Volunteer with urban student debaters! No debate experience needed!

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Academic Debate is life changing for the debaters, but you can benefit too!

Why Judge Debate?

• Empower a young person
• Serve as a conscientious educator
• Use your professional skills to support future leaders
• Improve your professional network working with other judges
• Academic service learning opportunity
• Give back

Time commitment varies depending on role. Tournament support roles are expected to be available the entire tournament. Tournament judges may chose which rounds they’d like to work (1-2 hour time slots). We offer $15 per preliminary round judged and $20 per elimination round judged. Prior to the tournament you will communicate which rounds you’d like to judge with the Volunteer and Outreach Manager. Tournament schedules vary but typically go as follows:

• Middle School Conferences: Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm
• High School Red and Maroon Conferences: Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
• High School Blue and Silver Conferences: Friday 3:00pm - 8:00pm / Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm (includes elimination rounds)

This year's debate topic will be about water resources. Start your volunteer application here: https://chicago-debates.volunteerlocal.com

*Please note debate tournaments will take place virtually this season. To volunteer you will need access to a camera and stable internet connection.

Before Judging, volunteers will receive a 75 minute introduction training on policy debate judging to ensure volunteers are comfortable with this new opportunity! Volunteers will also need to pass a background check.

Training dates can be found at the link below and will be conducted virtually. If you are interested in learning more about time commitment for this opportunity please email Lauren at lhince@chicagodebates.org
Training Information:https://www.chicagodebates.org/volunteer/

A volunteer who judges a full day of debate impacts 16 students who wouldn't have had the chance to be heard otherwise. A half-day of your time impacts 8 students, and just two hours of your time helps four ambitious and courageous students!