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GET INVOLVED
How to get Involved
COMPETITIVE DEBATING
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Debating at the Union is not reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is one of the largest and most successful in the world. Last year, an Oxford team won the European Universities Debating Championships, and four of our speakers placed in the top ten. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and all are encouraged to get involved.
We do not just practice debating at Oxford; we also fully fund teams of both novices and experienced debaters to attend competitions nationally and internationally. We host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Women’s and Gender Minorities’ Open, and organise the world’s largest schools’ debating competition, which attracts competitors from across the world.
For those new to debating, our Beginners’ Workshops run on Sunday evenings at the Union and are open to all members. These workshops consist of a presentation designed to target specific debating skills and practice debates judged by some of Oxford’s most experienced and successful debaters. If you have not debated before they are the perfect place to start. For those with more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced Squads run on Wednesday evenings at the Union where our coaches provide a one-onone development programme.
There are also unique opportunities that arise throughout the year, such as being able to deliver floor speeches in the Chamber, join mentorship schemes, and do outreach work such as delivering debate workshops in prisons. If you have any questions or want to sign up for workshops or squads, please contact the Chair of Debate Selection Committee, Tanae Rao, at cdsc@oxfordunion.org.
To sign up to the mailing list for weekly updates - including information on weekly training and tournaments - send a blank email to debateannounce-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk. You may also want to like the Oxford Debating Facebook Page and join the Oxford Debaters’ Facebook Group.
Accessibility
The Union is dedicated to ensuring our Society is as accessible as possible to all of our members. If you have any queries or questions regarding accessibility, you can contact our Senior Access Officer, Tim Green, at access.officer@oxford-union.org. You can also raise thoughts and suggestions at Access Committee, which takes place at 1pm every Thursday during term-time.
Accessibility Pass Policy and Event Access
Any member who has accessibility requirements can reach out to request reasonable adjustments. The revamped Accessibility Pass Policy form is available on the Rules and Policies page of our website, with the PDF detailing the process.
For any accessibility queries regarding events, you can reach out to events.access@oxford-union.org, and a member of the team should get back to you within a few days. We can ensure there is a space reserved for a wheelchair, reserve a seat for those with guide dogs, or make any other necessary adjustments to ensure events are accessible.
We have a hearing aid loop and you should switch your hearing aid to ‘T’ to access this.
Library, Bar and Toilet Access
If you need any adjustments in the Library, do not hesitate to speak to the librarians at the Library reception desk to learn more about the adjustments on offer. These include extended loans, height adjustable desks, and admission of proxy borrowers.
In the Bar, the Bar staff can support you in finding a seat or providing a large print copy of the menus. The Union has a disabled toilet on the ground floor which can be opened with a Radar Key issued by most local authorities. A key is also available from the Library and the Bar.
Termly Accessibility Consultation
The Consultation is a survey aimed at all of our members to ascertain how the Union is progressing in terms of its accessibility, as well as identifying steps which need to be taken going forward. The survey usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and provides invaluable feedback for Standing and Access Committees.
Please look out for the survey, which is usually circulated in 3rd week.
Committees
The affairs of the Society are managed by a number of Committees. You can join these meetings by emailing the respective Committee Chairs or checking the Noticeboard.
STANDING COMMITTEE Goodman Library 16.00 every Monday
Chair - Ahmad Nawaz, President president@oxford-union.org The Society’s governing body, the Standing Committee makes the Society’s most important decisions and recommends rules changes to the House.
ACCESS COMMITTEE Goodman Library 13.15 every Thursday
Chair - Tim Green, Senior Access Officer access@oxford-union.org The Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups by planning events and suggesting changes.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Goodman Library 15.00 every Monday
Chair - Joshua Chima, Treasurer treasurer@oxford-union.org The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE Goodman Library 14.15 every Monday
Chair - Daniel Dipper, Librarian librarian@oxford-union.org The Library Committee is responsible for the management of the Society’s Library and for keeping the Library’s collections up to date.
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE Goodman Library 13.15 every Monday
Chair - Chloe Glynn, CCC ccc@oxford-union.org The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the officials of the Union and to stay up to date on the running of the Society’s events.
DEBATE SELECTION COMMITTEE Morris Room 12.00 every Monday
Chair - Tanae Rao, CDSC cdsc@oxford-union.org The Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing, arranging training and competitions.
Ask Questions
The Union is committed to giving members the opportunity to engage with and challenge its speakers. At each of our talks, members have the opportunity to ask questions live during the event. We encourage all members to take advantage of this.
Run for Election
Each term, elections are held for Committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week. Candidates who are successful in these elections assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term and undertake a range of other responsibilities.
For this term’s election, all voting will be in person. If you want to run in this election, please email the Returning Officer at ro@oxford-union. org for more details.
Apply to be on Appointed Committee
A number of Committee positions are appointed, including Press, Sponsorship and Equalities Officers. All appointees assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates over the vacation, alongside working on their specific projects.
Applications for Hilary Term’s appointed committee will open in 5th Week of Michaelmas Term and will be advertised on the Oxford Union Facebook page, website and mailing list. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Please contact the President-Elect, Charlie Mackintosh, at president-elect@oxford-union.org if you have any questions or would like to get involved.
Join a Committee
All Committee meetings are open to members to attend and observe. If you are interested in attending or becoming a member of any of these Committees, email the relevant Committee Chair to find out more.
President’s Open Hours
The President will be hosting weekly open hours where members can come and ask any questions they have. This will run on Fridays from 11am -1pm, with tea and coffee provided.