Some Free Resources for Convening Forums Online

When citizens deliberate together about important issues, they can reach decisions and take action together on problems that confront them. NAAEE has been working with the Kettering Foundation for a number of years to develop materials and our understanding of how to use deliberative forums in environmental issues. Many of these deliberative forums were structured as face-to-face gatherings. With the new normal, the Kettering Foundation has developed materials to take these deberative events online:

Some Free Resources for Convening Forums Online
In response to setting new directions for in-person forums during our current climate, several National Issues Forums (NIF) partners have successfully convened virtual face-to-face forums using the Zoom platform.  We are happy to be able to share their experiences and some materials and tips about convening a deliberative face-to-face online forum using a platform like Zoom.

Resources available include:

A 1-hour webinar: NIF Forums Using Face-to-Face Online Platforms
PowerPoint slides used in the webinar (above)
Technical tips for convening an online forum
Moderator tips for moderating an online forum
Online forum invitation template
Forum elements to accompany the NIF Health Care issue guide (PPT slides)
Forum elements to accompany the NIF A House Divided issue guide (PPT slides)

Click here to go to Tips and Resources - Moving Face-to-Face Deliberation Online.

For more information about NAAEE's partnership with the Kettering Foundation and the Environmental Issues Forums, please visit Environmental Issues Forums.