[Oe List ...] [top-trainers] Facilitation challenge

Mon Feb 15 15:25:40 CST 2010

Jim,

I will underscore Sherwood's advice about allowing more time for small group
discussions. It makes sense since everything is done twice - in English & in
the local language. You won't get as much done as is usual in the workshop
time frame.

I also found that after the first workshop or two, people, both facilitators
and participants, have relaxed a bit, and have gained some small mastery of
the 'other language - English or local' . By that I mean you get familiar
with the sound of a word or the pattern of the written word when it is used
over & over again in context. A quick question to the bi-lingual in your
small group will help. 

Also, Sherwood's idea of writing on the card in blue & green is excellent.

Good luck to you and to Dan.

Pat

Patricia R. Tuecke, Sierra Circle Consulting

Facilitating Consensus & Collaboration 

        www.sierracircle.com

775-333-6998   pat at sierracircle.com

From: top-trainers at yahoogroups.com [mailto:top-trainers at yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Sherwood Shankland
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 1:05 PM
To: 'James Wiegel'; 'ToP Trainers ListServe'
Cc: 'Colleague Dialogue'; 'OE list serve'
Subject: RE: [top-trainers] Facilitation challenge

Jim and Dan.In Indonesian villages we often had 50% of our participants
non-literate in English or Indonesian, but fluent in Makasarese or Javanese
which are only verbal, not written dialects. So we utilized drawings (each
worth 1000 words) and extra time for small buzz groups to chat, and with the
help of one person who was literate and could write in either Indonesian or
English to act as the scribe for each buzz group of 3-5 people. Then cards
were written in two languages green at the top and blue at the bottom so
that participants could follow in either written language by keeping their
eye on their color of choice. Double the usual time needed to do all
activities. Do not over stuff the schedule and allow extra time for informal
conversations where participants mill around in front of a wall display of
cards (or bi-lingual flip-charts) and chat some more. Great graphic
recording can be used for both input (card size) and for summary statements
(title images as well as words) and then a big graphic to represent the
vision for example- sort of like an architectural rendering of the community
center of the future, for example.or a community mural with many scenes of
the shared vision.  Bon chance! 

Cheers, Sherwood Shankland

ToP Mentor Trainer

303-993-8935 H / O

703-963-5116 Cell

From: top-trainers at yahoogroups.com [mailto:top-trainers at yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of James Wiegel
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 12:46 PM
To: ToP Trainers ListServe
Cc: Colleague Dialogue; OE list serve
Subject: [top-trainers] Facilitation challenge

 I have an event coming up next week with some unique challenges and I would
be 
> grateful for your thoughts and experience.
I got this request from another list, looking for wisdom on how to engage
participants who don't read or write.  Wondering if some on the list might
have experience to share

Jim Wiegel
> 
> The event will be held in Addis Ababa for Oxfam and it concerns designing 
> baseline research for an 11-year program to develop water rights in 
> moisture-stressed regions. It is based on an innovative approach to
measuring 
> impact using so-called Theories of Change.
> 
> 
> The facilitator challenge (apart from the difficulty in getting my head
around 
> all this) is that among the participants there will be several illiterate 
> farmers. Looking at most of the design ideas I am working on, there is
always 
> the assumption that our participants can read and write. Furthermore, they

> (and a few of the other participants) don't speak English and simultaneous

> whispered interpretation will be provided.
> 
> 
> Have you had events with illiterate participants? How did you manage? I
think 
> the challenge is both inclusion and ensuring that we are not patronizing.
> 
> 
> Any thoughts or ideas would be most welcome.
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Dan
> 

Jim

"If you really want to succeed, then you have to have the big heart, heroic
will, tenacity, courage, and commitment to fearlessly engage with the
evolutionary process until something profound, mysterious, and extraordinary
happens that cannot be undone." Andrew Cohen

Jim Wiegel
401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353-2401
+1 623-936-8671 +1 623-363-3277
jfwiegel at yahoo.com www.partnersinparticipation.com

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