Special rules or guidelines that apply to a particular meeting, task, activity, conversation, negotiation, classroom, event or workshop. Each session will be a facilitated discussion of selected chapters, led by a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. 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. Meeting rules defining dos and donts discussions management. If youre asked your opinion directly, you should answer honestly. Encouraging participation can be accomplished by: adapted from: Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning Handbook, accessed July 2008. There are a number of reasons for this, some practical and some philosophical. Reframing - The focus can be on clarifying the assumptions behind the persons argument and then inviting her or him to see alternative possibilities. If you have the opportunity, learn as much as possible about the topic under discussion. Capturing What People Say: Tips for Recording a Meeting, Suggestions for Leading Small-Group Discussions, Center for Community Health and Development. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. Then well examine what it takes to make an effective discussion leader or facilitator, regardless of external circumstances. Share feelings and experiences, but not advice. Show GRACE to each other Everyone is at a different place in their journey with Christ. Yet another is to give your opinion after all other members of the group have stated theirs, and then discuss the similarities and differences among all the opinions and peoples reasons for holding them. Now, just to be clear: We are not saying that conflict is good per se. Rule 1: Prepare. xx Develop an awareness for barriers for learning (cultural; social; experiential, etc). 5. Another approach is to break down the group into still smaller task groups. Some examples are to: participate actively speak one at a time treat everyone's ideas with respect-don't criticize minimize side conversations Discussion Ground Rules. It is not necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the topic with actual facts and figures but at least the basic information on the topic will be good . 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). Be present, and don't attend to non-meeting business. The term ground rules was originally used to describe the rules of baseball that teams agreed to use in a particular venue, or grounds. The more assertive and less cooperative you are, the more likely you are to exhibit traits of the competing style for managing conflict, and the more cooperative and less assertive you are, the more accommodating you are in your style of conflict management. . The more tangible ideas are, the easier it is to discuss them. Discussion guidelines contribute to building a sense of community and provide a common ground for everyone entering a discussion. That reaction not only leaves the conflict unresolved and therefore growing, so that it will be much stronger when it surfaces later but fails to examine the issues that it raises. Ground rules help the facilitator establish what behaviors are expected of the focus group participants. Asking follow-up questions, and paraphrasing the comments for everyone to ponder. 5. The materials are broken down into "modules" and facilitation trainers can use some or all of them to suit their needs. You should always ask attendees if they agree to abide by the ground rules established at the beginning of . Give all participants a voice- at the start highlight the value of a diversity of perspectives as an essential part of the process. 5. There is no one size fits all list of ground rules. Your performance is as good as your preparation. Group Facilitation and Problem-Solving, Section 2. Group discussions are common in our society, and have a variety of purposes, from planning an intervention or initiative to mutual support to problem-solving to addressing an issue of local concern. Leading a discussion group is not the same as running a meeting. 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. How? Take responsibility for your own learning. The facilitator can take a strong position as moderator, preventing participants from interrupting each other or speaking simultaneously. 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. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. 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. Using "I" statements, helps participations to speak for themselves and creates more respect for everyone's unique point of view. 2. 6. Another is to ask to hold your opinion until the end of the discussion, so as not to influence anyones thinking while its going on. 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. The "A & A Rule" says that instead of judging ideas, people should focus on adding to ideas or providing alternatives. They break. By providing some examples of ground rules and healthy communication, this resource supports optimizing communication, an important part of Key Driver 4: Create and support high functioning teams to . Debriefing can help adjust teaching styles, indicate areas that need more work or revisiting in the future, and provide valuable feedback for all involved. Conflict is normal and can be inherent in nearly every situation. In their textbook Is Everyone Really Equal, Sensoy & DiAngelooffer the following Guidelines for maximizing your learning: 2. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. That may lead to a goal ultimatelybut it may not. 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 . Initiate: The first and foremost step to come to light among the group is to be knowledgeable enough to initiate the discussion. Join on time (or early). Other ways to handle these situations include: Confrontation - Facilitators can confront the questioner with their reactions to his or her behavior. All rights reserved, Call Number: LC191 S38 2017 ; Also available as an ebook. All rights reserved. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. From University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR; formerly known as National Council for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR) . Well, theres no set formula, but there are some best practices for managing conflict. Even after youve wrapped up the discussion, youre not necessarily through. Regents of the University of Minnesota. DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. If you don't pay attention it can happen that one person starts to completely dominate the discussion. What I really hear you saying is. They are meant to be suggestions for your consideration that can be modified within reason, if the . 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. Mitchell, B. and Cornelia Gamlem. How you challenge prejudice is the real question. Establishing ground rules Providing a common basis for understanding Creating a framework for the discussion that maintains focus and flow Including everyone Being an active facilitator Summarizing discussion and gathering student feedback Handling issues that involve the instructor's identity University resources Identifying a clear purpose Some you might suggest, if the group has trouble coming up with the first one or two: Ground rules may also be a place to discuss recording the session. 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. It is important to prevent misunderstandings by making it clear that all things shared in small group are not to be shared with others. Even in that situation, the individual may find herself swayed by others arguments, or may have ideas of her own. 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. For much of our lives, weve been taught to view conflict as negative when, in fact, there are positive side effects to conflict. Freeman & Co.), Sellers, S.L., Roberts, J., Giovanetto, L., Friedrich, K. & Hammargren, C. (2007) Reaching All Students-A Resource for Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Second Edition) (Madison, WI: Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning). Community activists. Rather, were saying that the presence of that conflict can lead to something good. 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. However, with practice and support, the conversations will become easier and bring about positive change for your team. Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. 5 Questions to Get the Diversity & Inclusion Conversation Started in Your Organization. Convey a sense of self-importance or superiority. The ideal here is that other members of the group do the challenging, and it may be worth waiting long enough before you jump in to see if thats going to happen. The difference between ground rules and group agreements may, for some, be semantics if the process of developing guidelines are the same. Allow only the dominant or more verbal participants to take over the conversation. "Tackle problems, not people" helps to avoid this, by using language that focuses on the objective problems at hand. 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. Develop the script to frame the purpose of the focus. Its less formal, and may have no time constraints, or structured order, or agenda. The important variable is that a traditional "rule" is . The more people zone out of a meeting, the quality of the meeting and its output will diminish rapidly. It's everyone's responsibility, to find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the meeting. This may encourage participation by reducing participants fear of answering incorrectly. for Racial Justice in Higher Education Respect Differences? Openness - Be at ease. Most discussions are aided by the use of newsprint and markers to record ideas, for example. Encouraging others to add their reactions or ideas to build on someones comment. Based on the authors' extensive experience in a range of settings in the United States and Canada, the book addresses the most common stumbling blocks to understanding social justice. Things will emerge, unplanned situations will arise. Ground Rules. Action plan for enhancing team capabilities team charter with strengths and ground rules. Lets look at these, as well as some dos and donts for discussion group leaders. For further guidance on developing . Accept each other without making judgments. 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. 11 ground rules for effective meetings 1. How to have a Diversity and Inclusion Conversation. Health professionals and health educators. End on time. Try to keep the group on task without rushing them. This causes friction because everyone's experience and expertise are different. Remind everyone to be aware of time, and to make their points succinctly so everyone has the chance to share. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED TIPS AND GROUND RULES: 4 IDENTITY AND PLACE. 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. Discomfort and silence are ok, but balance with a clearly stated context and purpose. Ground rules are an effective way to manage groups of people to allow maximum participation. Respect for Group Members - Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Services. (4th edition). DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. Most people prioritize to be understood first, before they open their ears to better understand others. Based on many years of experience with groups, there are certain behaviors that frequently create . 1. 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. Silence can be an indication of thought and process. University of Queensland: Designing Culturally Inclusive Environments, accessed July 2008. www.tedi.uq.edu.au/cdip, The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning, Course Development Funds for Remote-accessible (REM) Courses, Graduate Student Proctorship in Academic Administration, Seminar for Transformation Around Anti-Racist Teaching, Sheridan-RISD Museum Collaborative Workshop Series, Guidelines for Assessing Student Learning, A Guide to the Writing Support (WSUP) Flag for Faculty, http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl/v1n1/feito/ij_feito.htm, What do the participants bring to the group? Show up on time and come prepared. Number of reasons for this, some practical and some philosophical someones.... 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