DIALOGUE PLANNING CHECKLIST

(This can be used either with or instead of the Dialogue Planning Outline Form)


Pre-Dialogue Research

• Talk over your dialogue ideas with 2 - 4 other students to get input and consult with campus leaders to weigh the pressing issues and hot topics on campus.
• Check with a faculty or staff member to get their input
• Check our descriptions of Reports on Civic Dialogues to get a sense of what has been done.
• Keep your eye on the news to see if there are stories that you wish to draw on to situate your debate in contemporary issues. The best issues to draw on are local issues.
• Decide on the topic, goals/objectives and format for discussion. Will there be Introductory Activities or introductions of participants? Small group work? Activities?
• Be sure that you are comfortable with the topic. You can also have a student, faculty, staff member or other who can lend expertise if necessary during the dialogue
• Plan the agenda for the dialogue

Pre-Dialogue Logistics

• Determine what you think is the best size for the group and the best participants to target for the dialogue
• Determine the time, day and duration you wish to hold the session
• Ask your Student Affairs Department if there are rules governing such meetings
• Reserve a room or location that you think will contribute to the dialogue
• Invite students to participate - Remind them on the eve of the event
• Invite one or more faculty/staff members to join you as guests - Remind them on the eve of the event
• Publicize the event widely
• Designate someone in advance to serve as recorder
• Prepare a sign-in sheet with space for e-mail addresses
• Determine who will facilitate the conversation
• Determine how you or someone else will introduce the dialogue and set the guidelines for conversation to insure democratic practice
• Determine if you need any materials for the session (handouts, easel, markers, etc.)
• Determine if you will have any food/beverage (check rules on facilities to see if these are allowed)
• Determine who will clean-up.