You understand that public forums: ___Give people of diverse backgrounds a chance to express their views ___Are a first step toward understanding the community's needs and resources You have gathered the following things you need to conduct a public forum: ___Meeting place ___Community members ___Easel/newsprint /markers ___Facilitator ___Recorder ___Willingness to listen carefully Issues and Concerns You have asked yourself the following questions: ___What are the problems? ___What are the consequences? ___Who is affected? ___How are they affected? ___Are there related issues of concern? ___Are these issues of widespread concern? Barriers You have asked yourself the following questions: ___Who or what might oppose efforts to prevent or solve the problem? ___Can they be involved effectively? ___What are the other limits on effective prevention/treatment? ___How can the barriers and resistance be overcome? Resources for Change You have asked yourself the following questions: ___What resources are needed? ___What local people or groups could contribute? ___What monies and materials are needed? ___Where might they be obtained? Alternatives and Solutions You have asked yourself the following question: ___What are alternatives for addressing the problem, given the anticipated barriers? Organizing a public forum You have taken the following steps: ___Holding meetings at different sites to get real representation. ___Scheduling the forum at an easy-to-find, public location which is accessible and comfortable ___If possible, holding the forum in the evening to avoid time conflicts with work and school. ___Publicized the forum as widely possible. ___Personally recruited community leaders and diverse community members to attend the meetings, and asked them to recruit others as well. ___Provided transportation to the meeting if necessary. ___Served light refreshments if possible. Conducting a public forum You have taken the following steps: ___Designated a discussion leader or group facilitator ___Introduced the leader of the community initiative and the discussion leader, and, if time and group size allowed, let all participants introduce themselves. ___Agreed upon an ending time, and kept to it. ___Kept working groups to smaller than 30-40 participants, or, if over that number, divided into smaller groups. ___Designated a recorder for each group. ___Provided information about your own organization, if appropriate. ___Considered allowing some time for addressing such topics as issues and concerns; barriers and resistance to addressing the issues and concerns; community resources for change; recommended alternatives and solutions. ___Used newsprint to record the discussion on each of the topics. ___Concluded with a summary of what was achieved and a preliminary plan of action. ___Announced the next meeting if possible. ___Prepared a written summary of brainstorming ideas and mail to all participants, with thanks, and with mention of opportunities for further involvement. Contributor Vince Francisco Jerry Schultz
