I’m back, and as promised, this week’s blog will be all about how you can form a debate team or club at your own school. Firstly, I would like to point out that there is a difference between a club and a team. A team will compete competitively through the ADSA, possibly going to provincials, nationals, or even worlds. A club on the other hand is for more fun-oriented recreational debating at the school, this is usually a good place to start if you want to establish a team. Here are a couple of steps you can take to begin a debate team at your school.
1. Find out and meet with people who are interested in creating a club or team.
To make a team, you’re going to need enough people. So, you want to go and find as many people who might be interested as possible, this makes your suggestion for a debate club seem much stronger. If there isn’t too much support for debate, create some hype! Do activities, events and other things around the school to stir up the interest in debate.
2. Find a teacher sponsor
As far as I’m aware, all clubs that are formed in school need the sponsorship and supervision of a teacher. So, a high priority on your list will be to make sure you have a teacher who is willing to give up their time and possibly their classroom for the team to meet and practice.
3. Set a meeting time and date
It’s always good to have a set day for meetings and practices so people know if they will be able to make it or not on a consistent basis
4. Explain what you guys will be doing
Make it clear to the people who attend your first meeting what the team or club will be doing. Make it sure to make it VERY CLEAR whether the group will be a team or a club. Clubs will be more lax and will be most likely open t
o anyone who wants to come join in. Teams on the other hand are a lot stricter in terms of attendance and dedication. Also, most debate teams have a set team after the first few meetings and new members will not be accepted. So, decide what you want your group of debaters to be, and make it clear to every other member what that will mean. You don’t want to create a team, register for ADSA, pay the fees and then have only three people consistently show up to practices.
5. Register with the ADSA (only if you’re a competitive team)
Get your team up and running as soon as possible, once you’re established contact the ADSA with your sponsor teacher. Fill out all the required paperwork as well as the fees and you’re good to go. You will receive notifications about all upcoming debates and your sponsor teacher may register teams.
6. Find a coach/ student leader
Try and find someone who can come in and guide the club/ team and also give advice and tips on debate. See if any of the school’s alumni were debaters, teachers, parents, or maybe even another student at the school. Having someone who knows the ins and the outs of the game really help a new club.
7. Have fun
I know that this is cliché, but I still want to say it. While debate is quite competitive, you need to always remember the spirit of the debate. I’ve met more than one team that simply throws technicalities and rules at you in an attempt to invalidate your case. While pointing out mistakes is part of a debater’s job, don’t go overboard. This is s