We hire teachers in community schools to serve as teacher-coaches, supporting and recruiting new members of the debate team. Experienced debaters, often program alumni, are hired as community coaches. Teacher-coaches and community-coaches work together to create a positive team culture and challenging learning environment for students.

MNUDL believes deeply that any student can be a great debater, student, and leader. Our caring coaches recruit students from all walks of life. We look for students who care about ideas and who want to find and use their voices. Students in grades 5-12 compete on our teams.

Check out our blog to learn more about how our students put their skills in action within our community!

We recruit volunteers from colleges and universities, service clubs and organizations, workplaces, and more! To learn more about how to volunteer with our year-round programming, check out our Volunteering page.

Debate parents make tournament day possible! Parents have the opportunity to contribute to our organization by becoming a board member, becoming a donor, and volunteering at our tournaments as debate judges.

The MNUDL is a program of Augsburg University, assisted by an advisory board, and funded through individual donations, foundations and corporations, and the legal community. Find a sample of our funding partners here. Our special team of Advocates for Debate ensure our year-round programming is sustainable. Learn more about how to become an advocate for debate.

Our small but mighty team is made up of full-time Augsburg University employees. Each year, we also hire student workers, community liaisons, and part-time coaches to help us make our work happen. Learn more about our staff members and how you can join our team.

Our advisory board is made up of community members who use their skills, connections, and vision to support our success in promoting debate in Minnesota. Learn more about our advisory board members.

We collaborate with other Urban Debate Leagues who are part of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues across the country. We also partner with the MN Debate and Teachers Association (MDTA) and the National Speech and Debate Association.

To learn more about how you can get your workplace involved in supporting the Minnesota Urban Debate League, email Amy Cram Helwich, Executive Director: cramhe@augsburg.edu