Judge Recruitment

Training for RJRC, JRL, and JRT

Content Outline

Organizing Debate Finals

Successful debate finals begin with intentional organization. This lesson guides you through how to plan ahead, coordinate with tournament leadership, and confirm qualified judges. Careful preparation ensures the final rounds are smooth, well-staffed, and a positive experience for both debaters and judges.

  • Establishing the Selection Plan
      • Confirm with the RJRC who will be responsible for selecting and recruiting judges for the final debate rounds.
        • The JC may oversee recruitment.
        • Another designated person - RJRC, TC, JRT Member - may be assigned this task.
      • Keep tournament leadership informed throughout the process as directed.
      • Refer to the 2026 In-Person Debate Finals Checklist for more insight to the entire process and the role you play as the JRL.
  • Determining Panel Composition
    • Recommended composition (total of 5 judges): 
      • 2 community
      • 2 parents (current and/or alumni)
      • 1 alumni competitor
    • A gender balance is strongly encouraged.
    • The RJRC have additional guidance to offer from the RC and TC.
    • This recommended mix is ideal but not required; flexibility is acceptable and needed at times.
  • Creating a System - for researching, inviting, and confirming debate finals judges.
    • Use the debate finals hub to organize all related information in one location.
    • Finding Judges
      • Brainstorm with the RC, TC, and RJRC to identify potential judges to invite.
      • Encourage clubs and families to recommend qualified community members, alumni, and current parents.
    • Inviting & Confirming Judges
      • Send invites to identified judges
        • Track all invitations to avoid duplicate outreach.
        • Limit the number of invitations sent at one time to maintain balance and manage responses effectively.
        • Send additional invitations as needed if others decline.
      • Follow up with confirmed judges using a post-acceptance email that includes the bio survey link

 

  • Managing Judge Bios & Scripts
      • Use bio survey responses to collect information
      • Write individual bios as time allows, ensuring that they read well aloud.
      • Add finalized bios to provided template and adjust font type and size as needed.
      • Provide completed bios (and script if directed) to the RC and TC for final approval
  • Aiding Judges in the Registration Process, as needed
      • Verify that each judge has created an account and registered for the tournament.
  • Adding judges to appropriate debate finals round in the NCFCA staff dashboard (screencast TBD)
      • Method (tentative as of 10/23/25):
        • Increase the judge cap by 1 
        • Open the judge’s registration and toggle on the appropriate round
      • Complete both steps in quick succession; it can be helpful to have 2 people working together.
  • Checking for final confirmation
    • Call or text each debate finals judge individually the day before debate finals to:
    • Confirm attendance.
    • Answer any last-minute questions.

Lesson Links