Dear Membership,
The voting for the 2012 Voting Issues is closed. You can find the final results of the voting below under each section. We thank you all for casting your vote and letting your voice be heard!
Sincerely,
Scott York President, Stoa
Voting Issues - Results Electronic Extemp - Should electronic extemp be allowed at NITOC 2013?
 Explanation: Electronic extemp means allowing students to collect, discuss, and store evidence in “virtual” extemp boxes using software such as Dropbox. Electronic extemp has been widely used in some parts of the country with success. Traditional use of fileboxes is still permitted, but those who prefer to retrieve their articles from files on their computers will be free to do so. Internet use will be forbidden. PRO: All students in a club can access all the articles at the same time. Electronic filing is much easier. Transportation of “boxes” to tournaments is simplified, thus enabling students to participate at geographically remote tournaments. Filing can be done by students during the week rather than during club time, thus allowing more time for extemp discussion and practice. Additionally, there can be a significant cost savings due to reduced use of paper and printer ink. CON: Requires electronic retrieval devices for students both for filing and use at tournaments, which may be an extra cost for some families. This may create uneven opportunities for students. Extemp meetings at club may have to be altered to be effective in reviewing evidence. Extemp proctors will have to determine how they monitor the prep rooms. Expository Speaking & Electronic Devices – Should computers, projectors, or other electronic paraphernalia be permitted in Expository Speaking at NITOC 2013?  Explanation: This would allow the use of electronic medium for expository speaking. Traditional means of expository speaking (display boards, for example) would continue to be options for students. The burden of providing projectors, power for equipment, and related support technology would be on the student. PRO: This will give students greater latitude in what they present, allowing greater room for creativity and permitting them to learn modern means of expository speaking (such as Power Point presentations) that are becoming the currency of the modern world. CON: Technology issues (for example, the availability of power or suitable projection surfaces) may hamper presentations since some tournaments may not be able to accommodate student's technology needs. Judges will have to weigh non-electronic presentations against electronic one.
Parliamentary Debate – Should Parliamentary Debate nationals be moved from PITOC to NITOC for the year 2013?
 Explanation: As a Stoa pilot project, a separate PITOC championship has been the venue for the parliamentary debate championship for the last two years. If it is offered at NITOC it would be in addition to TP or LD. The final form that Parli invitations and competition would take at NITOC still needs to be worked out and might differ substantially from PITOC. PRO (for Parli at NITOC): Having all events at NITOC would mean that students participating in Parli would not need to attend a separate championship tournament saving some families considerable expense and the need to decide between going to one or the other tournament. Other students would be able to watch the Parli rounds and learn about Parli. Having one, united championship would generate more excitement and create a greater sense of family and unity within Stoa and the debate community as a whole. CON (for Parli at NITOC): Adding Parli will increase the usual tournament demands and costs, impacting facilities, the tabulation team, the judging pool, building monitors, ballot push and ballot return workers, judge’s hospitality staff, and the length of the awards ceremony. Adding Parli would possibly mean lengthening NITOC to a six-day tournament for Parli families. This would increase the cost of attending NITOC for those families participating in Parli and for those families volunteering their service at the tournament. Lengthening competition days and competing during mealtimes may be necessary for Parli students. |
2012 Voting Issues |