An Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy and Kansas Campus Compact Project

This publication is downloadable in two sections; the first section- Lessons from Katrina Toolkit Part 1 (14 pages), and the appendix- Lessons from Katrina Toolkit Part 2 (17 pages).  Download by clicking on the links above.  These pdf files may take a few minutes to download.

"This toolkit serves as an aid and a guide for student groups on campuses to organize and host a public forum aimed at understanding why our civic discourse broke down during the hurricane crisis, and learn how to prevent such breakdowns from occurring again."  (from page 2 of the toolkit)

This 31-page toolkit includes a 14-page section and a 17-page appendix that cover the following topics:

Lessons from Katrina toolkit

• How can Civic Discourse Help Prepare for the Next Crisis?
• About the Partners
• Hosting Your Own Forum
• Planning the Forum
• Deciding to Host an Event
• Organizing a Planning Group and the Materials You Will Need
• Detailed Outline and Timeline for Planning
• Date, Time, and Location
• Selecting and Preparing a Moderator and/or Panel
• The Format of Your Event
• Day of the Event

Materials for Hosting the Event

• Suggested Outline for the Event
• Walkthrough of the Welcome to the Event
• About the Video
• "Talking Points" Questions
• Groud Rules for the Forum

Appendix

• Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy's (ICDD) Hosting a Public Forum Checklist
• Updating Civic Discourse in a Crisis: Lessons from Katrina
• Sample Press Relations Materials, including sample Flyer and Brochure
• "Talking Points" Packet for the Civic Discourse in a Crisis: Lessons from Katrina Video
• Public Forum Participant survey
• Event Planner Feedback Survey
• ICDD Reimbursement Form

The Toolkit editors include:

Mary Hale Tolar, ICDD Associate, Associate Director, Civic Leadership, Leadership Studies and Programs

Erika Mason-Imbody, ICDD Project Coordinator, Instructor, Dept. Speech Communication, Theatre and Dance

Sumanth G. Reddy, ICDD Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Geography

Charles Steimel, ICDD Graduate Research Assistant

Julia Debes, Undergraduate Assistant