How To Host A Debate Party...Safely

These days families seem more distracted than ever. When you go to a restaurant you can find many members of a family gathered at the table with their attention focused on their electronic devices. Connections are now being made by sharing posts on social media or in group texts. Whether it’s in the summer or during the winter it’s important for families to find ways to bond and create memories. Family debates are a great way for that to happen. Turning it into a gathering, keeping in mind CDC guidelines, of course, helps make a scheduled debate not feel like a chore. Below are a few tips to make your debate party come alive.

Pick a date!
Pick a date that works for everyone and send an invite. An invite makes it official. Use cool images like memes from past presidential debates or movie posters. Send topics ahead of time so people can be prepared. Encourage them to prepare.

Ensure CDC Recommended COVID-19 guidelines
Be sure to take notice of the CDC guidelines for safety protocols on food, social distancing and masks. Have masks, tissues, hand sanitizer (with 60% alcohol) available. Easy to read signage is helpful at entrances, in the kitchen and bathrooms and in any languages that make the information accessible to your guests.

Safe Snacking tips!
Plan delicious goodies because nothing brings people together like food. Packaged snacks and bottled drinks keep things safe but there are other ways to maintain safety and make it fun. Pre-prepped and individually bagged meals by vendors make it easy for you.

Make it Stress Free!

• -Hot Topics- Aim for relevant topics. Or have some that would be of interest to anyone attending.
  Making the debate inviting various family or friends so they can connect with will be key.
  The point is to have a good time.
• -Pros & Cons- The debate topics should have pros and cons that your audience is pretty familiar with.
  Making discussions centered around issues like "poisonous tree frogs" may alienate some.
• -It Has Potential- Make it a goal to spark a debate that can inspire discourse and a passionate exchange. 
• -Rules- Rules- help to keep the flow, make the structure consistent for everyone and ensure that when
  things get a bit too tense, there is something in place to ensure a safe and respectful debate. Communicate
  rules with clarity to avoid confusion. Have them printed and visible for reference. Don’t forget, this is for fun!

Remember the original intention behind making this happen. Be sure to take pictures and send a nice thank you
​note following. Family or fr-amily (friends that are family) debates help people come together and create memories.

Explore Debate Topics Below:
Tik Tok deters kids from going to college.
Parents should be forced to have one “yes” day a month.
Violent games should be programmed by the manufacturer to be accessible only 2 hours a day.
Cuban food shortages were caused by the US.
Colleges should offer free classes or masters programs for students unemployed 1 year after graduating.
Teachers should receive the same pay as doctors.
It should be legal for parents to coordinate fight clubs for their children as early as elementary school.
Reading skills are more important than math. 
Smart watches assist students in cheating on tests.
Advantages to kids playing violent video games.
Pros and cons of hotels housing the homeless. 

References
https://www.5staressays.com/blog/speech-and-debate/debate-topics#b