In an email sent over the weekend, Duncan Campbell, incumbent President of the AustralAsian Intervarsity Debating Association, (AIDA) introduced new institutions and institutional representatives to the basic ins and outs of AIDA, and each institution's responsibilities. These responsibilities are discussed detail in the AIDA Constitution.
Introduction to AIDA
What is AIDA?
AIDA is the AustralAsian Intervarsity Debating Association that governs the AustralAsian Invervarsity Debating Competition.
AIDA Council consists of members of the AIDA Executive (non-voting members) and delegates of registered member institutions at the tournament. Each institution has one vote. Other people are welcome to come and participate in the discussion as observers.
What is the membership fee for 2011-2012?
Registration for July 2011 – July 2012 will be determined at the Pre-Council meeting. In the past few years, registration has been set at 50 Australian Dollars and is usually paid in AUD or currency local to the country where the tournament is held eg. South Korean Won. Each institution must affiliate to AIDA for 2011-12 to have voting rights on Council.
Who are the institutional delegates?
It is up to each debating society to determine for themselves who their representative is. Often the President of the debating society, or the External Officer of the society will represent their institution at AIDA, however, it is up to the institution to select a representative. A different delegate can attend the pre-council and council meetings if a single delegate is not available for both meetings.
Controversial issues to be discussed at council (things like Constitutional amendments) should generally have some notice to enable institutional reps to consult with their society's executives and/or members. However, this is up to your society and is not governed by AIDA!
What is the Pre-Council meeting?
The Pre-Council is the meeting held before the start of the debating rounds. At this meeting eligibility issues are determined. Institutions in breach of the n-1 or AA requirement may apply for exemptions and the penalty for a breach will be determined. Pre-Council also sets the agenda for the main council meeting.
What is the Council meeting?
The Council meeting selects the next host for Australs, considers Constitutional issues and other issues related to debating and the Australs tournament.
Are there proxies at AIDA Council meetings?
Delegates from institutions may hold a maximum of one proxy from another institution that is present at the tournament. Executive members and observers may not hold proxies. Proxies must be from registered member institutions (ie. the institution must have paid its AIDA registration fee for 2011-12). Institutions wishing to proxy should email the AIDA executive before the tournament nominating which institution they would like to hold their proxy.
Do I have to come to AIDA Council?
Yes! Every institution should send a representative to AIDA Council.
What is the Disputes Tribunal?
Any participant, Org Comm member or Executive member may request a meeting of the Disputes Tribunal to hear a complaint in relation to the Code of Conduct at an AIDA tournament.
The Tribunal is comprised of the AIDA President (or any other member of the AIDA Executive in his or her absence), the Convenor of the Championship, the Chief Adjudicator of the Championship and two other delegates randomly drawn. (Any interested person should disqualify himself or herself.)
The Tribunal must attempt to hear all parties to the complaint and give each party a reasonable opportunity to state his or her case. The tribunal should attempt to conciliate the dispute. Where this cannot be done the Tribunal should make a determination. The Tribunal may make determinations that vary from disposing of the complaint, to issuing a warning, to expelling the party complained against from the tournament. Obviously the seriousness of the determination will depend on the seriousness of the Code of Conduct breach.
Further details about the process of the Disputes Tribunal can be found in the Constitution.
Questions?
Feel free to email decampbell@gmail.com for any questions before Australs. Otherwise, if you have any questions about AIDA during Australs 2011, please come and speak to Duncan Campbell during the tournament.---------------
Follow us on Twitter @debateIndonesia
Write to us at editorial.board.idebate@gmail.com
