 Bo
Missonis, Fordham University
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Greetings APDA,
 My
name is Bo Missonis and I am running for a Trusteeship. Although
you have probably seen me around at numerous tournaments through
your debate careers, a majority of you were not even on the circuit
when I graduated. I hope to use this statement as an opportunity
to introduce myself and describe my hopes for this position and
APDA's future.
My Background
I
began debating for Fordham University in 1994. Over the next four
years, I had a very successful and busy debating career. I have
always been extremely committed to debate, missing a total of four
debate weekends in my first three years including debating in Canadian
summer tournaments. I served as President of a very successful Fordham
team for three years (during this period the team broke at World's
twice, North Ams twice, and Nat's twice). I have competed in three
World Championships and judged at two (missing the break as a competitor
by one point twice, breaking as the top ranked American judge at
Glasgow this year). I was elected to serve on the APDA board my
senior year, running the World's Prep tournament and taking part
in the World Council meetings in Athens. Most of you know me as
a tab person on APDA, as I been involved in tab for (Fordham, Columbia,
Nationals, World's Prep, RIC, UMBC, Vassar, Hofstra and Pro-Ams).
Even though I graduated three years ago, I still attend 8-10 tournaments
a year and can promise that I plan to do so next season. I have
spent the last seven years on APDA trying to ensure fair and fun
tournaments.
Goals
As
far as I can see, the Trustees have been almost a ceremonial positionthus
far not significantly influencing your debating lives. Although
I agree with the concerns voiced by Jeff Williams over the power
of this position during the debate of incorporation, besides being
a source of wisdom, I do believe it can be utilized to make benefit
APDA in general in three different ways:
A)
Better/Fairer Judging- After years in tab,I realize this is a complaint
that is constant, and I must admit that I have seen the overall
quality and depth of judging has consistently diminished over the
past couple of years. The primary reason has been less and less
participation by Dinos at tournaments. I would like to see a more
organized and concerted effort to inform Dinos of tournaments and
getting them out there. This will help tournaments be fairer (more
qualified judges and less political decisions as Dino don't need
to do favors for friends) and faster (deeper judging pools mean
getting tournaments going quicker on Saturday mornings.) As someone
who has been around so long and has been so involved I have relationships
with debators who we involved in the circuit from 1990. I have attended
over four debate weddings and keep in contact we a great deal of
old debaters (I know that is pretty sad, but so is my life). Many
tell me they are more than willing to come to tournaments but they
are never invited. With a more concerted reach out and hug an old
debater program, the quality of your debate experience can be enhanced.
B)
Fundraising - I remember the big reason we started talking about
incorporation when I was on the APDA board was for the purposes
of soliciting money from corporations in sponsorship of tournaments.
I think that this is another goal that we should strive for to make
our tournaments better (food, parties (which need to be better for
retention of novices) and trophies). I am in a centralized location
(New York) and have experience in fundraising for debate getting
Kaplan to sponsor Fordham's tournament while I was there. Also helping
to line up sponsorship for our North Am's bid in '97 and Nationals
in '99.
C)
Expansion- I know that at this year's elections there was a shying
away from this issue, as more people want to strengthen retention
and the current teams. Helping APDA expand and getting its name
out there is another aspect that a Trustee could do. I remember
debating at Bucknell, Hofstra, Boston University, UConn and Rutgers.
Debating against teams from Randolf-Macon, Haverford, Furman, Lehigh,
Carnegie Mellon. APDA has lost a bunch of school which I think hurts
in the long run. Along with Jason Weingartner, I helped found the
Hofstra team by going out there and doing debate rounds and training
people how to run a team. Within one year they hosted a tournament,
and within two were selected to host a well run World's Prep tournament.
I know the work involved and think that I could help. Also, as a
high school Lincoln-Douglas, I see all of these students who are
fun to hang around with and intelligent going to colleges who do
not have APDA teams, and I think I could use my influence to set
up Parliamentary exhibition rounds at some high school tournaments
to interest high schoolers in our debate so they would be inclined
to start up their own programs in college.
I
have had a blast being involved and around the circuit for the last
seven years, I got my school to send me to South Africa, Ireland,
England, Greece, Scotland, California, and all around Canada for
free. I met some of the most interesting and entertaining people
I have ever met. Debate has given me so much, that I am always eager
to take an opportunity to give anything I can back. If you are still
reading this, I would like to thank you for your time. |
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