The Verde Valley Forum combines its visionary purpose with a practical format involving more than a year of preparation, including:
• Research and study
• Participant selection
• Analysis and discussion
• Developing the forum report
• Disseminating information
Research and Study
The Forum's Board of Directors surveys the members and local leaders, and reviews major issues and concerns facing the community. About 18 months before the forum date, the Board decides on the general topic. A Research Committee then selects professional researchers for a comprehensive study of the topic.
The Research Team then publishes a thorough Background Report to give forum participants a base of knowledge to prepare for discussions.
Arizona's state universities, the Arizona Town Hall (a model for Sedona Academy), government agencies, and private research institutions have participated in this important research. The Background Reports for all Forums provide a unique and considerable library of information on our area, not available from any other source.
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Participant Selection
In nominating and selecting the participants for any forum , the the objective is to is to bring together a cross-section of people who can represent and express the views of various sectors of our region. We also invite high school students to participate in every forum.
This provides a broad diversity of knowledge, opinions, abilities and judgment at the forum. This diversity results in imaginative, realistic and specific proposals and conclusions.
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Analysis and Discussion
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Several weeks before the forum, the (approx.) 100 selected participants attend an orientation meeting. The Research team presents the Background Report, and detailed plans for the forum are described.
A forum usually involves these key elements:
• Kickoff dinner and keynote talk
• Panel discussions
• Featured speakers at mealtimes
• Final plenary session |
At the forum, participants are divided into balanced panels, each with a moderator and recorder. They meet in morning and afternoon sessions. At mealtimes, stimulating speakers -- all experts in their fields -- make presentations pertinent to the panel discussion which follows.
During each panel session, the recorder summarizes the participants’ discussions; those of the panels are then combined by a writing committee into a draft for the Final Forum Report.
On breaks, the interchange of ideas with members of other panels provides stimulation for ensuing discussions.
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Developing the Final Forum Report
All participants come together in a final plenary session, where they review the draft conference report, debate, achieve consensus, revise and adopt the Final Report of that Forum.
View the reports from past forums
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Dissemination of Information
Copies of the Final Forum Report are published and distributed at no charge to government agencies, community organizations, news media, and the public. The media coverage generated by forum activity raises public awareness on the issues addressed. This heightened awareness supports a cohesive response to the rapid growth and change occurring in our community.
The Final Forum Report, like the Background Report which preceded it, serves as a valuable resource for many years to come.
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Read Sedona Public Library Director David Keeber's article from the Red Rock News
