Board Appointment
The Board of Directors is the legal governing entity of the NSDA and is responsible for the ultimate direction of the management of the affairs of the organization, including serving as primary policymakers and overseeing the Executive Director. The NSDA Board is composed of at least four active member coaches, at least one administrator, and other leaders with diverse education and/or nonprofit expertise. Board members are selected and appointed by the existing Board of Directors.
- Eligibility and Candidacy
- 2026-2027 Board of Directors
- Terms
- Parameters for NSDA Board Service
- Selection Process
- NSDA Board Meetings
Eligibility and Candidacy
The Board of Directors is the legal governing entity of the NSDA and is responsible for the ultimate direction of the management of the affairs of the organization, including serving as primary policymakers and overseeing the Executive Director.
Self-nominations, as well as nominations made with the approval of the nominee, are accepted on an ongoing basis. In 2027, nominations submitted by February 15 will be considered by the nominating committee of the Board of Directors based on the following criteria:
- mission alignment and commitment;
- availability and commitment to meetings and work;
- geographic and community representation, reach, and location;
- nonprofit or board service experience;
- experience in or willingness to support fundraising efforts;
- prior experience and affinity with speech and debate;
- audience expansion to new constituencies and supporters; and
- any current needs in a target or strategy area for the organization.
2026-2027 Board of Directors
President James W. Rye III, Alabama
Vice President Jamelle M. Brown, Missouri
Byron R. Arthur, Louisiana
David Coale, Texas
Marc Ehrhardt, Louisiana
Meg Howell-Haymaker, Arizona
Erez Kalir, California
Michael Ledford, Virginia
Wendy Orthman, California
Esther Oyetunji, Florida
Steven Schappaugh, Iowa
Josh Swartsel, Washington, D.C.
Aaron W. Timmons, Texas
Rachel K. Wilczewski, Hawaii
Holly Williams, Arizona
Terms
- The term for the alumni seat shall be one year in length and begin on August 1 and conclude on July 31 of the year. This seat is renewable once.
- A term for all other seats shall be three years in length and begin on August 1 and conclude on July 31 of the third year.
- Directors may be appointed for up to two consecutive terms. Directors must wait a minimum of three years before appointment to a third term, if the first two terms were consecutive. Directors may be appointed for up to three full terms or nine years of total service on the Board.
- Terms and seats will be staggered as to limit the number of vacant seats in any given year as much as possible.
- At its discretion, the Board may determine by 2/3 majority vote to extend a term by no more than a year to accommodate for unexpected vacancies resulting in too large of a transition in membership.
Parameters for NSDA Board Service
The Board of Directors is a 100% appointed Board of no less than eleven members. The Board will be populated with a minimum of four active NSDA coach members from active NSDA member schools, one current secondary school or school district administrator, and one NSDA alumni member within five years of their high school graduation date. The remaining seats on the Board will be appointed based on the greatest needs to meet the mission and vision of the organization. NSDA member coach representatives will never represent less than 30% of Board membership.
Selection Process
A Board-appointed nominations committee will accept nominations for upcoming Board seats on an ongoing basis. Self-nominations will be allowed. The nominations committee will vet and interview nominees and bring forward a recommendation of individuals for Board consideration. The full Board will determine all final appointments to the Board of Directors. Final appointments will be made in May of each year.
NSDA Board Meetings
The NSDA Board holds four quarterly meetings, one to two of which are in-person meetings involving travel costs for the participants. In addition, each Board member is on at least one standing committee that meets quarterly online between Board meetings. Each Board member also has the option to attend all or part of the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June to volunteer and provide support.
Important Deadlines
- Board Member Interest Forms are due February 15, 2027.
- Anyone selected as a finalist by the Board nominating committee will be invited to interview in February through April of 2027.
- Final appointments will be made by May 1, 2027, for terms beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.