The Steps to Hosting a TALK Salina Deliberation 

Step 1:  Selecting a Topic

We prefer to partner with  a collaborating organization when we host a public deliberation. 

The subject selected is on a topic the collaborating organization and community have an interest, It can be a local, state or national issue.

Topics usually are those difficult or complex issues that do not have easy technical solutions and are on issues where people often have differing views.

The topics we choose usually have three different options available and are NOT"yes" or "no" options/decisions.

Step 2: Researching the Topic

If the topic is on a national issue, we check with the National Issues Forum to determine if they have already developed a discussion guidebook. If they have one, we localize the content if needed.

On local topics, we conduct interviews with citizens from different perspectives and develop a local guidebook  that contains three different options for discussion.

Guidebooks, whether provided by NIF) or developed locally may incur a nominal printing cost.

Step 3: Planning the Event

Hosting an event is simple. A date and location for the event is selected.

The facility selected should be large enough for the anticipated number of attendees. Round tables are preferred, but rectangular tables will work too.

The event can be hosted once, or multiple times.

Then we notify our volunteer facilitators. We prefer 4 to 8 persons at each roundtable for the discussion. If it is possible to compensate volunteers with a nominal fee they appreciate this but volunteers are available if we are unable to budget for table facilitators.

Finally, it is necessary to market the event. Collaborating organizations usually provide outreach within their groups.  Other supporting organizations are encouraged to share and invite. And TALK Salina has a system for marketing as well as regular discussion attendees. Our marketing efforts include word-of-mouth, postering, news releases, social media and targeted outreach.

Step 4: Hosting the Event

On the date of the event, we arrive early and set up. We prefer to have available light snacks and drinks (coffee, water, soft) for attendees.

At the start, the moderator convenes the event with a welcome, overview of the evening, rules for civic discussion, and a short introductory or individual comments by guest panelists to introduce the topic.

Then  each facilitator starts with table introductions and a  notetaker is selected at each table who records as many comments and stories as possible. Then the discussion begins on the first of three options. Each option is allowed 20 minutes. At the end of the third option discussed, another 10-15 minutes is allowed to summarize the options and determine the tensions and overlapping agreements discussed at each table.

The event ends with table reports which are also outlined on wall notepaper so everyone can see results from other tables. If preferred, after all table reports, the attendees are given dots to past on the outline as they select the comments and results they preferred as a whole. Finally, a survey is given to everyone to fill out at the end of the evening.

Step 5: After the Event

After the event has ended,  the information is compiled by

TALK Salina organizers into a written report and made available to those attending and to the collaborating organization. The written surveys are also forwarded to the Kettering Foundation if one of their guidebooks was used at the event.

What Does This All Cost?

We have a modest budget managed by Central Kansas District Extension. TALK Salina facilitators are a volunteer network but we like to compensate our facilitators with a modest fee when possible (from $25 to $50). TALK Salina often pursues grants to cover costs. These have been as low as $100 to more than $1,500

If your organization wants to explore collaborating on an event or issue of interest, CONTACT US to talk about topic, availability, and cost.