Opposites Attract: Headline - Publicly-Owned Utilities vs Private Utilities

Opposites Attract is a debate style night where we choose dialogue over division and conversation instead of confrontation. Fast-paced, fun.

Hosted by The Third Place LLC. Find out more at https://www.thethirdplacellc.com

Opposites Attract is a gathering with a debate format where both audience members and experts get a chance to express different viewpoints with a spirit of respect and curiosity. The goal isn’t to win an argument—it’s to explore ideas and discover perspectives and insights you might not have considered. There will be three rounds, moving from light-hearted to deeper topics. Rounds 1 and 2 involve audience participation. Round 3 is the headline debate where prepared experts face off.

Schedule:

5:30PM - Doors Open

5:30 PM - 6:45 PM - Review debate topics and sign up to debate (optional)

6:45 PM - Debate Teams Assigned/Announced

7:00PM - Debating Begins

DEBATE TOPICS FOR THE NIGHT:

Each evening unfolds in three unique rounds:

We begin with playful, yet thought provoking, topics. Audience members form two teams who share quick, lively, perspectives.

It’s an easy way to warm up and enjoy the variety of opinions in the room.

ROUND 1 TOPIC: Participation Ribbons for All vs. Trophies for the Winners.

Participation ribbons or trophies for the winners—what do you think matters more? Join the conversation as we explore different ways we celebrate effort, achievement, and having fun along the way.

ROUND 2 TOPIC: To Tip v Not to Tip

That moment when the screen flips around and asks for a tip—what do you do? Come share your perspective as we explore tipping culture and how its expectations are showing up in everyday life.

ROUND 3 TOPIC: Publicly-Owned Utilities v Private Utilities

Jason Scott with Dump Duke Campaign will be debating Sean Schraeder wtih Clearwater Energy Alliance.

Public vs. private utilities shape our daily lives in powerful—and often unseen—ways. Join the conversation as Dump Duke Campaign and Clearwater Energy Alliance explore the questions, tradeoffs, and possibilities behind who controls our energy.

HOW IT WORKS:

Audience members can sign up on-site to speak in Rounds 1 or 2 (no experience needed). Five individuals will be selected for each team that will debate each other.

Each speaker will have 60 seconds to share their perspective, either as new information and/or to respectfully refute the other team's opinions/facts. Each debate round will last approximately 10 minutes.

Round 3 is the headline debate comprised of two prepared debaters. Each will have 3 minutes for opening remarks followed by two 60 second rebuttals, followed by two 30 second speed rounds, and then 60 seconds for closing remarks. The debate will be 14 minutes long.

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: After every debate round, the audience will have 5 minutes to ask questions of each debate team followed by 10 minutes of discussion regarding new perspectives and insights gained.

COST: Pay what you can at the door. This is to ensure cost does not prohibit participation and also not have the monies raised to support this gathering all go to pay fees to a third party. Please, mark yourself going so we know to expect you.

What is a Third Place?

Home is considered the 1st Place. Work is considered the 2nd Place. Third places are informal gathering spots that foster social connection and community through conversations and interactions with people of various backgrounds. To find out more, please visit: https://www.thethirdplacellc.com

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