ISU's principles address Respect, Purpose, Cooperation, Richness of Diversity, Freedom from Discrimination, and Honest and respectful expression of ideas. Silence can be an indication of thought and process. Community activists. They identify the "rules of engagement" that support a permissive safe environment. Did you feel like a valuable member of the team? Generate an agenda or goals for the session. Use certain conventions or language that will exclude certain groups from understanding the context of the discussion, or make them feel uncomfortable. Ground Rules. 2 "Disagree without being disagreeable" Listen to each other. The discussion stays focused on the issue at hand. If you have the luxury of choosing your space, you might look for someplace thats comfortable and informal. All rights reserved. When the group numbers eight or more, a leader or facilitator, whether formal or informal, is almost always helpful in ensuring an effective discussion. Share your name and as much or as little as you want about your race, ethnicity, culture . Collections, Help & Elevate meetings and workshops from the bottom-up by giving your talents the skills to run productive and engaging meetings in any situation. A variety of points of view are put forward and discussed, The discussion is not dominated by any one person, Arguments, while they may be spirited, are based on the content of ideas and opinions, not on personalities, Even in disagreement, theres an understanding that the group is working together to resolve a dispute, solve a problem, create a plan, make a decision, find principles all can agree on, or come to a conclusion from which it can move on to further discussion. Be prompt in arriving to the meeting and in returning from breaks. Ground Rules What are ground rules? It emphasizes process (the consideration of ideas) over product (specific tasks to be accomplished within the confines of the meeting itself. Become familiar with the purpose and content of the discussion. One organization often held discussions on the terrace of an old mill that had been turned into a bookstore and caf. Both Sections 1 and 2 of this chapter contain some guidelines for dealing with this type of situation. Most often because they are afraid of the consequences or think the context isn't the right one to address the issue. The group's size and purpose can determine how ground rules are set. Not being afraid to admit your own ignorance or confusion if you dont know something invite others to provide resources, and use the opportunity to discuss with the group how one might go about researching the issue. No one wants to find out he or she has been the subject of gossip or well-meaning "prayer discussions." This is probably the most important ground rule of all. Speak from your own experience instead of generalizing (I instead of they, we, and you). 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 The exception here is when someone has been chosen by her community or group to represent its point of view in a multi-sector discussion. An effective discussion group depends on a leader or facilitator who can guide it through an open process the group chooses what its discussing, if not already determined, discusses it with no expectation of particular conclusions, encourages civil disagreement and argument, and makes sure that every member is included and no one dominates. 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. Once stated, anyone in the meeting can say "ELMO!" Listen attentively to others without interruption and be slow to judge. Asking follow-up questions, and paraphrasing the comments for everyone to ponder. Facilitators are non-directive, and try to keep themselves out of the discussion, except to ask questions or make statements that advance it. Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. Examples of Ground Rules Below is a list of a few ground rules I've picked up along the way and have since leveraged in my training sessions/workshops. In general, meetings are better if more people participate and take responsibility for discussions and decisions. Welcome Packet and Week 1 Discussion Guide Week 2 - Belonging; Week 3 - The Roots of Polarization; Week 4 - Humanity in Disagreement; Week 5 - Connection Across Divides; Ground Rules. Facilitating Political Discussions from the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts Universityis designed to assist experienced facilitators in training others to facilitate politically charged conversations. This forces participations to clarify their ideas, helps them to avoid miscommunication, and offers a much better ground for constructive discussions and feedback. Stopping and asking a participant to summarize where the discussion is at the point it appears to go off track may also help. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. You'll be doing a huge favor to any participants that have another meeting (or call) immediately following yours. Ground rules (also known as group agreements) help create these feelings from the start. Especially if most people in the group dont know one another, its your job as leader to establish a comfortable atmosphere and set the tone for the discussion. 5 Questions to Get the Diversity & Inclusion Conversation Started in Your Organization. Foreword: "This group is intended to be a forum for discussion of ideas and for learning about differing viewpoints, not for debate. Common ground rules include: Listen actively respect others when they are talking. If there is an experimentally verified answer, the facilitator can use the opportunity to review the method by which the answer could be determined. Sexual health education works best in classrooms where there's a mutual feeling of trust, safety and comfort. It is just a list to get you started as well ones that Campus Pride finds most important to include in ALL workshops, meetings, discussions, and trainings. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. Iowa State University of Science and Technology Ground Rules for Respectful Discussion 1. Tips for Leading Discussions, by Felisa Tibbits, Human Rights Education Associates. Its not an easy task, but it can be extremely rewarding. Support Group Ground Rules . This ground rule strengthens the importance of being inclusive and making space for other often quiet and hesitant participants. Developing Facilitation Skills, Section 3. Comforting Discomfort as Complicity: White Fragility and the Pursuit of Invulnerability, by Barbara Applebaum (2017), Ground Rules and Tools : FacilitatingProductive Discussions, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, Ground Rules & Tools: Facilitating Productive Discussions. Identify missing data. 6. 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. The ultimate comfort, and one that breaks down barriers among people, is that of eating and drinking. The "3x3 Rule" says that everyone should wait until 3 other people have spoken, or 3 minutes have passed before speaking again. 9. Several of the examples given at the beginning of the section the group of parents concerned about their school system, for instance, or the college class fall into this category, as do public hearings and similar gatherings. Everyone is asked to consider different perspectives, for the purpose of sensitivity, learning, and growth. Whenever you are talking to your branch or board about diversity and inclusion, its important to ensure that everyone feels safe for conversation and exploration. They should be discussed and agreed upon by the group members. There are no right or wrong answers - we want honest, candid opinions. ", 3. After proposing this list of ground rules, give people time to digest them, to talk about them, to understand them. Parking Lot is a place, where participants can park off-topic ideas, questions, or comments for a later time. The International Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, accessed July 2008. http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl/v1n1/feito/ij_feito.htm. The facilitator can list both sides of the argument on the board. Weekly Discussion Guides. The facilitator can also restate points for verification or rejection by the participants, or give enthusiastic nonverbal cues and patience. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED TIPS AND GROUND RULES: 4 IDENTITY AND PLACE. Speak from your own experience instead of generalizing ("I" instead of "they," "we," and "you"). Start on timeand end on time. Marcus., The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (3. 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. Accessible to students from high school through graduate school, Is Everyone Really Equal? Well begin by looking at what you might consider if you have time to prepare. We recommend each state and branch (if appropriate) fill this role with someone whos passionate about diversity and inclusion and demonstrates a radical yet respectful curiosity to embrace change. 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. These categories include (but arent limited to): The need or desire for a group discussion might of course arise anytime, but there are some times when its particularly necessary. What I really hear you saying is. Since this was a group work, to avoid intentional free-riders and to create an inclusive learning environment with team cohesion and respect for all group members, ground rules were imposed [18 . Instead of invalidating somebody elses story with your own spin on her or his experience, share your own story and experience. In those moments, it's better for participants to share knowledge with each other, instead of being critical and blaming others for their lack of knowledge. The group's agreement allows the leader or a group member to directly address an issue when a ground rule is not followed. A shared learning environment is only effective if everyone involved shares. It may not have a specific goal many group discussions are just that: a group kicking around ideas on a particular topic. If you would like assistance, please email the Inclusion & Equity Committee at [email protected]. Be willing to share information. This can be done via a handout, posted on a wall, or projected on a . How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race. Our aim is to provide tools to make these conversations meaningful and productive. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. University Library701 Morrill Rd Handelsman, J., Miller, S., & Pfund, C. (2006) Scientific Teaching: Diversity, Assessment, Active Learning (New York: W.H. Allow participants to introduce themselves you can even set up an ice breaker to have pairs of students introduce each other. No lurking in the cyberspace background. Allow others to share. (8th edition). Medical Education, 38:286-293. Special rules or guidelines that apply to a particular meeting, task, activity, conversation, negotiation, classroom, event or workshop. Provide opportunities for participants to pair-share. 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. Respect Differences? Dont ask people to do something, and then ignore it. 2. Require insightful commentary in online discussions to pass the course. It is not enough to login and read the discussion thread of others. Ground Rules for Online Discussions 1) Participate: Students must contribute to conversations. Take responses and add them to the list. Finish 10 minutes early Get into the habit of scheduling meetings to finish at :20 or :50, and make sure you finish on time. 1. Establishing ground rules for classroom interactions and discussions can help to promote an inclusive learning environment for all participants. So lets make sure we are listening 100 percent. It is important to prevent misunderstandings by making it clear that all things shared in small group are not to be shared with others. Here are the 12 ground rules that we use when facilitating strategic planning sessions and beyond: 1. Participate to the fullest of your ability community growth depends on the inclusion of every individual voice. Maths in Our School Environment for Junior & Senior Infants Booklet. There is no one size fits all list of ground rules. Members new to these issues are encouraged to spend time . Create a new situation form a coalition, start an initiative, etc. You also may be in a position to lead one, and thats what this section is about. 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. Provide the rules in writing. hold people back if they are dominating the conversation. If you paraphrase what someone else said, verify with them afterwards that you 3. Build trust and a sense of safety among group participants. Ground Rules for Support Groups. Ground rules are standards set by a team to help them function in the future. What behaviors am I most familiar or comfortable with? Ground rules define how team members can support and communicate with each other. Equity & Inclusion Group Ground Rules Adapted from UT Astronomy E&I Discussion Group Ground Rules by Caitlin Casey, Brandon Bozek, and Raquel Martinez. Part of your job here is to protect minority rights, i.e., unpopular or unusual ideas. Undiscussable issues are those issues that are on everyones mind, but no one is able to bring them forwards. This guide covers a lot of ground. Discomfort and silence are ok, but balance with a clearly stated context and purpose. Be on time and prepared for meetings. Share, even if you dont have the right words: Suspend judgment and allow others to be unpolished in their speaking. This category could include anyone from professional community organizers to average citizens who care about an issue or have an idea they want to pursue. Coleman, P., Deutsch, M. and Eric C. Having the words written out may make it easier for a shy or fearful person to speak up. Sometimes, the difficult conversation is one you want to start, not just facilitate. Respect: We do not advise, analyze or "fix" others. If the situation is particularly difficult, a directive leader might be needed to keep control of the discussion and make. In some cases, the opportunity to lead a group discussion can arise on the spur of the moment; in others, its a more formal arrangement, planned and expected. Listen actively respect others when they are talking. Empower your team by reminding them that they have permission to: ask . A local coalition forms a task force to address the rising HIV rate among teens in the community. Who will take notes, record important points, questions for further discussion, areas of agreement or disagreement? But they are necessary to build equality within a team and organization. Avoid mentally imposing your own biases, thoughts, or opinions onto what someone else is sharing. There are two parts to this rule: First, each participant must know his or her style. This ground rule highlights that the meeting is more productive and fun, if everyone participants and contributes equally. As people in academia, we are used to trying to convince everyone that we are right. For Zoom Meetings, consider these ground rules to ensure a great group discussion: Find a quiet space to participate in the meeting. Team Work PowerPoint. (Be sure to include the requester in this discussion). Hold public hearings on proposed laws or regulations, development, etc. In the 1970s, a model for understanding managing conflict was created and from it the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) was born. Dress appropriately so you can be taken seriously. The point is made that many good group or meeting leaders are, in fact, facilitators, whose main concern is supporting and maintaining the process of the groups work. 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Result, discussion can become toxic and can be established as a meeting rule to cut unnecessary discussions to pairs! Analyze or & quot ; rules of engagement & quot ; Listen to each other, we listening! Guidelines for dealing with this type of situation candid opinions ethnicity, culture context of the or.