Who Are We? Let’s Begin
15-20 minutes
PURPOSE
To give participants a chance to discuss their ideas about diversity and diversity workshops, and to help participants find out who they are and what they would like to see happen during their time together as a group
EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL
None
PROCEDURE
Begin by asking the group how many work in the same department or same organization (or attend the same class, live in the same dormitory, etc.) and then ask them, if possible, not to group together for activities.
Explain to the group that people often come to a diversity workshop with fixed ideas about what will happen. This activity will give them an opportunity to discuss their ideas about diversity workshops and what they would like to see happen while they are together.
Divide the participants into small groups. Allow about 5 minutes for discussion, first on their expectations from past information, and then on their hopes for the next few hours.
Suggest that they may also use the following questions as guidelines:
What kind of work do we do and how does diversity affect that work (or our learning, life at school or on campus, etc.)?
What might be a real concern or fear about this type of workshop?
What are our hopes for the future of diversity in our organization?
Where would we like to see our organizations go in the future?
Who benefits most?
- Reconvene and ask for a report about the key points discussed.
DEBRIEF
There are many feelings about diversity and diversity training, and it’s not always easy to reach a consensus. An effective workshop tries to take into consideration the personal needs of the participants.
