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The ADS Wants You! RECWEEK 2009 posted on Jun 16, 2009 9:56pm

The ADS welcomes all returning Ateneans and the new batch of freshmen to the first semester of AY2009-2010. We hope this year will be a fruitful and exciting one for all of us.

The ADS will be accepting applicants for debate, adjudication, and administration tracks at this year's COA RECWEEK 2009. Learn more about our org and what we do by visiting our booth from June 22 to 25 at MVP Roof Deck, and on June 26 at the Colayco Pavilion.

As an organization, we are committed to developing the skills of our members - whether in analysis, communication, or project management. Members will find themselves faced with a lot of opportunity to improve in all of these areas, and those who step-up are well-rewarded.

Because we believe above all in the principle of meritocracy, qualified applicants are considered for membership without regard to age, sex, hometown, high school, sexual orientation, or disability. For other commonly asked questions, read our FAQ:
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Frequently Asked Questions
So what exactly do you do in the ADS? Just debate?
The ADS is a lot more than debate. We have three tracks open to applicants - debate, adjudication (judging), and administration (project management). Applicants can sign up for any combination of the three.

Is it hard to join the ADS? I heard you guys were really selective.
Applicants for debate and adjudication undergo a screening process to determine their potential. Although we would like to encourage everyone interested to sign up, it is true that we can only accept so many into our training program. There is no fixed number – in previous years we have accepted as few as 30 applicants to as many as 60. The number that we accept is ultimately dependent on our ability to provide regular training facilitators with a reasonable trainer-member ratio.

Do you have to be a former debater to debate in the ADS?
Nope! There is room in our organization for those with previous debate experience and those without it. All you need to show us is an ability to think logically and an ability to express yourself clearly – and we will help you work on the rest.

But I heard joining the ADS was like adding on another subject. Don’t you guys train till late at night?
When you first enter as a debater into the organization, you become part of our Training Pool, or TP. TP members have training once a week, Mondays from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Additional training may however be arranged by the training facilitator for those who want it.

Eventually you may be accredited into Varsity and represent the school in external competitions. In this case, you will need to fulfill a training quota (anywhere from 15-25 rounds, depending on the tournament and time period) before attending the tournament.

So what are the perks of being in the ADS?
For dedicated debaters and adjudicators, the ADS promises training of an excellent standard. Our Varsity members are very successful both locally and internationally, as the ADS currently holds the titles of National Champion and Asian Champion. Debating or adjudicating with the ADS means you contribute to our legacy of excellence.

Of course, tournaments are often not in Metro Manila, and the contingents that we send also get to experience traveling to other cities in the Philippines and the World, and get a taste of different cultures and histories. Here’s a sample of the tournaments that we participated in/will participate in:

2009 National Championship – Lyceum, Manila
2008 National Championship – Ateneo de Davao, Davao
2007 National Championship – Philippine Military Academy, Baguio

2009 Asian Championship – Dhaka, Bangladesh
2008 Asian Championship – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2007 Asian Championship – Bandung, Indonesia

2009 Australasian Championship – Melbourne, Australia
2008 Australasian Championship – Manila, Philippines (ADS was host)
2007 Australasian Championship - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2010 World Championship – Koc, Turkey
2009 World Championship – Cork, Ireland
2008 World Championship – Bangkok, Thailand

For those who are looking to gain experience in project management, the ADS is also a great place to go. Our projects range from very large or national affairs to internal organization tournaments. This means you will get the chance to gain different kinds of experience and skills.

On the large end, we regularly host the Philippine Schools Debate Championship (PSDC) – the national championship for high school students – in November each year. We also implement our Debate Education Program (DEP) on a national scale. Both of these projects have been recognized for their excellence - in 2004 we were awarded as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines for DEP, and in 2008 were national grand finalists for PSDC.

Within Ateneo, we regularly host forums and Chamber Debates on a variety of topics, hold the Dela Costa Cup for all freshmen, give introductory seminars to interested classes, and perform a whole host of other activities.

Because of the number and nature of our activities, we are always on the lookout for committed members with skills in Marketing, Public Relations, Logistics, Information Design, IT, and Finance, among others. By working in our projects, you not only contribute to our advocacy, but also hone your own abilities and gain experience in a number of fields.

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