[eDebate] can the Voluntary CP be discussed in the open?

[jason russell]

I am sensitive to the concerns of Joe and Mike that designates will hurt their finances and the finances of other D6 programs. I think there are mitigating factors. First, it's intrinsicness, but moving from coast to coast travel to truly national travel by regions would save you some money. Kansas City, Dallas, and Denver are not very pricey. Second, you have no reason to suspect that your tournament wouldn't be the regional designate or the "One Per District" (under the combination of Mike's "You're Not the Boss of Me" proposal with my added cap). If you are, then you could and ought to make the case to your district about the importance of a national tournament to your funding. I'd bet that they'd be receptive. And, keep in mind that there is a flip-side to this concern for dozens of other withering tournaments from the Missippi to the Rockies and they have no one to appeal to for structural assistance and are receiving all of the district help that they can get. Finally, D6 is strong and deep. It's not like your tournament will go out of business if 20 fewer out of district teams didn't come every year. Even if you are only one of the rotating tournaments under a district proposal to alternate every third or fourth year, the windfall from a truly national draw every few years should make up for a couple of years of losing a grand or so. Those 1-2k in costs could be offset by going to the Texas Two-Step and Wyoming and 1-2 California tournaments instead of 3-4 Cali tourneys. 

You also mention what this proposal offers for teams not pursuing a first-round. For most programs, it offers a lot: a return to regional debate my the top teams in the nation because they don't have to be worried about wounding their bid, a commensurate return of many high quality coaches and judges to the districts, lower travel costs and less jet lag, diversity of tournament sites, equity in national tournamentn revenues across geographic regions. Your situation is a bit unique though given that you host a major tournament housed in D6. I don't want you to get the impression that I am suggesting we triage you or other D6 tournaments, but I do think you have less to lose than you seem to perceive, some things to gain, and there is a nationwide picture to be concerned with that is easy to overlook if you are out east.

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