WE the undersigned members of the Debating and Public Speaking Society…
FOLLOWING the resurrection of the
WISHING to continue the proud tradition of the exposition of ideas, the promotion of free speech and the practice of oratory,
HAVING REGARD to the practices followed in the interim period,
Have resolved as follows:
Article 1. Title
The society shall be known as “The University of Liverpool Debating and Public Speaking Society” (hereafter referred to as “The Society”)
Article 2. Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to hold formal and informal debates and public speaking forums around, on and concerning the pressing issues of the day and any other issues which are proposed for discussion.
Article 3. Membership
a.) All members of the
b.) No one shall be denied membership on the grounds of sex, race, ethnicity, religious, political or ideological beliefs or affiliations, or any other discerning factor. Any reference in this or any other Debating Society documentation or literature to masculine terms includes the feminine and vice-versa unless expressly stated otherwise.
c.) The society shall be politically, religiously and ethically neutral and shall not be affiliated to any other political, religious or ethical organisation inside or outside the Liverpool Guild of Students.
d.) Article 3 (c.) shall not prevent members of the society, including the committee, from being members of any other political, religious or ethical organisation inside or outside the Liverpool Guild of Students.
e.) Members of the society who are also members of such organisations may use meetings of the society to inform others of activities of their organisations insofar as this is done in a personal capacity. The society shall not endorse any aforesaid activity in an official capacity.
f.) While the society is keen is see membership grow, no one shall be prevented from attending debates on the grounds of non-membership. However, those wishing to chair, speak at debates or enter external competitions must be members of the society.
Article 4. The Committee
a.) The Committee shall consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and “the Gaffer”.
b.) Members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Debating Society by a simple majority vote of members present.
c.) Those proposing to stand for election should be nominated and seconded by another member of the society.
d.) Candidates for committee positions shall be given an opportunity at the Annual General Meeting to outline their proposals and ideas for the society if elected.
e.) The roles and obligations of each member of the Committee may be found in Appendix I.
f.) Further Committee roles may be proposed by the existing Committee on a yearly basis as required. These shall be filled by election in the same way as existing Committee positions.
Article 5. Public Speaking Forums
The Public Speaking forums shall consist of a panel of two or more persons. These may be members of the Society, other societies within the Guild or outside speakers.
a.) Each speaker may represent his own views or the views of his own organisation. Although the format shall broadly be “two-for, two against” the proposed issue for discussion, the views expressed by those on the same “side” need not be complimentary.
b.)
i.) There shall be a Chair-holder who shall preside over the proceedings.
ii.) The Chair-holder may choose and specify how they wish to be referred. (See Appendix II).
iii.) Chair-holders shall be selected on a rota basis from those members of the society who wish to volunteer to be placed on the rota.
c.) The Chair-holder shall convene each meeting by introducing the topic and the panel of speakers (“the panel”), after which an audience vote shall be taken as an indicator of opinion.
d.)
i.) The first proposition speaker shall open with his speech Following which, the first opposition shall speak. The second proposition and second opposition speeches shall follow.
ii.) In the interests of clarity and to facilitate the exposition of all issues relative to the discussion, there shall be no time restriction on speeches, though speakers shall be requested to keep the speeches to around ten minutes.
iii.) No speaker is permitted to use any visual aids or props in relation to her speech.
iv.) There shall be no interruptions to the speeches from other panel members or members of the audience.
e.)
i.) Following the speeches, the Chair-holder shall then throw the debate open to the floor (the “floor debate”).
ii.) Members of the audience may add their own thoughts and ideas to the discussion. These may be addressed to specific members of the panel, the panel in general or other members of the audience who have already spoken. The Chair-holder shall direct the order in which members of the audience and panel may speak.
iii.) The floor debate shall last for a period of approximately thirty minutes.
f.)
i.) The topic will then be voted on for a second time by the audience.
ii.) Any swing may be indicative of whether or not panellists have put forward persuasive arguments, however there shall be no formal “winners” of the Public Speaking Forum as the aim of these events is not competition but the exposition of ideas.
iii.) Latecomers who missed the first vote shall not be permitted to vote in the second vote.
Article 6. Conduct
a.) In the spirit of freedom of expression, members of the society, audience and any speaker are entitled to dress in a manner they think fit for the purposes of the debate, however speakers may be requested to wear academic robes should the occasion require such solemnity.
b.) The society, its members, speakers and audience shall respect the views of others but are naturally entitled to challenge and disagree with them in a courteous and respectful manner. The society recognises and upholds the ancient right to freedom of expression found in this and other societies the world over.
c.) Any member of the audience who seeks to disrupt the proceedings in any way may be ejected from the meeting at the discretion of the majority of members present at the instigation of the Chair-holder. Circumstances in which this option may be exercised includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Any hostile, aggressive or mocking personal remarks aimed at members of the
Society, audience or speakers or any other behaviour which the Chair-holder deems to be disruptive.
Any repeated interruptions of other speakers following a warning from the
Chair-holder may result in the person being asked to leave.
d.) Due to the controversial nature of some topics, members of the panel are hereby immune from Article 6 (c.). However in the interests of common courtesy and civility, members of the panel are asked to refrain from making personal remarks about other speakers or members of the audience.
e.) Nothing in Article 6 (c.) and (d.) shall prevent any speaker from criticising any idea, opinion, ideology, religious or political belief held by any other person present so long as such criticism is not made in a way which represents a verbal attack on that person and not their beliefs.
Article 7. Debates
a.) Members of the society may take part in external debating competitions subject to funding being available.
b.) Any member of the Society may opt for membership of the External Debating Team.
c.) Meetings separate from the Public Speaking Forums shall take place in which British Parliamentary rules shall be utilised, these being the basis of the vast majority of Inter-Varsity competitions. Please refer to Appendix 3 for particulars.
d.) As such there shall be no formal role or participation for an audience at such meetings, although those wishing to observe formal debates are welcome to do so.
e.) All members of the society shall elect, by simple majority vote, a “Gaffer” which shall encompass, amongst other roles, that of a Team Captain.
f.) Those wishing to stand for the post should be nominated and seconded by another member of the society. In the event of only one person wishing to stand, the President of the Society may accept or reject his application personally.
g.) The Gaffer shall select members of the team to debate in external competitions according to his judgement of each person’s debating skills. No other factor may be taken into account when selecting members for an external debate.
h.) The Gaffer shall also coach and impart information concerning such issues as protocol, practice and technique to debaters during meetings.
APPENDIX
The President is responsible for the overall running of the society. It is expected that he or she will provide guidance and support to other members of the committee and to other society members. He or she will act as a figure head, and will represent the society to outside bodies and individuals, as well as to the guild. The president is also to be responsible for ensuring that the society keeps within the rules outlined by the Guild of Students.
The Treasurer is to be responsible for the society’s finances. He or she is to keep membership lists, collect membership fees and apply for grants. When outside competitions are considered, it is for the treasurer to assess costs and financial feasibility.
The Secretary is responsible for communication between the committee and other society members. It is the secretary’s responsibility to book rooms, advertise debates, maintain the website and email system. When committee meetings are held, the secretary should ensure that decisions are recorded.
All committee members are to attend the relevant training sessions and meetings held by the Guild of Students.
While these particular responsibilities have been assigned to the President, Treasurer and Secretary it expected that all members of the committee shall cooperate with each other to ensure the smooth running of the society. It is also expected that committee members shall delegate tasks to reliable volunteers.
Although it is desirable for decisions to be made on the basis of consent and cooperation, when issues are found to be contentious, they are to be discussed at a society meeting, chaired by the president, recorded by the secretary and voted on by members of a society.
When it is foreseen that a society project will require a significant amount of organization, a subcommittee shall be set up. All interested members of the society will be eligible be attend such meetings, and the findings and plans shall be reported back to the society as a whole for broader discussion, and if necessary a vote.
As the society grows it is likely that it will be necessary to add further committee members. In which case, a society meeting shall be held and prospective committee members shall be nominated and seconded, and elected by majority vote.
APPENDIX II. CHAIR-HOLDERS
If not known to the speakers beforehand, the Chair-holder should informally tell the panel how he or she would wish to be referred to. The following may be taken as examples:
“Madam Chair-person”
“Mr Chairman”
“Madam Chairman”
“Mr Chair-person”
“Madam Chair”
“Mr Chair”
“Madam Chair-woman”
“Chair”
In addition, the Chair-holder may elect to use a prefix of their own choice if they wish.
APPENDIX III. BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING PROTOCOL
http://www.britishdebate.com/universities/resources/neidle.asp
SIGNATURES
SECRETARY,
TREASURER,
GAFFER,
ANY OTHERS.
