ACTION PLAN
ALOUD’s ten-step program will:
Allocate funds competitively to strengthen and build urban debate
Lead Intervention Teams to engage fledgling debate communities
Open Training & Recruiting Centers for professional development
Uncover local collaborations to replicate nationally
Develop customized curricular models
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Advocate urban debate in corporate and education reform circles
Leverage funding relationships with national potential
Operate as a national marketing & information clearinghouse
Unleash coordinated national research efforts
Deliver summer scholarships for debate institutes
PURPOSE: Our purpose is to bring "debate" to the general public, to support the organic growth of debate communities (through local leagues, universities, school systems, and debate organizations). Being a national advocate requires a larger perspective on what debate can be. Tim Sanders identified the keys to success for ALOUD as flexibility and mass appeal. Debaters understand and recognize the power of this activity. The general public does not. ALOUD is positioned to change that reality. Right now, debate is transforming the classroom as a learning tool, creating community awareness in the public sphere, fostering confidence in middle schools, and building leadership skills and critical thinking in community-based organizations. Debate should be everywhere that young people face difficult choices and need more tools to overcome the barriers they face.
METHODS: ALOUD uses broad-based approaches previously untried. Beginning with the National Campaign for Civic Discourse, ALOUD will bring debate to the public by launching coordinated national media efforts, developing co-branded products for partners in local markets, promoting research, and enlisting acclaimed individuals in marketing campaigns. ALOUD supports the organic growth of debate communities by identifying existing partnership models for replication, facilitating assessment of debate initiatives, generating funding streams for local distribution through RFPs, and offering nonprofit management assistance. These essential services resonate with local organizations, the education community and other stakeholders.
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