Voice
SEDA in Transition
Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association
Email: info@saskdebate.com
Website: www.saskdebate.com
Location: 310 Wall Street Suite 207 Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N7
Phone: (306) 780-9243
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skdebate/
Twitter: @SEDA
Thinking Not Cancelled!
- new student resources and materials
- new coaches guide
- lesson plans
- technical guide for debating and judging online
- registration and fee information
- fall virtual workshops for debaters
We look forward to learning through speech and debate with you!
SEDA Welcomes New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association (SEDA), welcomes Fiseko Musonda to its team in the role of Executive Director (ED). Our long-standing ED, Melissa Ong, will be retiring at the end of September. We want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank her for her exceptional leadership and dedication over the past four and a half years.
Following a competitive search process, Fiseko Musonda emerged as the top candidate. Starting August 10th, Fiseko Musonda begins her employment with SEDA in her new role. Over the course of a 7-week transition process, Fiseko will assume the responsibilities at the helm of our organization. At the same time, Melissa Ong’s title will change to Outgoing ED and National Seminar Coordinator until her retirement at the end of September. Melissa will continue her leadership with hosting the 2020 National Seminar and will help to ensure a smooth transition with Fiseko.
Fiseko Musonda has extensive experience working in diverse and complex organizations, particularly those with multiple stakeholder interests and a significant volunteer base. In addition to strong management skills, she’s bilingual, passionate about building community, and dedicated to supporting young people. Fiseko holds a master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies and most recently served as Provincial Thrift Shop Coordinator with the Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan. “Given the current socio-political climate locally, nationally, and globally, the skills harnessed through SEDA’s programming are crucial. SEDA’s programming plays a role in actively equipping future leaders with the skills necessary to face current challenges and challenges we have yet to imagine,” states Fiseko.
For the past sixteen years, Melissa Ong has been a passionate and respected member of the SEDA family in her roles as coach, Board member, and most recently, ED. Melissa has been invaluable to our organization thanks to her vision, exceptional relationship-building skills, creativity, integrity, and professionalism. Under her leadership, we have seen our motto, “Words Are Powerful”, come to life and our organization renewed and reinvigorated. Some of Melissa’s most notable contributions include hosting three national events, taking a team to Model European Parliament, overseeing our website revitalization, streamlining SEDA’s tournament hosting model, and maintaining strong relationships with our partners and funders. Melissa will be leaving our organization in a strong position to continue fostering informed and engaged citizenship across the province.
Building on this work, Fiseko will help advance SEDA’s goals of being a forward thinking organization, building for diversity and striving for excellence in programming. Our transition to online programming and resources is well underway. SEDA will continue to look for opportunities to promote critical thinking, mutual respect, curiosity, and understanding. Amidst this period of global uncertainty and ongoing change, we have confidence that we will remain vibrant, united, flexible, and ready to face the challenges.
The SEDA Board expresses sincere thanks to Melissa Ong for her enormous contributions to SEDA and looks forward to future work with Fiseko Musonda.
Sarah Myers
Board President, Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association
Successful Summer!
SEDA ran over forty virtual speech and debate workshops from May to August. This would not have been possible without the dedication and creativity of our summer student staff made up of SEDA alumni and other university students. A big thank you goes to Leora and Anwyn Diakuw who coordinated both our virtual workshops and our resource update.
SEDA would also like to thank the parents and students who participated in our summer workshops. Your engagement and feedback have helped energize and prepare SEDA for the upcoming season online!
Saskatchewan on the World Stage!
You can watch Team Canada win the final at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxHFvX94AC0&feature=youtu.be
You can read more about the success of Team Canada at the following links