Recently, the relationship between police and the communities they serve has become the focus of intense scrutiny, conversation and even protest. The issue is difficult to talk about—and yet, we must, or this issue could tear our communities apart. 

A problem like this requires talk, but not just any talk. We need deliberative forums where  community members of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions and professions can get beyond the talking points and bumper stickers. Forums where they can share not just what they think, but why. Places where we can consider tensions and tradeoffs and see where we may have common ground.

But in order for there to be forums, there have to be conveners and moderators. 

And that’s why your community needs YOU. To get people started, NIFI is offering 20 FREE hard copies of the Safety and Justice issue guide + copy of the starter video to the first 100 moderators who can convene a forum between January 1, 2017 and March 15, 2017.

Sign up for your free materials HERE.

NIFI is offering these materials in partnership with the Kettering Foundation. Kettering will analyze participant questionnaires and other forum information for a report to policymakers at the A Public Voice event on May 9, and in a full report on the entire forums series at the end of the year.

To qualify for this special offer, you must:

• Host a forum on Safety and Justice between January 1, 2017 and March 15, 2017.
• Ensure that each participant and moderator complete a post-forum questionnaire.
• Send all questionnaires back within a week of hosting the forum (all questionnaires must be sent by March 15, 2017).
• Collect participant contact information for additional A Public Voice and NIFI opportunities. 

I am asking each of you to consider offering a forum to a group with whom you have contact and who you feel is interested in this issue--your church, a book club, a class you are teaching, a civic organization to which you belong, etc. You can make a significant contribution to spreading awareness of public deliberation and to helping to find a solution to this significant public issue. - NIFI President Emeritus Bill Muse