The last challenge for facilitators is wrapping up the session. The process of dialoguing can be very abstract with lots of ideas and words but no clear-cut conclusion. It is important for the facilitator to try to summarize the flow of the conversation and to suggest some of the “lessons learned”. It is also useful when possible to try to suggest some “next steps”.
One thing that may be useful is to reiterate the fact that this dialogue is part of a national effort to tune in to what students think about critical issues in the civic life of the nation and invite students to join in on the national dialogue by visiting the web site and heaving their voices heard. The facilitator may want to have a brief paragraph written up on the civic engagement dialogue that includes the web address and hand that out at the end of the session.
If student interest was high, you might spend a few minutes talking about other topics for discussion. Gage interest in future dialogue, and if you feel comfortable doing so, ask for verbal feedback, which is often much more useful that written evaluation forms. Don’t lose the energy that may exist at the end of a dialogue. Don’t hesitate to set a date and time for another if the group is ready. Also feel free to talk to the group about ways and means for post-event publicity. Participants may have unique audiences that they want to share the news with. Use the specific talents and enthusiasm of the group.
