New Rule Change For The Vancouver Poetry Slam
Dear Van Slam Family,
Group Pieces:
After consulting the Poetry Slam Incorporated rule book and speaking with various members of the community I will be instituting a small change in the format for our regular qualifying slams.
From here on in any group of poets that wish to compete in the slam as a group shall be encouraged to do so.
In fairness to those who wish to qualify for our regular season semi finals; qualify for the possibility of being our Individual World Poetry Slam or Women of the World Poetry Slam representative, those individuals wishing to do group pieces will face two stipulations.
1) Any group of poets wishing to do group pieces will receive a two point deduction from their total score for that poem.
And
2) Said group piece will not help qualify said individuals for semi finals, our IWPS qualifier or our WOWps qualifier.
Generally speaking, group pieces score higher with the audiences and thus I believe the group pieces should be given a handicap. Additionally, if groups were allowed to qualify for semi finals we could find ourselves on finals night with as many as 20 poets (between four groups) “qualified” for the slam team. This would create logistical and financial problems I don’t think would be healthy for the slam.
Hopefully, this will encourage poets to stretch themselves further.
Sincerely,
Your Co- Slammaster
Sean McGarragle
“The poetry slam is the event where all poetry is welcome”