Identify a group, four to five people, of committed students to found your college debate team. These people should have experience with debate, either from high school or on other similar organizations at college. Founding an organization requires a substantial amount of time to recruit members, write the group's constitution, strategize debate techniques, raise money and prepare the members for competition. It is best to start this process in the summer before recruitment picks up in the fall. You will want to be prepared to educate new members about the group's goal, leadership structure and how they can become involved.
Write a constitution for your organization. This will help you outline the leadership structure, how new leaders are decided, how often you meet, if you require monetary dues, when and how recruitment happens, how finances are handled and any bylaws. The founding members should come to consensus on the constitution. Common themes in debate constitutions are having a policy debate team captain position and defining other traditional executive board positions in terms of debate competition, practice and strategy.
Register the group with the campus' student leadership office. Not all campuses will have this type of office. They often require you to submit a constitution and establish the signers for your student bank account. This office also provides new student organizations tips and counseling when setting up your organization. They help you avoid common mistakes to make your group successful.
Ask a faculty member to be an adviser for the group. Their knowledge and influence can strength your group and increase its lifetime on campus beyond the founding members graduation. They can also help you obtain academic funding. Choose an adviser in a social science department, as most of the students participating come from social sciences.
Recruit current students to be members of your organization. Debate teams are often populated by students in philosophy and the social sciences. Post flyers in buildings where these classes are held. Ask professors of these classes if you can make an announcement about the group before class begins. Ask your faculty adviser to send out a mass email to the philosophy and social science list serves. Incoming freshmen are eager to become involved in student organizations. Participate in freshman recruiting fairs and give them your pitch, convincing them to give their time to your organization over another.