PDAC

Dialogue

Circles

Build Bridges

Bridge Understanding

Build Unity

PDAC Dialogue

CirclesResearch Based:

1. Increase the flow of information between

decision makers and the public:

2. Improve the relationships among schools,

communities and policymakers,

3. Facilitate greater civic participation in

education issues.

Calling the Roll: Study Circles for Better Schools, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory,

Policy Research Report (2000)

.

involve everyone. Demonstrate that the whole community is

welcome and needed.

embrace diversity. Reach out to all kinds of people.

share knowledge, resources, power, and decision making.

combine dialogue and deliberation. Create public talk that

builds understanding and explores a range of solutions.

connect deliberative dialogue to social, political, and policy

change.

Dialogue circles are based on the

following principles...

.

is a small, diverse group of 8 to 12 people.

meets together for several, two-hour sessions.

sets its own ground rules. This helps the group share

responsibility for the quality of the discussion.

is led by an impartial facilitator who helps manage the

discussion. He or she is not there to teach the group

about the issue.

A traditional Dialgue

Circle …

Café Guidelines:Clarify Purpose

Create a Hospitable Space

Four or five people at each table

Progressive (usually 3 rounds)

Write, doodle and draw key ideas on their

tablecloths

Whole group conversation –Town hall style

Cross Pollination

The opportunity to move between tables, meet

new people, actively contribute your thinking, and

link the essence of your discoveries to ever-

widening circles of thought is one of the

distinguishing characteristics of the Café. As

participants carry key ideas or themes to new

tables, they exchange perspectives, greatly

enriching the possibility for surprising new

insights.

PDAC Dialogue

Circles ARE NOT:

conflict resolution

mediation

focus groups

traditional education

facilitated meetings with a predetermined agenda

town meetings

public hearings

debates

A Dialogue Circle Is

Facilitated, small dialogue group that

promotes the Exchange of:

•Ideas

•Experiences

•Perceptions

•Observations

A Dialogue Circle Is

Welcoming:

Many Points of View

Shared Concern

A Dialogue Circle

Includes people from all walks of life.

In A Dialogue Circle

Each Individual

Needs To:

Reflect on key themes and

Look for common ground

.

A Dialogue Circle is

Intended to move

a community to

action when the

dialogue circles

end.

.