East Iowa District Qualifier

for the 2026 National Tournament

Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS)

Our Belonging and Inclusion Advocate (BIA) will be Nick Newman.

What is the purpose of a Belonging and Inclusion Station?

The BIS may serve as a resource for any student, coach, judge, or official participating at a tournament to seek interpersonal support or raise concerns an individual feels harassment and/or discrimination has occurred.

• • An individual makes inappropriate remarks or jokes about traditionally marginalized groups.
  • A really powerful speech (that violated no rules) triggers emotions in a contestant or judge and they need space to process their feelings.

Intake Process

The following process will be employed whenever a concerned person visits the BIS:

Intake

A concerned person wants an issue addressed beyond interpersonal support/care and puts their concern in writing via the Intake Form

Inquiry

BIA collects information on the concern

Resolution

If necessary, BIA recommends a corrective action

Appeal

Subject of concern has an option to appeal corrective action

It is always our hope that concerns brought to the BIS can be addressed with healing and teaching FIRST. The intake process, specifically the resolution and appeal steps, should be utilized when behavior warrants action beyond education and dialogue.

Additional and more detailed information is available here: https://www.speechanddebate.org/bis/