Debating Society: Social Secretary

As a Politics student with experience in political journalism at Al Jazeera, I thrive on discussion, connection, and bringing people together through ideas. Debate has always been about more than just winning arguments...it’s about community, confidence, and exchange. As Social Secretary, I want to make sure that same spirit extends beyond the podium.

I’d plan socials that are inclusive, creative, and genuinely fun! Mixing light-hearted events with intellectually engaging ones. Think:

“Debate & Dine” nights combining casual debates with dinner or themed socials.

Collabs with other societies (like Politics, Law, or Women in Leadership) to expand our network and attract new members.

Post-competition gatherings to celebrate achievements and build lasting friendships.

Wellbeing-focused socials, giving members a space to relax and recharge amid the high-energy atmosphere of debating.

My goal is to make Debate Society a space where everyone- from first-time debaters to seasoned speakers- feels part of a welcoming, dynamic community. I’ll bring creativity, organisation, and enthusiasm to every event, ensuring members feel both connected and inspired.

DEBATING IS FUN!!! Debating is much more than the room you debate in for an hour, it is the people you meet, post tournament laughs and the memories you make along the way. I have met amazing people through debating and formed lifelong friendships and a lot of memories I shall cherish forever. Fun is not the first thing people think of when they think of debating and that is just straight up false. As social secretary I want to help create more of these moments for everyone and will be working closely with the committee so ensure this is possible. I will be focusing on making our socials fun, well-run and memorable. From bar nights to picnics to bigger society events, I’ll make sure we have everything for everyone to do. Let’s be real Tuesday and Thursday sessions can get stressful, and we all need something fun after that. I will make sure we do that on a regular, so we enjoy and have fun with the same people we go through a lot at sessions and tournaments. So, let’s bring about great socials that we can all look forward to. VOTE FOR ME AS YOUR SOCIAL SECRETARY! :)

Hi I’m Nur and I’m running for VP/Social Secretary! To me, debate is special in its capacity to give people the space to learn, make mistakes, and grow. As VP/Social Sec I endeavour to protect and nurture this within debate sessions and social events. I aspire to make every social event positive and welcoming through exciting themes, like board games nights or collaborating with societies you’d never expect (perhaps a sports club!), within UCL but with other universities too, to reaffirm our sense of community and belonging. Putting you first is my biggest priority: whatever goals we have, I aspire to make it happen immediately and effectively.

My leadership experience extends far. As former debate president, mental health ambassador, current lead speaker on SEAS (charity organisation) and Taekwondo coach, I’ve learned how to bring out the best in everyone, including myself, and lead with excellence. I also know how to host a great social, but ones that point to a good cause. Having recently hosted a Malaysian dinner event of over 30 attendees and over £200 raised (!), as social sec I will always guarantee a great and meaningful time for all.

I will channel my leadership and social experience to debate. What we have at UCL is special because despite being a big club, there is such a great sense of family and care for one another. As your future VP/Social Sec I will passionately listen to all of your wants and needs, so that your time at UCL debate is as memorable as it can be.

I am standing for the role of social secretary for a few reasons. Since coming to UCL, I have absolutely loved being part of the debate society. The people are all lovely and the quality of debating is incredible. The dedication of everyone has inspired me to get involved as much as I possibly can, and at first that was through showing up to debate sessions and signing up to my first competition, but when these roles were released, I knew that I had to try get involved further.

When I saw this role, I felt as though it would be the perfect opportunity as I genuinely love arranging events and socials.  I believe that events and socials are the best way to bring people together and combine a love for the society with a fun time beyond debating sessions. Whilst those sessions are of the utmost importance, I think that the majority of fond memories are made through socials.

I read the job description and I feel as though I can handle this role very well. I have experience with arranging and managing events, skills developed through experience such as being on my secondary school's prom committee, in which we had a lot of responsibility to manage finances whilst ensuring a magical experience for all. I would like to bring my experience, dedication and appreciation of compromise and detail to the committee in regards to this role.  This is why I am standing for Social Secretary.

I am a top 5 debater

Having a good relationship with your debating partner can help you win debates but even the most introverted debater didn’t join this society hoping to make no friends and never have fun. Socials are vital and debating needs someone like me to organise fun and creative events.

In my school’s charity committee, I organised competitions, fun runs and a cabaret, so I know how to plan and deliver events. This summer, I worked full time as a counsellor at a sleepaway camp and I learned how to form a community and encourage friendships.

I’ll make sure non-drinking socials never feel like an afterthought. Activities like visiting Parliament or watching major debates could help your debating skills whilst bowling, cinema and theatre trips would bring people together, creating community. As exam season gets closer, I would organise group study sessions so that we can keep being social without sacrificing revision time.

I know how important it is to listen to what people want and so, as Social Sec, I would offer a run club, collaborations with other societies or casual social debates based on demand.

Drinking socials still matter. They build stronger ties in our community (and they’re fun!). With over a year's experience as an alcoholic in London, I’m more than happy to organise pub golf, karaoke, Spoons crawls or pub quiz teams. These activities would help turn debating partners into real friends.

Debating society needs a Social Sec who is creative, organised and dedicated. I’m all three.

Community. Community. Community.

I am standing for Social Secretary because I believe that the strength of any Debating Society lies in its quality of connection between its members. A vibrant social culture encourages collaboration, confidence, and a true sense of belonging - elements essential for individual and collective growth. If entrusted with this role, I will dedicate myself to creating a diverse and inclusive programme of social events designed to engage every member, regardless of experience and social confidence. From well-organised mixers and themed socials to strategic collaborations with other societies, my aim is to foster an environment where ideas flourish beyond the floor and friendships deepen in meaningful ways. With proven organisational skills and a passion for community-building, I am committed to elevating our society’s social life. By championing events that are both welcoming and inspiring, I will ensure that being part of the UCL Debate Society is as rewarding socially as it is intellectually. I ask for your support to bring this vision to life. 

Serving as the Black History Month Students’ Guild project intern at my previous university  provided invaluable experience that translates directly to the role of social secretary. This background shows a capacity to unite people across diverse backgrounds and provide enriching opportunities for interaction, which is essential for successful society operations at UCL.