1. FACILITATING DELIBERATIVE FORUMS—AN INTRODUCTION Summer 2016

2. TODAY’S PRESENTATION
Background
Facilitating Forums
Q&A
Next Steps

3. WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ISSUES FORUMS AND WHO’S INVOLVED?
A nationwide network that promotes deliberation on tough public issues.
Non-partisan, non-profit
Libraries, schools, colleges and universities, community organizations, senior centers, book clubs, and more
National Issues Forums Institute publishes issue guides, reports forum results, and connects the people and organizations that convene and moderate forums.

4. Partnership with The Kettering Foundation, a nonprofit operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of cooperative research.

5. KETTERING FOUNDATION
The Foundation trades insights from its research with this broad network of institutions, organizations, and individuals from over 80 countries.

6. THEORY AND PHILOSOPHY of DELIBERATION
What do you know about deliberation? What is deliberation? Why deliberate?
NOTE: Include a conversation about: "what is a trade-off" - to show that this is more than "pros and cons" -- but the question we use in the Writers Group is: If this action/option worked PERFECTLY, what might the downside be?

7. What do you know about deliberation?
NOTE: Include a conversation about: "what is a trade-off" - to show that this is more than "pros and cons" -- but the question we use in the Writers Group is: If this action/option worked PERFECTLY, what might the downside be?

8. de•lib•er•a•tion
the process of carefully weighing various approaches to a situation, examining the attractions and tradeoffs of each approach, and determining what we are willing to give up in order to get what we want
NOTE: Include a conversation about: "what is a trade-off" - to show that this is more than "pros and cons" -- but the question we use in the Writers Group is: If this action/option worked PERFECTLY, what might the downside be?

9. Common forms of discourse
Discussion
Debate
Deliberation
How does each look/sound/feel like? What positive purpose does each serve? What types of things might conveners do to support each?

10. Public deliberation
“Deliberation about a public issue. It is an unbiased kind of talking that starts where the problem starts—with your experience of it. It’s not a bunch of abstract backroom negotiations, but real, genuine, human struggles of which we are a part.” - nifi.org

11. Public Issue (vs. personal concern)
A problem has societal or community-level
implications
The issue effects groups of people differently
There is not broad agreement on the cause of the problem or solution
There is no perfect solution (there are trade-offs)

12. MORE ON PUBLIC “DELIBERATION” (AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT)?
NOT a debate or simply a discussion
Looks at different options for addressing a public issue
Considers advantages AND trade-offs for each option
Asks people to recognize that every action will have a down side and urges people to realistically consider which of these trade-offs they are willing to accept
Asks participants to think about priorities and what values matter most to themselves, their families, their communities, and our country as a whole
NOTE: Include a conversation about: "what is a trade-off" - to show that this is more than "pros and cons" -- but the question we use in the Writers Group is: If this action/option worked PERFECTLY, what might the downside be?

13. Features of Deliberation
the focus or topic is a public issue
the process emphasizes weighing options and considering trade-offs
multiple perspectives, including marginalized views, are given balanced consideration
participants are charged with deciding/determining priorities

14. Why Deliberate Builds relationships
Awareness of others’ experiences/concerns
Identification of share values/concerns
Empathy for others
Builds capacity to address community problems
Political tolerance
Awareness of common ground
It supports sound public decision-making

15. Communities as ECOSYSTEMS or NETWORKS

16. Coming to Public (Sound) Judgement: Stages
Growing awareness
Greater urgency
Seeking solutions
Wishful thinking
Weighing the choices
Taking a stand, intellectually
Making a responsible judgment
Working Through
Daniel Yankolovich, 1992

17. WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS DO IN A DELIBERATIVE FORUM?
Look at different ways of thinking about a problem
Exchange views with others
Weigh benefit and trade-offs of different approaches
Listen and reconsider in a safe environment
To help people weigh different options and approaches
To give people a chance to hear other perspectives and points of view
To help people look closely at the risks and trade-offs of different approaches
To help people test their own thinking in a safe environment where everyone is committed to listening and reconsidering initial thoughts

18. AND WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, HERE’S WHAT MATTERS MOST
Reach out to invite a diverse group. This bring different experiences and life stories into the discussion.
Take time to prepare yourself to present the options fairly. If you feel confident you understand the values and tensions of each option, you’ll be able to present each with its best foot forward
Set a tone where participants are encouraged to work through tensions and tradeoffs. Playing the devil’s advocate is probably the most challenging part of moderating, but honestly facing up to tough questions is what makes a forum rewarding.

19. WHAT’S NEXT? Organize a forum Review and order materials
Complete participant questionnaires online
Learn to moderate an online forum
Participate in an online forum—Common Ground for Action

20. FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Kettering Foundation National Issues Forums