Jules Watt : Nominated for SSC Debates Officer

[Jules Watt]

I will be happy to answer any questions after the Candidates' Meeting on Friday.

Yours,

Jules Watt

Candidate for SSC Debates Officer

[Louise Hallman]

The position of SSC Debates Officer (UDS President) is the most heavily contested position (excluding that of Association President) in this diet of elections. What do you think sets you apart from the rest of the competition? How do you think the UDS will benefit with you as Convenor?

[s]this question will be asked of all candidates[/s]


Louise Hallman
Nominated for SSC Member Societies Grants

[exnihilo]

What, if anything, would you do to maintain or improve communication and relations with alumni?

[Jules Watt]

To answer Miss Hallman first:


I will, when elected, benefit the Union Debating Society in the two traditional areas of Experience and Policy, though with an extension to the usual "I have been a member for x months, thus showing commitment," and with a Problem, Solution, Mechanism approach to my policy statements.

My experience with the Debating Society starts a few years before applying to this University while in my school's debating society. In that capacity I competed in both the Courier Schools' Debating competition, as well as the first Senior Schools competition run by Peter Blair. In more recent times, I was the best Bejant speaker of my year, as reckoned by the 2003 Maiden Speakers' competition and, continuing from that, have been a centrepiece speaker in many a Lower Parliament Hall Debate. Over my five years observing the society, I have seen its workings from inside and out, and as such have a knowledge of what works and, most importantly, why.

I also have experience within the Union, having sat on several committees and subcommittees and have a knowledge of the workings of the Union as a whole.

My policies are fundamentally workable, and in the Society I can see two main areas of weakness which I will improve through a proposed solution:


Problems:


1). Attendance at debates being consistently the same people, and thus leading to the perception of a clique.

2). Low levels of funding for debates, and no permanent solution forthcoming.



Solution and Mechanism:


1). More involvement with other societies. I have been talking with society heads, and will continue to do so throughout the week and beyond, in order that debates will always have a definite appeal. Through running most, if not all, debates jointly with one or more societies or groups, the relevance and appeal of all debates is assured, and the image of exclusivity is swept away.


2). The word that springs to mind whenever funding is mentioned is of course sponsorship. This is a great avenue, however what is never discussed is the mechanism for this.

Workable being my key word, Packaged Sponsorship needs to be offered to companies and institutions with tangible benefits. All too often sponsorship is pursued for our benefit, but to attract it we need to benefit the sponsors. Simply put, instead of begging for money and relying on prestige, we set a number of options for potential sponsors: ranging from sponsorship of elements of individual debates, to competitions, and to year-long sponsorship packages with prominent sponsor advertising on posters, and hospitality provided from drinks to hotel rooms depending on the nature and levels of their contributions. Competitions run with judges wearing branded clothing costs very little in monetary terms, and in terms of modesty, but is a very easy way of spreading a sponsor's message.

Professionalism in dealing with sponsors will attract them back for healthy and continued relations with the society.


I hope that answers your question, please don't hesitate to seek clarification or additional information.


Jules Watt
Nominated for SSC Debates Officer

[Jules Watt]

Mr Joss,

I see that there are three main ways in which we can keep alumni up to date with what is happening in the Union Debating Society:

1). A subscription to a biannual newsletter will be offered at, or near, cost of production; it will comprise of an update on the society's progress and a copy of the term card in order to inform of the year's events, to which alumni are welcome.

2). The debates link-up e-mail is an easy way for any-one to keep up to date with goings on, and will be more widely publicised, preferably in the alumni chronicle, but certainly on the website.

3). A podcast of all debates will be available on the website for those unable to attend.

As usual there will of course be an Alumni Debate, with a dinner after, in continuation of current alumni relations. An expansion of this will serve as a reunion of sorts; I intend to increase alumni attendance at such an event, in an effort to improve and maintain communication and atmosphere.

I will work closely with the Serjeant-at-Arms and Communications Secretary to effect these improvements, as an expansion of alumni relations has incredible potential for the Society as a whole.

Jules Watt
Nominated for SSC Debates Officer

[A66]

Same question for all the debates people.

I am not intrested in debating, sorry just isn't me. Why should I vote for you out of the list of names on the ballot?

[Jules Watt]

A66,

The Union Debating Society is not one merely for "the regulars" but rather is a service provided for all Union members, who are also all members of the Union Debating Society. I want to see value for money given by the society, which is ultimately funded through University grants and bar takings at the Union.

Through working with societies and clubs I want to promote the fact that it is not the "old boys' club" that it has been misrepresented as, but rather that it is, or at least I will make it, something that everyone can enjoy; something that people talk about in the pub after. The debate should not end with the singing of a song; it should continue on late into the night and through the next week.

Lack of interest in debate is, I suspect, more lack of interest in the structure and formality of the occasion. On the contrary, I urge you to consider the various, wide-ranging debates we have organised (with societies throughout the University or alone), on issues as serious as AIDS treatment and as light-hearted as Harry Potter. Come along some evening, have a laugh, make a speech if you like. This society is what you make of it as a member; take the opportunity to suggest debates on issues that you find stimulating, and more importantly, help shape debates you would want to attend.

Debates should be entertaining always, informative often, and most importantly inclusive. It will only take a small amount of effort on the part of the Convenor and the Board of Ten to demonstrate this to the student body, effort which I as SSC Debates Officer promise to expend.

Jules Watt
Nominated for SSC Debates Officer

[little headache]

I'm asking this of all SSC Debates candidates:

If you are not elected, will you stand for a position on Board of Ten? If so, which one, why and how will you attempt to implement the improvements you promised in your campaign for President?

[LK Today]

As the position of SSC Debates Officer is quite contested, and there were many questions on Tuesday night, I have saved my question for use on here. Of course, same question will be asked of all candidates. Therefore...

As the head of you subcommittee you will be the expert on that area, in your case Debates. However, you will also be charged with representing your subcommittee to the SSC and indeed the SSC to your subcommittee. How do you think you will manage with this dual, or indeed tripple, role?

Lee Kane
Nominated for Association Director Of Student Development and Activities

[Sally]

If you could hold a debate on anything and invite any 6 speakers (doesn’t have to be realistic, just be realistic to the extent that they’re alive) what would you do?

Realistically, if you are elected, what debates could we expect to see from the Union Debating Society? How would you select motions and what are your ideas about the debates you would put on in LPH? Which speakers would you like to invite? How can LPH appeal to the wider student community?

Would you hold a debate or event on a weekly basis, as this year there have been weeks where nothing has happened. If LPH is unavailable on a Wednesday night when a debate is planned, what would you do as an alternative?