Forum Foundation Fact Sheet

November 14, 2004

 

Organized: 

In 1970 as a Washington State non-profit educational research corporation in Seattle dedicated to research in the fields of administrative and communication theory to improve the functioning of all organizations, public and private.

 

Predecessor Research:

1965-1968 by the Seattle District Board of Laity of The Methodist Church; 1968-70 by Richard J. Spady, student, Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Washington and member of the volunteer professional staff of the Church Council of Greater Seattle from 1971-1990 (Futures Research).

 

Purpose: 

• To enable people to be heard and to expand organizational and community vision. Freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, and freedom to petition are hollow rights if people feel unable to be heard. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." [Proverbs 29:18 KJV]
  
  
• To provide freedom of expression for all relational groups interested, e.g., gender, age, ethnic heritage, religious heritage, geographic, zip code, organizational, role, cities, counties, states, nations and the like through symbolic dialogue and Zeitgeist Communication social technology.
  
  
• To improve community and organizational mental health and happiness among people by expanding participation and civil discourse to reduce polarization and tensions in organizations, public and private.

 

Key Findings:

Big meetings at often remote distances for people are the Achilles? heel of the democratic process that undergirds our society, public and private. When groups get above 12 people, they begin to break down in interpersonal communication. However, what is gained in interpersonal communication by being in small groups is simultaneously lost in the sense of touch overall by those participating. To restore this lost sense of touch is provided by the Fast Forum^? technique utilizing Opinionnaire^®, Viewspaper^®, PLAN Forum^®, QUEST Forum^® technology of Zeitgeist Communication developed by the Forum Foundation based on its research in administrative and civilization theory.

 

Key Projects:

The Leadership of Civilization Building  (Administrative and Civilization Theory, Symbolic Dialogue, and Citizen Skills for the 21^st Century) by Richard J. Spady and Richard S. Kirby with collaboration by Cecil H. Bell, Jr., 2002, Cokesbury Bookstore 1-800-605-9403 and others; "State of the Union" address and "Things-Liked Most" projects are open to any classroom teacher 6^th through 12^th grade without cost (see <http://ForumFoundation.org/>); Citizen Councilor Network model legislation for states, counties, or cities: see <http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/legislature.aspx?y=2005> and scroll to I-341 choose pdf or html.

 

Principals and Associates:

Dr. Richard J. Spady, D.Litt, president and co-founder; Dr. Cecil H. Bell, Jr., Ph.D., vice president and co-founder Forum Foundation and president of the Stuart C. Dodd Institute for Social Innovation (SCDI/SI), former chair, Dept. of Management and Organization, University of Washington, School of Business Administration (retired), co-author Organization Development; Rev. Dr. Richard S. Kirby, Executive Director SCDI/SI and chair, World Network of Religious Futurists, and chair Youth Committee, Professional Members Forum, World Future Society, Project Director Youth Futurist Division, WFS, Ms. Barbara Gilles, 1999 award-winning Teacher of the Year, Director of Educational Innovation (SCDI/SI), author, Nurturing Civilization Builders: Birthing the Best Schools in the World (2004), Burt Webb, senior scholar, SCDI/SI, Gavin Sullivan, senior scholar, SCDI/SI, Rotary International World Peace Scholar, RI District 5030; Tom McMullen, director, Insourcing Institute; August Jaccaci, president, Unity Scholars, co-author, CEO Chief Evolutionary Officer; Dr. Efiong Etuk, Senior Scholar, Unity Scholars, <GlobeCreativity@cs.com> in Nigeria; Norm Bakos, SolutionsPartnering.org, in Buffalo, NY; Dr. Arthur Ellis, Director, International Center for Curriculum Studies, School of Education, Seattle Pacific University.