ART. 1… SOURCES FOR TOPIC REPORTS

1. Volunteers from the previous year’s Topic Selection Meeting

2. Individuals or groups contacted to prepare topic reports on subjects of demonstrated interest

3. Individuals or groups who have a special interest in a particular topic area

ART. 2… PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION OF TOPIC REPORTS

1. A confirmation of commitment to complete a report is due to the NFHS in December.

2. A preliminary outline of the direction of the report is due to the NFHS in February.

3. Topic authors may contact others for assistance in developing the report and wording the resolutions.

4. Copies of the reports are sent to groups or individuals for review, and the reactions are provided to each topic author. While authors are not required to incorporate the reviewers’ comments, they are strongly encouraged to consider the comments in future revisions.

5. Topic authors can revise their reports prior to the final submission deadline.

6. Copies of the revised reports are distributed to Topic Selection Meeting delegates and Wording Committee members prior to the NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting.

7. Copies of the final topic reports will be provided to all meeting attendees.

Art. 3… PROCEDURES AT THE NFHS TOPIC SELECTION MEETING

1. First General Session and Introduction: Topic authors will each have an opportunity to briefly introduce their reports to the general assembly.

2. Debatability Roundtables: Topic authors have an opportunity to present their reports and proposed resolutions to focused roundtable groups made up of meeting attendees.

   • Roundtable members ask questions of the topic authors, focusing on the topic’s timeliness and durability, accessibility and material, student interest and engagement, educational quality, and balance.

   • Authors will rotate between several roundtables, the number of which may vary from year to year, based on the number of topic reports and meeting attendees. They will gather feedback from all roundtable conversations.

   • These constructive discussions are focused on the ability to debate each topic.

3. Marshall Subcommittees: All attending delegates are divided into subcommittees, overseen by members of the NFHS Wording Committee.

   • Topic authors have an opportunity to thoroughly explain and discuss their reports with special attention paid to topicality and sufficient evidence of negative positions.

   • Delegates have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss strengths and weaknesses of the proposed resolutions.

   • Ultimately, the goal of each Marshall subcommittee is to produce a draft resolution that requires minimal change during Wording Committee review.

4. Second General Session: Wording Committee reports on the discussions from the Marshall subcommittees, and topic authors have an opportunity to answer questions.

5. First Straw Vote: At the end of the first day, a straw vote is taken, and topics receiving the support of over 25% of those present and voting are retained for further discussion and debate.

6. Wording Committee Resolution Review: On the second day, Wording Committee members assemble to meet with all topic authors. A schedule is posted which allows approximately 20-30 minutes per topic, depending on the number of topics that advanced from the first vote. Additional sessions with any author may be scheduled as needed. All delegates are urged to participate in these meetings.

7. Third General Session: All delegates reassemble to review the results of the Wording Committee meetings. The chairperson of the Wording Committee conducts a short, preliminary exposition of the topic reports. Discussion and proposed amendments to revise the resolutions are in order. The proposed topic areas and resolutions will be presented to meeting attendees.

8. Second Straw Vote: A straw vote is taken of all participants. Each person may vote in support of as many topic areas as he or she chooses.

   • Those topic areas receiving at least a one-third (33%) vote are retained for further discussion.

   • Those areas receiving less than a one-third (33%) vote are dropped from further consideration in the topic selection process.

   • If no more than seven areas initially receive a one-third vote, state delegates will proceed to selection of the five problem areas in the final general session.

9. Final Discussion: On the morning of the third day, participants openly discuss each area which received at least a one-third vote with final adjustments to resolution wording taking place. No vote is taken to accept or reject any problem area resolution until all areas have been discussed.

ART. 4… OFFICIAL VOTING PROCEDURE

Upon completion of final discussion, voting delegates reduce the remaining topic papers down to a final five topics through the process detailed below:

1. Up to five different voting periods would occur to reduce the remaining topic areas down to a final five topics, based on the number of remaining topic areas:

   • 10 or fewer topic papers: Three votes, producing: Top 7, Top 6, Final 5

   • 11 to 13 topic papers: Four votes, producing: Top 10, Top 7, Top 6, Final 5

   • 14+ topic papers: Five votes, producing: Top 12, Top 10, Top 7, Top 6, Final 5

2. A brief caucus period will be allowed before each state delegate vote.

3. Each state has a single voting delegate who, during each voting period, will vote for exactly five topic areas.

   • Votes are counted for all topic areas.

   • Topic areas advance to the next round of voting (if necessary) based on the schedule above.

4. At the end of this voting procedure, the five topic areas receiving the greatest number of votes will be placed on a national ballot to be sent to the states.

5. Tie Breaking Procedure:

   • Ties are be broken by the greatest number of first place votes in first round balloting.

   • If the vote remains tied, the tie will be broken by the lowest preference vote in first round balloting.

   • If the vote remains tied, the tie will be broken by a vote of the Wording Committee.

   • If a tie remains, the tie will be broken by a blind draw conducted by the NFHS Speech, Debate, and Theatre Committee Chair.

6. The final five (5) topics will be forwarded to NFHS member state associations and national debate organizations for a rank order vote to determine the final two (2) topics.

7. Following the final two (2) received by rank order to the NFHS, the NFHS will distribute another rank order ballot to the NFHS member state associations and national debate organizations to determine the final topic to be debated during the next academic year.