Circuit Survey

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to share your perspective. Every question on this survey is completely optional — skip anything you'd rather not answer, and feel free to give as much or as little detail as you'd like. Your input helps us improve practices, design better ballots, and build a circuit that actually works for debaters.

Optional · Whole Survey
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Consent & Identity
Question 1 · Optional
Are you over 18 and up for an interview for our IG?
If yes, please sign below — your signature lets us use quotes or video clips from this conversation on our Instagram. If you'd rather just share notes or audio anonymously, skip this entirely and we'll keep everything off the record.
BDL Release & Waiver of Liability — please read before signing:

Release and Waiver of Liability

IN CONSIDERATION OF the risk of injury that exists while participating in THE BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE which consists of online, hybrid, and in-person debate coaching and tournaments (hereinafter the "Activity"); and

IN CONSIDERATION OF my desire to participate in said Activity and being given the right to participate in the same;

I HEREBY, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, or personal representatives (collectively, "Releasor," "I" or "me", which terms shall also include Releasor's parents or guardian if Releasor is under 18 years of age), knowingly and voluntarily enter into this WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY ("Release") and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind arising out of my participation in the Activity; and

I HEREBY release and forever discharge KM DICOLANDREA, the founder of BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE ("DiCo") AND ALL STAFF OF THE BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE, located Online, Brooklyn New York 11238, their affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively "Releasees"), from any physical or psychological injury that I may suffer as a result of my participation in the Activity.

Identification and Acknowledgement of the Risk

I am voluntarily participating in the activity and I am participating in the activity entirely at my own risk. I am aware of the risks associated with participating in this activity, which may include, but are not limited to: physical or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, data mining, phishing, viruses, malware, data breach of online information, cyberbullying, exploitation, victimization, cyber stalking, online grooming, cyber predators, digital footprint, reputation loss, image replication, economic or emotional loss, and death. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE INJURIES OR OUTCOMES MAY ARISE FROM MY OWN OR OTHERS' NEGLIGENCE, conditions related to travel to and from the activity, or from conditions at the activity location(s). NONETHELESS, I ASSUME ALL RELATED RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN TO ME, OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.

I FURTHER AGREE to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all claims, suits or actions of any kind whatsoever for liability, damages, compensation or otherwise brought by me or anyone on my behalf, including attorney's fees and any related costs.

I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE that Releasees are not responsible for errors, omissions, acts or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of Releasees. In the event that I should require medical care or treatment, I authorize DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League to provide all emergency medical care deemed necessary, including but not limited to, first aid, CPR, use of AEDs, emergency medical transport, and sharing of medical information with medical personnel. I further agree to assume all costs involved and agree to be financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such treatment. I am aware and understand that I should carry my own health insurance.

Media Release

I HEREBY AUTHORIZE Brooklyn Debate League to publish the photographs taken of me, and my name, for use in their printed publications, social media, and website. I acknowledge that since my participation in publications, social media and websites produced by Brooklyn Debate League is voluntary, I will receive no financial compensation. I further agree that my participation in any publication, social media, and website produced by Brooklyn Debate League confers upon me no right of ownership whatsoever. I release Brooklyn Debate League, its contractors and its employees from liability for any claims by me or any third party in connection with my participation.

Release and Waiver of Liability

I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I EXPRESSLY AGREE TO RELEASE AND DISCHARGE DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League and all of its affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns, from any and all claims or causes of action and I agree to voluntarily give up or waive any right that I otherwise have to bring a legal action against DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League for personal injury or property damage.

I agree that this Release shall be governed for all purposes by New York law, without regard to any conflict of laws principles. This Release supersedes any and all previous oral or written promises or other agreements.

In the event that any damage to equipment or facilities occurs as a result of my or my family's or my agent's willful actions, neglect or recklessness, I acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any such actions of neglect or recklessness.

THIS RELEASE SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY, DURING THIS INITIAL AND ALL SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OF PARTICIPATION.

This agreement was entered into at arm's-length, without duress or coercion, and is to be interpreted as an agreement between two parties of equal bargaining strength.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the parent or guardian of my child participating in the Brooklyn Debate League, and I do hereby give my consent without reservation to the foregoing on behalf of my child (if participant is under 18 years of age).

📄 Download the full PDF version

By typing your name you affirm that you are the person identified and that your signature is your own.

Sign here to consent to an IG interview + the BDL waiver above:

Privacy notice: When you sign, BDL records your signature image, IP address, browser type, and the date and time of signing. This is stored securely and used only to verify the signature. It is not sold or shared with third parties. Questions: joey@brooklyndebateleague.org.
Question 2 · Optional
Are you okay with us saving your answers and using them to plan practices, design ballots, etc.?
Your name won't be attached to anything public, and you can skip any question you want. Sign below if you're good with that, otherwise have a great day!

Sign here to consent to data use:

Question 3 · Optional
Name
Question 4 · Optional
School
Question 5 · Optional
Zip code
Debate Life
Question 6 · Optional
What are the most important things to get out of a debate league?
Question 7 · Optional
How much time per week do you spend on debate?
Consider: busiest part of season vs. semi-busy vs. offseason. What share of your time goes to research, drills, and running rounds? How much teamwork is involved — shared prep docs, group sessions, coaches writing cases?
Question 8 · Optional · Images welcome
What's the future of LLMs / AI and debate — and what's the status quo for you?
How did you use AI for this tournament? Share screenshots of conversations to illustrate what's normal, helpful, or unhelpful. Upload chats that worked well and ones that didn't.
Question 9 · Optional
How familiar are you with other debate categories?
Which category are you in? Which others have you seen? Would you branch out if you had the chance, or would you rather concentrate on one style?
Question 10 · Optional
Why are you doing speech/debate?
If it's a career path — what field? If it's social — who are you here for? If it's personal — what are you working on?
Question 11 · Optional · Images welcome
Do you have screenshots of great or terrible ballots you've gotten?
We're building a library for judge training. Both the inspiring and the cringe-worthy are useful.
Circuit & Community
Question 12 · Optional
What are the strengths and challenges of your local circuit?
Question 13 · Optional
Innovations, projects, and hot takes
There are a lot of new projects being rolled out in districts across the country. Are you involved in any? Want to get involved? Or do you have hot takes you want to share with the innovators?

Thank you!

Your responses have been saved. We really appreciate you taking the time — this kind of input makes the circuit better for everyone.