Compliance

Compliance Team (CT) CQR intake:  Once the CQR has been received on the Compliance dashboard, assigned CT should:

• Select the Assigned Team names on the CQR.
• Read the Rule in Question and the Primary Concern.
• Assign the Issue Type.
• Notify the Compliance Lead (CL) that a CQR has been received. 

CL assesses issue level: The CL will initially review New Requests on the Compliance dashboard.   

• CL will determine if the issue is Level 1, 2, or 3.
  • Use Level 1 Speech Adjudication Guidelines and Level 1 Debate Adjudication Guidelines. 
• Use the following resources to lead the CT.
  • 2026 Printable Compliance Lead Checklist (linked listed below)

Competitor reporting: If the CQR was received from a competitor (with parent), CT should:

• Review the form to determine if further questions are needed.
• Set up a Reporting Family Meeting (in-person or online) with the parent and the competitor to review the CQR and ask any additional questions.

Parent/Judge reporting: If the CQR was received from a judge or parent, CT should:

• Respond by confirming the judge’s phone number and informing the judge that they will text that number if they have any further questions. (This allows the judge to leave the platform in an online tournament, if desired.)
• If additional clarifying questions need to be asked of the judge, the CT should text the judge and ask them to return to the chat to answer questions.
• The CT should document any additional information received from chat, texts, or interviews in Notes under Actions Taken. Always initial which CT is documenting the notes and who provided the information (student, parent, judge, etc.). 

CL assigns status: The CL will review the CQR again and change Status to Reviewed or High Priority.

• The CL will determine whether to immediately notify the RC/RCC/PoC or whether additional information is needed to clarify the submitted question before contacting the RC/RCC/PoC.

CL determines next steps:  The CL will instruct the CT on their next action, which may include:

• Interviewing the judge(s)
• Family Meetings. CL should notify RC/RCC that a Family Meeting will be held, including CQR#.
• Reviewing ballots (NEW)
  • CL should discuss ballot review with the RCC before viewing a ballot.
  • If RCC has confirmed that a ballot should be reviewed, the CL may proceed with accessing the ballot on NCFCA Admin.
• Reviewing scripts (copy the link into Notes).
• Copying any relevant chat messages into Notes.

CT works in pairs: The assigned CT will work in pairs to complete the actions assigned by the CL and continue to update the CQR.

CL notifies RCC: The CL will notify the RCC when CQRs are ready for review and discussion by providing the CQR ID# to the RCC by text.

Proceed to NFA or FM:  If determined that no further action is required, the CQR will be marked Closed/Complete. (If it is determined that further action is required, a family meeting may be necessary if the family is waiting in the room.)