The heart of our club’s philosophy on partnering is that debate partnerships are built to benefit the club as a whole and the individual debaters. We believe that partners should be chosen based on the strengths that each party would bring to a partnership as to make a strong, balanced debate team. While we believe that friendship, convenience, and a desire to have a winning team are all legitimate elements to consider, one of these elements alone is not sufficient for forming the best team. It is with this in mind that the following guidelines have been established:

1. Debate partners should be chosen from within the iCom club whenever possible.

2. At the end of each year all partnerships are, within the eyes of the club, dissolved and a new year begins. This does not mean the same partnerships cannot be formed once again, but it does mean all debaters are expected to come into the club for the new year willing and ready to debate for the first two months with various partners. At any time, requests can be made of the coach as to a desire to debate with someone during a practice round or round robin, but the coach reserves the right to partner the teams until November.

3. Some time in November partnerships should start firming up. Partnering is ultimately the decision of each family based on preferences, scheduling, involvement in the tournament season, and strengths that compliment the two debaters. The debate coach may make suggestions and recommendations but ultimately we believe this decision is one that should be made by parents and students together. 

4. As a rule, iCom is not favorable to outside partnering because of the complications it presents for the club as a whole. However, on the occasion that every reasonable effort has been made to partner within the club and no acceptable scenario presents itself, the parents and students may appeal to the club leadership to seek a partner outside of the guidelines as previously listed. In such a case the following is a minimum expectation:

      a. The parents and student wishing to partner outside the guidelines should contact the leadership to discuss a different partnering scenario.

      b. Any partner being considered must be willing to join iCom and serve the club in some agreed upon way.

      c. Before accepting such a partnership, all parties must be satisfied as to how evidence and club briefs will be handled.