Debating Society: Convenor

TLDR: i'll do manual labor if u vote for me

Debate has been my main extracirricular for 4 years, starting in the US, where I ranked top 30 in the nation, and continuing here at UCL, where I've successfully adjusted to BP. I broke at the KCL IV, and beat some of the global circuit's best teams at the Cambridge IV–I'm very passionate about debate, and I will give my all on committee.

With that said, I'm not just a competitor; for 3 years in high school, I was the president of the debate club. In that capacity, I organized a new yearly tournament for novices from all the high schools in my city. I did all the awful, high-stakes work that convenors must execute perfectly for tournaments to run smoothly: booking rooms, raising funds, and doing manual labor. Heavy on the manual labor–my candidate photo is the aftermath of me hauling 25 kilos of water bottles across my school campus in pouring rain, so competitors wouldn't get thirsty. I have the experience necessary to be convenor; there's no better person to carry 15 pizza boxes across Bloomsbury.

I have two exciting plans for members of all skills during term 2. First, I'll bring back the UCL IV, giving UCL debaters a chance to learn from and debate against the UK's best debaters, all from the comfort of the prestigious, illustrious Institute of Education!!!!!!!!!!!! Second, I'll help run the UCL Pro-Am, giving an opportunity for novices to coerce experienced debaters into partnering with them, creating a great learning opportunity.

I’m standing for Convenor because I love debating competitions (proof: spoke at competitions three weekends in a row since UCL President’s Cup)! 

I love them because they provide an opportunity to speak against students from other societies, watch high-quality argumentation in outrounds, meet new people, and of course, get loads of practice in :) 

However, I also know that it becomes harder to access these benefits when the convening goes wonky, whether that be through delays or unclear communication–and this is why I want to help create competitions that aren’t just a string of spars, but are fun as an event. 

Here’s what I bring to the role: 

• Experience hosting events: I was the President of my high school’s debate team, and hosted a public showcase which required me to reach out to external speakers, create a timetable & advertisement, and set motions. I also chaired my year’s school trip committee, which meant I was responsible for communicating and promoting the appeal of our itinerary to 300+ students. 
• Leadership/Administrative skills within debate: As mentioned above, I captained my high school team, and the job only included team-building (← I hope the UCL team becomes even closer through our events) but also going back and forth with supervisors, forms, and budgets through meetings and email. 
• Passion for debate: I like to think this is evident through this answer :)

Vote for me to host our best competition yet! 

Yours truly,

Rino 

I like debate championships the way I like my Hinge pick-up lines - fun and smooth with great learning opportunities. As convenor, I would help organise upcoming UCL competitions with:

• My admin experience: I know how stressful organising things can be - especially debating competitions. From leading past events, I’ve learnt how to deal with last minute emails, conflicting spreadsheets, and changing timelines. A vote for me is a vote for consistent communication, role delegation, and efficiency.
• My advertising skills: I love the posters for President’s Cup and the Autumn Championship, but I think we need to switch it up! I have extensive experience with Photoshop and Canva, meaning I’ll design original and clear eye-catching posters and posts with no help from AI.
• My dedication: Once I’ve committed to something, I will give everything I can to make it perfect. As a member of this key team, I will ensure that I go above and beyond my workload, collaborating with fellow conveyors and other members of the committee to create the best experience for all participants.

I know how much these debating competitions means to so many people. As silly as my opening line was, I will approach the responsibilities in this role 100% seriously. In my convenor role, I hope to make each debate championship more enjoyable than the last, open to anyone and everyone who wants to speak.

Joining UCL debate has been one of the highlights of my university experience. Having the opportunity to join committee is therefore not only something I want to do as a means of giving back, but also as a manner of making UCL debate as great a society as possible. By working as a convenor, I think I would be in a unique position to help the UCL debate community and its newest members.  Specifically, by convening and helping host competitions, I would have the opportunity to give back in a real way and pay forward the effort that previous debaters have made for me, especially for UCL students who don't have the typical opportunity to travel on weekends for debating. For as rewarding as practice and working on your speaking ability is, I genuinely believe that, as corny as it sounds, the highs and lows of putting yourself forward to compete are something that everybody interested in debate should try.  Whether you've debated for four years in school or you're still learning how BP works, you deserve that chance to put yourself forward and compete. I am highly motivated then, should I get the opportunity to convene, to help facilitate more people joining debate when they would have otherwise quit or opted out. That desire to bring debate to others is why I'm standing for convenor, why I want to give back. I appreciate your consideration

I started debating with the simple goal of getting rid of my fear of public speaking, but this quickly became much more than that. I love debating, it has had a huge impact on me and has helped me improve a lot which is why I am very grateful for it. As convener I want to help others have the same experience. I have organised debating tournaments back in high school, both online and in person ones hosting more than 500 participants. I have managed tabs, coordinated with institutions, sponsors, judges and have spent many sleepless nights and countless arguments but they have undoubtedly been worth it. The UCL Debating Society events are prestigious and I want to help in taking them even further. Learning from my previous experiences and making sure that we have the best events for all debaters. Debating is challenging and having well managed and welcoming events is vital for a remarkable experience which I wish to create. 

VOTE FOR ME AS YOUR CONVENER 

As a competitive public speaker since childhood, I have a deep appreciation for the way debate can be an opportunity for people to compete but also to come together and form meaningful relationships, networks and communities. I understand that a well organised event should have all the intellectually stimulating aspects of debate but should also be a space where people can feel safe and included in a wider community. 

I am standing for the position of Convener to help debaters gain the maximum benefit from the debates and competitions our society hosts. I’m certain that I will be able to do so because I am both highly motivated and skilled at logistical and administrative work. 

Growing up, I benefited immensely from the learning and community that public speaking gave me. At the same time, I also saw how frustrating and detrimental a mismanaged or inequitable event could be. These experiences as a participant, motivate me to ensure that debaters can learn and thrive in safe and enriching settings.

As a member of my high school’s student council, I managed logistics for Pakistan’s Parliamentary Debate Nationals and, as a senior member of the MUN team, I hosted several conferences with over 600 delegates each. These experiences gave me a clear understanding of the behind-the-scenes work, from registrations to trophies, that ensures a successful event.

I am eager to bring this experience, as well as my commitment and enthusiasm to serve UCL Debating Society.

1. I Want to Make Debating Comps more Accessible
Sometimes students hesitate to join because debating can feel intimidating. I aim to change that by introducing open workshops, tiered training, and beginner-friendly sessions that make debate accessible and engaging for all skill levels.

3. I’ll Strengthen UCL’s Competitive Presence
As Convenor, I’ll prioritise hosting high-quality internal and intervarsity competitions, streamline logistics, and ensure our teams have the resources, coaching, and practice opportunities they need to perform at their best.

4. I Build Community Through Structure
My experience as a UCL SU Welfare Representative and HR Intern has taught me how to coordinate people, solve problems, and keep things running smoothly — I’ll bring that same approach to Debating.

5. I Get Things Organised and Done
From managing publications at UCL Lawyers Without Borders to leading multi-society events, I’ve shown I can handle pressure and deliver results — skills essential for keeping competitions, teams, and events on track.