|
DEBATE-Kansas City is supported by over 100 volunteers each year. From serving on the DKC Board of Directors to judging debates our volunteers play a critical role in DKC’s success. If you would like to volunteer with DEBATE-Kansas City please visit or volunteer sign-up page.
Board of Directors
DEBATE-Kansas City is managed by an outstanding volunteer Board of Directors. The Board provides essential leadership in shaping and stabilizing the organization while opening doors for growth.
David Smith, President. Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications and Community Development at Kansas City Kansas Public Schools.
Jeffrey Thomas, Vice President. Associate Dean UMKC School of Law
Dr. Carol Koehler, Treasurer. Associate Professor, UMKC Communication Studies.
Martha Thompson, Secretary. Fmr. Director of Humanities for the Kansas City, Missouri School District.
Christine Murray, Director Government Relations & Policy Development, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Denise Hastings, Education Development Coach for the Kauffman Scholars, Inc.
Douglas Winn, International Consultant.
Dr. G. Thomas Poe, Prof. UMKC Department of Communication Studies.
Hayley Hanson, Attorney at Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP.
Joe Miller, Author of Cross-X and Fmr. Communications Director for the Mayor of Kansas City.
Patricia Kurtz, Teacher at Liberty High School and former Kansas City, Missouri School District Board member.
Rachel Swartz, Attorney with Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP.
W. Thomas Dugard, President & CEO of Ethos Consulting.
Volunteers of the Year
Each year DEBATE-Kansas City recognizes an outstanding volunteer who made a significant difference in lives of DKC students. Previous winners include:
2005 Lann Wasson
2006 Matthew Vega
2007 Joe Miller
2008 Terri Easley (Co)
2008 Jason Hogue (Co)
2009 Betsy Blake
Lawyers in the Classroom
In 2009 DEBATE-Kansas City and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association partnered to create a program called “Lawyers in the Classroom”. The program connects area attorneys and law school students with DKC schools.
The program works through mentoring teams that visit a selected school on a bi-weekly basis. DKC coaches and students have been very excited to receive the extra support.
If you would like more information on the program please visit here.
Coaching Connections
In 2007 DKC received a starter grant from H&R Block to pay area debate experts (mostly college debaters) small stipends to visit DKC schools and mentor young debaters. DKC students enjoy visits from college students and their coaches enjoy the extra support. In 2008 the program expanded and continues today with grants from the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation.
DKC owes a debt of gratitude to professional grant writer Suzanne Hansford-Bowles for donating her time to the Coaching Connections project. Her expertise was invaluable in shaping the program and preparing the grant initiatives.
|