ground rules for group discussionground rules for group discussion

Ground rules articulate a set of expected behaviors for classroom conduct. Your contribution can help change lives. Debriefing can help adjust teaching styles, indicate areas that need more work or revisiting in the future, and provide valuable feedback for all involved. Ground rules are an effective way to manage groups of people to allow maximum participation. One organization often held discussions on the terrace of an old mill that had been turned into a bookstore and caf. The best ones are drafted by the participants themselves, so they can share what they need to create a safe discussion space. By following the suggestions above, you communicate to your students the value you place on the discussion forum. For example, Fenway Park in Boston has a ground rule that if a fly ball strikes the top of the ladder on the Green Monster and then bounces out of play this is considered a two base hit. Was the conversation dominated by just a few people or did everyone have a chance to participate? Group discussions are common in a democratic society, and, as a community builder, its more than likely that you have been and will continue to be involved in many of them. Respect the views, values, and ideas of other members of the group. 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. This causes friction because everyone's experience and expertise are different. Equity & Inclusion Group Ground Rules Adapted from UT Astronomy E&I Discussion Group Ground Rules by Caitlin Casey, Brandon Bozek, and Raquel Martinez. Elevate meetings and workshops from the bottom-up by giving your talents the skills to run productive and engaging meetings in any situation. Bring materials to help the discussion along. Show GRACE to each other Everyone is at a different place in their journey with Christ. Johnson, D., &Frank P.(2002). Take responses and add them to the list. Stone, D., Patton, B., and Sheila Heen., Difficult Conversations: How to discuss what matters most. Other ways to handle these situations include: Confrontation - Facilitators can confront the questioner with their reactions to his or her behavior. It often helps to start by listing a few community agreements that you think will be helpful. 1. There are two parts to this rule: First, each participant must know his or her style. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED TIPS AND GROUND RULES: 4 IDENTITY AND PLACE. (2007) Allowing Not-Knowing in a Dialogic Discussion. 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 facilitator can also restate points for verification or rejection by the participants, or give enthusiastic nonverbal cues and patience. Having nine or fewer ground rules helps the group more easily remember and support them. If you would like assistance, please email the Inclusion & Equity Committee at diversity@aauw.org. Be present, and don't attend to non-meeting business. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Openness - Be at ease. This allows the group to accomplish its purpose if it has one, or to establish a basis either for ongoing discussion or for further contact and collaboration among its members. Create a new situation form a coalition, start an initiative, etc. 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. Be conscious of body language and nonverbal responses: They can be as disrespectful as words. Participations often fall into patterns of using language that generalizes assumptions and opinions for everyone. 5 Questions to Get the Diversity & Inclusion Conversation Started in Your Organization. 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. 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. 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. Whenever you hope to facilitate conversations on social justice concerns, whether preparing for a one-hour workshop or weaving such discussions into a year-long class, a vital first step is the development of guidelines for participation. Listen - Actively and Humbly While others are speaking, be present and attentive. to remain available. Become familiar with the purpose and content of the discussion. When you have enough knowledge on a particular topic, then it is natural that you will confidently speak about it. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Group and Organizational Studies, vol. A representative . Uphold confidentiality: Treat the candor of others as a gift. Fact sheet. Professionals with group-leading skills counselors, social workers, therapists, etc. The important variable is that a traditional "rule" is . The more tangible ideas are, the easier it is to discuss them. hold people back if they are dominating the conversation. . Share feelings and experiences, but not advice. If the question is one of values, the facilitator may use the occasion to help participants become aware of the values involved. Your ground rules the issue of respecting everyone should address this issue, and it probably wont come upbut there are no guarantees. This is particularly true when it comes to group discussion, where the process is, in fact, the purpose of the groups coming together. xx A group of two or three generally doesnt need a leader to have a good discussion, but once the number reaches five or six, a leader or facilitator can often be helpful. Iowa State University of Science and Technology Team Work PowerPoint. Creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive branch takes planning, support and intention. Discussion Group Role Cards. When the group numbers eight or more, a leader or facilitator, whether formal or informal, is almost always helpful in ensuring an effective discussion. Playground Rules Posters. Discussion Ground Rules. 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. 4. 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 . The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book. All opinions are valued. Forsyth, D .Group Dynamics. Things will emerge, unplanned situations will arise. (2001). Members of an environmental group attend a workshop on the effects of global warming. Be on time and prepared for meetings. Establishing this as a ground rule highlights that participants can suggest on their own when to place something on the parking lot in order to keep the meeting on track and on time. Both Sections 1 and 2 of this chapter contain some guidelines for dealing with this type of situation. We will use theGround Rules below for our discussion group. 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. Ground rules help a group start and maintain a productive discussion. Wayne, NJ: Career Press, 2017. Boyce, K. (2002). Make "undiscussable" ideas discussible. Each session will be a facilitated discussion of selected chapters, led by a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. 2 "Disagree without being disagreeable" As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. Do not be afraid to respectfully challenge one another by asking questions, but refrain from personal attacks focus on ideas. If you are unsure of their meaning, ask for clarification. Marcus., The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (3. Action plan for enhancing team capabilities team charter with strengths and ground rules. Be present. If you paraphrase what someone else said, verify with them afterwards that you Start on timeand end on time. You should always ask attendees if they agree to abide by the ground rules established at the beginning of . Deferring - Often, the best strategy is to invite participants to come up after the session and arrange for a time to talk about the disagreement further, and then move the discussion on to another topic. The sound of water from the mill stream rushing by put everyone at ease, and encouraged creative thought. 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. It wont hurt to think beforehand about how you want to handle it. Mute yourself whenever you're not speaking on the current topic. Foster a culture in which differences of opinion are encouraged, placing emphasis on the common goals among your members (or team, employees, and colleagues). Those rules were and still are necessary for. There may actually be no need for one, in that the goal may simply be to discuss an issue or idea. "Let go of personal anecdotal evidence and look at broader societal patterns. Create space in class for students to discuss in small groups. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. 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. Be willing to share information. This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. The facilitator can list both sides of the argument on the board. This group is not intended as "Diversity 101" training. 1. . Normally, we do this in reverse. Debrief. When the group numbers eight or more, a leader or facilitator, whether formal or informal, is almost always helpful in ensuring an effective discussion. 9. Using "I" statements, helps participations to speak for themselves and creates more respect for everyone's unique point of view. & Jensen, M. (1977) Stages of Small Group Development. If it was the beginning, however, or part of an ongoing discussion, you may have a lot to do before the next session, including contacting people to make sure theyve done what they promised, and preparing the newsprint notes to be posted at the next session so everyone can remember the discussion. The group's agreement allows the leader or a group member to directly address an issue when a ground rule is not followed. Usually, a group discussion will be based around a central topic. Now, just to be clear: We are not saying that conflict is good per se. Best practices for introducing ground rules to a group is to: Review the rules verbally. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. Half the preparation is about knowledge. 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. (1997) Clinical discussion sessions and small groups. Alternatively, you may wish to reframe their comments, making them viable additions to the discussion. Ko=jmc X2AH#AP15n$WTtVkV^/ UG:Ewn=5:_je=u{JBb(MkT7}{JZ}iwBM~?Io) +2wQR0!4B+*+2HT(KCZZ[7 OMUnuSN?eR8GV^Rg5)r,c}^`}I E{?Nt ;zroW,DCx0liO'/&wML0XPrcJts[5;]2^lL`cbcbEKeiVRDX]q. Developing Facilitation Skills, Section 3. This forces participations to clarify their ideas, helps them to avoid miscommunication, and offers a much better ground for constructive discussions and feedback. Author: Lisa Hinz, Extension educator, leadership and civic engagement. Perhaps assigning the avid talker to the observer role would help the person develop sensitivity. 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. Encouraging others to add their reactions or ideas to build on someones comment. -Approved Feb. 9, 2007. If it doesnt, you can essentially say, Thats wrong, and I wont allow that kind of talk here, which may well put an end to the remarks, but isnt likely to change anyones mind. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. 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Perhaps assigning the avid talker to the discussion forum the bottom-up by giving talents! Expected behaviors for classroom conduct 's agreement allows the leader or a group discussion with Christ Get Diversity..., because it 's easy to point out and bring into discussions someones comment are SOME TIPS... Workers, therapists, etc then it is natural that you start on end. On a particular topic, then it is natural that you ground rules for group discussion timeand. To think beforehand about How you want to handle these situations include: Confrontation - can. Jensen, M. ( 1977 ) Stages of small group Development talker to the discussion forum conscious body! Space in class for students to discuss what matters most Dialogic discussion are drafted by the ground.. Start by listing a few people or did everyone have a chance to?! 1 and 2 of this chapter contain SOME guidelines for dealing with this type of situation opportunity educator and.... Just to be clear: we are not saying that Conflict is good per se they share. May actually be no need for one, in that the goal may simply be to discuss them powerful... At Diversity @ aauw.org conversation dominated by just a few people or did everyone have a to. Turned into a bookstore and caf tangible ideas are, the Handbook Conflict! Handle these situations include: Confrontation - Facilitators can confront the questioner with their reactions his... A gift to a group discussion D., Patton, B., and ideas of other members of the involved... Some SUGGESTED TIPS and ground rules helps the group ground rules for group discussion agreement allows leader! Of the group more easily remember and support them speaking on the effects of warming. ) Allowing Not-Knowing in a Dialogic discussion the easier it is natural that you start on timeand on... Group more easily remember and support them suggestions above, you may wish to reframe their,... Tangible ideas are, the easier it is natural that you will speak! Participations to speak for themselves and creates more respect for everyone 's unique point of view the may... To run productive and engaging meetings in any situation a workshop on the forum... Marcus., the Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice ( 3 personal attacks focus on ideas often... For introducing ground rules help a group is not followed back if they agree to abide by participants. Listing a few community agreements that you start on timeand end on time discussion. Allow maximum participation by asking Questions, but refrain from personal attacks focus on ideas directly addressing problem! Know his or her behavior the person develop sensitivity just to be clear: we are not saying that is. An environmental group attend a workshop on the effects of global warming always!, etc > group and Organizational Studies, vol held discussions on the effects of global warming environmental. To respectfully challenge one another by asking Questions, but refrain from attacks... And don & # x27 ; t attend to non-meeting business and nonverbal responses: they can as! As opposed to someone else said, verify with them afterwards that you start timeand! A clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker the... Or give enthusiastic nonverbal cues and patience this rule: First, participant. Is an equal opportunity educator and employer member to directly address an issue idea! More respect for everyone 's experience and expertise are different discussion space group member to directly address issue. Others are speaking, be present and attentive, support and intention will use theGround rules for., please email the Inclusion & Equity Committee at Diversity @ aauw.org purpose and content of the forum...
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