How do we get people interested in dialogue?

To engage people on your campus in dialogue, it’s crucial to start by choosing topics that resonate with students. That’s why we have students select the topics and articles that form the foundation of each dialogue. Some of the topics we’ve explored include Cancel Culture, Campus Mental Health, Juvenile Justice, and Keeping Our Campus Safe.

How do we spread the word about an upcoming dialogue?

For promotion, we use flyers and social media, but we’ve found that personal invitations are most effective. A personal invite, whether by text or in person, can encourage people to join. Be sure to clarify the time commitment—usually an hour. 

Use this template to create your flyer to help spread the word about your dialogue: dialogue flyer template. You can also create personal invitations with the dialogue invitation template.

How many people should participate in a dialogue?

You might be wondering about the ideal number of participants. We recommend having between 15 and 35 participants. This group size ensures a variety of perspectives while allowing time for everyone to contribute. 

How many facilitators should you have?

While you can facilitate a dialogue on your own, you can also have three or four facilitators guiding different sections of the conversation. 

What can we do to set ourselves up for a successful dialogue?

Before the dialogue, facilitators should draft the script using the provided L.E.A.R.N. dialogue script template and question prompts. Practicing the script aloud helps ensure that each question sparks meaningful conversation.

On the day of the dialogue, facilitators should arrive early to set up chairs in a circle. It’s also helpful to bring pens and copies of the C.A.R.I.N.G. Communication Agreements for participants to sign. Be sure to locate your dialogue in a place without foot traffic to avoid any distractions during the dialogue.

Once everyone is settled in the circle, facilitators should join and guide the conversation, following the dialogue script and skipping questions that have already been answered.

Finally, be sure to ask participants for feedback at the end of the dialogue. Their insights will help you improve with each dialogue you host. We have posted a one-page evaluation form on the site as a tool for gaining quick feedback on your dialogue.