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| Author |
Message |
Rod Taylor
Guest
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 Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:36 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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<rich.hopkins@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1155410981.697631.40250@74g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
I think it would be cool if we held
informal contests on tall tales, interpretive reading, storytelling,
debating, or anything else at TLI's. Maybe that would improve the
Esprit de Corps (sp).
I hear Susan screaming somewhere.......!
|
LOL  ))
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
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Colin Angus Mackay
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:32 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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Colin William wrote:
| Quote: | I'm assuming that for everyone Humorous is held at the Fall conference, and
International at the spring. If your district does Table topics, Evaluation,
and/or Tall Tales, when are these contests held?
Colin
|
We seem to do ours randomly.
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've hired
a boat as a venue.
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
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rich.hopkins@gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:20 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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Cruises are fun - until the speaker hits a wave!
Rich.
Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
| Quote: | Colin William wrote:
I'm assuming that for everyone Humorous is held at the Fall conference, and
International at the spring. If your district does Table topics, Evaluation,
and/or Tall Tales, when are these contests held?
Colin
We seem to do ours randomly.
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've hired
a boat as a venue.
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
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| Back to top |
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Rod Taylor
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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|
"Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:44de5711$0$26608$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
| Quote: |
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've
hired
a boat as a venue.
|
Sounds like fun.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but page 7, "General Provisions,"
in the 2006 Speech Contest Rulebook states:
"Districts may conduct up to four contests per district year. One of
these contests must be the International Speech Contest, and all
contests must be those contained in this rulebook. The only contests
permitted at the Area, Division, or District levels are those that
originate at the club level and proceed through the Area, Division, and
District levels."
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
I checked this out with Debbie at WHQ earlier this year when one of our
Clubs held a Toastmasters inter-club Afrikaans speech contest,
deliberately ignoring the rule, although it had been pointed out to
them. The feeling from District was that it was harmless (which is
true). My concern was for the integrity of the rules and that once we
start ignoring rules because they don't suit us, where does that process
stop?.
Of course, in your case, a 'Tall Tales evening' might not be the same
thing as a 'Tall Tales contest' ))
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
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| Back to top |
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rich.hopkins@gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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Such as the Humorous Showcase that we had at Region for a few years
after they outlawed that contest....
Showcasing peoples talents should be what TM is about, not what they
make rules against. I'm always trying to get people to see "outside the
club" at the bigger picture. What better way to do that than this type
of activity?
Rich.
Rod Taylor wrote:
| Quote: | "Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:44de5711$0$26608$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've
hired
a boat as a venue.
Sounds like fun.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but page 7, "General Provisions,"
in the 2006 Speech Contest Rulebook states:
"Districts may conduct up to four contests per district year. One of
these contests must be the International Speech Contest, and all
contests must be those contained in this rulebook. The only contests
permitted at the Area, Division, or District levels are those that
originate at the club level and proceed through the Area, Division, and
District levels."
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
I checked this out with Debbie at WHQ earlier this year when one of our
Clubs held a Toastmasters inter-club Afrikaans speech contest,
deliberately ignoring the rule, although it had been pointed out to
them. The feeling from District was that it was harmless (which is
true). My concern was for the integrity of the rules and that once we
start ignoring rules because they don't suit us, where does that process
stop?.
Of course, in your case, a 'Tall Tales evening' might not be the same
thing as a 'Tall Tales contest' ))
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
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| Back to top |
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Mark Perew
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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betsy_in_va <b7760@keogan.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
There must be a reason behind this policy, but it seems short sighted
to me.
|
It's a compromise between the anti-contest and pro-contest camps. It allows
for a number of local contests to be held, without creating a contest
infrastructure that will detract away from the other, more critical, parts
of the organization.
I love contests. I even like helping to set them up and run them. (Except
for judging, which I hate.) However, I recognize that they are but one
small part of the picture.
--
Mark Perew <perew@squeep.com>
To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world. (Source Unknown) |
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| Back to top |
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Mark Perew
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:28 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
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betsy_in_va <b7760@keogan.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Hmm, this is interesting. I never thought of there being an
anti-contest camp. What are some of the anti-contest reasons? What are
the critical parts of the organization that would be hurt by having
lots of contests?
|
Some reasons I've heard:
* They don't contribute to the critical success factors
* Contests aren't "mutually supportive"
* Members can experience more fear, not less, by participating in contests
* It's been said that Area Governors spend too much time contests and not
enough on helping clubs
While I believe that these statements have elements of truth, I don't
believe they are axiomatic. I also believe that contests can support the
critical success factors, can be done in a supportive manner, can help
people overcome fear, and help Area Governors bring their clubs together.
--
Mark Perew <perew@squeep.com>
To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world. (Source Unknown) |
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| Back to top |
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betsy_in_va
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:22 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
| Quote: |
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
There must be a reason behind this policy, but it seems short sighted |
to me. Holding multi-club events is an important part of networking and
getting our members excited about toastmasters (as well as leadership).
And contests are a lot of fun, it would be nice to see informal
contests at all sorts of events. I like Rich's idea of having an
informal contest as a TLI event. But, I'm sure there is a reason for
this that I just haven't seen yet.
How seriously does this rule apply? We give out ribbons for best
speaker, best evaluator, and best table topics, at our club meetings.
If several clubs hold a joint meeting, are we allowed to give out
ribbons? |
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| Back to top |
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Larry in Honolulu
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:28 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
In article <1155483406.144236.53140@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>, "rich.hopkins@gmail.com" <rich.hopkins@gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Such as the Humorous Showcase that we had at Region for a few years
after they outlawed that contest....
Showcasing peoples talents should be what TM is about, not what they
make rules against. I'm always trying to get people to see "outside the
club" at the bigger picture. What better way to do that than this type
of activity?
Rich.
|
Our Region (Region II) still has the Humorous Showcase every year. The
participants are the winners of their District's most recent Humorous speech
contest.
For the record, in District 49 (Hawaii) we have International speech and Table
Topics in the Spring, and Humorous and Evaluations in the fall. In both cases
we do the unprepared speech in the morning and the prepared speech in the
afternoon (our conferences typically end at 5:00).
We haven't done Tall Tales as a district in many years. It's a shame as it's a
fun contest, but would typically have to replace the Humorous Speech contest
to stay within TM rules, and no one wants to give up Humorous speech and the
chance to participate at the Regional Showcase.
Larry Lands DTM PDG
webmaster www.district49.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
Colin Angus Mackay
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:31 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
Rod Taylor wrote:
| Quote: | "Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:44de5711$0$26608$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've
hired
a boat as a venue.
Sounds like fun.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but page 7, "General Provisions,"
in the 2006 Speech Contest Rulebook states:
"Districts may conduct up to four contests per district year. One of
these contests must be the International Speech Contest, and all
contests must be those contained in this rulebook. The only contests
permitted at the Area, Division, or District levels are those that
originate at the club level and proceed through the Area, Division, and
District levels."
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
|
I don't think it is a formal competition. There does seem to be some
competitiveness between the clubs that their guy is going to be the best.
| Quote: |
I checked this out with Debbie at WHQ earlier this year when one of our
Clubs held a Toastmasters inter-club Afrikaans speech contest,
deliberately ignoring the rule, although it had been pointed out to
them. The feeling from District was that it was harmless (which is
true). My concern was for the integrity of the rules and that once we
start ignoring rules because they don't suit us, where does that process
stop?.
|
An interesting titbit of information brought up by our president at a
recent area meeting. In 1971 there was 10 Toastmasters clubs in
Edinburgh alone (1 for every 50,000 people). They all disappeared and
one eventually formed again in 1995 (we are now at a stage were we are
thinking of forming a second club in Edinburgh).
So, what happened to those 10 clubs?
Toastmasters International changed some rules in the 70s which the clubs
in Scotland (and many others through the rest of the UK) did not agree
with. If the rules had been ignored Scotland would probably have dozens
more Toastmaster clubs. As it was, the rules were enforced and the clubs
broke away to form their own speaking club.
Toastmasters would now have a much stronger representation in Scotland
were it not for the rigid rules in place. Rules need to be flexible.
Modern skyscrapers have some ability to sway in strong winds because if
they were too rigid then they would break. Trees also flex in high winds
for the same reasons.
| Quote: |
Of course, in your case, a 'Tall Tales evening' might not be the same
thing as a 'Tall Tales contest' ))
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa
|
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
Joy
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:06 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
"Larry in Honolulu" <noway@none.com> wrote in message
news:dINDg.206$S_5.146@tornado.socal.rr.com...
| Quote: | In article <1155483406.144236.53140@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
"rich.hopkins@gmail.com" <rich.hopkins@gmail.com> wrote:
Such as the Humorous Showcase that we had at Region for a few years
after they outlawed that contest....
Showcasing peoples talents should be what TM is about, not what they
make rules against. I'm always trying to get people to see "outside the
club" at the bigger picture. What better way to do that than this type
of activity?
Rich.
Our Region (Region II) still has the Humorous Showcase every year. The
participants are the winners of their District's most recent Humorous
speech
contest.
|
This is true. However, the Humorous speech contest used to go to the
Regional level, so that it used to be a contest rather than a showcase. I
think that is the point Rich was making.
| Quote: | For the record, in District 49 (Hawaii) we have International speech and
Table
Topics in the Spring, and Humorous and Evaluations in the fall. In both
cases
we do the unprepared speech in the morning and the prepared speech in the
afternoon (our conferences typically end at 5:00).
We haven't done Tall Tales as a district in many years. It's a shame as
it's a
fun contest, but would typically have to replace the Humorous Speech
contest
to stay within TM rules, and no one wants to give up Humorous speech and
the
chance to participate at the Regional Showcase.
Larry Lands DTM PDG
webmaster www.district49.org
|
I do not see that the rules obviate having both Humorous and Tall Tales
contests. My two Districts have both, and occasionally they fall at the
same time.
--
Joy Gaylord, ATM-S, CL
Simi Valley Toastmasters (Dist. 33)
Storytelling & Performing Arts Toastmasters (Dist. 52)
Southern California |
|
| Back to top |
|
Joy
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:13 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
"betsy_in_va" <b7760@keogan.com> wrote in message
news:1155507756.601692.39420@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
There must be a reason behind this policy, but it seems short sighted
to me. Holding multi-club events is an important part of networking and
getting our members excited about toastmasters (as well as leadership).
And contests are a lot of fun, it would be nice to see informal
contests at all sorts of events. I like Rich's idea of having an
informal contest as a TLI event. But, I'm sure there is a reason for
this that I just haven't seen yet.
How seriously does this rule apply? We give out ribbons for best
speaker, best evaluator, and best table topics, at our club meetings.
If several clubs hold a joint meeting, are we allowed to give out
ribbons?
|
I don't know whether it's legal to hand out ribbons at a joint contest, but
we always do.
Many of the TI rules seem short-sighted to me, especially those that appear
to oppose cooperation above the club level. A couple of years ago, two
Areas got together and held a Speech-a-thon at a local Borders. (Borders is
a bookstore that typically includes a coffee house, and sometimes an area
where readings, etc. can be done. We used this area.) It lasted for
several hours, alternating five speeches with five evaluations, followed by
a short break. Many of the Borders customers stopped by, or sat at tables
close enough that they could listen. We had Toastmasters literature and
information about the clubs involved on a table where passers-by could pick
it up. I don't know whether we gained any new members from it, but all the
participants enjoyed themselves and had the opportunity to speak in a
different type of environment. The two Area Governors involved were
severely reprimanded by TI, and were told in no uncertain terms that Areas
could not hold such joint events, and under no circumstances was the term
"Speech-a-thon" to be used.
As far as I can tell, it was viewed as a positive event by everyone except
TI. No explanation was given as to why this was a no-no.
--
Joy Gaylord, ATM-S, CL
Simi Valley Toastmasters (Dist. 33)
Storytelling & Performing Arts Toastmasters (Dist. 52)
Southern California |
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| Back to top |
|
rich.hopkins@gmail.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:13 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
Actually my point was more geared at the lack of a Humorous Showcase at
my last Region event. They had a Humorous ed session, and invited a
couple of Humorous winners from the past (alas, they offered me a spot,
but I opted to compete in Int'l, silly me....). It was fun, but not the
same by any means.
Showcases are fine, but contests still need to be done to determine who
goes to the showcase - unless it becomes a very informal nomination
process.
Rich.
Joy wrote:
| Quote: | "Larry in Honolulu" <noway@none.com> wrote in message
news:dINDg.206$S_5.146@tornado.socal.rr.com...
In article <1155483406.144236.53140@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
"rich.hopkins@gmail.com" <rich.hopkins@gmail.com> wrote:
Such as the Humorous Showcase that we had at Region for a few years
after they outlawed that contest....
Showcasing peoples talents should be what TM is about, not what they
make rules against. I'm always trying to get people to see "outside the
club" at the bigger picture. What better way to do that than this type
of activity?
Rich.
Our Region (Region II) still has the Humorous Showcase every year. The
participants are the winners of their District's most recent Humorous
speech
contest.
This is true. However, the Humorous speech contest used to go to the
Regional level, so that it used to be a contest rather than a showcase. I
think that is the point Rich was making.
For the record, in District 49 (Hawaii) we have International speech and
Table
Topics in the Spring, and Humorous and Evaluations in the fall. In both
cases
we do the unprepared speech in the morning and the prepared speech in the
afternoon (our conferences typically end at 5:00).
We haven't done Tall Tales as a district in many years. It's a shame as
it's a
fun contest, but would typically have to replace the Humorous Speech
contest
to stay within TM rules, and no one wants to give up Humorous speech and
the
chance to participate at the Regional Showcase.
Larry Lands DTM PDG
webmaster www.district49.org
I do not see that the rules obviate having both Humorous and Tall Tales
contests. My two Districts have both, and occasionally they fall at the
same time.
--
Joy Gaylord, ATM-S, CL
Simi Valley Toastmasters (Dist. 33)
Storytelling & Performing Arts Toastmasters (Dist. 52)
Southern California |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Joy
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:16 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
Well put! Your analogies are excellent.
Joy
"Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44dfa84b$0$7951$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
| Quote: | Rod Taylor wrote:
"Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:44de5711$0$26608$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
This year Linlithgow Speakers are organising a Tall Tales evening late
September for the Area. It should be really great because they've
hired
a boat as a venue.
Sounds like fun.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but page 7, "General Provisions,"
in the 2006 Speech Contest Rulebook states:
"Districts may conduct up to four contests per district year. One of
these contests must be the International Speech Contest, and all
contests must be those contained in this rulebook. The only contests
permitted at the Area, Division, or District levels are those that
originate at the club level and proceed through the Area, Division, and
District levels."
And, from Debbie Horn at WHQ, 'The rule does not restrict the number of
contests held at the club level. This means a club may hold as many
contests as it chooses for its own members. But it cannot open any up
any of those contests to members of other clubs.'
I don't think it is a formal competition. There does seem to be some
competitiveness between the clubs that their guy is going to be the best.
I checked this out with Debbie at WHQ earlier this year when one of our
Clubs held a Toastmasters inter-club Afrikaans speech contest,
deliberately ignoring the rule, although it had been pointed out to
them. The feeling from District was that it was harmless (which is
true). My concern was for the integrity of the rules and that once we
start ignoring rules because they don't suit us, where does that process
stop?.
An interesting titbit of information brought up by our president at a
recent area meeting. In 1971 there was 10 Toastmasters clubs in Edinburgh
alone (1 for every 50,000 people). They all disappeared and one eventually
formed again in 1995 (we are now at a stage were we are thinking of
forming a second club in Edinburgh).
So, what happened to those 10 clubs?
Toastmasters International changed some rules in the 70s which the clubs
in Scotland (and many others through the rest of the UK) did not agree
with. If the rules had been ignored Scotland would probably have dozens
more Toastmaster clubs. As it was, the rules were enforced and the clubs
broke away to form their own speaking club.
Toastmasters would now have a much stronger representation in Scotland
were it not for the rigid rules in place. Rules need to be flexible.
Modern skyscrapers have some ability to sway in strong winds because if
they were too rigid then they would break. Trees also flex in high winds
for the same reasons.
Of course, in your case, a 'Tall Tales evening' might not be the same
thing as a 'Tall Tales contest' ))
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
betsy_in_va
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:10 am Post subject: Re: When does your district hold additional contests? |
|
|
| Quote: | It's a compromise between the anti-contest and pro-contest camps. It allows
for a number of local contests to be held, without creating a contest
infrastructure that will detract away from the other, more critical, parts
of the organization.
Hmm, this is interesting. I never thought of there being an |
anti-contest camp. What are some of the anti-contest reasons? What are
the critical parts of the organization that would be hurt by having
lots of contests?
This is a whole new perspective for me. I thought everyone loved
contests (except for the people who hate all the preparation). I swear,
I learn the most interesting things on this board! |
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