Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: RE: low tech way of refining concerns in large groups

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On 7/29/2003 7:15 AM, "tilstra [at] smartchat.net.au" <tilstra [at] 
smartchat.net.au>
wrote:

> As each person writes on their paper, the answers can be collated quickly,
> as I stick the strips on the cellotape. [snip]
> This approach seems to retain momentum better than the ordinary "assign a
> writer and report back to the group" approach

One addition might be to allow discussion with those near you if you wish so
people feel free to talk to their neighbors. This gives those who like
talking a chance to do so but doesn't require those who like to think to
themselves to join a group.

It allows room for both extroverts who tend to think through talking to
others and introverts who tend to think to themselves. As an introvert, I
don't trust a decision until I've had time to think them over privately.

I like very much the "retain momentum" comment. I realized when I read that
that is something that I find objectionable about "break into small groups".
It stops the momentum. Whatever has been building in the group or in
individuals is broken.

Too often the "break into small groups" is used to control discussion rather
than to spur it on. When things get too "hot" for the facilitator to handle,
they use the "break into small groups" to essentially slow it down. It
raises the question whether small groups should only be used when there are
NO ideas floating around. When thinking is slow, the small groups don't
break up anything but have a chance of stimulating thinking with smaller,
more direct discussions.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org

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