title: International Public Debate Association
text: The International Public Debate Association (IPDA), inaugurated on 1997 at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX by Alan Cirlin, Jack Rogers, and Trey Gibson.  The International Public Debate Association is a national debate league currently active in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas, Alabama, California, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma.  The IPDA promotes high quality speaking styles and courtesy. In addition, the IPDA predominantly uses lay judges in order to encourage an audience-centered debate style. While most member programs within the International Public Debate Association are associated with colleges or universities, participation in IPDA tournaments is open to anyone who has  secondary education level or higher.
  
  References
  
  External links
  http://www.ipdadebate.info/
  
  Student debating societies