In an effort to improve communications and to reduce their reliance on
big meetings at often remote distances in order to pass resolutions,
which were often emotional and frustrating experiences, Seattle
religious groups first experimented between 1965 and 1968 with
traditional forums. From this effort emerged the prototype of what
today is known as the "Fast Forum" technique. There are no motions, no
amendments, no win-lose situations, no controversy, no arguments, no
talking at the point of decision-making as all talking precedes
decision-making--thus there is no emotionalism or heat. Instead, there
is just light, that is, swift, silent, rational, synaptic mind-to-mind,
response to some idea posed in writing for objective response such as
yes, no, abstain, multiple-choice, or value scales. Hence the name,
Fast Forum®.
Today
the question the foundation is asking is, "What is the role of a
citizen, that is, what is the unique contribution of citizenship that
leader-representatives and experts cannot do, no matter how great their
knowledge nor how good their intentions?" A member of a religious or
church group is a citizen of the group, a member of a union or
association is a citizen of that group, a member of Rotary
International or The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
is a citizen of those groups, and so forth and, of course, a member of
society is a citizen of the society. What is the unique contribution of
citizenship in all those contexts? We in the Forum Foundation believe
there are three unique contributions of a citizen. First, to contribute
one's opinion, second, to respond to the opinions of one's peers, and
third, to respond to the queries of leader-representatives to the
solution of those problems which interest and concern oneself. This is
a process of civilization building.
The Fast Forum® technique,
as a new Many-to-Many communication technology using mass means of
communication, does not use random-sample, objective questionnaires
based on statistical and mathematical theory. Instead it uses objective
"Opinionnaires" based on participation and administrative theory. An
Opinionnaire® looks much like a typical survey questionnaire, but it is
not; different rules apply. We in the foundation are working with
scholars to define them. Because we properly disclaim the responses on
reports from all participants, the results are 100% valid for those
persons participating; they are just as valid as letters and telephone
calls and testimony given at public hearings. Thus reports accurately
project individual opinions to the questions asked which is every
person's right. It's as if those persons participating were meeting at
one place in a forum to voice their opinion but instead of meeting
physically together, which is not possible, they are meeting
symbolically together at a point in time through computer tabulation.
Usually this is done in small groups of 8-10 persons meeting at a time
and place convenient for themselves such as in their own homes or
workplaces. These are places where people already are; they don't have
to go someplace to meetings which are often at remote distances for
people.
Their conveners receive audio or video tapes from
leaders by regular mail, approximately quarterly, but not more than
monthly on issues of concern. People review the tape, engage in a
structured "study circle" format using a process called
"Day-In-the-Sun" to assure each person has an opportunity to speak
while others listen. Following this there is open discussion. But
before the group leaves, each person responds to an objective
Opinionnaire to questions posed for response by Yes, No, Abstain,
multiple-choice, or value scale questions. Responses are marked onto
Forum Foundation "Councilor" Response Sheets which are
machine-scannable. This sheet does the same thing as a computer but for
just a fraction of the cost--it allows a human being to interface
directly with a machine, accurately, swiftly, and economically. These
are returned by mail to the foundation for optical scanning and
processing.
In this way hundreds or even thousands of people can
"meet" symbolically to try to discover their Zeitgeist, that is, their
"Spirit of the Time," (which is their degree of consensus on topics
being discussed). The Zeitgeist, the prevailing ideas of a group,
institution, or society, is actually the Supreme Governor; in a
democracy it is that from which is derived not only our laws but our
constitutions as well. Thus citizens can participate fully in the
"Administrative Process" functions of Diagnosing, Theorizing, and
Reviewing. Yet the process takes nothing away from those who are
legitimate leaders, either elected or appointed, who still retain all
their prerogatives in the "Administrative Process" of Deciding and
Accomplishing. Again, this is a democratic process of community and
civilization building as leaders and citizens search together for a
better future. The process is therapeutic and leads to a reduction in
organizational and societal tensions and leads toward peace--and thus
toward "happiness." And this is a fundamental reason for forming all
governments, public and private, "For Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness!" Governments are not charged with providing their citizens
with all the amenities of life they feel they need to make them happy.
But governments are charged with enabling their citizens to pursue
their own happiness. Any organization, institution, government, or
civilization which inhibits, innocently or not, the free movement of
ideas and opinions about those ideas -- up, down, and across its
organizational and societal structures -- is depriving itself of its
greatest resource--human thought--and is in grave danger of being
buried in history by the avalanche of the creativity of others.
