Hosting a debate event is much more organizational work than simply booking a speaker. However, there is a greater payoff in attendance, as people from both sides of the issue (as well as the all-important “undecided” demographic) are more likely to attend in anticipation of seeing sparks fly. Here are some important organizing tips as you arrange a campus debate:

• Assess whether or not your group is up to the challenge.  Debates are hard work.
  

• When you decide to pick a date for the event, pick one at least 3 months in the future, and pick 3 possible dates--avoid Fri. and the weekend.

• Think about the cost-SSA provides project grants for just this sort of event.  If you're choosing a member of the SSA's Speakers Bureau , we provide those speakers for free on a first-come first-serve basis. Also try contacting your student treasurer or social activities board to acquire funding for your event. If the price is still prohibitive, invite professors  from campus, thereby cutting out travel costs.  Professors will sometimes participate in campus events for free if you ask them nicely, especially if this the topic is related to their work!
  

• Devise a debate topic.  Make sure this is fair.  'Why is religion so terrible' is an example of a debate topic that is not fair.

• Confirm your participants.

• A good moderator is necessary for a good debate. Laying out the rules of the debate beforehand and making sure both speakers agree to these rules will help things to run smoothly. The moderator should be prepared to interrupt in the event that a speaker takes the debate too far off-topic, so this is not for the timid. It is customary for each speaker to be allowed time for opening remarks, then each is given time to offer a rebuttal to the other's comments, followed by questions from the audience, time permitting.

• Confirm your moderator.

• Begin the promotion.  Promote promote promote.  Post fliers, contact the school paper, contact your local American Humanist Association chapter or other off-campus freethought group, send Facebook invites...etc.  On the day of the event, take a full 2 minutes at the top of the debate to talk about your group; who you are, what you do, what you stand for, where you meet, how to sign up for your email list....this is your time to recruit--take advantage!

Happy debating.  Please contact Feild Director Alison Bates for help along the way.