Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
farmers in their native lands. Besides having an opportunity to cultivate food again, people who have
been displaced from an agricultural past are also great resources as teachers and mentors for new
gardeners. Language can sometimes be a barrier, but the visual, living garden—and the fact that every-
body eats—can go a long way toward a shared understanding.
Small-Group Breakouts
You want participants to be as comfortable and open in meetings as possible. Some folks don't have a
problem addressing a large group. Many do. To get people talking, warmed up, and, ultimately, contrib-
uting to the meeting, breaking the larger group into smaller units can be an effective tool.
Small groups are also great for sorting people by their interests. Members can self-select the small
groups or committees where they'll contribute the most, and this is also where committee work can hap-
pen.
An easy way to get a good mix of people in each group is to count off. Starting at the front right
or left of the room, have people count from one to however many groups you will have; if you want
five groups, they'll count from one through five, then start again with one until everyone is assigned a
number. Sort people into their numbered groups for further discussion. This is also a good trick to get
people who came together separated and meeting others.
Tricks for Keeping Meetings on Topic
When addressing situations that may derail the agenda, you can suggest that items not on the agenda be
put in “the parking lot”—or, as known in greener circles, “the bike rack”—to be addressed later. These
can be anything that is beyond the scope of the agenda, too complex, or may require more time than has
been allotted. Putting items on hold for later is also a great tool for managing attention-hogging person-
alities or disagreements within the group that escalate beyond polite conversations.
In some meetings, lots of topics get put on hold and “bike rack” becomes a verb (as in “Let's bike
rack that topic for now”). Whatever you call it, by stating up front that this approach will be a course
of protocol in your meetings, everyone not only understands the rules but can also speak up when the
discussion is veering off course.
Items put on the bike rack can be part of the notes that are being taken, or you can have a separate
large flip chart with the words Bike Rack at the top, and make a list as the meeting progresses. Just
make sure bike-racked items are reiterated before the end of the meeting, perhaps in your recap. Also
briefly address how they will be approached (such as in a small working group or as an agenda item) at
the next meeting.
The bike rack can be a great thing—don't be surprised if it reveals a lot about the group's under-
standing (or misunderstanding), personalities, and even underlying goals or challenges.
HANDOUT HINTS
There are several philosophies regarding handouts at meetings. Generally speaking, as soon as you
hand something out, you will lose the attention of the group as they start reading whatever you've given
them. A good rule of thumb is to pass around simple handouts that don't need explaining at the start of
a discussion (such as agendas with limited text), and distribute more complex materials only as part of
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