Community Dialogs
How can we help improve the world?
Talk, listen, learn, brainstorm
Horizontal, self-regulating, self-perpetuating, peer-to-peer conversations
Time and location to be determined
Video conference calls are an option
00:00 Social time. Food. Drink. Informal conversation.
00:25 Twelve or fewer participants form a circle. The Facilitator explains the rules:
The focus is: How can we help improve the world?
Participants speak only if they’re holding the “mic,” which may be an object.
The Timer sets a timer when each person begins speaking.
Speakers talk for no more than 90 seconds.
If the timer goes off, the speaker finishes the sentence.
When speakers finish, they recognize the next speaker by handing them the mic.
Speakers are encouraged to respond to the previous speaker.
Speakers are encouraged to:
be respectful and avoid personal attacks and name-calling;
avoid going back and forth repeatedly with the same person;
call on people who haven’t spoken.
People with mobility difficulties can select the next speaker and ask the Carrier to give the mic to that person.
The Facilitator: 1) asks for a moment of silence for people to meditate, pray, reflect, or relax; 2) asks everyone to introduce themselves; 3) recognizes the next speaker.
01:30 The Facilitator asks everyone to give a one-word evaluation of the dialog and then helps the group: 1) decide (or clarify) where and when the next dialog will meet, and; 2) who will serve as Facilitator, Timer, and Carrier.
01:35 The circle adjourns and participants engage in informal conversation.
02:00 If necessary, the participants vacate the room.