Who We Are

Topical Commentary From the Most Knowledgeable

An autonomous, nonpartisan, nonprofit, public service association for promoting broad community discourse on topics of special interest or concern.

World Affairs – Local to Global

The Forum was launched in 1992. A diverse committee of Islesboro residents governs The Forum. It identifies and invites speakers on the island or from away, organizes and schedules the seasonal program. The committee strives to foster an experience akin to a “salon” in the European sense — a meaningful intellectual gathering in a relaxed setting where significant ideas and issues can be discussed, drawing upon the expertise of qualified speakers and panels. No admission fees are imposed, nor are speakers to be paid. Contributions to cover modest expenses are encouraged.

Sunday Meetings

The Forum meets Sundays from 5:30-6:30. The format is a presentation and brief Q & A which may include further discussion. Speakers have included novelists, poets, historians, Pulitzer Prize winners, diplomats, investment managers, economists, environmental scientists, political scientists, corporate leaders, university presidents, and elected officials, in addition to many from other professional or vocational disciplines.

You Name It

Topics have been equally wide-ranging: from constitutional law, Perestroika, ethical issues in technology, the market economy, and jazz, to educational reform, astronomy, the world of Islam, opera production, and green architecture, to name only a few.

Open Membership

A diverse committee of Islesboro residents governs The Forum. It identifies and invites speakers on the island or from away, organizes and schedules the seasonal program. The committee strives to foster an experience akin to a “salon” in the European sense — a meaningful intellectual gathering in a relaxed setting where significant ideas and issues can be discussed, drawing upon the expertise of qualified speakers and panels. Speakers are not paid. No admission fees are imposed, although contributions are most welcome.