Advisory Board Role
What Is a UDL Advisory Board?
In the public-private partnership which generally structures an Urban
Debate League (UDL), the private partner is organized into what is
sometimes called a local UDL Advisory Board (e.g., the Dallas UDL
Advisory Board). The local UDL Advisory Board can have various names
(e.g., Baltimore Urban Debate League, Chicago Debate Commission),
though it is generally a stand-alone non-profit organization, incorporated
with its own tax-exempt status. In many Leagues it is “advisory”
to the school system, which is the institutional home of the UDL.
As is the case with other non-profit Boards, the effectiveness of
the UDL Advisory Board is largely a function of its membership. Advisory
Board members have passion for and real dedication to the mission
of building and establishing a strong local Urban Debate League. And
they have the skill set and experience to make a difference advancing
this mission. Often the first, core UDL Advisory Board members are
former debaters (who know from personal experience the power of academic
debate), but non-debaters have made significant contributions on local
UDL Advisory Boards, as well. The local UDL Advisory Board typically
includes civic leaders from
- Corporations
- Law Firms
- Universities
- Foundations
- School District Administration
- Education and/or Youth Development Organizations
- High School and/or College Debate Programs
What Does a UDL Advisory Board Do?
The local UDL Advisory Board has five roles in building, establishing,
and sustaining an Urban Debate League.
Steering Institutionalization
The local UDL Advisory Board both sets the strategy for institutionalizing the UDL, and helps steer and direct this strategy’s execution, so that the UDL is sustainable over the long term. “Institutionalization” in this context refers to achieving institutional investment in, and ownership of, the UDL. In the UDLs that the NAUDL builds, this institution is the local urban school system.Promoting and Advocating
The local UDL Advisory Board is dedicated to raising the visibility of the UDL throughout the civic community through promotion and advocacy efforts that can include a newsletter, media outreach and cultivation, and events.Raising Funds
The local UDL Advisory Board is charged with raising funds from individuals, private foundations, and corporate sponsors. These funds typically supplement the investment that the school system makes in core programming costs.Hiring a Coordinator
The local UDL Advisory Board hires, pays, and co-manages (with the school system) the UDL Coordinator. The UDL Coordinator works full-time on implementing UDL programming (e.g., teacher and student training and support, debate tournaments) and executing the other work of the UDL Advisory Board (e.g., fund-raising, advocacy).Organizing Volunteers
The local UDL Advisory Board solicits and organizes the volunteer support that helps implement UDL programming, particularly at urban debate tournaments. Volunteers often judge urban debate rounds, help with training and support of teachers and students, and assist in the administration of urban debate tournaments.
