The mission of First Forum is to provide a venue to explore issues underlying topics of interest in a stimulating and thought-provoking manner. The usual format is a 30 minute presentation by a guest speaker, followed by 30 minutes of questions from the audience. If First Forum excites you, prods you to action, forces you to reconsider your long-cherished positions, makes you mad, makes you happy, but most importantly makes you pause and reflect; then it may have accomplished its mission.