The Connecticut Forum FAQs
1. WHAT IS THE CONNECTICUT FORUM? The Connecticut Forum is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 whose mission is to encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in Forums which inform, challenge, entertain, inspire and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community. We fulfill our mission by presenting large scale, high-profile, live panel discussions among renowned experts and celebrities, and through outreach programs of our Forum Community Institute, most notably, the Connecticut YOUTH Forum.
2. WHERE AND WHEN ARE FORUMS HELD? Forums are held four times each Season in Mortensen Hall at the historic Bushnell Theater at 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT. Forums begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:15 PM. At times, The Forum offers simulcasts of popular Forums at the Belding Theater at The Bushnell, as well as at other venues.
3. WHO DECIDES FORUM TOPICS? Planning each Connecticut Forum Season begins 10 months prior to the start of each Season. A task group composed of CT Forum staff, volunteers, Board members, students, business leaders, and representatives from community organizations meet and brainstorm potential issues. We review and discuss a list of more than 30 potential issues and narrow it down to 8-12 topics. Forum audience members submit “ballots” on Forum evenings, choosing their top four topics. Six to eight finalist issues are considered with an eye to putting together a varied, attractive, exciting season. By early Spring, four issues surface as the best season line-up and The Connecticut Forum Season is announced.
4. WHO CHOOSES FORUM PANELISTS? Once the four Forum topics are announced (see above), our volunteers, Board members, sponsors and subscribers are asked to suggest potential panelists for each topic. Our goal is to represent issues with experts/celebrities who, as a group, bring a varied, balanced perspective to the issues. We seek diverse viewpoints and panelists who can best articulate the full range of thinking on each issue.
5. WHAT DO PANELISTS THINK ABOUT THE FORUM? Overwhelmingly, panelists are surprised and delighted with their Forum experience. Their surprise extends to the warm hospitality and travel arrangements provided by The Connecticut Forum, the beauty of the theater and the sold-out audiences who are engaged and attentive throughout the evening. Panelists remark that they have never shared a stage in a live format with fellow experts, that they themselves learn and consider new aspects to the issues. They are impressed by the breadth of The Forum, especially our outreach to teenagers in the CT YOUTH Forum. Panelists get to meet YOUTH Forum participants at the press conference and Forum Volunteers throughout the event.
6. WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF A FORUM EVENING? Forum evenings begin at The Bushnell at 8:00 PM; doors open and often there are activities in the lobby starting at 7:15 PM. At 8:00 PM the audience is welcomed and panelists are introduced. The first half of the evening consists of questions posed to the panel by our moderator. During Intermission, approximately 9:10 PM, the audience is able to submit written questions for the moderator to ask during the second half. Volunteers collect audience questions and from 9:25 – 10:15 PM panelists respond to audience questions.
7. ARE THERE ANY FORUM DISCOUNTS? Yes! The best value is to subscribe to all four Forums; Season subscribers enjoy the lowest per-Forum ticket price, never pay handling fees and enjoy a variety of dining discounts and special subscriber opportunities. Employees of Forum sponsoring organizations take advantage of a 10% discount on Season subscriptions. Ticket prices are discounted for groups of 10 or more. High school students interested in attending Forums should inquire at their high schools or directly with The Connecticut Forum about the Ticket Outreach Program.
8. WHERE DO I PARK? Parking is available at no charge in open lots along Capitol Avenue. On street and paid lot parking is also available.
9. CAN I BRING MY CHILDREN TO THE FORUM? The Forums are always appropriate for high school age youth and, depending on the topic, middle school youth often enjoy and benefit from experiencing Forum evenings. It is important to know that the Forums are issue-driven, live and unscripted. The more youth are familiar with the evenings’ issues and panelists, the greater they will enjoy their Forum experience.
10.HOW CAN I OBTAIN A VIDEO OF A FORUM EVENT? The Forums are taped for archival and educational purposes. Videos/DVDs are loaned to groups for educational purposes; contact The Connecticut Forum, 860-509-0909 to inquire about availability and to make loan requests. Videos/DVDs are not for sale.
11. ARE FORUMS SHOWN ON TV? Occasionally, Connecticut Public Television is permitted to broadcast Forum discussions.
12. ARE THERE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE FORUM? Absolutely YES! There are wonderful and varied volunteer opportunities with The Connecticut Forum. From 1992-1996 we were an ALL volunteer organization and today we continue to value and rely on Volunteers in many ways. Please call us at 860-509-0909 if you would like to become a Forum volunteer.
13. HOW CAN MY ORGANIZATION BECOME A SPONSOR? Businesses, corporations, schools and others are invited to sponsor The Connecticut Forum. Depending on sponsor level of support, they enjoy Forum tickets, invitations to pre-Forum sponsor/panelist dinners, prominence on our website, exclusive access to placing ads in Forum playbills, subscriber discounts for their employees, and prominence in signage and Forum materials throughout the year. The Connecticut Forum offers outstanding marketing recognition and benefits to its sponsors. Please call Joanne at 860-509-0909, ext. 14 for more information about becoming a CT Forum sponsor.
14. WHAT IS THE FORUM COMMUNITY INSTITUTE? The Forum Community Institute (FCI) is the umbrella under which The Connecticut Forum’s outreach programs are coordinated. Current FCI programs include: Connecticut YOUTH Forum, including the Student Exchange Event and the Annual Children’s Holiday Party; the Ticket Outreach Program; Forum Conversations; and Facilitation and Consultation.
15. WHAT IS THE CONNECTICUT YOUTH FORUM? The award-winning Connecticut YOUTH Forum is a voluntary high school youth program serving more than 750 students from 40 high schools and youth organizations that provides monthly opportunities for youth to communicate and connect with each other across the divides of geography, race, sexual orientation, economics, and more. With average attendance of 200 diverse teens, monthly meetings of the YOUTH Forum take place in participating high schools where issues of importance to members are discussed in an atmosphere of respect, civility and honesty. The extensive networks developed around these monthly meetings and additional initiatives of Leadership, Community Service, and Technology special interest groups help develop important life skills.
16. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN THE CT YOUTH FORUM? YOUTH Forum membership is open to all interested teenagers. There are no academic criteria or recommendations necessary and participation is free to participants. Interested teenagers, teachers, parents and schools should contact Program Manager, Patrick Rossiter (ext. 25) or YOUTH Forum Program Associate, Jasmine Lopez (ext. 13) at The Connecticut Forum, 860-509-0909.