The Common Ground Network for Life and Choice Manual

Appendix 4.3
COMMON GROUND DIALOGUE WORKSHOP
Facilitator Guidesheets for Small Group Dialogue
I. INITIAL SMALL GROUP DIALOGUE SESSION
90 minutes
1) Facilitator introduces self, shares one sentence about her/his family, and invites participants to
do the same.
2) Ask for assent to the Ground Rules: these will have been reviewed in the opening session so
it should not be necessary to read through them again. They are here for your reference.
1. Act, speak and listen respectfully.
2. Listen to seek understanding, not necessarily agreement.
3. Speak for yourself.
4. Offer and accept views without attempting to convert or convince.
5. Observe confidentiality.
6. Anyone has the option to “pass” without comment/ explanation/ negative connotation.
[5 min for 1 and 2]
3) Ask participants to express any expectations and hopes, as well as any risks or vulnerabilities
that they have or feel about being in this dialogue.
Let people have a minute to think about their answer.
As a facilitator - model active listening by reflecting each one's statement.
Reinforce a climate of caring--this is not meant to be a place to experience further pain.
[10 min.]
4) Explain the process for the rest of the small group dialogue.
a) The task of listening (hard work)
-What is the speaker describing?
-How is the speaker feeling?
-Where does the speaker place emphasis and energy?
-What "grabs" the speaker?
A -What kind of words, images, metaphors does the speaker use?
-What does the speaker's body language say?
b) The task of understanding