2020 Debate Watch Events "Toolkit"

DEBATE WATCH AND DISCUSSION EVENTS

The first presidential debate will be held on September 29 at 9 PM Eastern Time.

Public Events Calendar with all debates listed is here: https://airtable.com/shrz1yHXSqucdWgwb

Link to watch the debate will be provided on Sept 30 at 9 AM CET on the Global Comms Facebook page and here: https://www.c-span.org/debates/

We will also provide some topics for discussion, at 11 AM CET on Sept 30. (Given the nature of the debate we're just sharing the talking points, not prepared dicussion topics) - will let you fashion that for yourself based onhow you want to move the discussion

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3JYBQF9AuVJugD6aTAFCAFVLCpavI4yIcmbROZxt6k/edit

Debate watch/discussion events are a great opportunity to bring DA members together around a shared activity, be it within or between chapters, countries, or regions.

Regional events make a lot of sense here - especially for multiple smaller CCs - because some regions can watch the debate live and others will not see it until the next day.

Since a number of DA CCs are already hosting their own debate watch/discussion events, DA Global will not be organizing any global event for this debate, but we can support countries and regions which are.

We provide the below “toolkit” and the day after the debate (so, September 30), Global Comms will send some questions around to help and facilitate discussions

Countries or regions can create a virtual debate watch/discussion event in the following way:

SET UP

Decide on the date/time of your event
Decide on the nature of your event (will it be just a watch event or will you also want to have discussion? 1 large discussion or in small groups?

If it’s primarily a Live watch event and /or discussion primarily via chat:

Share the debate livestream on your FB page and have a discussion amongst your members there (Be sure to moderate comments, as trolls will be abundant.)
Members watch it individually on the CSPAN or TV networks page and simultaneously have a corresponding Zoom or Webex meeting where people can chat while watching
Watch the debate live, then go to a Zoom/Webex discussion (see below)

For events where you would like to have more of a discussion, especially after the debate:

Create a Zoom or Webex discussion (a Zoom Room, not a webinar) with multiple breakout rooms based on your attendance
Based on your attendance, have an adequate number of people available to moderate and facilitate the discussions in your small group rooms. Of course it depends on your attendance and capacity, but having rooms with 5-10 people and 1 moderator would be optimal; more than 10 really reduces the time for participation
Small group discussion are best or active participation but having all attendees together for a final, large group discussion or report out can be a nice way to bring everyone together at the end
Have some pre-planned topics or discussion points - DA GLobal Comms will help with that the day after the event (see below)
It is recommended that moderators take notes during the debate itself to be able to refer to specific moments.

Create the event in the Zoom or Webex account you will use (corresponding to the type of event you want to have) Copy the link.
Create an event on Nationbuilder, with an automated RSVP containing the Zoom/Webex meeting link. Describe how your event will proceed & who is invited.

If you need IT or Comms support you may use this form: https://wiki.democratsabroad.org/display/CommsResource/DA+Event+Promotion+Form

Send an email to your members inviting them to the event; if it is just a post-debate discussion, inform them where they will be able to watch the debate in advance.
Include an event announcement on your facebook pages and social media channels

For those in the America’s Region, these events can be live with further discussion right after

For those in the AP & EMEA Region these events will presumably be the next day.

Make a link to the debate available on your social media and event page
DA Global Comms will provide a list of possible topics and points to discuss, to facilitate conversation among your members at your event