The Columbus Foundation's The Big Table®

Everyone has a seat at the table during this day of community-wide conversation! Through intentional dialogue and connection, participants are encouraged to imagine the next steps toward a kind and just future for all. This year, CMC is partnering with National Veterans Memorial and Museum and Ohio Blue Star Families to host three Big Table conversations. The events are free to register for on the Columbus Foundation’s website.

The Power of Voting and Using Your Voice
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Have you or someone you know faced a barrier to casting a ballot—whether time, transportation, information, or trust? This conversation will focus on voting as a cornerstone of democracy and a concrete civic act, and explore what makes voting accessible and how to remove barriers to participation.

Doors open at 9:30am; museum access for 30 minutes after the conversation. Parking is available at the adjacent lot free of charge.

Supporting Ohio’s Military, Veteran, and Guard Families
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Hosted by Ohio Blue Star Families, in partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Club and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, this conversation will explore how communities can best support military, veteran, reserve, guard, and Coast Guard members and their families across Ohio — surfacing the everyday realities of service-connected life and where support systems fall short.

Doors open at 1:30pm; museum access 30 minutes before and after the conversation. Parking is available at the adjacent lot free of charge.

From Debate to Dialogue: Next Step…Take Action
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

This conversation will explore how curiosity and shared purpose can help people move beyond polarization to tackle complex challenges together. Participants will discover practical strategies for turning disagreement into productive dialogue in their own relationships and workplaces. Each participant will leave with a concrete action plan for a real disagreement in their professional or personal life.

Doors open at 3:30pm; museum access 30 minutes ahead of the conversation. Parking is available at the adjacent lot free of charge.

Launched in 2016, The Big Table® is a day dedicated to community-wide conversation. Through intentional dialogue and connection, participants are encouraged to imagine the next steps toward a kind and just future for all. The Columbus Foundation provides a Host Guidebook and materials for the conversation, but each host makes the discussion their own. Meeting new people, sharing our lived experiences, and actively listening are crucial steps toward building a kind, connected central Ohio region where everyone has a seat at the table. Learn more…

The event is free, however you must register on the Columbus Foundation’s website.