Convening your Forum: What you need to consider? Convening your Forum: What you need to consider? Prepared by Sandra S. Hodge, Ph.D. State Public Policy Specialist University of Missouri Outreach and Extension Prepared by Sandra S. Hodge, Ph.D. State Public Policy Specialist University of Missouri Outreach and Extension

Convening your Forum: What you need to consider Convening your Forum: What you need to consider Form a steering committee of people Start small Partner with an experienced moderator Consider your issue carefully– why are you having the forum? Intellectual deliberation --educational? Highly charged? Not all topics are suitable for deliberation Need at least a group of 8 Form a steering committee of people Start small Partner with an experienced moderator Consider your issue carefully– why are you having the forum? Intellectual deliberation --educational? Highly charged? Not all topics are suitable for deliberation Need at least a group of 8

Logistics Advance publicity Forum length (2-3 hrs) Room arrangements U-Shaped works best (no podium) Flip chart (markers, tape) VCR (extension cord!) Posters? Sign-in sheet? Location of light switches, bathrooms, etc. Refreshments? Child care? Advance publicity Forum length (2-3 hrs) Room arrangements U-Shaped works best (no podium) Flip chart (markers, tape) VCR (extension cord!) Posters? Sign-in sheet? Location of light switches, bathrooms, etc. Refreshments? Child care? ? ?

Logistics Microphones Handlers (don’t let go!) — no lines Materials Sent out ahead, if possible Photocopy synopsis for those who forget theirs Have extra copies on hand Microphones Handlers (don’t let go!) — no lines Materials Sent out ahead, if possible Photocopy synopsis for those who forget theirs Have extra copies on hand ? ?

Who should come to the forum? Community Community Team (number of participants not specified) REPRESENTATION MATRIX A worksheet to help you think about recruitment from all parts of the community Business and Industry Civic & service clubs MediaHealthEducationReligionHuman services GovernmentVolunt eers College students High School students Technical centers Geographic areas Cultural groups Skills / Expertise

Things to think about Are facilities handicapped accessible? Is there public transportation to the site? What day/night works best? How will you reach people (letters?) Will you need a recorder (observer? Mike handler?) How will you handle the press? Thanking participants

Interacting with your moderator(s) and recorders Interacting with your moderator(s) and recorders Communicate with the moderator(s) and recorder(s) to make sure all expectations of each other are clear and feasible Work with moderator and recorder to decide where flip chart pages and poster will be posted—they will need to refer to them