Hello [Recipient Name| Fallback] |
|
|
Voice Fall Programming August 2021 |
|
|
Dear SEDA Members, I know I speak for many when I say that we are eager to return to in-person programming. Following our past online season, I am happy to say that we are exploring all avenues to see a return to in-person events. We reached out to parents, to understand current concerns and comfort levels regarding COVID-19. We continue to speak with coaches and schools across the province about the feasibility of hosting in-person tournaments and events. With extra-curricular activities restarting, we anticipate having answers to share by the end of September. Our summer staff were committed in their efforts in developing resources, executing a successful camp, and developing marketing campaigns for the upcoming season. Your hardwork and dedication is much appreciated. We are excited to confirm that Speech and Debate Academy will remain online ensuring that youth across the province can easily connect, share, and learn together. It is my pleasure to announce a pilot project this season. The project aims to engage high school students.It will allow them to critical reflect, analyse, and write about contemporary social issues affecting society. We will be collaborating with community organizations, community leaders and academics to provide workshops and context for the chosen themes. At the end of the workshop series, students will have an opportunity to submit a written piece of work and receive writing help. SEDA will then select stories to appear in a small SEDA-published booklet. We look forward to this fresh exploration of contemporary issues by Saskatchewan youth. I look forward to our upcoming season. Thank you to our volunteers, staff, generous donors, and SEDA parents for your support. Sincerely, Fiseko Musonda Executive Director |
|
|
Welcome Week Welcome week will run Sept. 13 - 18, 2021 and will feature four free introductory workshops: - National Style Debate,
- British Parliamentary Style Debate,
- Worlds School Style Debate, and
- Public Speaking workshops
The week will end on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 with a fun debate day to practice a round of debate! |
|
|
Dear SEDA Members and Families, On behalf of SEDA’s Board of Directors, I’d like to welcome you to the 2021-2022 speech and debate season! I would also like to thank you for your participation and support last season as we navigated our first online series of tournaments and workshops. Several board members and I had the chance to volunteer at these events, and we were consistently impressed by everyone’s ability to “pivot” to take advantage of opportunities to learn, connect, and compete at a time when most extra-curricular activities were on pause. On that note, I also want to commend our Executive Director, Fiseko Musonda, and her dedicated and talented team for their hard work behind the scenes to not only think creatively and overcome challenges related to hosting a full slate of events online, but also to use the abrupt shift to online program delivery as an opportunity to develop new curricula and reach new members. As we look toward the coming season, we are moving forward with both excitement and a degree of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. SEDA is working hard to develop flexible plans that will help our organization respond to the needs and wishes of our members, the requirements of potential in-person event hosts, and the advice of our local and provincial health authorities. Whether you’re a new or returning SEDA member, family member, or volunteer, I sincerely hope that you will find opportunities throughout the season to engage in speech and debate programming that meet your needs, interests, and comfort level. In addition, I invite you to help strengthen and support our organization in one or more of the following ways: attend our Annual General Meeting on October 20th, run for a position on the Board of Directors, reach out to the office with your questions and suggestions, follow our social media accounts, make a charitable donation, and/or participate in feedback opportunities such as surveys whenever they’re sent out to our membership. Thank you again for your ongoing involvement and support, Sincerely, Sarah Myers (she/her) Board President |
|
|
Speech & Debate Academy Speech & Debate Academy is a weekly after-school program where youth have an opportunity to learn and practice public speaking and debate skills. They will be encouraged to express their own opinions in thoughtful and creative ways. Term 1 will run from Sept. 20 - Oct. 20, 2021. |
|
|
Debate Judge Workshops Debate tournaments would not be possible without the help of our volunteer judges. Most of our volunteer judges are parents, family, university students, and SEDA Alumni. We recommend our New Judges Workshop for those who have judged fewer than 5 times in the past two years. Saturday Sept. 25 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. If you have the basics of debate judging down and are looking to enhance your skills, come to our Returning Judge Workshop. Wednesday Sept. 30 6:30 - 8:00 PM High school students are welcome! |
|
|
Social Justice Writing Series We are excited to pilot Social Justice Writing Series this year. The series is aimed at ALL highschool students including non-SEDA members. Following a series of workshops by community organizations, academics, and professionsals, the students will have an opportunity to reflect, analyse and write about contemporary social justice issues. We have seen a resurgence of youth movements responding to social justice issues. It is more important than ever that we listen to, engage with, and equip young people with the tools to navigate complex ideas. In October, SEDA will be hosting a series of workshops on contemporary social justice issues as part of the story submission process. Students can submit a written piece on a social justice theme or issue covered in the workshops. They will also receive editing help! Submissions are due Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Select stories will be be featured in a SEDA published booklet. Registration will be available early September. |
|
|
2021 Competition Schedule We are working with coaches & schools to determine our ability to host in person tournaments. (update with covid survey sentence) Tentative schedule. - Oct. 2: British Parliamentary Style, Grades 7 to 12 (Online)
- Oct. 9: British Parliamentary Qualifier, Grades 7 to 12 (Online)
- Oct. 16: National Style, High school
- Oct. 23: National Style, Elementary
- Oct. 30: Speech Competition
- Nov. 6: National Style, Elementary
- Nov. 20: National Style, Elementary
|
|
|
News From The Canadian Student Debating Federation Jason Xiao, SEDA alumni, ended his three-year term as Team Canada's debate co-coach at the conclusion of WSDC2021. He retires as one of the most successful coaches in Canadian history with respect to World's competition. Congratulations Jason! The CSDF is seeking a new co-coach with a comprehensive knowledge of World Schools Debate. If you are interested in being part of an awesome experience and team, please send your resume, including two references, to teamcanada@csdf-fcde.ca no later than September 13, 2021. |
|
|
| The Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association is a non-profit organization that helps children and youth be effective communicators, deep thinkers, and engaged community members. info@saskdebate.com |
|
|
Your donation helps keep our programs affordable & accessible. |
|
|
Stay connected & follow us on social media. |
|
|
| |
