Cafe Conversation Process

The Cafe Conversation process, is a process to enable open conversation to occur with large groups in a way that shares both the individuals values, a part of the themselves and also something they are passionate about that they want to share.

It is a co-creative process versus a telling process that enables mutual respect and sharing so as to create learning.

I hope you enjoy?

Main Process

Café Agreement

Everyone who participates in a Conversation Café is asked to agree to a set of guidelines that sets the tone of the gathering.

Ensure you get an agreement from all for a great conversation and the following guidelines, by asking attendees to stand up at the end of you reading out these and guidelines as a signal that they agree.

Open-mindedness: listen to and respect all points of view
Acceptance: suspend judgment as best you can
Curiosity: seek to understand rather than persuade
Discovery: question old assumptions, look for new insights
Sincerity: speak for yourself about what has personal heart and meaning
Brevity: go for honesty and depth but don't go on and on

Café Process

Preparation:

Depending on the size of the group you will either decide to use the one table process maximum is based upon time to speak, I would recommend no larger than 20 people for a table.

For each table, the host needs to provide nametags, paper and pencil (for note taking), an object (something symbolic or just handy) that is held by the person speaking on that table, and optionally a centerpiece (a Conversation Café table tent or a mini checkered table cloth for quick identification, or a candle, flower, etc.).

Welcome: The host welcomes everyone, states the theme for the café, reads the agreements, provides instructions and sets an ending time, and maybe calls for a moment of silence to relax, reflect and become open.

Round one:

Per table a person starts to speaks in turn, going around the circle once. Each person holds the talking object while they speak. During this round, everyone says their name and speaks briefly about what is on their minds regarding the theme. Anyone may pass if they don't want to speak. Everyone is asked to express themselves fully yet succinctly, allowing time for others to speak. No feedback or response.

Round two:

Per table, mow that everyone has been introduced, the group goes around the circle again. If someone wants to respond to another's remarks, they can do so in their own turn. Each person holds the talking object. To allow more time for conversation, keep remarks brief, possibly just naming the theme or subjects you want to delve into more deeply. Again, no feedback or response.

Spirited Dialogue:

Per table, remind the groups of the theme in conversation, now the conversation opens up and people can speak in no particular order. This conversation will take up most of the time. If there is domination, contention, or lack of focus, the host may suggest that the group again use the talking object. Keep in mind the agreements.

Closing process:

A few minutes before the end of the Café, the host will ask everyone to go around the circle again, giving each a chance to say briefly what they are taking away from the conversation.

Large Group Process

This process is used if you have a larger group and are using multiple tables.

In large groups reduce the tables down to a smaller size of no more than 8 people.

Follow the same steps as above adding the instruction notes below.

Round One:

Instructions notes: each person on the table to introduce them selves taking no more than 1 minute per person if using the large groups process .

Round Two:

Instruction notes: Each person on the table to take no more than 2 minutes to respond to another remarks if using the large group process.

Spirited Dialogue:

Instructions Notes: Ask someone to act as a mediator on the table who will keep focus for their table if required, have an open period of 15-30 minutes for the open conversation.

Switch Tables:

This is an additional step used in large groups, multiple tables to enable cross sharing of learning.

At the end of the 15-30 minutes process allocated, ask each table to quieten down and ask one person from each table to stand up.

Ask the person who stood up to switch places with another person who stood up from an other table.

Once each person has found a new group, allocate 10 minutes to open conversation and repeat the Spirited Dialogue process. first starting with the only the person who swapped introduce themselves to the new table and each person simply introducing their name.

At the end of this process repeat the Spirited Dialogue process 2 more times for 10 minutes if time allows. (you can extend this 10 minute process depending on time and topic).

Closing process:

Instructions Notes: Using the same process as in the one group process, for each table, giving each a chance to say briefly what they are taking away from the conversation, allowing 2 minutes per person.

Capturing Information

If the purpose of you conversation is to capture set of responses, actions etc, then provide each table and the mediator with writing implements asking them if they can capture key points raised in each table spirited dialogue process.