opportunities for members to communicate with the NFL leaders on key issues. Features will include online bulletin boards, member opinion polls, and individual District websites.
• Furthermore, those on the Executive Council have always been willing to accept letters and emails from members. The contact information for the council is available in the Rostrum and online.
• Most importantly, the National Secretary and the National Office are privileged to serve you, the membership. It is our pleasure to answer any questions and concerns that you have and work diligently to provide the service that our membership deserves.

Key Rule Changes for 2004
During the Spring 2004 Executive Council meeting, three key rule changes were made for the upcoming tournament season. It is possible that the 2004 Fall Meeting held in late September will result in additional changes that will be published online and in the November Rostrum. Below are some key rule changes, however, to effectively understand all wording changes and clarifications, members should read all manuals in their entirety.

• Moved by Ferguson, seconded by Roberts, "Give Districts the autonomy to decide whether or not to allow cross-examination in the final round of extemporaneous speaking events at the District Tournament" Passed: 9-0
  
  

This rule change now gives each District Committee the choice whether to allow cross-examination in the extemporaneous district tournament finals. If a district chooses to allow cross-ex, the district must use the same format as the national final rounds.

• Moved by Roberts, seconded by Crabtree, "Accept the chart proposed by Donus Roberts for a revised District Quota System." Passed: 9-0

This rule directly affects the amount of entries that each school can enter at the District Tournament. Entries at district tournaments are based on a quota system in which the number of members and degrees that a school has 7 days prior to the district tournament determines how many entries that school is allowed in the tournament. The new chart is as follows:

• Moved by Ferguson, seconded by Phillips, "Each team event at the district tournament will be counted as one entry." Passed: 7-2
  
  

This rule increases the amount of students that can potentially enter the District Tournament. In the past each team entered in Duo, Public Forum, and Policy Debate counted as two entries. Now, each team will count as one entry. Check the following examples:

Ex. 1 - According to the new quota chart, a school is allowed 10 entries based on a membership/degree strength of 31-40 m/d.

Old Rule
10 entries = 2 Duo teams, 2 Policy teams, 2 HI

New Rule
10 entries = 2 Duo teams, 2 Policy teams, 2 HI, 2DI, 2OO

Ex. 2 - According to the new quota chart, a school is allowed 20 entries based on a membership/degree strength of 91-100 m/d.

Old Rule 20 entries = 4 Duo teams, 2 Public Forum teams, 1 Policy team, 2 DI, 2 IX, 2HI

New Rule 20 entries = 4 Duo teams, 4 Public Forum teams, 2 Policy Teams, 4 DI, 4 HI, 2IX

Please continue to keep informed of all rules, policies, and procedures in the NFL and feel free to express your opinions on the key issues involving the league by visiting the nfl website at www.nflonline.org.