Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful with the Barkley Forum. We rely on an extensive pool of volunteers to help us teach, judge, and administer our multiple community projects. If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of young people, we have opportunities for you. We can use your support in any of our three main community outreach programs.

The Computer Assisted Debate Program (CAD). CAD began in 2004 as a joint project with other universities and civic organizations in Atlanta to teach debate skills and mentor students living in public housing communities. Students and staff of the Barkley Forum and our partners engage students at participating middle schools three days a week throughout the academic year. Learn more about CAD at website for the National Debate Project.

The Debate Center at Georgia State University. The Debate Center is a collaborative project between Emory University and Georgia State University (GSU). Hosted on the campus of Georgia State, the Center teaches debate and public speaking skills, academic mentoring, and college preparation to public high school students in the metro-Atlanta area. Staffed by students and coaches of the Barkley Forum and GSU, the Center meets once a week throughout the school year. Learn more about the Debate Center at the National Debate Project.

Middle School Debate Series. Each semester Emory University, in collaboration with the Atlanta Public Schools, sponsors four one-day middle school debate tournaments. Attended by over 150 middle school students on one Saturday a month, Emory students judge debates between young debaters throughout the metro area. If you are interested in judging or helping with the middle school debate tournament, please contact Christy Bradley.

If you are unable to volunteer, but are interested in making a tax-free financial contribution to any of these programs, please contact Kara Grant at kcgrant@learnlink.emory.edu