Debating Society: President

I've been in debate for 7 years! At UCL, I served as Convenor and currently serve as Vice President, but I effectively work 3 roles: solo-Convenor (a role typically split by 3-4 people), VP, and Welfare. I’m the only candidate with experience on senior committee (Pres, VP, Tres team), and the only one with convening, events, welfare, and tabbing experience. Next year, I'd also be the longest-serving comm member (with Christan).

You may not know me closely since debate work has kept me from attending as many socials as I'd like :( But I’m known in committee and by others for my competence, commitment, hard work, and love for vodka. I’m also a retired competitive debater, so I understand both competitive and casual members' needs and can focus entirely on fulfilling them/on comm work.

As Pres, I’d prioritise:

• Welfare and mental health, since debate can be stressful - especially for novices
• Growing Funds
• Socials!!
• Opportunities for all members to gain work experience
• Equitable training & team allocation
• Feedback about members’ concerns and needs

I have experience & network to accomplish these goals. This year, I've been up to:

• Solo convening (planning & running) Winter Cup, President’s Cup, UCL ProAm
  • Record-breaking profits, our ONLY revenue beyond membership fees
• Coordinating show Debate at the Night of Ideas
• Running events with MedSoc & Second Space

Your vote would mean a lot to me. I've worked really hard to prove my passion, competence, and gain experience to hopefully serve as President

It's been a long ride, we're finally here. When I first joined the debate society, I didn't know anyone. But I found it was the people who kept me coming back. Debate soc. has done a lot for me, I'd like this to be an opportunity for me to give back.

I want next year's committee to be a lot more connected to what individuals want. So if I haven't reached out to you, please reach out to me. I know I don't have the word count so here is a shortlist:

1. Create separate beginner and advanced seminars, run additional advanced sessions in the week. bring in more external speakers and have a stronger ProAM system. 
2. Open up more competition opportunities for novices, and prioritise them in tournament slotting.
3. Making our society more inclusive with a stronger welfare system
4. Centralise Committee planning so we can be more efficient, run more socials (coffee, karaoke etc.) + Merch!!! 

Presidency is not just the ideas you have, it's about execution. 

I think one of the strongest benefits I offer is that I'm one of the most active and experienced debaters in the society. I've done Worlds, Euros; 20 other competitions this year and was the Chief Adjudicator running the Queen Mary IV Competition.

I wish I could pretend like this was a matter of talent or skill, but it isn’t. More important than the wins and losses, are the connections you make on the way, helping the society is knowing the circuit, whether it’s getting external speakers and Proams, or discounts such as the 70% I negotiated at QMIV.