1. Husker Dialogues Facilitator Training 2019

2. Why Husker Dialogues?
Introduce first-year students to importance of dialogue at UNL
Model ways to participate in respectful dialogues even when we disagree
Showcase peer leaders & role models
Articulate the university’s commitment to inclusion for academic excellence

3. This Year’s Program Thursday, September 5, 2019
6:15 pm Doors open at Devaney
7:00 pm Program begins
4 undergraduate speakers
7:30 pm Move to small group discussions
Student leaders as facilitators
8:30 pm Wrap up and survey

5. Reflection: Experiences with Inclusion

6. Reflections on Video
Think of a time when you have been snail. What was the experience and how did you respond?
Think of a time when you have been caterpillar. What was the experience and how did you respond?
What thoughts does this video raise for you about being an inclusive campus leader?

7. Table Discussion
When engaging in dialogues about diversity & inclusion:
What excites/engages you?
What challenges you?
What surprises you?
What do you fear or dislike?
What do you worry about?

8. Strategy: Observe, Think, Feel, Desire
Facilitates open & direct communication
Helps others know motives thinking behind your response
Allows you to “own” feelings and emotions without making others defensive by blaming them or their actions.

9. Observe
Comment on observable behavior perceived with your senses and which could have been observed by another.
Don’t interpret another person’s actions or comments.
EXAMPLE: “I saw your face expressing a lot of emotion” not “I saw that you were mad…..”
Observation can open productive dialogue because it avoids putting the other person on the defensive by telling them how they feel or implying judgment of their actions.

10. Think
Express a thought/opinion about what you observed in non- evaluative language.
EXAMPLE: “I am wondering what you were feeling” not “I am wondering why you were mad.”
Saying what you are thinking invites others into your thought process—they don’t have to guess what you’re thinking.

11. Feel Share a feeling about what you observed.
Use an “I” statement that focuses on your reaction.
This response takes ownership of YOUR feeling rather than blaming others for “making you” feel a certain way.
EXAMPLE: I feel upset…”
not “You made me upset…”

12. Desire Ask for what you want next in specific and direct language.
EXAMPLE: “I would like to understand what you were feeling and why”
Allows others to know the reason behind your words and the outcome you seek. They don’t have to guess what you want or what they should do about it.

13. Start the Dialogue
Which of the student’s stories most connected or resonated with you? Why? Which of the student’s stories most surprised or challenged you? Why? What connections, if any, did you see across them? When you think about having dialogues about diversity and inclusion on campus, What excites you? Intrigues you? What scares you? Makes you fearful? What challenges you? What confuses you?

14. Prompts to further Dialogue
I hear your point about…
I can understand your response to….
Could you say more about….
Can you give us an example of….
Help us understand what you mean by….
I wonder what reactions others are having…
I notice I’m feeling a little triggered and wondering if others are too…
I appreciate the risk you took in saying that….
I know this isn’t an easy topic. I appreciate you hanging in there during this discussion….
Let’s all pause and write down our thoughts for a few minutes before we discuss this further….

15. Logistics for the Evening
Ask everyone to turn off and put away phones
Encourage everyone to introduce themselves
Tell why you chose to participate as student leader
Set group guidelines for the discussion
Example: no interrupting another speaker or everyone speaks once before one person speaks twice

16. Closing Logistics
At 8:25, ask students to take out their phones and complete the online survey
Thank everyone for their participation and encourage them to attend follow up diversity and inclusion events (e.g. leadership retreats)
Let them know they can exchange t-shirts at the booth
Walk them toward the exits
Help stack the chairs from your circle on the cart

17. Register to be a Husker Dialogues Facilitator go. unl
Register to be a Husker Dialogues Facilitator go.unl.edu/huskerdialogues

18. Thanks for your Inclusive Leadership!