How to recruit pupils
All a debating society needs is a room, some time (between 40 minutes and an hour), and some members. The society’s meetings can either take place at lunchtime or as an after-school club - but the most crucial element of any debating society is the debaters themselves.
There are three main ways to recruit pupils to a new debating society. It is probably best to try all three strategies in conjunction with each other.
Ask pupils to come along
The first way is to ask pupils that you think would be good at debating or think would enjoy debating to come along to the society’s meetings. Ask other staff to identify people that they think would be good at debating or would enjoy debating. This is a useful way to build a solid base of debaters. Also tell teachers who use debating in the classroom so that they can promote the society to their students.
Advertise
The second way is to advertise the society in assembly, by posters around the school and in the school newspaper. You may be surprised who comes forward - but it is important to remember that all pupils can benefit from debating and the skills that debating encourages.
Use word-of-mouth
Finally, ask the pupils who do attend regularly to ask friends that they think would enjoy debating to come along - pupils have a valuable role to play in the recruitment of members for the society.
Get everyone involved
Initially, the teacher starting the debating society may have to make the posters but once the club is established this can be delegated to the debating society members. Indeed, if there are elected positions, one of the positions could be publicity officer. Also encourage pupils to come along and watch - some will be intimidated initially at the idea of coming to the debating society but it is useful to engender an ‘everyone is welcome' culture.
Once the society is established, continue to look out for talented pupils or pupils who might want to attend the meetings.
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