Women's and Minorities Update (from Steph):
One of my responsibilities on the exec this year is encouraging participation among women and minorities. As we've mentioned, the first initiative for minorities is the opt in English as a Second Language debate rooms on Thursday night debating, hopefully starting on Thursday 2nd April.
Our first event for women however is the Women's Tea Party. This will be a chance for you to mix, mingle and make some friends with the women of the debsoc as well as putting on your favourite frock and enjoying high tea and champagne - on the house. The exact time and location have not yet been set, but please mark down the afternoon of Sunday 22nd March in your diaries. I'll be emailing out proper invitations early this week, but as it's going to be an occasion to remember, I thought I'd better let you know now! Needless to say, this event is girls only.
The reason we're having it so early on is that in previous years, the membership rate for women has dramatically dropped off in the first few weeks. Don't worry if you feel like you won't know anyone - the entire point is to make some friends which you can then get to know further at club nights and women's events later in the year.
Please RSVP to this email if you plan to attend - we need to gauge numbers before deciding on a location.
First Year Representative Elections:
On March 26 at 6pm we will be holding elections for the 'First Year Rep'. This person will become the eighth member of the Debating Society Executive. Their job will be to help ensure the Society best caters to our first year members; they will also be required to help out generally with the Executive's tasks.
This is an excellent way for a first year debater to become more involved with the Society, add something useful to their CV and gain a greater understanding of University debating.
At the election, every paid up Society member will receive a single vote that they can cast for the candidate of their choice. Candidates will have 2-3 minutes to make a brief speech before voting commences.
In order to run for the position you simply need to send us an email sometime before then and let us know you would like to be put on the ballot; no complicated nomination process is required.
Facebook:
In 2009 we'll be making better use of our Facebook group to keep you up to date with our events and activities. If you're a Debsoc member and Facebook user then join our group here: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204521147
