Coloured markers on each How to run a world café Posters outlining Café Etiquette. Fruit and refreshments (to keep those World café is a powerful method to actively energy levels up). engage your students in conversations about Flip-chart to capture the final plenary volunteering. discussion. The format is flexible and on 7 design Chime or bell for bringing conversations principles to create a simple, effective and to a conclusion. flexible way to host large group discussions. World café etiquette The 7 design principles Focus on what really matters. Set the context: on the reason Contribute your and thinking. you’re bringing everyone together – Speak your mind and heart with humility. student volunteer program. Listen to understand. create an Create a hospitable space: Connect your ideas with others. atmosphere that feels safe and inviting. Write, doodle and draw use your Post It – Explore questions that matter: for Wall Pad to full effect. example, what’s our role in the Have fun! community? What is volunteering? Process Encourage everyone’s contribution: encourage everyone to contribute ideas, Setup small café-style tables: 4 to 8 either actively sharing or just by listening. students at each. Connect diverse perspectives: ask Have conversation rounds: have 3 students to move between tables and rounds of conversation on the topic of contribute ideas. volunteering (20 minutes each). Listen together for patterns and Encourage students to write, doodle and insights: encourage everyone to listen draw key ideas. for what is and is not said. Invite table hosts: ask one student to Share collective discoveries: this step stay at the table to welcome their new involves identifying patterns so they are guests and briefly explain the main ideas, visible to everyone. Make sure you have themes and questions from the last a way to capture thoughts and ideas group. (harvest), for example Post-it Wall Pad. Ask others to be ambassadors’: ‘idea Resources required ask remaining students to move between tables (move visit 3 tables). – 1.5 hours. Encourage them to link ideas from their Small tables (preferably round) of about previous tables. At the end of the rounds, 1m diameter. all of the tables and conversations will be Chairs for participants and presenters. cross-pollinated with insights from Colourful tablecloths with Post-it Wall Pad previous conversations. in the middle.
How to run a world café World café is a powerful method to actively engage your students in conversations about volunteering. The format is flexible and on 7 design principles to create a simple, effective and flexible way to host large group discussions. The 7 design principles Set the context: on the reason you’re bringing everyone together – student volunteer program. Create a hospitable space: create an atmosphere that feels safe and inviting. Explore questions that matter: for example, what’s our role in the community? What is volunteering? Encourage everyone’s contribution: encourage everyone to contribute ideas, either actively sharing or just by listening. Connect diverse perspectives: ask students to move between tables and contribute ideas. Listen together for patterns and insights: encourage everyone to listen for what is and is not said. Share collective discoveries: this step involves identifying patterns so they are visible to everyone. Make sure you have a way to capture thoughts and ideas (harvest), for example Post-it Wall Pad. Resources required 1.5 hours. Small tables (preferably round) of about 1m diameter. Chairs for participants and presenters. Colourful tablecloths with Post-it Wall Pad in the middle. Coloured markers on each Posters outlining Café Etiquette. Fruit and refreshments (to keep those energy levels up). Flip-chart to capture the final plenary discussion. Chime or bell for bringing conversations to a conclusion. World café etiquette Focus on what really matters. Contribute your and thinking. Speak your mind and heart with humility. Listen to understand. Connect your ideas with others. Write, doodle and draw – use your Post It Wall Pad to full effect. Have fun! Process Setup small café-style tables: 4 to 8 students at each. Have conversation rounds: have 3 rounds of conversation on the topic of volunteering (20 minutes each). Encourage students to write, doodle and draw key ideas. Invite table hosts: ask one student to stay at the table to welcome their new guests and briefly explain the main ideas, themes and questions from the last group. Ask others to be ‘idea ambassadors’: ask remaining students to move between tables (move – visit 3 tables). Encourage them to link ideas from their previous tables. At the end of the rounds, all of the tables and conversations will be cross-pollinated with insights from previous conversations.
world-cafe-how-to-student-volunteer-program.docx