Community Town Halls FAQs

Below are frequently asked questions for Community Town Halls.

What is a Community Town Hall?

• A Community Town Hall is a gathering that includes discussion about a topic being addressed by Arizona Town Hall that is informed and facilitated using Arizona Town Hall methods. Generally, they culminate in a written consensus report, published by Arizona Town Hall.
  
• Working in partnership with the Arizona Town Hall, each community designs the event to meet its particular needs.
  
• The length depends on the community. Typically, the event lasts three hours, but it may be as short as one-and-a-half-hours or as long as one or two days.
  
• Community Town Halls may be held as part of a previously scheduled event, such as a regular meeting, or a conference.

Why sponsor a Community Town Hall?

• To provide both communities and leaders with tools that will help them resolve difficult issues.
  
• To educate community members about, and engage them in, tackling important policy issues.
  
• To provide communities with a voice that will inform policymakers and others not only about the community’s perspectives but also to share their creative ideas.
  
• To empower communities and their members to become more effective action agents through powerful discussion and connection to resources.
  
• To enable those who cannot attend a statewide Town Hall to share their ideas and recommendations.

How can my organization sponsor a Community Town Hall?

• Start by contacting Arizona Town Hall so that we can help you to design an event that will best meet your community’s needs.
  
• Determine a date, time, location and facility. Many communities minimize costs by obtaining in-kind donations of facilities and refreshments.
  
• Arizona Town Hall charges approximately $5,000 to support and facilitate a Community Town Hall. The fee varies depending on the community and scope of the event; it does not include the cost of facilities or refreshments.
  
• Arizona Town Hall actively seeks philanthropic funding to help support Community Town Halls. Funding may also be obtained from local governments, businesses, registration fees and in-kind donations.

Why does Arizona Town Hall charge a fee and what does it cover?

• Arizona Town Hall staff provides operational guidance and support, training materials, background information on the issue, discussion questions and either training or trained facilitators.
  
• Arizona Town Hall assists in finalizing, publishing and publicizing reports.
  
• Arizona Town Hall provides additional services and resources including: participant registration, bookkeeping, press releases, contacts for in-kind services, catering and potential media coverage.
  
• Arizona Town Hall is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with limited resources. Our staff and volunteers, many of whom are highly-skilled professionals, have expertise developed over years of training and practice. Fees cover a portion of the costs of providing these services.