Workshops
Hands-on sessions where you actually get up and speak. Practice presentations, impromptu speaking, storytelling and vocal delivery in a supportive room.
→Student-led · University of Ottawa
Find Your Voice.
A space to build confidence, leadership & communication. Public speaking · Debate · Skills training. All students welcome.
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01 / Who We Are
We believe strong communication is the foundation of academic success, leadership, and professional growth, and that every student deserves the opportunity to develop that strength.
SpeakSmart is a student-led club at the University of Ottawa dedicated to empowering the voices of today’s students. Through interactive workshops, guest speakers, and engaging events, we create a supportive space where students can practice, improve, and discover their voice.
Whether you’re preparing for a class presentation, leading a group project, practicing for an interview, or simply hoping to express your ideas more clearly, this is the space for you. All faculties, all levels of experience.
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Students welcome from every faculty, every level
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Formats: workshops, speakers, mentorship & more
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Voice that matters most: yours
02 / What We Do
Grow. Express. Lead.
Guest Speakers
Learn from professionals, professors and student leaders who use communication every day, and ask them anything.
→Debate & Discussion
Sharpen your thinking on your feet. Structured debates and open discussions that build clarity, logic and persuasive confidence.
→Mentorship
Get paired with experienced members for interview prep, class presentations, and building your professional voice one conversation at a time.
→03 / Signature Events
Where it happens.
Speech
Clinics
Small-group sessions where you deliver, get feedback, and deliver again. The fastest way to sharpen a talk.
PracticeDebate
Nights
Pick a side, build a case, think on your feet. Structured rounds with a supportive crowd.
CompeteGuest Speaker
Panels
Professionals, professors, and student leaders share how they use communication every day, then take your questions.
LearnNetworking
Seminars
Practice the professional conversations that open doors: introductions, small talk, and following up.
ConnectConfidence
Workshops
Nerves are normal. Learn the techniques that turn anxiety into presence, one exercise at a time.
GrowEvery event,
aligned with our
mission.
Come to One
04 / What's On
Coming up next.
Every event is free and open to all students. Come to one and see for yourself.
Nothing on the schedule right now. Send us a note and we'll tell you as soon as the next event is announced.
Already happened
05 / The Founder
“Expressing yourself clearly is the key to success in academics, in your career, and in life.”
SpeakSmart was founded on a simple conviction: every student has something worth saying, and deserves the tools and the stage to say it well. What started as a belief is now a growing community at the University of Ottawa.
Rayan Saddiki, Founder of SpeakSmart
06 / Our Constitution
Built on principle.
Founded May 9, 2025, SpeakSmart is governed by a ratified constitution. Four values anchor everything we run: every workshop, every debate, every event.
2.2.1
Clarity
Facilitating precise and articulate speech practices.
2.2.2
Confidence
Providing tools and support to improve and strengthen public speaking.
2.2.3
Inclusivity
Ensuring all students, regardless of background, can thrive in the club.
2.2.4
Leadership
Promoting student leadership through speaking opportunities and mentorship.
Art. 5 Membership +
Membership is open and free to all undergraduate students from any faculty or program at the University of Ottawa. You become a member upon registration with SpeakSmart executives, and attending just one event per semester keeps you active.
Art. 7 Events +
Speech Clinics, Debate Nights, Guest Speaker Panels, Networking Seminars, and Confidence Building Workshops. Every event is aligned with the club’s mission and values.
Art. 3 Leadership Team +
An elected executive of eight: President, VP Internal, VP External, VP Communications, VP Francophone Affairs & Equity, VP Events, VP Finance, and VP Marketing. Each serves a one-year term.
Art. 8 Elections +
Executive selection runs annually from late March to late June through a formal application process, open to all registered undergraduate members.
Download the Full Constitution ↓
Bilingual document in English & français. Last updated April 21, 2026.
07 / The Team
Eight seats.
One voice.
SpeakSmart is run by an elected executive of eight, each serving a one-year term. Elections open every spring to all registered members. One of these seats could be yours.
President
Oversees all club operations, chairs meetings, represents the club externally, and ensures constitutional compliance.
VP Internal
Maintains documentation, registration lists, club minutes, and internal communications. Signing officer.
VP External
Builds partnerships with organizations and faculties, handles outreach, and supports speaker acquisition.
VP Communications
Develops content for social media, marketing materials, club branding, and newsletters.
VP Francophone Affairs & Equity
Provides bilingual content and French programming while keeping every event inclusive, safe, and accessible.
VP Events
Coordinates all event logistics, speaker sessions, debates, and skill-building workshops.
VP Finance
Manages budgets, funding proposals, and club expenses. Signing officer.
VP Marketing
Oversees promotion and branding, coordinates event marketing, and works to grow membership and engagement.
This could be you
Executive selection runs every spring, open to all registered members. Watch for applications between March and June.
08 / Join Us
Your voice
belongs here.
All students welcome, no experience needed. Come to one event and see for yourself.
Get in Touch