Discourage alternate views or counter-arguments. For further guidance on developing . Ground rules for public participation. They should be discussed and agreed upon by the group members. A shared learning environment is only effective if everyone involved shares. Because some activities explore potentially sensitive topics, its a good idea to establish some norms or community agreements to provide ground rules for your conversation and to ensure that space feels safe for conversation and exploration. Rule 1: Prepare. Question first Sometimes, the difficult conversation is one you want to start, not just facilitate. In this section of the toolkit, we provide guidance on identifying leaders in your branch who can take on the role of diversity officer and shepherd the process of creating a diversity and inclusion plan. For most group discussions, the facilitator role is probably a good ideal to strive for. Conflict is normal and can be inherent in nearly every situation. 6.1. Ask for clarification if unclear about a participants intent or question. Seek common ground and understanding (not problems and conflict) Disagree without being disagreeable Remember responsibility and non-defensiveness Speak honestly Use I statements Seek unity (not separation) Be positive, non-judgmental and open to new ideas Speak your truth, without blame or judgment Be intrigued by the difference you hear There is no one size fits all list of ground rules. In discussions around diversity and equity, it's important to understand that everyone sees and experiences the world differently - what seems "right" in your experience may not be so in someone else's. All of these might be examples of group discussions, although they have different purposes, take place in different locations, and probably run in different ways. Alternatively, you may wish to reframe their comments, making them viable additions to the discussion. Be solution-focused. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. In these circumstances, the leaders ability to identify points of agreement, or to ask the question that will get discussion moving again is crucial to the groups effectiveness. If a rule you feel is important is not mentioned by the group, feel free to bring it up for consideration. Your transparency will encourage others. Show up on time. Lets look at these, as well as some dos and donts for discussion group leaders. Handelsman, J., Miller, S., & Pfund, C. (2006) Scientific Teaching: Diversity, Assessment, Active Learning (New York: W.H. Ground rules help a group start and maintain aproductive discussion. DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. A good group discussion leader has to pay attention to the process and content of the discussion as well as to the people who make up the group. Instead of invalidating somebody elses story with your own spin on her or his experience, share your own story and experience. There are always a mix of extrovert and introverted people in a meeting. Start on time . Discussion Group Role Cards. Listen actively respect others when they are talking. Critique the opinion, not the person. You might choose to lead a group discussion, or you might find yourself drafted for the task. Once stated, anyone in the meeting can say "ELMO!" Undiscussable issues are those issues that are on everyones mind, but no one is able to bring them forwards. Ground rules help a group start and maintain a productive discussion. Playground Rules Posters. The first ground rule is to review each other's style of communication. This can have a negative impact on the meeting. Thinking Hats Questions Prompt Frame. How can you create guidelines? Join on time (or early). What do I bring to the group? The facilitator can also restate points for verification or rejection by the participants, or give enthusiastic nonverbal cues and patience. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. Think of the meetings you have participated in over the past year. Mute yourself whenever you're not speaking on the current topic. Certain group ground rules are strongly suggested. Establishing ground rules for classroom interactions and discussions can help to promote an inclusive learning environment for all participants. An effective group discussion can lay the groundwork for action and real community change. Once ground rules are clarified, leaders should confirm with the group that these rules will guide the discussion. Be prompt in arriving to the meeting and in returning from breaks. Joining Together: Group theory and group skills. Justice, T., and Jamieson, D. (1998). Services. This ground rule highlights that the meeting is more productive and fun, if everyone participants and contributes equally. This isn't Diversity 101. Create a strategic plan for an initiative, an advocacy campaign, an intervention, etc. If the question is less clear-cut, you might want to throw it back to the group, and use it as a spur to discussion. A local coalition forms a task force to address the rising HIV rate among teens in the community. Members of an environmental group attend a workshop on the effects of global warming. 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. Get together with people around the world to develop your skills in leading successful meetings and workshops in a one-of-a-kind online learning experience. After proposing this list of ground rules, give people time to digest them, to talk about them, to understand them. Then, ask if the participants have any to add. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Be prepared to contribute to achieving the meeting goals. What is said in the group, stays in the group. In order for a support group to be successful, all participants, including the facilitator, must agree to follow specific guidelines to keep others feeling safe. Ground rules are an effective way to manage groups of people to allow maximum participation. A group of two or three generally doesn't need a leader to have a good discussion, but once the number reaches five or six, a leader or facilitator can often be helpful. The group's size and purpose can determine how ground rules are set. 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. The sound of water from the mill stream rushing by put everyone at ease, and encouraged creative thought. 5 Questions to Get the Diversity & Inclusion Conversation Started in Your Organization. Be clear up front about expectations and intentions amongst participants and the facilitator. 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. stream It's often difficult to reach an agreement in a meeting because some people are often dogmatic about their position. You have some choices about how you do that, however. & Jensen, M. (1977) Stages of Small Group Development. Ground rules may cover the behavior of the disputants, the role or behavior of any third party (e.g., facilitator or mediator ), the methods or process to be used, and/or the substance of the discussions. The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book. Here are suggestions for ground rules that can be especially helpful for public meetings: Groups can create ground rules in advance of the meeting, or with the group at the meeting. well explained so that students are very . It wont hurt to think beforehand about how you want to handle it. Now, just to be clear: We are not saying that conflict is good per se. Learn how to effectively conduct a critical conversation about a particular topic, or topics, that allows participation by all members of your organization. It will be helpful to read and review these Ground Rules prior to each sessionto help get people in the right frame of mind for these discussions." This is the new edition of the award-winning guide to social justice education. Ground Rules What are ground rules? Make the discussion functional by clarifying the goals of each session to the group. Group members can receive and respond to respectful but honest and constructive feedback. this discussion guide focuses primarily on the . 2. The best ones are drafted by the participants themselves, so they can share what they need to create a safe discussion space. If you have time to prepare beforehand, there are a number of things you may be able to do to make the participants more comfortable, and thus to make discussion easier. If youre asked your opinion directly, you should answer honestly. Some common examples of ground rules include: Come to class on time, and when possible notify group members in advance of absences. Part of your job here is to protect minority rights, i.e., unpopular or unusual ideas. Ask dominant participants to allow others to speak. (1997) Clinical discussion sessions and small groups. This rule is particularly helpful in brainstorming, where the judging of ideas can be detrimental to the process. Here are some ways to resolve them: If the solution depends on certain facts, the facilitator can ask participants to refer to the text or another authority. Listen - Actively and Humbly While others are speaking, be present and attentive. This is true for everyone, regardless of our group (s). Everyday-Democracy. Project on Civic Reflection provides information about leading study circles on civic reflection. A community health educator facilitates a smoking cessation support group. Group Work in the Classroom | Resource Pack. 5 Ground Rules for Group Discussion It is vital when you start a new small group to lay down some ground rules, so everyone is on the same page and understand what the group is all about. The Community Tool Box is a service of the. No lurking in the cyberspace background. No deposit, no return Purpose: To encourage participation and emphasize the value of learning. Foster a culture in which differences of opinion are encouraged, placing emphasis on the common goals among your members (or team, employees, and colleagues). If the group starts to veer in the direction of negativity and/or pointless venting, ask them how they would like to address this. 1. Feito, J. 11 ground rules for effective meetings 1. (2007) Allowing Not-Knowing in a Dialogic Discussion. Iowa State University of Science and Technology (The exceptions are opinions or ideas that are discriminatory or downright false.) 2, pp.419-427. You might present an agenda for approval, and change it as the group requires, or you and the group can create one together. Be present, and don't attend to non-meeting business. In this last section of a chapter on group facilitation, well examine what it takes to lead a discussion group well, and how you can go about doing it. In their textbook Is Everyone Really Equal, Sensoy & DiAngelooffer the following Guidelines for maximizing your learning: 2. Techniques for Leading Group Discussions, Chapter 16. However, any class can benefit from ground rules that set expectations for respectful dialogue. In order to work effectively, the team should be able to understand, agree upon and follow the ground rules. Talking about styles of communication is an excellent ice-breaker. Do your best to be open and honest during discussions. Be on time and prepared for meetings. There is no clear-cut answer, although if they pass unchallenged, it may appear you condone the attitude expressed. The "3x3 Rule" says that everyone should wait until 3 other people have spoken, or 3 minutes have passed before speaking again. How you challenge prejudice is the real question. The difference between ground rules and group agreements may, for some, be semantics if the process of developing guidelines are the same. Asking follow-up questions, and paraphrasing the comments for everyone to ponder. Common ground rules include: Listen actively respect others when they are talking. Be candid but respectful. Its much closer to acting as a facilitator, but not exactly the same as that either. Listen actively: Listen to understand, not to respond. Confidentiality. Maths in Our School Environment for Junior & Senior Infants Booklet. Its less formal, and may have no time constraints, or structured order, or agenda. While many public organizations use parliamentary procedure as a form of ground rules, such formal rules may not be sufficient or appropriate for guiding public discussion. All Rights Reserved. St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension. Use certain conventions or language that will exclude certain groups from understanding the context of the discussion, or make them feel uncomfortable. 3. 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. 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. Openly and honestly communicate with everyone. Remind everyone to be aware of time, and to make their points succinctly so everyone has the chance to share. Communication is an excellent ice-breaker into discussions and respond to respectful but honest and feedback. Donts for discussion group making them viable additions to the process of developing Guidelines the... Have no time constraints, or make them feel uncomfortable is probably good... Is probably a good ideal to strive for but honest and constructive feedback group discussions, the difficult is. 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