Greater Philadelphia Thinking Society Leadership Development: Choosing Topics and Leading Discussions 11/12/2016 Leadership Event Notes 1
Agenda Agenda Orientation Selecting Discussion Topics Preparing a Discussion Leading a Discussion Handling Challenges Responsibilities Scheduling Events (optional) 2 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation Introduction of organizers and leaders Participant introductions How many Thinking Society Meetups attended? What discussion topics did you like best? 3 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation Mission Statement Mutual improvement and understanding are the basis for any significant change, and as such, our mission is to foster intellectual dialogue. A FORUM FOR THE EXPLORATION OF IDEAS in the Philadelphia area 4 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation Objectives To provide opportunities for interactive group learning To bring together groups of people of diverse interests for stimulating and civically minded small-group discussions To provide larger meetings and social events where people can share ideas and get to know each other 5 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation An all-volunteer Meetup group 686 Meetup events held since 2007 Organizing Leadership Group Team Team Members (4) (31) (>4440) 6 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation The Organizing Team Joe Navidi CJ Fearnley Sandy Catz Andrea Buonincontro Scheduling Assistant Diann Brown 7 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation The Leadership Team Andrea Emily Lee Susan Andrew Greg LY Susana Brian L. Helen Lynn Sydney Brian W. Ian Lynne Vanessa Chris Janice Marc CJ James Martin Connie Jean Patty Diann Joe Rose … and Elaine John Sandy growing 8 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Orientation New discussion leaders Work with a mentor Create new discussion topics Prepare resource materials Serve as co-leader while they gain experience as leader and facilitator Some continue as co-leader Experienced leaders Create topics and lead independently Lead often – every other month, if possible 9 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Selecting Discussion Topics Fields we cover Physical, Natural, and Social Sciences Technology and Design Current Events and History Philosophy and Religion Politics and Government Business and Economics Culture, Literature and Art Education Personal Development, Health and Wellness 10 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Selecting Discussion Topics What fields interest you? What do you know most about? What else do you know about? What would you like to learn more about? What issues are you passionate about? How can we change the conversation and inspire action to improve the world? 11 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Selecting Discussion Topics Selection Criteria for Topics Accessibility Diversity Depth Breadth Interdisciplinary topics are popular You don’t need to be an expert But you DO need to be prepared 12 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Selecting Discussion Topics “You teach best what you most need to learn.” Richard Bach, Illusions : The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah (1977) 13 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Selecting Discussion Topics What topics would you like to lead? What would you like to learn about? Topics you would need to study up on to lead Topics you would like others to lead Build bridges between islands of knowledge Brainstorming approach Write ideas down 14 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Preparing a Discussion Refer to online guidelines See the Pages menu of our Meetup home page “Discussion Leader Guidelines” “Possible Discussion Topics” Schedule a topic New and infrequent leaders create topics with an Organizer or mentor who schedules the Meetup Experienced leaders pick an open date from the Meetup calendar and schedule it with Diann 15 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Preparing a Discussion Wording of the title Short title with subtitle recommended Like a newspaper headline Limited to 72 characters Write an event description draft First 3 or 4 lines also serves as preview Background information and summaries of recommended resource materials Hyperlinks to online articles and videos Mentor reviews draft for new or infrequent leaders 16 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Preparing a Discussion The mentor or scheduler sets up the event page At least 3 weeks before the event Enters the event title Authorizes leader/co-leader as Event Hosts Event Host enters the event description Links to optional external references Discussion questions 17 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Preparing a Discussion NEVER click the “Announce Meetup” button This box appears when you edit the event description : We never “announce” our events because Meetup would immediately send thousands of emails before RSVPs are open. 18 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Starting the Meetup “Welcome to the Greater Philadelphia Thinking Society – a forum for the exploration of ideas” Upcoming Thinking Society Meetups Date, title, leader, and number of RSVPs open Title and brief intro of today’s topic (2 -3 minutes) Participants introduce themselves Ask an easy question (optional) 2-minute limit per person; 20 minutes total Defer discussing issues raised during introductions 19 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Ground rules – reading is optional Speak one at a time – Don’t interrupt Be respectful when you disagree Don’t argue or debate Don’t proselytize or preach It’s fine to state your position strongly but do not insist that all others are wrong Don’t sell or promote a company or services Answer questions But don’t start a ground rules discussion 20 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Introduce topic Use your own style – the following are suggestions: Brief summary of topic or first issue to discuss Keep your remarks short: 2 to 5 minutes This shows that you expect the group to do most of the talking Don’t present a detailed agenda Stay flexible Tailor agenda to fit the interests of the group Start discussion with a prepared question 21 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Facilitation Encourage participation by all Raise hands unless group is very small Decide who speaks next (and next) Keep conversation on topic, respectful and exploratory Ask questions you prepared about materials you posted Enforce the ground rules 22 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Discussion leader and/or facilitator? Experienced leaders usually do both Less-experienced leaders can co-lead No lectures No preaching No speeches The leader is not the teacher Interactive group learning means participants do most of the talking and learn from each other 23 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion Suggested facilitation techniques Acknowledge a good point or good question It encourages participation if you’re honest Discourage interruptions But allow clarifying questions The facilitator should interrupt if a speaker talks too long – especially repeatedly Interrupt with a one-sentence summary or ask a summarizing question 24 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Leading a Discussion More facilitation tips If you have an answer or idea, pause to give others a chance to speak first Ask what others think of a controversial statement Ask about relevant personal experiences Ask about expert opinions and sources Ask for explanations of complex issues Ask for definitions of unusual terms 25 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Handling Challenges Large groups in noisy rooms At Starbucks, use the left side of the lobby (viewed from Starbucks) There’s an alcove that’s slightly quieter Ask anyone who speaks softly to speak up More than once, if necessary Ask people to move closer together Remove any unneeded tables and chairs 26 GPTS Leadership Development
Agenda Handling Challenges Enforcing the Ground Rules On first offense, read or explain the applicable rule Avoid long discussions of ground rules Ask if the rule breaker understands Ask for agreement to abide by the rule For minor offenses that are not disruptive, be tolerant Get the focus back on the topic 27 GPTS Leadership Development
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