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.