4:15 PM
Plan your session
Choose the question for each round — swap options to fit your table.
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Pull up a chair
Introduce yourself, then read aloud
"Welcome, everyone! We're going to be in dialogue together for about an hour. I'll be watching the screen to guide us and keep time — you all just look up and listen to each other. Whenever you respond, share your name first, so we get to know each other. Ready to begin?"
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Our agreements
Read aloud to the group
"Before we hear more from each of us, I want to make sure we can all agree on 5 things that are necessary to do this dialogue. Can you each give me your verbal agreement on these for our time until 6:10pm?"
1We agree that many points of view and feelings are present and important to understand.
2We agree not to try to persuade each other about our points of view and feelings.
3We agree to leave assumptions at the door.
4We agree to use "I" statements rather than generalizations.
5We agree not to interrupt anyone else at any time.
Get verbal agreement from everyone at the table, then continue.
If someone can't agree, you can call over your organizer, who can chat further about any thoughts they might have.
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
How many at your table?
Count everyone seated now — you can add or remove people later if someone joins or leaves.
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Round 1 of 5
Read aloud to the group
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Silent Reflection
Please take a minute to think in silence before sharing.
1:00
(tap 5× to skip)
Question 1
Speaker 1
Connection round queued
2:00
Test mode: tap the table 5× to auto-advance all speakers
Facilitation Buddy · Powered by the Sustained Dialogue Institute
A quick moment of connection
Read aloud to the group
Before our next question, I want to give you a quick chance for connection: to share anything you really appreciated hearing, or to give a quick thanks to someone for what they shared — especially if it helped you. We have time to hear from 3–4 people.
Let a few people share, then tap Move to next round. It also advances on its own when the timer ends.
4:00
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Hold a connection round now?
You flagged a connection round during the last round. Hold a short moment now for people to appreciate what they heard — or skip straight to the next question.
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute
Thank you
Read aloud to close
"Thank you all for being here today, and for giving your time to this conversation. Next, we'll get you some information on getting registered! Thank you."
Facilitation Buddy · Sustained Dialogue Institute