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Mike
Jun 8, 2011, 10:52:01 PM6/8/11
to cfiaustin
Sorry I was late to the CFI meeting Wednesday evening, but I was one
of 2 people that showed up at the Old Quarry Library first :-(
The topic on the scientific method was an interesting choice, but I
found the meeting very frustrating. More so than usual, the
discussion was dominated by a very small group of people even though
there were a dozen of us there. I felt that if I was going to say
anything, I would have to actually interrupt one of those people while
they were talking. I didn't feel that assertive during the meeting,
but maybe I'll have to interrupt more next time just to remind people
to let others have a chance to talk. Steve did make one attempt to
bring other people into the discussion, but it apparently had to be
done in a more consistent way.
I'm also involved with "Conversation Cafe" discussion groups where
there is a formal process of going around the table and letting
everyone have their 2-3 minutes to talk. Perhaps there should be a
leader at the CFI meetings that sees to it that something like that
effectively happens? Other groups use a talking stick, or raise their
hands and have a leader designate who's next in order to make sure
everyone gets a chance? I have a hard time seeing this group adopt a
highly formal discussion process, but I ask that we consider some form
of different approach that enables a broader participation in the
discussions.
Mike Ignatowski
of 2 people that showed up at the Old Quarry Library first :-(
The topic on the scientific method was an interesting choice, but I
found the meeting very frustrating. More so than usual, the
discussion was dominated by a very small group of people even though
there were a dozen of us there. I felt that if I was going to say
anything, I would have to actually interrupt one of those people while
they were talking. I didn't feel that assertive during the meeting,
but maybe I'll have to interrupt more next time just to remind people
to let others have a chance to talk. Steve did make one attempt to
bring other people into the discussion, but it apparently had to be
done in a more consistent way.
I'm also involved with "Conversation Cafe" discussion groups where
there is a formal process of going around the table and letting
everyone have their 2-3 minutes to talk. Perhaps there should be a
leader at the CFI meetings that sees to it that something like that
effectively happens? Other groups use a talking stick, or raise their
hands and have a leader designate who's next in order to make sure
everyone gets a chance? I have a hard time seeing this group adopt a
highly formal discussion process, but I ask that we consider some form
of different approach that enables a broader participation in the
discussions.
Mike Ignatowski
Steve Bratteng
Jun 8, 2011, 11:30:16 PM6/8/11
to cfia...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike,
I guess it has been necessary for some people to be more assertive than they feel comfortable with, inasmuch as it probably seems rude to butt in. It would be good for us to find a better way to give everyone a chance to get involved.
I will mention this to Jim Dee since he is the one who moderates the discussions.
Jo Zarb
Jul 14, 2011, 5:57:23 PM7/14/11
to cfiaustin
I was at last night's meeting and I'd say that the problem that Mike
described still exists. What's more, there was an embarrassing tug-of-
war as someone insisted on interrupting another and continuing to talk
over him. Let 's not just give lip service to doing something about
these things--let's do something about them!
Raising hands would only work if people aren't allowed to talk unless
they are called on. Last night, one person patiently waited with his
hand raised while several other people barged ahead and took the
floor.
Perhaps the moderator could run a tally of how many times each person
takes the floor, and try to balance it out by gently reminding the
frequent talkers to give the less frequent talkers a chance to speak.
Jo
described still exists. What's more, there was an embarrassing tug-of-
war as someone insisted on interrupting another and continuing to talk
over him. Let 's not just give lip service to doing something about
these things--let's do something about them!
Raising hands would only work if people aren't allowed to talk unless
they are called on. Last night, one person patiently waited with his
hand raised while several other people barged ahead and took the
floor.
Perhaps the moderator could run a tally of how many times each person
takes the floor, and try to balance it out by gently reminding the
frequent talkers to give the less frequent talkers a chance to speak.
Jo
Patrick Draper
Jul 14, 2011, 11:35:16 PM7/14/11
to cfia...@googlegroups.com
On 07/14/2011 04:57 PM, Jo Zarb wrote:
> I was at last night's meeting and I'd say that the problem that Mike
> described still exists. What's more, there was an embarrassing tug-of-
> I was at last night's meeting and I'd say that the problem that Mike
> described still exists. What's more, there was an embarrassing tug-of-
I agree with that. We need to solve this problem. Have we tried a
talking stick yet?
Steve Bratteng
Jul 14, 2011, 11:45:37 PM7/14/11
to cfia...@googlegroups.com
No; we haven't. Perhaps we could have a talking beanbag and avoid the problem of someone whacking someone else with the stick.--
Steve
[der Brat]
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