WANT TO BE ON THE BOARD OF TEN? AGM!

[Jessica]

Nominations have opened for the new Board of Ten for the Society! To run, you need to fill out a nominations form in the General Office on the first floor of the Union and write your name on the Debates notice board just outside the general office. There are further directions for nominations on that board.

Here are the lovely positions you can run for:


Internal Secretary
The Internal Secretary is responsible for assisting the organisation of Lower Parliament hall debates. These responsibilities as well as organising our two internal competitions—Maidens and the Inter-Residence Competition—keep the Internal Secretary quite busy.


Serjeant-at-Arms
The Serjeant-at-Arms sits to the Convenor’s right during formal debates and is charged with the Convenor’s safety and well-being. They are ably equipped for this, armed as they are, with the Society’s sword, Bessie. They are also responsible for alumni relations, the week’s order papers for Lower Parliament hall, and the Society’s annual clothing order.


Clerk-to-the-House
The Clerk is responsible for the minutes of both Board and Lower Parliament Hall debates. They then type and submit these minutes to be recorded in our uninterrupted minute book which stretches back to the founding of the Society in 1794.


Steward-to-the-House
The Steward is responsible for the social side of the Society. They plan numerous events and dinners throughout the year and serve port before Lower Parliament hall debates each week. They also book B&B’s for the speakers.


Communications Secretary
The Communications Secretary is responsible for promoting Society events through posters, Facebook, and the weekly email linkup. They also work to maintain the website (website design skills no longer necessary as the Union will be taking on this responsibility).


Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is responsible for the Society’s training programme for competitive debaters as well as the public speaking programme for those who wish to speak in Lower Parliament Hall or wish to develop their public speaking skills.


Treasurer
As one would expect, the Treasurer is responsible for handling the Society’s accounts and overseeing finances. They are also in charge of sponsorship.


Schools Secretary
The Schools Secretary is responsible for organising Society members to attend Courier debates, ICYD, and running the St Andrews Senior Schools Debating Competition.


Inter-Varsity Secretary
The Inter-Varsity Secretary is responsible for coordinating speakers and judges to attend external competitions both in the UK and abroad, sits on the SSDC, and convenes the St Andrews IV and Balaka Individual Speakers’ Competition each year.




THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DEBATING SOCIETY WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th IN LOWER PARLIAMENT HALL ON SOUTH STREET. 8pm.

*if you are running for a position on board, you must be there for hecklings.

[Imago]

Schools Secretary
The Schools Secretary is responsible for organising Society members to attend Courier debates, ICYD, and running the St Andrews Senior Schools Debating Competition.

And, we hope, also the Ross Cup? Any idea on a date for this? Recent years have been 30th April 08, 2nd May 07, 26th April 06. Those who have so far qualified for an invitation are HSoD A who have won GUU, Dundee and Edinburgh, HSoD B who won St Andrews and AGS who won Aberdeen. You could wait until after 26th March and see who wins the Scottish Mace - although that is long prep so might not fall within Ross Cup rules. Otherwise will have to look at tabs and stuff to establish 4th team - should the Mace not be won by the only one of the above 3 teams which is in the final.

Weds 29th April might be good?

Appreciate this does not fit on BoT thread - but hey - when did I ever conform to the rules?

Best wishes to all

[exnihilo]

An uncontested election for Convenor of Debates? That has to be a first, surely?

[Jessica]

Not sure... Is it? (there's always RON)

[Owen Wilton]

Hello Imago. Sorry to be late in replying. (The IV Squad is at Ancients.) Um, I'm not sure about specific dates. I'll bring it up at Board on your behalf, and get a definitive answer. James will no doubt post an answer when he returns from Glasgow.

I think he proposed changing the format of the competition, actually...

Congrats on the continued success your team!

[Al]

Ian Duncan was also elected unopposed. He had been opposed but his opponent withdrew before polling day.

[Jessica]

Yes indeed, Owen's right. Format and dates have been discussed, we'll be emailing around info once it is all confirmed. We're making it more learning-based (and with better prizes!)

[Jessica]

Might I also note:

Nomination forms don't fill themselves out! Run! Go! Become a candidate!

[Imago]

Yes indeed, Owen's right. Format and dates have been discussed, we'll be emailing around info once it is all confirmed. We're making it more learning-based (and with better prizes!)

Thanks v much. Only just back from Oxford this afternoon. Look fwd to hearing from you - I have the entire SQA timetable at my disposal should that be of use to you! I suppose I could remark that given that the qualification for being invited to compete for the Ross Cup is to have won one of the major Scottish competitions, it might be the case that you don't need to incorporate too much learning into this one unless it's going to be how to cope on the IV circuit next year!

[Jessica]

Just want to emphasise again.... nominations are open!

Go to the General Office to stand for things!