Debate the Irish National Team at NPDA!!

Selecting the Americans who will debate the Irish

On Thursday, March 27, the three finest debaters in Ireland will debate three NPDA debaters at the National Tournament at Portland State University. This letter invites schools to nominate students for that debate.

The goal: To select American debaters on the basis of two criteria, ranked in this order:

Top priority: Sportsmanship and diplomacy
2nd priority: Forensic and academic achievement.

Sportsmanship: Among other qualities, humble in victory, gracious in defeat

Diplomacy: A student who, by their character and past actions, promotes well being and understanding between different cultures.

The selection process: Nomination closing date: December 31, 2002

Prelims (October-December): Nominations must include 1) a one-page forensics and academic resume; 2) two letters of reference (one from a person outside forensics) attesting to the nominee's sportsmanship and diplomatic character; and 3) a statement by the nominee reflecting on why he or she wishes to be given the opportunity to debate the Irish.

E-mails are acceptable and should be sent by December 31 to Brent Northup, coordinator of the Irish program. (bnorthup@carroll.edu)

A committee of five people, nominated by the Irish Coordinator and appointed by the NPDA president, will reduce the field to six finalists by January 12, 2003. The Irish Coordinator will chair the selection committee.

Announcement of Six Finalists: January 13, 2003

Finals (January 12-February 12): Each of the six finalists will be interviewed, in a conference-call interview, by the selection committee. Three will be chosen, and an alternate named. All six will be recognized at the NPDA Irish debate. (If a committee member has a conflict of interest concerning one of the finalists, a new committee member will be selected to complete the selection process.)

Announcement of three Americans to debate the Irish: February 13, 2003

The American debaters will dine with the Irish at the opening NPDA banquet - and, dependent on schedules, will be given other opportunities to spend time with the Irish at the national tournament.

The goal of the process is to give outstanding people the opportunity to debate the Irish - people who also happen to be successful debaters and good students. The emphasis is on character rather than success, much as if we were sending three debaters on a tour of Ireland and wished them to represent us well - not only in their argumentation, but also as
goodwill ambassadors of high moral character.

Remember that a completed nomination contains:
* A forensics and academic resume
* Two letters of recommendation about the nominee's character (one from a non-forensics source)
* A statement by the nominee reflecting on why he or she wishes to be chosen to debate the Irish.

Please send nominations - e-mails are acceptable - by December 31, 2002 to:

Brent Northup, coordinator of the Irish program
bnorthup@carroll.edu
1601 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, MT. 59625
(406) 447-5400

Anyone interested in how the "new process" works get in touch with me...the conference call was way fun.

Also, if you want to do it (and you don't have a very structured team), be shameless and tell someone you want them to nominate you. I basically nominated myself and it worked out..haha.

Andrea

I know that the committee is still seriously seeking applicants to debate the Irish team at the NPDA Championship Tournament Banquet. The deadline is coming up soon . . .

-Brian

The deadlines have now been extended!

Complete details are at:
www.parlidebate.org/irish-2003.html (for debater applications)
www.parlidebate.org/irish-host.html (for hosting the Irish)

You now have until January 24 -- but don't delay!