In less formal circumstances, youll have to make the best of existing conditions. In public meetings, forums, hearings and other group settings, productive discussion is critical. Ground rules clarify expectations for behavior in the meeting. Regardless of the forum, conversations about diversity and inclusion can be difficult. These Ground Rules are not static and continue to be refined over timeparticularly as we seek to decenterexpectations of "comfort" andsilence asstrategies for non-engagement. 2. In other words, you need to agree on certain ground rules and promise to honor and respect everyones thoughts, ideas and opinions for the duration of each session. There are two ways to look at this question: Whats the point of group discussion? and Why would you, as opposed to someone else, lead a group discussion? Lets examine both. Facilitators might also ask one or more members of the group to act as observers for a few sessions, reporting back their observations to the group. at any time to indicate that it is time to move on to the next topic. If thats the case, it should be agreed upon at the outset. Feito, J. Boyce, K. (2002). Accept each other without making judgments. Everyday-Democracy. hold people back if they are dominating the conversation. (8th edition). << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> is a detailed and engaging textbook and professional development resource presenting the key concepts in social justice education. "Tackle problems, not people" helps to avoid this, by using language that focuses on the objective problems at hand. (2004) Student perceptions of effective small group teaching. Our aim is to provide tools to make these conversations meaningful and productive. Its important to think about what youre most comfortable with philosophically, and how that fits what youre comfortable with personally. Discussion Group Role Cards. Confidentiality. Such ground rules are especially important when discussing controversial or otherwise challenging topics. Show up on time and come prepared. 1. Be willing to share information. This group is not intended as "Diversity 101" training. Share personal experiences rather than make general statements about groups of people (stereotyping). Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. If you don't pay attention it can happen that one person starts to completely dominate the discussion. Try to keep the group on task without rushing them. Usually, that means comfortable furniture that can be moved around (so that, for instance, the group can form a circle, allowing everyone to see and hear everyone else easily). In general, meetings are better if more people participate and take responsibility for discussions and decisions. Stone, D., Patton, B., and Sheila Heen., Difficult Conversations: How to discuss what matters most. Dont ask people to do something, and then ignore it. Gelula, M.H. Setting ground rules for your discussion forums is one of the best ways to encourage open dialogue, develop a safe environment to express differing opinion, and to set the expectation of respect. Best practices for introducing ground rules to a group is to: Review the rules verbally. Section 4. Discourage alternate views or counter-arguments. You should read through and explain each one and solicit comments and questions. 11 ground rules for effective meetings 1. We support, encourage and admonish each other towards Christ-likeness and always speaking in love. Surgical Neurology, 47:400-403. Listen to each other. When conflict arises, what matters when is how we deal with it. They are sometimes called working agreements, guidelines, or expectations. "Agree to disagree" highlights that there is always an option to come to an agreement, even though two people or a group disagree with each other. Test Assumptions and Inferences. Use (or allow others to use) disrespectful language or tone, or disrespectful non-verbal communication. Everybody participates. Build trust and a sense of safety among group participants. Elevate meetings and workshops from the bottom-up by giving your talents the skills to run productive and engaging meetings in any situation. If youre asked your opinion directly, you should answer honestly. Generate an agenda or goals for the session. Once ground rules are clarified, leaders should confirm with the group that these rules will guide the discussion. Maintaining discussions often means dealing as smoothly as possible with the problems that arise. (The exceptions are opinions or ideas that are discriminatory or downright false.) This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. The ground rules of a group discussion are the guidelines that help to keep the discussion on track, and prevent it from deteriorating into namecalling or simply argument. Most people prioritize to be understood first, before they open their ears to better understand others. Be present. Each person gets a chance to talk. Create a new situation form a coalition, start an initiative, etc. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. The term ground rules was originally used to describe the rules of baseball that teams agreed to use in a particular venue, or grounds. Find out the kind of topics that are given at the institution or company you are applying for. Playground Rules Posters. Respect your spouse's privacy - During your Group . Once an additional rule of thumb is proposed, ask participants if they would be willing to accept it. All members of grief groups should aim to: Be on time ; Refrain from starting side conversations or taking phone calls in the group All too often, conflict whether conflicting opinions, conflicting world views, or conflicting personalities is so frightening to people that they do their best to ignore it or gloss it over. If a goal must be reached in a short time period, a directive leader might help to keep the group focused. Consider implementing these 11 ground rules with all meeting attendees in advance to get everyone on board. Treat participants with respect and consideration. Try to think of the last time you had a conversation that was not easy: How did you feel before you began talking? If participants are asked to read something, consider questions, complete a task, or otherwise prepare for the discussion, make sure that the assignment is attended to and used. The Best Conflict Resolution Books in 2023. Ask dominant participants to allow others to speak. Now, just to be clear: We are not saying that conflict is good per se. A way to approach non-participants is to provide opportunities for smaller group discussions or pair-share discussions. Alternatively, you may wish to reframe their comments, making them viable additions to the discussion. this discussion guide focuses primarily on the . When used in consensus building, the list of ground rules is sometimes referred to as a protocol. Sometimes called 'ground rules,' community agreements, or participation norms (and there are several fuller examples below), such guidelines can be provided by an instructor or generated collaboratively with students. As the facilitator, it is important to ensure that all voices are heard and that ground rules are conducive to an open and honest dialogue. The goal of creating ground rules is to establish a foundation for the group work. Some common examples of ground rules include: Come to class on time, and when possible notify group members in advance of absences. Normally, we do this in reverse. Work begins long before you sit for the group discussion. Empower your team by reminding them that they have permission to: ask . Openly and honestly communicate with everyone. Support Group Ground Rules . Usually, a group discussion will be based around a central topic. Asking the contributor for further clarification and/or elaboration. A local coalition forms a task force to address the rising HIV rate among teens in the community. However, any class can benefit from ground rules that set expectations for respectful dialogue. Services. We willmodify these as a group to meet DEI needs. Once stated, anyone in the meeting can say "ELMO!" This can be done via a handout, posted on a wall, or projected on a . This may encourage participation by reducing participants fear of answering incorrectly. Tips on university teaching, but much of the information is useful in other circumstances as well. Second, each person has to share his style with the group. Learn how to effectively conduct a critical conversation about a particular topic, or topics, that allows participation by all members of your organization. So lets make sure we are listening 100 percent. New York: Penguin Group, 1999. If the group meets multiple times, repost rules at each meeting to orient new participants and remind others. How to have a Diversity and Inclusion Conversation. These folks may be respected for their leadership president of the Rotary Club, spokesperson for an environmental movement for their positions in the community bank president, clergyman or simply for their personal qualities integrity, fairness, ability to communicate with all sectors of the community. Discussion is a powerful mechanism for active learning; a well-facilitated discussion allows the participant to explore new ideas while recognizing and valuing the contributions of others. If youre committed to a non-directive style, but you tend to want to control everything in a situation, you may have to learn some new behaviors in order to act on your beliefs. G.R.O.U.P.S. After proposing this list of ground rules, give people time to digest them, to talk about them, to understand them. If the session was one-time, or was the last of a series, your job may now be done. 10. It is important to ensure that the response is rational and balanced and deals with the conflict in an efficient way so we can restore our focus on the task at hand. Step back when a group is functional/functioning help participants become independent learners; take control of their learning. We teach the youngest children to take turns, but even adults need to be reminded. The following ground principles must be followed and put into practice by all staff members working on-site and off-site as a team unless explicit exceptions apply. RESPECT another person's right to have opinions and thoughts . Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. Step up, step back: If you usually speak up often or you find yourself talking more than others, challenge yourself to lean in to listening and opening up space for others. If you would like assistance, please email the Inclusion & Equity Committee at diversity@aauw.org. Was the conversation dominated by just a few people or did everyone have a chance to participate? Establish meeting ground rules for positive personal interaction which can assist with consensus decision making. Turn off/silence all cell phones, blackberries, etc. Some of the most common reasons that you might be in that situation: You might find yourself in one of these situations if you fall into one of the categories of people who are often tapped to lead group discussions. Even where thats not the case, facing the conflict reasonably, and looking at the roots of the ideas on each side, can help to focus on the issue at hand and provide solutions far better than if one side or the other simply operated alone. Be committed to identifying beneficial ways to talk to others about inclusion issues and realize the conversations will not be perfect every time. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. Leading an effective group discussion takes preparation (if you have the opportunity for it), an understanding of and commitment to an open process, and a willingness to let go of your ego and biases. Fact sheet. Perhaps assigning the avid talker to the observer role would help the person develop sensitivity. Im uncomfortable with the imprecision of your questions. Debrief. Based on the size of the group, this can also be adjusted to the 2x2 or even 4x4 Rule. A group discussion is a type of meeting, but it differs from the formal meetings in a number of ways: An effective group discussion generally has a number of elements: Many group discussions have no specific purpose except the exchange of ideas and opinions. Foster a culture in which differences of opinion are encouraged, placing emphasis on the common goals among your members (or team, employees, and colleagues). Enter the room a few minutes early to resolve any technical issues. A group leader or facilitator might be directive or non-directive; that is, she might try to control what goes on to a large extent; or she might assume that the group should be in control, and that her job is to facilitate the process. The chances are that, like most of us, you fall somewhere in between the extremes of the leader who sets the agenda and dominates the group completely, and the leader who essentially leads not at all. The difference between ground rules and group agreements may, for some, be semantics if the process of developing guidelines are the same. What I really hear you saying is. This is especially true when the group is stuck, either because two opposing ideas or factions are at an impasse, or because no one is able or willing to say anything. 2. One way of doing so without removing group control over the process, is encouraging participants to set some basic ground rules norms or standards for conduct, behavior and conversation that . Ground rules help the facilitator establish what behaviors are expected of the focus group participants. The group's size and purpose can determine how ground rules are set. 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