I used to organize a meetup for Javascript programmers. It was more about sharing information than about debate, but I think there might be overlap with what you want. The format was a regular meeting schedule once a month where 2-3 people would give presentations to show off what they’ve been working on, teach how to use a new framework, or whatever they were interested in. So in a way it has handing out information from on high, but I think because we had different people each meeting sharing their perspective there was a good element of exchange of ideas between peers.

Now it turns out that people need lots of leadership energy to create room for exchange of ideas. At the beginning I’d get about 6 people at each meeting, few of whom volunteered to step up in front of the group. So what I did was to show up every month, and talked about whatever topic I could come up with. At most of the meetings it was just me talking. When I did get other people to present it was through prodding and hassling. But people were interested enough in the material, and found enough value in just being in the same room with other people with similar interests that people kept coming back. It stayed small like that, growing slowly for maybe 2 years. But then we hit a critical point where there were enough people coming, and people were inspired enough that suddenly we were getting 30-50 people each month, and I had no problem finding volunteers to present. And it wasn’t the same volunteers either - we had a good rotation of different people interested in sharing their ideas. That continued for another 6 years before I moved and passed organizer responsibility over to the next generation.

My point is that a club like this needs a lot of energy and attention. It’s going to grow slowly. But it will grow if you keep at it, and put in the work. We reached that point where the group became sort of self sufficient in that I didn’t need to be the one making presentations anymore, and I didn’t need to actively seek out volunteers to present. But I still had to put in the work to make sure we had the meeting space available every month, show up to let people in, work out the meeting schedule, get food. Anything like this will die if there isn’t someone holding it together through force of will. But it’s worth it! It was a great experience!

I know you said you want your club to self-manage. But people need structure. If you ask people to show up and have stimulating discussion they’re going stand around awkwardly not knowing what to talk about. Something like a presentation followed by discussion gives structure that helps people to open up, and explore their own thoughts. Or since you want multiple perspectives maybe a debate or a panel format would work better for you. Get 2 or more volunteers to talk about a specific topic. I highly recommend lining up panelists ahead of time - you’ll have a rough time getting volunteers on the spot. If you prep your debaters ahead of time by asking them to present different views they might be less likely to simply agree with each other. Once your scheduled panelists get ideas flowing it will be easier to encourage attendees to step up to speak. You might have a debate or panel followed by open discussion, or rotating panel seats that people can step up to and leave as they feel inspired. But again, based on my experience I suggest being ready to be the one person standing up and debating yourself for maybe many meetings before the club finds a self-organizing energy.

I don’t know where in the world you live, but here in the US there is a decades-long trend of people abandoning group social activities in favor of individual activities. Robert Putnam wrote a whole book about it called Bowling Alone back in 2000. Organizations of all kinds have seen declining membership, from adult sports leagues to scouting organizations to PTA groups. If you can find a group of people dedicated enough to form and maintain a club, then you are bucking the trend.

Does your club meet regularly? Once a week, once a month? It’s important to keep it regular. Predictability makes it easier for people to make it a routine. Meet on the same day of the week. Don’t change it to accommodate anyone. People have their own lives, don’t be hurt if they don’t show. Also know that people often will say they are interested but not follow through, that’s normal.

Meetings need to have a framework. I recently joined a club that begins each meeting by having the secretary read the minutes from the last meeting. Then they address old business and new business. The main body of the meeting is usually a guest speaker. After that members have time to check out a book from the library, pay dues, order hats or shirts.

Every organization needs a leader. It’s never going to be 100% self maintaining. That doesn’t mean you have to do all the work but you’ll have to delegate responsibilities to volunteers. Don’t micromanage them. Be grateful and complimentary, nobody’s getting paid I assume. Be willing to accept things even though they didn’t turn out how you envisioned. They’ll be more willing to take projects on when you are supportive.

I hope this helps, good luck

We really need a generic ‘advice’ community for these sort of questions. I was looking for this sort of community too a few days back.

On the surface, success appears to happen overnight. In reality, it’s a lot of long, thankless hours. That’s why big success is rare, and can feel serendipitous at times.

It’s also okay to try really hard and then change your mind, or feel disappointed if it doesn’t work out ❤️

Find a successful club and talk to the people who run it.

Doesn’t have to be related to your particular area; just a club that’s been running a while.

Also, these things take work. I do a bit of work in the groups I belong to, and I see the folks at the top doing way more work.

The same way you form any group: you meet regularly. Set a time and place that seems like it would be good for a good percentage of the people, and turn up there, every meeting. Have some of the meetings be about a concept or theme; let everyone know what the concept is ahead of time, so they can think about it and maybe do research or bring examples. And have some of the meetings be open meetings, where anyone can talk about stuff relevant to the group’s purpose. If it becomes a more active group, you may need to limit talking time per person in the open meetings; and if a particular topic catches fire in an open meeting, you can revisit the topic in a themed meeting.

But groups are formed the same way friendships are formed: people turn up regularly to spend time together. Some meetings you may be the only person there, but be open and welcoming to those that do show up.

A club needs a purpose everyone agrees to and at least several members work to support. That purpose can just be socializing. That’s all it really needs.

I’ve supported groups that almost failed over the years by doing the heavy lifting until other members could share some of the load, but you really need a few people to make it work.

Most active clubs that have stuck around started as folks who were getting together regularly around a thing for long enough they decided to formalize it. The one exception was there was a freethinkers club that I think started as a guy putting a meetup notice at a restaurant for brunch for freethinkers at an establishment that had enough extra space and where fine with pushing tables together. When it got to big it started meeting at his home. I think he figured he would go for brunch and if people showed then bonus.