Here’s what we do and why…

CFN is about making it easier for you to be heard.

The idea called public engagement can sound impersonal or ineffective, and knowing when and how to dive-in is hard when our lives are so busy. That’s why we pull all the pieces together and give you easy access to a more personal, interactive “democracy.”

We all have valuable things to say, and when it comes to talking about important ideas and solutions, we think that discovering where we agree is the best place to start a conversation. That also means moving in a different direction than what we see in the media…

Media divide widens as voters narrow their points of view

“The revolution in how Americans get their news clearly has altered the political process dramatically: more campaign news and commentary than ever, but more and more citizens are tucking themselves inside information silos. The result, according to voters, campaign strategists and a raft of studies, is an electorate in which conservatives and liberals often refuse to view other opinions or facts, making it harder to approach common ground.”
~ Marc Fisher, The Washington Post

There may be a divide, but we know lots of folks and community groups that want to move forward and talk about that place we call consensus. That’s why CFN is here to start asking great questions about important ideas and solutions.

We agree, so let’s move forward.

Here’s how to get started:

“Why is this worth my time?”

Good question. So, where does all this great information go and who get’s the benefit of all of our collective wisdom and ideas?

The people we elect to represent us in local, county, and state offices really need to know where we agree and what we think. That’s why CFN prepares a “Where’s the consensus? REPORT” that we share with decision makers and our media partners and most of all with YOU. That way we amplify your voice and focus on finding solutions together.

And in the end, open communication builds a better democracy.

Who funds CFN?
Community Forums Network (CFN) is privately funded and is a new public engagement platform that is part of the Dick Spady Legacy Projects. Dick is co-founder of the Seattle-based Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. The Spady family has invested over $550,000 in various civic programs and has provided the startup funds for CFN through 2013.