Workshops
Matching the Process to the Problem
Sandy Heierbacher
National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD)
What do methods like Sustained Dialogue, National Issues Forums, Open Space, World Café and Future Search have in common, and how are they distinct? How do we decide which methods to use or build on? Workshop participants will explore the spectrum of dialogue and deliberation practice and where dozens of leading methods land on the continuum. Utilizing mini case studies and NCDD’s popular Engagement Streams tool, participants will learn about the variety of models available to them and how to decide which methods are the best fit for their circumstances. Workshop participants will leave with access to a wealth of resources and with increased confidence in designing effective dialogue and deliberation program.
Issue Naming and Framing
Alice Diebel
Kettering Foundation
The public often feels left out of important conversations about public concerns because they are “named” in ways that seem as though only experts can address them. Further, the way issues are “framed” doesn’t seem to offer the public any real choices. To better encourage public deliberation on public issues, a basic understanding of how to “name and frame” issues in public terms can be of use. This workshop will provide an explanation and brief exercise followed by conversation among the participants on this important practice.
Intro to Facilitation and Advanced Facilitation
Mark Wilson
Auburn University
This workshop will discuss the methods of facilitating deliberations to those that may not have much exposure to it “on the ground.” What are the best ways to get the community talking openly? What is the moderator’s role (or boundaries) in the discussion? How do you intervene in a discussion when it goes off track? How does a moderator deal with unsupportive community members?
Preserving Free Speech and Civil Discourse on Campus: Student Rights and Responsibilities
Nancy Thomas
The Democracy Imperative
On a college campus, students, faculty, administrators, and staff are part of a community of learners. They need to study, live, and work together, and they share responsibility for each community member’s learning experience. What happens, then, when political discourse gets polemic? No campus wants to chill free speech or prevent a lively exchange of ideas, but is some speech too toxic for a campus setting? In this session, we’ll talk about limits to speech in an academic context (if any) and whether providing alternative venues for inclusive dialogue and deliberation is an appropriate or even realistic alternative.
Social and Political Equity
Michelle Holt-Shannon and Michael Vidal, University of New Hampshire
Dudney Sylla, Bowdoin College
Do you sometimes feel unsure of how to advocate for others? How to advocate for systemic change to increase fairness? This skill-based workshop combines a focus on social identity, inclusion and systemic change with the skills and practices needed to work effectively across differences. Participants will increase awareness, knowledge and skill sets allowing for critical analysis of personal and institutional community change. We will specifically explore the concepts of power and privilege, teamwork, inclusion and equity. This is a workshop of head, heart and hands work for effective thinking, caring and doing in a complex world.
Measuring Success
Carolyne Abdullah
Everyday Democracy
How do communities measure the success of their experiences in civic engagement? Ongoing evaluations are needed to monitor progress, track outcomes, strengthen accountability, display effectiveness to others, and improve engagement in the future. What indicators should be used? What tools could be used to meet these needs?
Organizing Public Deliberation Programs
Matt Leighninger
Deliberative Democracy Consortium
Centers for civic engagement, public deliberation, collaborative governance, community mediation… These types of groups exist across the country to serve as partners with local communities. What is/should be their role inside the communities? How can communities create and sustain their own groups to keep the engagement process going in the future? How do these groups meet the challenges of limited resources, changing participants and staff, unsupportive elements, and other obstacles?
Sustained Dialogue
Amy Lazarus, Rhonda Fitzgerald
The Sustained Dialogue Campus Network
Do students on your campus have safe spaces to talk productively about identity issues? Do forums on your campus often devolve into large unproductive debates? During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network supports students and administrators in creating inclusive campus climates. Participants will gain an understanding of the process of Sustained Dialogue, key tools for creating and sustaining safe spaces for dialogue about divisive issues, and practical steps for launching Sustained Dialogue on your campus. We will use relevant case studies to apply SD’s Relationship Model to dialogue, classrooms, and organizations. The workshop will also introduce data on Sustained Dialogue’s impact on students and alumni. If you are a student, faculty member, administrator, or community organizer, you will benefit from learning this proven dialogue methodology to transform division, increase engagement, and develop the capacity of diverse, knowledgeable, and courageous leaders.
Working with Public Officials
Wendy Willis, Policy Consensus Initiative
Kendra Key, University of Alabama
Over the past decade, community groups, non-profit organizations, student organizations, and faith communities of have had many successes in engaging the public in a wide range of deliberative activities. It is clear that the most successful of those efforts are those that are connected to community leaders, including elected leaders and civil servants. What is the most effective way to engage those leaders in deliberative activities? How can community groups effectively participate in the local, state, and national political discourse? What are the “no-nos” and what are the risks worth taking when either working with public officials or just trying to get their attention?
Directing a Student Program on Deliberative Practices
Lane McLelland
University of Alabama: New College; The David Mathews Center for Civic Life
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