THE GREAT DEBATE - TOASTMASTERS

By Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G

My Carlsbad Toastmaster Club, Tick Talk Toastmasters, recently held a Club debate. The topic was “The Pros and Cons of Physician Assisted Suicide.”    While it is a controversial subject for many, I felt the participants excelled with dignity and compassion, and expertise in researching while sharing their feelings on this important subject.  I also feel this event will be  the highlight of our Club’s year.

Leading the debate was Deborah Corey who provided participants with Karl Popper Debate  Rules.  The debate was comprised ten parts. Six of these consisted of speeches (uninterrupted presentations by a designated speaker). The remaining four consisted of cross examination, i.e., a series of questions and answers involving one speaker from each side. There were two teams, each with three people. One team took the PRO position, and the other took the ANTI  position.  This enabled participants to focus on the core elements of a controversial issue while giving them an opportunity to follow the Karl Popper Debate Format:

•   emphasize tolerance for multiple points of view

•   emphasize the development of analytical thinking skills

•   instill in participants an appreciation for the value of teamwork

Pat Rarus was our moderator who kept things moving making sure our speakers kept within their allotted time frames and brought the meeting in on time!  We also had two evaluators giving their feedback to each team.

While I personally subscribe to the “Five Wishes” concept of how I want my final days to flow and have so notified my physician, I was deeply touched and impressed by the arguments on both sides of this controversial debate.  Their persuasion skills were outstanding.  It is also the sort of program that needs to be videotaped so future members can see how well rounded communicators we are at Tick Talk Toastmasters.

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG

Writer ● Speaker ● Artist

artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663

http://www.shirleycarolan.com

http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com

http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2013 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you.