I’m trying to register or renew online.  Where do I click?

All registration for 2008-2009 will be completed by mail.  Please click here to access the Affiliate Application.

What are the fees for 2008-2009 renewal or registration?

In keeping with the fees from the last two seasons, this year’s affiliate fee is $45 per family.  Early bird registration (a discount of $15) is available until September 15.  After December 31, the fee will go up to $60.

Do I need to register with NCFCA if my child plans to participate in only one or two tournaments this season?

Yes.  In order to participate in any NCFCA qualifying tournaments (qualifying either for regionals or for the National Championship), a student must belong to an NCFCA member family.  Local-level tournaments may also require NCFCA membership at the discretion of the tournament coordinators.

I registered last year.  Do I need to register again?

Yes.  NCFCA registration or renewal is for each competitive season.  Families who registered for 2007-2008 must renew for the 2008-2009 season.

What is the purpose of the graduated fee scale?

Competition slots at the National Championship (i.e., the number of students who may come from a state or region) are based on regional membership and must be allocated as close to the beginning of the season as possible.  The graduated fees are intended to encourage early registration.  Late registrations change the numbers and ratios for a particular state and region, and may result in competitors in the region missing out on a chance to compete in the National Championship.

What is the difference between family and coach membership?

Family membership is available for families who will have students competing in the 2008-2009 season.  Coach membership is available for those who have no competing children (e.g., a family where the parents are still coaching NCFCA debate after all of their students have graduated).

I have students competing, but I’m also coaching.  Which kind of membership is right for me?

Parents who have students competing in the 2008-2009 season should register as family affiliates, even if they are also planning to coach this season.

Our family has more than one student eligible for competition.  Do we need to pay a separate registration fee for each student?

No.  NCFCA membership is on a per-family basis, regardless of the number of eligible students in a family.  Each family registers once.

What is the “Minor Model Release”?

The majority of NCFCA competitors are minors (under 18).  In order to ensure legal protection for competitors and the league, NCFCA uses the Minor Model Release, which gives permission for the release of a minor’s name or picture in connection with NCFCA publications or tournament-related news and announcements.  If, for example, NCFCA publishes the results of a tournament on our web site, the Minor Model Release frees us from being required to obtain written permission to publish the name of each individual competitor. 

By the same token, if NCFCA were to use tournament video footage in a promotional or educational video, the Minor Model Release frees us from being required to identify and obtain written permission of each individual student appearing in the footage.  The privacy and protection of our competitors is critically important to us.  NCFCA will never sell a student’s personal information or likeness to a third party.

What are the eligibility requirements referenced on the Affiliate Application?

NCFCA sets eligibility requirements based on age, grade, and school status.  These requirements are set out in the 2008-2009 Qualifying Tournament Participation General Rules, which can be accessed by clicking here.

We’ve registered.  How can we get started?

If you are not already involved in a local speech or debate club, please visit our Regional Contacts page to find an NCFCA contact in your area.  While you will wish to keep aware of news posted on our web site, many of the league goings-on (especially at the local level) are available primarily through our regional coordinators, state representatives, and local club leaders.

If you have any trouble finding a local contact, please e-mail our office at office@ncfca.org. 

I have a question not addressed in this FAQ.  Who can answer it?

Please feel free to e-mail any questions not addressed here to our national office staff at office@ncfca.org or direct your question through your local contact.

Best wishes for a fruitful competitive season!

NCFCA Office