WSDC 1999: London, England
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6 January 1999

Dear Colleagues,

Today is the deadline for amendments to the Rules, for consideration at the World Council Meeting on Saturday 6th February. Here are a few resolutions for discussion from England...

ENGLAND’S PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
WEDNESDAY, 06 JANUARY 1999

[1] Amend Rule 8 (a) to read as follows:

"Octo-finals, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals shall be Impromptu Debates."

[2] Delete Rule 13 (b).

COMMENTS: Is this not intended to be the same proviso as Rule 14 (b)? Or am I missing something?

[3] Insert Rule 20 (d) as follows:

"Teams may use written materials during their preparation for impromptu debates (e.g. dictionaries, almanacs etc.). However teams should be provided with similar materials as their opponents (in accordance with rule 20 (b) (iii)) in preparation rooms if, for example, one or more teams are allowed to prepare in a school library or reference room."

Renumber current Rule 20 (d) as Rule 20 (e).

[4] Insert Rule 27 (d) as follows:

"A resolution to amend the Rules may be passed by postal ballot (including post, fax or e-mail) between two World Championships with the following conditions:

(i) The Convenor of the next Championships shall be responsible for the holding of the ballot, and must do so if requested by any two countries (as Proposer and Seconder).

(ii) All countries entitled to vote according to the Rules are notified of the resolution no later than one month prior to the holding of the ballot. All other countries present at the previous World Championships – without voting rights – should be notified of the resolution at this time and invited to give official comments.

(iii) A two-thirds majority of those entitled to vote cast votes in the postal ballot.

(iv) A two-thirds majority of those taking part in the ballot pass the resolution.

(v) A member of the Council is entitled to vote in postal ballots if that country’s team has participated in two previous World Championships up to and including the previous Championships (in accordance with rule 27 (c)).

(vi) Any country may submit official comments on the resolutions to the Convenor no later than two weeks prior to the holding of the ballot, which the Convenor must distribute immediately to all countries present at the previous World Championships. Such comments should be marked "for circulation".

(vii) Postal ballots may only be held to discuss business that directly affects the organisation of, or team selection for, the next Championships. All other matters should be considered at the next meeting of the Council.

COMMENTS: This is to allow for progress to be made in amending the Rules between Championships if, as happened at the World Championships in Jerusalem, the Council Meeting takes so long that some items of business may not be considered, and also if new issues arise between tournaments. Rules 27 (d) (ii), (iii) and (iv) should ensure that postal resolutions are not passed by sleight of hand; and (vi) should ensure that all countries are aware of the issues involved.

Best wishes

Trevor Sather
Convenor

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