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.

The available resources include a May 11, 2020 webinar to share some suggestions and materials that conveners and moderators may find helpful in planning and holding an online forum. The webinar presenters include individuals from the National Issues Forums Institute, the Kettering Foundation, and the national network of NIF conveners.

Click here or on the links below for some resources about convening and moderating face-to-face online forums including:

• Watch the 1-hour Webinar: NIF Forums Using Face-to-Face Online Platforms (or click on the image below)
• Webinar Presentation slides: NIF Forums Using Face-to-Face Online Platforms
• Face-to-Face (F2F) Forums Technical Tips
• Face-to-Face (F2F) Forum Moderator Tips
• Face-to-Face (F2F) Forum Invitation Template
• Face-to-Face (F2F) Forum Elements from the Health Care Issue Guide (PowerPoint slides)
• Face-to-Face (F2F) Forum Elements from the A House Divided Issue Guide (PowerPoint slides)

Watch a 19-minute video - Zoom features to support small group facilitated discussions

Watch a 16-minute video - Facilitating Online Deliberative Discussions on Zoom

For more information contact Darla Minnich at dminnich@nifi.org.

(Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters  on Unsplash)  (Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash)