Here's a chance to learn new skills (or dust off old ones) and help teenagers develop their public speaking skills: The Minnesota Urban Debate League, which sponsors high school and middle school debate seasons in Minneapolis and St. Paul, needs volunteers for the fall weekend tournament series through November and early December. No prior experience is necessary; training and a meal will be provided. Valuable judging skills are critical thinking, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, public speaking, and verbal/written communication.

The Minnesota Urban Debate League is sponsored by Augsburg University to empower students through competitive academic debate “to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities.” This year's debate topic is: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.

Before each debate new judges receive a half-hour training about high school debate norms, evaluation, debate activity style, and suggestions for effective and informative decisions. Preliminary online judge training at www.augsburg.edu/urbandebateleague/volunteer/training , includes: 1) Judging High School Debates, 2) First Time Judging, and 3) Basics of Debate.

Judges watch the debate rounds and evaluate teams for logic, effective argumentation, and speaking skills. They select the winner, assign speaking points to individuals, and provide constructive feedback to help debaters improve skills.

Select from the season schedule:

• November 10 or 11        Highland Park Senior High 
• November 18                 U of M campus (URVC provides parking)
• December 1 or 2             Eagan High School: Junior Varsity State Tourney 
• December 8 or 9             (Location TBD): Urban Debate League Championship
• December 15–17            Hyatt Regency: (1300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls): John Edie Holiday Tournament

Middle school debates start in January. In December we will send the January schedule to those who have registered. To register as a debate judge, contact University Retirees Volunteer Center; [email protected] or 612-625-8016.

—Alan Kagan, URVC Coordinator