 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
Foundation
for the Future
Please keep in touch with us about what
you are inspired to do, and we may be able to offer guidance.
Contact us,
[email protected], and we will find someone to talk
with you about your event.
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