Including Conversation Cafés with Presentation Events
We have had good results from associating Conversation Cafés with other public "featured presentation" events. The conversations are sometimes shortened to be only 45 minutes instead of the normal 60-90 minutes in order to fit into an event with other agenda.
We ask that you call this a Conversation Café Brevé or Lite to distinguish it from the normal length Conversation Cafés. Because of the shortened time frame, and in order for the first two rounds to go quickly and leave time for the open round, the conversation circles need to be smaller (4-5, no more than 6).
Here is the scenario...
- Before the Presentation: In the publicity for the event and in the introduction at the start of the event, announce that a Conversation Café 'Lite' is included that will allow people to connect with each other about what they got from the featured speaker/panel/presentation. The publicity should include our web address, and the event should include a handout per person, or at least per table, that reproduces the Conversation Café process and agreements (our little wallet cards fill this need wonderfully! See http://www.conversationcafe.org/hosts_downloads.html or connect with us and we can send you some). This announcement gives a brief description of what a Conversation Café is such that people know they will be in a structured environment designed to create respectful, meaningful conversation.
- Starting the Conversations: When the presentation concludes, someone acts as 'super host' to introduce the process and read the agreements to the group as a whole, and state the question or topic to guide the conversations. Then, the super host gives directions for how people can organize themselves ("please turn your chairs to create circles of 4-5 people.."), find a talking object ("something symbolic is nice, but even a set of keys or an eyeglasses case works just fine"), and a prompt to get started ("go ahead and start the first two rounds of speaking briefly using the talking object, then open up with interactive, spirited conversation").
- Concluding the Conversations: The super host is the time keeper, and interrupts the conversations when it comes time to announce the start the closing round. Then, as a closing for the group as a whole, the super host asks everyone to turn to the front again, and takes comments from a few people regarding what came up in the small group conversations that was surprising or particularly moving. Finally, the super host tells everyone that they can start these conversations themselves in a public venue of their choosing, and that resources for doing this can be found on our web site.
Here are two very different types of gatherings that included many small, shortened Conversation Cafés:
Waging Peace in Perilous Times
Go here for some additional suggestions and step-by-step guidelines.
Please keep in touch with us about what you are inspired to do, and we may be able to offer guidance. Contact us and we will find someone to talk with you about your event.