Introduction to Fast Forum® Meetings

The Fast Forum technique was created by the late Richard Spady. In 1954 he co-founded Dick's Drive-in Restaurants in Seattle, Washington. He was a student of administrative theory. Spady's goal was to develop tools for citizen participation.

Dick Spady (1923-2016)

One of Spady's innovations was a style of dialog meetings with up to twelve participants. He called it a Fast Forum. A topic is introduced with two or more options for policymakers. After general discussion, participants break into groups of four where each person has an uninterrupted opportunity to express an opinion. Then a modified survey instrument that Spady called an Opinionnaire is distributed and collected anonymously. The Opinionnaires are collected and analyzed. A second meeting is held where the topic is more focused because of the responses and the group can move to a consensus or better understanding of the diversity of opinions.

Dick's son, John, has made improvements to the process and modified the technology. Some Ending Racism USA Fast Forums will be held in person. Others will be virtual. With virtual events, a meeting technology called qiqochat for the gatherings will be used. John has generously agreed to support these events and will serve as a consultant.

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