East Iowa District Qualifier

for the 2023 National Tournament

Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS)

Our Belonging and Inclusion Advocate (BIA) is John Cooper Mr. Cooper will be in the Auditorium Foyer if a BIS need arises.

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 an NSDA-sponsored tournament. Complaints may be filed if an individual feels as if an instance of harassment and/or discrimination has occurred. Examples include:

• • Perceived discriminatory practice on the basis of (but not limited to) race/color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, and/or veteran or military status.
  • Perceived retaliation, harassment, or intimidation due to an individual’s filing of a complaint or participating in an intake regarding a violation of the NSDA’s harassment and discrimination policies.

Intake Process

Note:This section outlines the process for intake, inquiry, and resolution used for the BIS at NSDA district and national tournaments. Other tournaments are encouraged to adopt or adjust this model to suit their needs. Please refer to your school district administration regarding appropriate actions in response to harassment and discrimination violations.

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

The complainant meets with a Belonging and Inclusion Advocate (BIA) to express concernabout behavior perceived as in violation of the NSDA harassment and discrimination policies. The BIA provides support to the complainant (if and when appropriate).Note:All conversations between the BIAs and students (whether that student was the complainant, a witness to the allegation, or the alleged offender) should have a supervising adult present. Students should be asked if they feel comfortable with their supervising adult being contacted.

• If the student is not comfortable, ORif the report concerns actions by their supervising adult, ORif the supervising adult is unreachable, the BIA should contact a parent or guardian. Parents/guardians are given the option to have the BIA inform the supervising adult at the tournament of the situation.

1. The BIA asks if the complainant would like to fill out an intake form.
   • If the complainant answersyes, the BIA shares the link to the intake form.
   • If the complainant answersno, the BIA offers additional supportive measures.
2. The inquiry is conducted (as outlined in the next section).
3. The BIA recommends a corrective course of action.
4. The BIA writes up a summary report and sends it to the NSDA Director of DEI.
   
   Additional and more detailed information is available here:https://www.speechanddebate.org/bis/