How to: Town Hall Debate

One way to participate in and enhance democracy in your community is by holding a town hall debate.

Town hall meetings and debates are public forums where issues and ideas can be discussed and brought to the general population's attention. Conducting a town hall debate requires planning to ensure attendance rates are high and the debaters have ample time to prepare. A successful town hall debate will help bring a community or group together to hash out issues and work toward resolutions and serve as an exchange of knowledge that enlightens everyone involved.

Things You'll Need

• Candidates or debaters

Instructions

1. Determine the dates for your town hall debate. If the debate pertains to an election, choose a date that precedes the voting period. Select a venue located in the center of the community with enough seating capacity to hold the number of residents who might be interested. Sign a contract for the facility and arrange for seating, podiums for those debating, a speaker system, a moderator table and chair area and ample parking for all in attendance.

2. Arrange for a moderator to be in charge of the debate and the flow of the event. The moderator will ask questions of participants or candidates in an organized manner. The moderator should set a time limit by using a timer for responses to allow enough time for all questions to be asked. Have the moderator receive and review all questions you have for the debaters at least two to three days prior to the event.

3. Discuss the town hall debate with those debating during the event. Make sure to outline the topics and issues that will and will not be discussed. Make sure all participants know the debate format. For instance, tell the debaters that predetermined questions will be asked by the moderator and general questions will be asked by those in the audience. Ensure all participants are comfortable with this town hall debate format.

4. Give a copy of the potential questions to be asked by the moderator to all participants prior to the debate. Make sure everyone is in agreement regarding the preselected questions. Receive both verbal and written confirmation that the questions are acceptable. Make any additions or deletions to the set of questions as necessary.

5. Advertise and promote the town hall debate. Advertise in local and community publications, via radio and television mediums and by using social media. Start promoting the town hall debate as far in advance as possible to generate a high turnout for the event.

6. Have participants arrive first on the day of the debate. Place those debating on a stage or in the front of the room. Make sure each person has a podium, chair and microphone. Put the moderator between the debaters where he can face them. Seat the audience facing the stage. Have podiums with microphones throughout the venue for the audience to ask questions toward the end of the debate when the floor is opened up to the general public for questions.

Tips & Warnings

• Have the moderator run through all predetermined questions prior to taking questions from the audience to keep the debate on track and to ensure all major topics and issues are covered.

• Make sure the moderator knows to cut short any debates that become too heated or controversial.

References

• Local Victory; How to Hold Successful Town Hall Meetings; Joe Garecht
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: How to Plan a Town Hall Meeting