Irish Selection Information
Selecting the Americans who will debate the Irish
Deadline: Wednesday, January 28
On Thursday, March 27, the three finest debaters in Ireland will debate three NPDA debaters at the 2008 National Tournament. 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: Monday, January 28, 2008
Prelims (October-January 30): Nominations must include
- a one-page forensics and academic resume;
- two letters of reference (one from a person outside forensics) attesting to the nominee’s sportsmanship, diplomatic character and suitability for a large-audience public debate;
- and a statement by the nominee reflecting on why he or she wishes to be given the opportunity to debate the Irish including a reflection on whether your approach to this debate would or would not be different from your approach to a “typical” NPDA parli final round.
E-mails are acceptable and should be sent by January 28 to Brent Northup, coordinator of the Irish program (see link below)
A committee of five people (including two students) nominated by the Irish Coordinator, will reduce the field to six finalists by Feb. 4. Those six finalists will be posted on Net Benefits and Parli listserve, inviting comments by the community on the final candidates.
The Irish Coordinator will chair the selection committee.
Announcement of Six Finalists: February 4, 2008
Finals (February 2-February 12): Each of the six finalists may then be interviewed, in a conference-call interview, by the selection committee. Three will be chosen, and an alternate named. (The committee reserves the right to forgo the phone interview process if the committee unanimously agrees upon the three finalists after applications are received.) 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 14, 2007
Announcement of the schools hosting the Irish: Feb. 1, 2008
Irish Times Debate Final in Ireland: February t.b.a.
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 and how he/she will approach that opportunity.
Please send nominations – e-mails are acceptable - by January 28, 2008 to:
Brent Northup, coordinator of the Irish program
1601 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, MT. 59625
(406) 447-5400
(406) 459-2371 (cell)
Email: bnorthup@carroll.edu