OneTeamGov Canada- Unconference Breakout Session Guide

Introduction

Breakout Session Objectives

We are aiming to facilitate:

• Shared understanding(s) of the topic to be discussed (aim for coherence, not consensus);
• Exploration of implications and opportunities from different perspectives – e.g. experiences, opportunities, barriers, etc; (what’s the current state? What could be?)
• Identification of practical actions that might make things better - e.g. ideas, next steps on how to make it happen. What can each of us do? What might we do together? How to bring it back to the contexts we’re working in?
• Have fun! First and foremost, we’re trying to enable connections, great discussions and provide everyone the chance to share their perspectives and ideas.

Our Working Assumptions

• There are a variety of ways to facilitate discussions, e.g. across a spectrum of very structured to unstructured, enabling divergent and convergent thinking, etc. This guide is meant to do just that. It’s not meant to be prescriptive.
• We want to consider and facilitate for a variety of participant preferences and styles, to the extent possible, e.g. extroverts and introverts.
• Less is more.There’s only so much we can do in a 45-55 minute breakout session. Our efforts will enable connections, creativity, knowledge sharing, and can inform practical action.
• We want to capture and share the learning. Share session notes following the event.

Methods & Tips for Facilitators

There are two sections below:

1. First time facilitating? Or maybe it’s been a while? - this section includes three options for facilitating a breakout session.
2. More experienced at facilitating or feeling adventurous? - bring and apply your skills at the breakout sessions keeping in mind the objectives above.

*The following methods have been taken and/or adapted from Liberating Structures, where you can find lots of other methods, and Agile Coffee.

First time facilitating? Or maybe its ben a while?

Remember...

• You have an assigned topic for your breakout session, which is the idea someone proposed during the crowdsourcing exercise earlier in the day. - Mandatory
• There will be a notetaker to capture the discussion, particularly those that happen as a collective in plenary, and to keep time. - Mandatory
• Each participant will have a sharpy (extras will be in the room) - Optional to use
• There will be stickies (aka post-it notes) on each seat and in the room - Optional to use
• There will be flipchart paper in the room - Optional to use

How to Begin

• Communicate the Approach: First, communicate the approach to the room for the 55-minute discussion. “Today, we’ll take the next 55 minutes to:
  • Unpack what the idea means to us so we know what we’re talking about;
  • Generate some opportunities and challenges related to the idea; and
  • Identify some practical actions that we might be able to take, individually and collectively related to the idea.
  • Invite feedback to ensure people are ok with the approach.
• Unpack the idea: Generate understanding or coherence on what it means to the participants in the room.
  • Is the person who proposed it in attendance? Ask the room. If yes, invite that person to share their thoughts on the idea and why they proposed it.
  • If not, that’s ok, move to the next step.
• Continue to do one of the following three options

Option 1

xxx

Option 2

xxx

Option 3

xxx

More experienced at facilitating? Or feeling adventurous?

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