<p>Dear NPDA Colleagues:</p> <p>On behalf of President Michael Middleton, the Executive Council, our host Julian Plaza, and the National Parliamentary Debate Association, I am pleased to invite you to the 21st annual NPDA National Championship Tournament, Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Colorado College. We anticipate a fine weekend of education and competition, culminating with the awarding of the 2017 National Championship.</p> <p>Please note the following deadlines for entry and ensure that all materials <strong>arrive</strong> in the proper location <strong>on time</strong>.&nbsp; <strong>All forms must be electronically submitted following the enclosed instructions.&nbsp; Faxes will not be accepted.</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Thursday, March 3, 2016</em></strong> <ul style=\"list-style-type:circle\"> <li>Hotel reservations due. See the Lodging section of this invitation for full hotel details.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong><em>Friday, February 24, 2017 (6 p.m. CST)</em></strong> <ul style=\"list-style-type:circle\"> <li>Tournament entry due at <a href=\"http://www.forensicstournament.net/\">http://www.forensicstournament.net</a> and must include the names of all debaters and critics.</li> <li>Tournament fees must be paid online if by credit card or, if by check, must <strong>arrive</strong> to NPDA Treasurer Phil Sharp&rsquo;s office. Credit card payment is available at <a href=\"http://www.parlidebate.org/\">www.parlidebate.org</a>. <strong>No personal checks are accepted.</strong></li> <li>Student eligibility forms <strong>due</strong> by e-mail (<a href=\"mailto:npdanats2017@gmail.com\">npdanats2017@gmail.com</a>) to the tournament director. The document must include the signature of the Director of Forensics/Debate of the program, the signature of the college/university Registrar, and the seal of the institution.</li> <li>Critic certification forms <strong>due</strong> by email (<a href=\"mailto:npdanats2017@gmail.com\">npdanats2017@gmail.com</a>) to the tournament director.</li> <li>Critic philosophy statements and email addresses <strong>due</strong> to <a href=\"http://www.forensicstournament.net/\">http://www.forensicstournament.net</a>. Philosophy statements must meet minimum standards for acceptance (see Critics section of this document). Critics must enter the addresses where they will receive ballots during the tournament.</li> <li>Program Responsibility form <strong>due </strong>by email (<a href=\"mailto:npdanats2017@gmail.com\">npdanats2017@gmail.com</a>) to the tournament director.</li> <li>Title XI training must be completed by all observes, judges, coaches, critics, and other attendees. If you have not completed training, use this link for instructions: http://www.parlidebate.org/harassmentviolence-awareness-prevention-training/</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong><em>Monday, March 20, 2017 (6 p.m. CST)</em></strong> <ul style=\"list-style-type:circle\"> <li>Critic strike page will be emailed to directors. Judging philosophies will be available at forensictournament.net.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong><em>Wednesday, March 22, 2017 (6 p.m. CST)</em></strong></li> </ul> <ul style=\"list-style-type:circle\"> <li>Critic strikes and ADA requests are due to the email indicated on the strike sheet. Strikes that are submitted late will not be guaranteed.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong><em>Thursday, March 23, 2017 (4 pm, CST)</em></strong> <ul style=\"list-style-type:circle\"> <li>Schools must register <strong>in person</strong> at the tournament hotel. Teams failing to register in person will be removed from the tournament. If an emergency arises that prevents in-person registration at this time, call 832-545-7796 (David Worth) immediately.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Failure to meet any of these deadlines will result in the removal of teams from the National Championship Tournament and the surrender of all registration fees. </strong></p> <p><strong>Note: For all tournament-related communication, please contact me ONLY at npdanats2017@gmail or 832-545-7796. Information sent to any other email or phone number will not be accepted. </strong></p> <p><strong>For payment-related questions, you must contact Phil Sharp at </strong><a href=\"mailto:Npdatreasurer@gmail.com\">Npdatreasurer@gmail.com</a> or (360) 747-2944.</p>