News from the Ontario Student Debating Union http://www.osdu.on.ca/ en-ca http://backend.userland.com/rss Joshua Prowse 2010-03-05 04:51:33 February 27th, 2010 Dear Debaters, Coaches and Judges, The Northern Secondary School Debating Union is pleased to invite you to our first annual debate tournament, to be held at Northern Secondary School, on Friday, April 9th and Saturday, April 10th, 2010. This tournament is designed to provide debaters of all experience levels with a chance to compete at a local level in preparation for university-level competition. Format: Each team will be able to compete in five guaranteed rounds of debate (two on Friday and three on Saturday), with additional semi-final and final rounds on Saturday. The fifth round of overall debate (third round on Saturday) will be the hidden quarter-finals. All rounds will be debated in Canadian Parliamentary Style. A prepared resolution will be debated on Friday evening, with each team debating both Government and Opposition in successive rounds. For the remaining rounds all debaters will be given impromptu resolutions. Teams will receive their topic and position (Government or Opposition) prior to the round in order to prepare their arguments in all impromptu rounds. Semi-final and final rounds will be open rounds with straight resolutions. Eligibility:The tournament is open to all high school students regardless of their debate experience. Prepared Resolution: The prepared resolution will be released over the March break. Food: Dinner will be served on Friday night as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Beverages will also be available throughout the tournament. Any dietary restrictions should be noted on the registration form (vegetarian, kosher, etc).  Registration: The registration fee is $90 per team ($45 per debater). This includes five guaranteed rounds of debate, as well as three meals and beverages. There is currently no school cap, but teams must email the tournament director the number of teams they would like to send to the email address below no later than Wednesday, March 10th. We will confirm the number of teams each school can send by March 15th. After this time, if there are additional spaces they will be available on a first come first serve basis. Please see the attached registration form.  Cheques must be made out to Northern Secondary School and may be sent through regular or courier mail to: Northern Secondary School Debating Unionc/o Ms. Peter851 Mount Pleasant RoadToronto, Ontario M4P 2L5(416) 393–0284 Alternatively, cheques may also be given to the tournament directors at registration on the first day of the tournament.  Each school must bring at least one judge for every two teams. Judges can be teachers, debate coaches, graduated debaters or experienced senior debaters. This is to ensure panel judging in as many rounds as possible. The tournament will be capped, so please send in your registration information as soon as possible to reserve your spot in the tournament. Sincerely, Corinne Goldberger            Tournament Director                        corinne_goldberger@hotmail.com http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=121 2010-02-19 20:40:00 Yesterday a group of highschool debaters from across Canada defeated England in the grand finals of the World Schools Debate Championship in Qatar to become the WORLD DEBATE CHAMPIONS!  This is a historic win and an incredible tribute to the debating programs grown here in Canada. Read about the team's experiences here: http://teamcanada.csdf.ca/ On behalf of OSDU, congratulations, Team Canada! http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=120 2010-02-18 15:26:55 The University of Ottawa English Debating Society (EDS) would like to formally invite you to our annual high school debate tournament. This year, we will be attempting to hold both a French and English bracket simultaneously, because we are a bilingual University and think our high school debate tournament should reflect as much. SEDFUO (Société étudiante des débats français de l'Université d'Ottawa) will be helping to judge the French category. In order to ensure that the EDS has sufficient francophone judges, we ask that all French coaches act as judges for the French bracket throughout the tournament. English coaches are also invited to judge the English bracket if they would like to: we will work to ensure that no coach will judge anyone from their own school.This will be a two day tournament taking place from the afternoon of Friday the 26th of February until the evening of Saturday the 27th of February.Registration costs will be $90 per team.Registration will take place from 1:30pm-3:30pm in the Desmarais (DMS) Building located at 55 Laurier Avenue East, on the corner of Laurier and the Transitway. From here, our registration officer will direct you to the GA for the tournament and give you a map of campus.The cost of registration will include 2 rounds of debate, 1 meal, and two seminars on Friday, and 2 rounds of debate, hidden quarters finals, open semi-finals and finals, 2 seminars, and 3 meals on Saturday. This allows for 5 rounds of straight motion debate and 4 seminars for all participants. To register, please email events.EDS@gmail.com and please indicate the language in which each team will be participating for the duration of the tournament as well as any dietary restrictions or need-to-know information. There is currently no limit on the number of teams each school can register. This tournament is also open to upper year elementary school debaters should they be interested.Registration Checks should be made out to “the University of Ottawa English Debating Society” and mailed to:English Debating Society175 Waller St. P.O. Box 450Ottawa STN A; Ottawa ON; K1N 6N5 http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=119 2010-02-08 05:20:37 We are pleased to announce that after a two-part selection process, the following debaters were chosen to represent Ontario at the Team Canada try-out in Vancouver next month: Elizabeth Stratton Cole Bricker Tae-Hu Kim There were many talented debaters in the running and we thank all those who applied.  Liz, Cole and Tae-Hu will compete with delegates from all the other provinces to represent Canada at the World Schools Debating Championship in 2011-12.  Congratulations and good luck! http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=118 2010-02-07 21:16:39 Dear debaters, Attached is the registration form for Provincials 2010, which will take place in Ottawa from March 26-28.  The invitation appears below.  You may only participate in this tournament if you have qualified through your regional tournament.  (For a list of regional tournaments, see the link on the OSDU homepage.) If you have any questions about Provincials, your eligibility, or anything that's not explained in these attachments, please contact your regional coordinator or Lauren Bialystok at osdupresident@yahoo.com. Good luck! ONTARIO STUDENT DEBATING UNION L�UNION ONTARIENNE DES D�BATS �TUDIANTS The Ottawa Region and Carleton University are pleased to invite you to the OSDU / UODE 2010 Provincial Championships to be held in Ottawa, Ontario between March 26 and 28, 2010. Please ensure that the attached Word documents with forms found both in English and French are copied prior to your regional tournament and given out to all the debaters who qualify to represent your region at Provincials, as well as at least 2 alternate teams. The following is a list of regional teams ( School pairs) that are able to attend the OSDU / UODE 2010 Provincial Championships English: Bilingual French Central Western Ontario = 6 teams Est = 2 teams Est = 4 teams Hamilton = 1 team Centre= 4 teams Centre= 2 teams Halton = 4 teams Metro North = 5 teams Metro East = 4 teams Metro West = 4 teams Ottawa = 3 teams Great Pine Ridge = 3 teams Thunder Bay = 1 team St. Lawrence = 1 team Please note that the Code of Conduct waiver must be signed by all required parties and returned to Margo Pinault (Provincial tournament host) in order for your registration to be valid. In addition to the forms that your individual delegates must fill out, each regional coordinator is asked to fill out a summary form ("2010 Regional List") indicating who will be representing your region. That way, if there are any discrepancies, we can match the individual forms against the summary form and know how to contact missing debaters. Resolution for the 2010 Ontario Provincial Championships This House Would Institute Quotas for Female Representation in Ontario�s Provincial Legislature. Teams are allowed to introduce a mechanism to achieve this resolution however it is not necessary. This means that if a team does not specify that parties will be required to run X number of female candidates or that female seats will be given out on some type of proportional representation basis, or something else, this should not be an issue in the round. This debate is intended to be about principles, namely, whether the potential benefits of greater female representation in Queen�s Park outweigh the curtailment of the democratic principle of voting for any candidate. Teams should also be prepared to offer argumentation about the potential harms of these quotas and the relationship between voting and democratic representation. Although no model is necessary, proposition must accept that these quotas will remove some choice from voters and argue why this is okay. Likewise, opposition must accept that this is possible and focus their argumentation on the merits of the idea rather than any practical considerations. R�solution pour le Championnat provincial de l�Ontario en 2010 La Chambre �tablirait des quotas favorables � l��lection des femmes � l�Assembl�e l�gislative provinciale de l�Ontario Les �quipes peuvent proposer des moyens de mener cette r�solution � bon terme mais cela n�est toutefois pas n�cessaire. Ceci veut dire que si une �quipe ne pr�cise pas que les partis devront proposer un certain nombre de femmes candidates ou que les si�ges d�di�s aux femmes seront accord�s sur une base quelconque de repr�sentation proportionnelle, ou autre, ceci ne devrait pas cr�er un probl�me. Dans le pr�sent d�bat, il s�agit de principes, � savoir si les b�n�fices potentiels d�une repr�sentation f�minine accrue � Queen�s Park l�emportent sur la limitation du principe d�mocratique de libert� de voter pour tout candidat. Les �quipes doivent aussi �tre pr�tes � avancer des arguments sur les m�faits potentiels de ces quotas et la relation entre le vote et la repr�sentation d�mocratique. Quoique aucun mod�le ne soit n�cessaire, la proposition doit accepter que ces quotas restreignent quelque peu la libert� de choix des �lecteurs et montrer pourquoi cela est acceptable. De m�me, l�opposition doit accepter que ceci est possible et concentrer son argumentation sur les m�rites de l�id�e plut�t que sur toute consid�ration pratique. ONTARIO STUDENT DEBATING UNION L�UNION ONTARIENNE DES D�BATS �TUDIANTS Please note the following additional information: � Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the event. � Registration will begin at the Marriott Hotel 100 Kent Street, Ottawa (See PDF for directions and information) at 4:00 pm. � Regional coordinators are responsible for their delegations at the event, but other adult delegates are welcome to come. � The $300.00 registration fee includes all accommodation, food, and activities for the weekend including the Formal Banquet on Friday night in the Marriott Hotel�s Crystal Ball Room, and an evening of entertainment at Ashbury College Saturday evening. � All students MUST stay at the Marriott Hotel (OSDU will handle reservations) and MUST participate in all scheduled events over the weekend. � The debates will be held at Carleton University. � The Provincials is a team event that includes two prepared rounds (each team will have to debate both sides), and two impromptu rounds. � The English and Bilingual Finals will be held on Sunday morning at the Senate on Parliament Hill. � The top six teams in English will qualify for the National Championships. Individual speakers in French and Bilingual will qualify for the National Seminar. � All Tournament activities should be completed by 1:00pm Sunday March 28 Thank you, Margo Pinault Danielle Lyrette c/o Lyc�e Claudel 1635 Riverside Dr. Ottawa, ON K1G 0E5 email: osdu2010@gmail.com   http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=117 2010-01-25 21:20:56 Dear Fellow Debating Coach,   Renison University College, University of Waterloo, in conjunction with the Central Western Ontario Region of the Ontario Student Debating Union, cordially invite you and your senior debaters to the feature debating event of this school year. This tournament, to be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 will serve as the Regional Finals for the Ontario Student Debating Union. The tournament will be hosted by Renison College, just off Westmount Road past University Ave. Renison has generously offered to provide us with their physical facilities and the use of their dining hall.        NOTE:  Complimentary parking will be available for all tournament participants and officials from noon on.   The enclosed information outlines the topic for the tournament, judging procedures and other details.  Coaches are asked to note particularly the following points: We ask that only well prepared, serious-minded, experienced debaters be enrolled in this event, because recruiting judges is never easy, and we want their experience to be worthwhile as well. Rooms are also limited in number. Only senior debaters who have debated at least once this school year may be registered. Please contact George Pepall or Bob Marsh to ask about any exceptions to this restriction. Each school participating in the tournament is asked to recruit at least one judge for each pair of debaters entered; please note that this is one judge per two debaters, and not four, as is normally the case during the other debates of the year.  Please ascertain that your judges will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the tournament.  These judges should not be classroom teachers who would have to miss a class to attend.  Consider inviting graduate debaters, parents, retired people, spouses, non-classroom teachers or service club members to judge. In order that Renison can make adequate preparations for the debaters and the banquet, we must have an accurate count of participating teams by Friday, February 12.  Please notify Bob Marsh and George Pepall of your school’s intention to participate by e-mailing the information as requested on the attached pre-registration form.  There is no charge for registration; however, we are collecting $12.00 per person in advance for the dinner.We do need to know how many meals will be needed, so that the kitchen at Renison can prepare enough food for us. All teams should arrive at no later than 12:15 p.m. so that the first round of debates can begin promptly at 1:00 p.m.  The dinner and awards will follow the third round of competition. Dinner will cost $12.00 for all student debaters. Coaches (two per school) and judges will not be charged IF they indicate in advance their interest in joining us for the banquet by submitting their names. A separate e-mail memo will outline the dinner to be offered, and give instructions on how to reserve and pay for a meal.   As stipulated in O.S.D.U. policies, competitors in this regional tournament must debate both sides of the topic. At the conclusion of this tournament, the winners of the following prizes, trophies and placements will be announced. Also, the winners of the six team places on our region’s delegation to the Provincial Seminar in Ottawa , March 26 to March 28, 20010.  The provincial seminar registration fee is $350.00. All competitors should know whether they can and would attend the provincial seminar before they begin this competition. The three rounds of debate will be totaled in equal proportions to arrive at the debaters’ final scores. A school must have been registered as a member of OSDU by Saturday, December 12, 2009 to have the chance to send a debater to the Provincial Seminar. (This has been taken care of for the CWOR schools who paid their initial fee.) Each school must bring at least one experienced speaker/timer for each two pairs of debaters to the tournament.  Such a person must have debating and officiating experience in at least one competition.  A strong second year junior debater or a graduate debater would be ideal.  These officials will be given instructions and their assignments from 12:45 to 1:00 p.m., but coaches are asked to review debating procedure with them before the day of the tournament.  Scripts and timing cards will be provided at the tournament itself.    If any of this information or any of these requests poses a problem, please contact one of us right away.  We are anticipating an excellent tournament and good, lively participation without unforeseen problems.We look forward to seeing you in February! George Pepall - Home:  (519)-893-4209; e-mail:  HYPERLINK "mailto:pepall@rogers.com" pepall@rogers.com Bob Marsh - Home: (519)-579-5216; e-mail:  marshes@sentex.net Central Western Ontario Region of The Ontario Student Debating Union 2010 Finals     Location: Date:  Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 Times of Events: 12:00 p.m.    Registration and prepayment for banquet in Foyer at entrance to Renison 12:15 p.m.   Debaters and Judges to the Renison Dining Hall Speaker/Timers to the Renison Dining Hall Alcove 1:00 p.m.      Round One – Academic Resolution: one side 2:20 p.m.      Refreshments for both debaters and coaches/judges 2:35 p.m.      Round Two – Academic Resolution: sides changed 3:45 p.m.      Announcement of Impromptu Topic in Dining Hall 4:10 p.m.      Round Three – Impromptu                      (Academic style) 5:00 p.m.      Dinner 5:45 p.m.      Awards Registration: Please notify George Pepall and Bob Marsh of your intention to participate by Friday, February 12, 2010.  Include number of people requiring dinner and names of judges, speaker/timers and debaters. Topics:            Rounds One and Two : This House believes that abject poverty is the root cause of terrorism.  Round Three  (Impromptu):  TBA at 3:45 p.m.                                         C.W.O.R. Regional Debating Finals Tuesday. February 16, 2010 Registration Form School Name:  ……………………………………………………………………… Coaches’s Name(s) :  ……………………………………………………………… Pair A:  ……………………………………and  ………………………………… Pair B:  …………………………………... and  ………………………………… Pair C:  …………………………………..  and  ………………………………. Names of Judges:  # 1.  ………………………………………………………                                  # 2  ……………………………………………………....                                  # 3  ……………………………………………………...                                  #4  ……………………………………………………… Names of Speaker/Timers:                                  #1  ………………………………………………………                                  # 2  …………………………………………………….                                  #3  ……………………………………………………                                  #4  …………………………………………………… Number of meals required:  …………… Please send this completed form by mail to George Pepall at 44 Bound Brook Court, Kitchener, ON, N2A 3L3, to arrive by Friday, February 12th.  If mailing is not possible in time, e-mail to  HYPERLINK "mailto:pepall@rogers.com" pepall@rogers.com, or phone 893-4209. Speaking Order and Times   Canadian National Debate Format First two rounds (prepared): First Proposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 8 minutes First Opposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 8 minutes Second Proposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 8 minutes Second Opposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 8 minutes …………………………………………………………………………………….. First Opposition Speaker - Summary/Rebuttal: 4 minutes First Proposition Speaker - Summary/Rebuttal: 4 minutes Round three (impromptu): First Proposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 6 minutes First Opposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 6 minutes Second Proposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 6 minutes Second Opposition Speaker - Constructive Speech: 6 minutes …………………………………………………………………………………….. First Opposition Speaker - Summary/Rebuttal: 3 minutes First Proposition Speaker - Summary/Rebuttal: 3 minutes                 http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=116 2010-01-25 21:15:18 With the Laurier Classic less than a month away, we are very excited to release our prepared motion for the first round: This house supports the use of steroids in sport.Debaters will be expected to have both sides of the argument prepared, though they will only debate one of those sides at the tournament. Registration for this tournament is still open, and if you are interested in attending, be advised that ourregistration deadline is January 31st, all questions, comments or concerns can be addressed through email at [ mailto:wludebating@gmail.com ]wludebating@gmail.comWe hope to meet you all in February!Kate SoleckiTournament DirectorLaurier Classic http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=115 2010-01-14 09:20:02 Dear coaches and debaters, The Queen’s National High School Debating Championships is only a month away! With preparations in high gear, we are happy to announce the following prepared resolution for the first two rounds of debate on Friday night: This house believes that China should forcibly integrate Taiwan. Please be advised that debaters will be expected to debate both sides of the motion, and should prepare accordingly. If you have not yet registered and are still interested in attending this tournament, please email me as soon as you can at jenny.zhang@business.queensu.ca.I look forward to seeing you all in Kingston!Regards,Jenny ZhangTournament DirectorQueen's National High School Debating ChampionshipsQueen's University(613) 583-2579 http://www.osdu.on.ca/index.php?id=52&newsid=114