Organisation



1996 Annual Report

1996 followed on from 1995 as a disappointing year. The school competitions were a great success, with the videotaping of the finals as a debating resource. The Athenaeum Competition, however, consisted of a small number of defaults before fading into nothingness. There was no motivation to organise the Robinson Competition with the failure of Athenaeum. An impromptu debating competition was held, with a moderate number of schools teams, but only two adult teams entering. There were no entries in any speaking competitions. And as the 1996 national competitions were cancelled, there was no opportunity to represent the Auckland region.

Overall a disappointing effort. The ADA Executive was down to minimum numbers with only three people willing to stand at the 1996 AGM, and no additional people coming forward. This put an unreasonable burden on the few who were prepared to organise events.

On a positive note, our monthly newsletter ADA Affirms continues. It has been a means of encouraging the faithful few, and continuing the momentum of the Association. It has also been an expensive exercise, going out to all those that have shown an interest in debating.

We require some people with a love of debating who will step forward and be prepared to make small sacrifices for the benefit of others. We need people who are prepared to be trained in administering competitions now, so that they can smoothly step into that role in future years. Otherwise, at best we will face hiccups as people learn from scratch how to administer the Association. And at worst competitions and perhaps the association itself will fall into abeyance.

This may be a pessimistic view, but if we do not have a functioning Executive in 1997, I feel the prospects for 1998 are very grim.

Wayne McDougall
President


Organisation Last updated: Saturday, 15 November 1997 at 9:41am Copyright 2002 Wayne McDougall.
ADA, PO Box 3233, Auckland Central, New Zealand Ph +64-9-6252847 Fax +64-9-6252851 Mobile +64-21-962783 Email to president@ada.org.nz
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