Page 221 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

earlier to identify topics of interest and co-promote the event in advance. They should also

be there to help prepare the space)

3. Ask for volunteers if needed to distribute any materials during the meeting and help clean

up after.

Task 2: During the community conversation

1. Facilitate the process of the conversation.

2. Make sure that the conversation runs smoothly, and ensure the clarity of the views for each

of the participants by checking out their level of understanding.

3. Motivate all the participants to abide by the ground rules of the meeting that is agreed to.

4. Help them to stick to the main issues and the agenda and make sure that everybody listens

to each other. Compromise may be necessary in order to resolve conflict by helping the

participants arrive at a consensus through clarifying their ideas.

For a concrete approach I have conducted four levels of examination in researching

Community Conversations and at the time of this writing conducting two case study comparisons.

The four scales are presented with the reasoning that I did not just want to depend on one approach

or form of study to complete my research. I pictured four legs of a table supporting the surface

arguments for what is presented and chose this rationale for myself.

1. First, reviewing my personal collection of written notes and collected recollections in

experiences as both participant and facilitator in various dialogues and trainings. I am also

including the interviews and meetings I had with people who have led and innovated these

dialogue processes as well as understanding approaches and theories.

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