The Rise for America Campaign is going strong, with a 65% increase in actions taken after the last time I reached out. If you haven’t already jumped in, now is a great time because this week, we’re highlighting one of the most exciting actions you can take: train to be a Debate Chair.
If you’ve been to one of our debates, you’ll know they’re unlike any other. They’re not a competition, but a collective search for truth. Braver Angels Debates create something rare, even sacred: a place where people can share their perspectives without fear of being canceled or shut down. And because of this, there’s a huge demand for them—a growing demand we won’t be able to meet unless we have more Debate Chairs.
So, what is a Debate Chair? Put simply: Debate Chairs help plan and facilitate the debate. But their role is bigger than that. They set a fun, energetic tone and create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to say what they truly think.
In fact, after attending a number of debates at our 2023 Braver Angels Convention, our very own Mónica Guzmán—along with her husband, Jason—decided to join the Rise for America Campaign and train to become Debate Chairs. Here, she shares why:
I’d already fallen for Braver Angels Debates online when I went to my first national in-person debate — “Is America the greatest country in the world?” — at the convention. But feeling the energy in that room, seeing how wisdom and nuance came from every corner — including from people who’d start their speeches by saying, “I’ve never spoken before…” or “I’m not sure where I stand on this, but…” — reminded me how unbelievably powerful we are when we *think together* and share our perspectives fully, freely, and without fear. I ended up attending five debates at the convention. And my husband and I both knew, by the end of the last debate, that we needed to bring these amazing experiences home with us to Seattle.
Are you inspired to take action?
- Head to braverangels.org/rise
- Commit to Action #4: Train to be a Debate Chair(and move forward on the next steps!)
- Fill out the completion form to let us know this action has been taken.
If you’re excited by the idea of bringing people together for an open, honest inquiry of some of our country’s most controversial issues, consider training to be a Debate Chair. It’s quite possibly the best step you can take towards creating better debates in our country.
Are you ready to grab your gavel and call a debate to order? Sign up here.
