It has been decided by District that, for the 2019/20 year, if an area has only four clubs, then only one contestant from each club will be allowed to progress to area-level contests.
This is in reference to Contest Rule Book item 3B.
Please note the message below from Region Adviser, Coral McVean, which was received today and will impact on planning for Area Conferences.
Lark has said that there will be an addendum to the Speech Contest Rule Book re Area Contests which will start from when it is announced. The Board has not decided on what the change will be. The Board will meet after Convention so it may not happen until then.
Please be patient and don’t make any plans for judges for your Area Contests/ Conferences until the Board has announced its decision.
Thanks Nicky
This messaging appears confused – why “if an area has only four clubs”. This appears to be counter-productive rather than an enabling decision to encourage greater participation by smaller Areas with generally smaller clubs.
“It has been decided by District that, for the 2019/20 year, if an area has only four clubs, then only one contestant from each club will be allowed to progress to area-level contests.”
Our experience is that there was very good representation from Area 4 to Central Division competition so a “two entrants” decidion at Area level does not have to be carried through to Division.
Without 2 contestants allowed at Area competition, that competition with struggle for a critical numbers – competitors, officials and spectators.
The intent of the rulebook is clearly to support smaller / newer clubs as 2 entrants are allowed from any recently chartered clubs (3B1).
Fot the members dues that are returned to D69 from TI, some empathy with what we are trying to achieve in the country is the least we expect. We appreciate the support from D69 executives who take an interest in our member needs.
With the 8 weeks before Area competition (2 November) falling on 7 September our clubs needs urgent clarification.
Thanks
Neil Hoy
A4D 2015-17
0439 943 281