| Arizona Town Hall is a non-profit organization that brings diverse people together to solve critical and often divisive policy issues |
What is Arizona Town Hall?
Arizona Town Hall is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that educates, engages, connects and empowers Arizonans to solve critical policy issues. Founded in 1962, Arizona Town Hall is one of Arizona's most longstanding and trusted non-partisan sources for Arizona policy solutions. National and international groups have recognized and studied the Arizona Town Hall's unique process, which builds relationships and strengthens communities while providing forums for resolving contentious and complicated issues.
Play the video below to listen to a podcast hosted by Stu Turgel with Arizona Town Hall President Tara Jackson talking about what Arizona Town Hall is and does.
Read this article in the Arizona Republic from member and frequent Town Hall participant Talonya Adams: "Arizona Town Hall builds unity, voice and purpose." | "Arizona Town Hall is one of the best examples of how to safely and effectively solicit public input and discussion on significant and potentially controversial issues.” Denise Meridith, President & CEO, Denise Meridith Consultants Inc “I would recommend the Town Hall to anyone who is interested in lively discussions and helping create solutions to changing the direction of what happens in our State. Timely discussions that ultimately reach a consensus have an impact on the general public and changes that can be made will make life better for Arizonans.” Melissa Avant, Regional Coordinator, First Things First, Sierra Vista |
What is the Town Hall process?
The Arizona Town Hall process focuses on bringing diverse perspectives together and creating a consensus report that prioritizes solutions and empowers participants to lead implementation efforts.
Town Hall topics generally are chosen at least a year in advance. Arizona's public universities work with a diverse group of non-academic professionals to develop a comprehensive research document that serves as the basis for discussion.
Informed by the background document, Town Hall participants answer specially prepared questions that are designed to forge solutions that incorporate diverse and multi-partisan perspectives. The process for creating the report varies slightly depending on whether the session involves more than one panel or multiple days of discussion. For example, the three and a half day statewide Town Hall concludes with a plenary session where all panels come together to adopt a final report of recommendations. That recommendations report is then bound with the research report and made available to Town Hall members, elected officials (including the Arizona Legislature), public libraries and other leadership organizations. Reports are also available to the general public. Many of these reports are available for download from this website.
As a neutral facilitator of these sessions, the Town Hall as an organizations does not implement the recommendations. However, many Town Hall recommendations are subsequently enacted due to the leadership of Town Hall participants.
How are the topics chosen?
At the beginning of each year, Arizona Town Hall members participate in a topic preference survey. The top 3 or 4 topics from that survey are presented at the Annual Meeting (generally held in June). Town Hall members then participate in a mini-Town Hall discussion where they prioritize and vote on future topics.
How do I participate?
The Arizona Town Hall holds many engaging community programs throughout the year. Most programs are open to the public although participation as a panel participant in a community or statewide Town Hall may be limited where it is important to ensure that all perspectives are appropriately represented. When space is limited, current Arizona Town Hall members receive preference.
How do I become a member?
Annual membership dues are as follows:
- Individual ($100 and up; $10 for students) Click here to become an individual member now.
- Corporate/Professional Partnership (levels and benefits vary) Click here to become a Corporate/Professional Partner now.
If you prefer to print the Individual Membership application and mail your payment, click here for the member dues form. If you prefer to print the Corporate/Professional Partnership application and mail your payment, click here for the partnership commitment form.