Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate
General Meeting
Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16, 2003
Dalhousie University
Executive Director, 2002-2003
Written Report
Carissa Whiteman
Summary of Activities
1. Maintenance of CUSID.ca and community.cusid.ca
Considerable updates were completed in regards to cusid.ca. All main-page links were brought up to date. The Results section was continually updated to include results from the first years of CUSID’s existence (late 70s and early 80s). I assume these updates will continue as alumni provide the information. Furthermore, all results from the last two tournament years were added and checked for accuracy. With a diligent effort in obtaining the results as tournaments occur the database will be much easier to care for and will be undoubtedly complete.
New sections were carried over from the older CUSID website (Anadas) to complete the transition period that began last year. No longer is there a link from the main index of cusid.ca indicating the site is not complete. The sections of Worldwide Debating and Past Executive were updated and completed. Administrativia has been fully updated to include all documents that were either on the older site or that were obtained during this period. What is not posted is not in my possession or in the possession of the past two executives.
With the combined initiative of this year’s President, a section for Member Clubs was established to make contact information and member status easy to access. Information regarding official titles, club websites, mailing addresses, and presidential contact were included here.
CUSIDnet (community.cusid.ca) was updated to include new software that was more secure and easier to use. There have been no subsequent problems in this area and database backups have been secured.
All other necessary updates were completed upon request or as needed on a more than consistent basis.
2. Webspace Domain and Server Information
After a difficult and lengthy server transfer, which occurred during the summer months CUSID’s webspace has been moved to a more secure and reliable server. During this transfer detailed records were kept so to ensure that should the problem reoccur what needs to be done and records of what have been done are available. These will be transferred to the incoming Executive Director.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that while CUSID’s server space is generously donated through our contact and past alumni at kinamatix.com CUSID is responsible for maintaining the domain name. Yearly renewals currently amount to $30.00 US (approximately $45.00 Cdn). Cusid.ca has been renewed until April of 2004.
3. Minutes and Record Keeping
All CUSID meetings were attended and minutes were taken for all. These minutes have been posted to the Administrativia section of cusid.ca (www.cusid.ca/administrativia.php) and also in the appropriate section in community.cusid.ca.
All other records have been maintained through email or paper copy. In addition to electronic records and backups, these will also be passed to the following Executive Director.
4. Other Activities
Aside from web activities, effort has been made provide any assistance to the President. Involvement includes suggestions for the Mandate Committee, and working with APDA during the North American Tournament.
Relation with some alumni has also indirectly occurred. Many alumni have contacted the ‘web administration’ with tournament results from past years and for simple organizational updates. These were given with accuracy and professionalism.
Recommendations
1. Final Updates of Web Links
The only sections not completed during this year include the Alumni Database. The vision for this project includes a database where alumni can independently post their information and contacts. It would be monitored by the Executive Director and would most likely be combined with the information found at http://www.hardrive.com/judynjj/dinolink.htm.
Old articles from past POI’s are also available and are included in the www.cusid.ca electronic files. These could be somehow coded to be included on the POI link.
2. Continued Maintenance of all Contacts and Records
Substantial efforts have been made to make the transition between this year to the next smooth and uncomplicated. I would suggest that these efforts be continued. The Executive Director is responsible for large amounts of information and to ensure availability it must be arranged appropriately. Updates should be completely diligently. The key to a successful term as Executive Director is constant updates and organization.
Overall, my experience as Executive Director has been positive. I can be contacted most easily via email (carissawhiteman@hotmail.com or cnwhitem@uwo.ca) if future executive members require any assistance or information.