Hosting Resources

Congratulations! Making the choice to host a Let's Talk America conversation is a bold step of living democracy. With your help, we will achieve the purpose of Let's Talk America: restore faith in our democracy, build trust between us, and give us a sense, once again, that the voices of "We the People" matter. The resources provided here will enable you to host conversations in ways that will honor LTA principles and take the conversation from small talk to big talk so that everyone can feel respected, safe and heard. Please note, however: you are welcomed to use any process or structure that has a beginning, middle and end, that guarantees that all voices will be heard (and no one voice heard too much!) and that truly welcomes all points of view in the spirit of LTA goals and purpose. There are many methods, such as Council, World Café, Wisdom Councils, Open Space, Future Search, Study Circles, Utne Salon, etc. Go to www.thataway.org, the website for the National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation, for a wealth of resources.

Host Resources

Introduction to Hosting for Let's Talk America: This manual (or PDF Version) teaches the Conversation Café method in detail. This is the simplest process we know and one that has a proven track record to be easily and reliably adopted by hosts who may have no previous experience -as well as by skilled facilitators.

How can I start a LTA Conversation? This simple two page flyer, which is also posted on this website, introduces the bare bones of the Conversation Café method so you can start up a conversation right away, even with the person next to you on the bus or in line at the grocery store.

Art of Inviting: This short handout offers Suggestions for attracting and inviting participants, including those who think differently from you.

Using this Website to Post your Conversation: Follow this Step by Step Guide to walk you through how you list your conversation, find out how many people sign up, make any changes to the details of your meeting, and contact the people who sign up to attend your conversations.

After the Conversation: There is a questionairre that we encourage you to fill out after hosting a meeting so that we can share what is happening with others.

The LTA Café: A Design for Hosting Large Group Let's Talk America Dialogues. For those with some facilitation experience who want to host a conversation for a large group. This design combines elements of Conversation Café with World Café.

Questions and Conversation Starters: Suggested questions to use in your conversations: the framing of the opening questions is critical and sets the tone and vector for the whole conversation.

Media and Public Relations guide: This short brochure offers many ways to get the word out through the media.

Sample Materials to Download and Print:

Sample invitation: Use this email message to send to everyone in your email address book.

Poster: Use this to advertise your conversation (or PDF Version) –- and as a flyer to put in your neighbor's mailboxes.

Wallet Card: A "mini-manual" that gives an introduction to Let's Talk America, as well as the Process and Agreements.

Sign in Sheet: Use this sign in sheet (or PDF Version) to gather then names and emails of all who attend - some guests may show up who have not signed up on the website: but you'll need their email to send them a link to fill out the questionnaire after the conversation and to invite them to future conversations.

HOST TRAINING & SUPPORT OPPORTUNTIES

Telephone Training: Every two weeks you can join Telephone Host Training via a bridge phone line for just the cost of a long distance call (very inexpensive with long distance calling cards). They usually run from 5:30 to 7:00 pm PST. Sign up for the next session in our meeting tool.

Video introductory training you can play off the web: Our host training for Lets Talk America conversations uses this simple, tried and true dialogue process.

Host Conference Call: Check the website: there will be monthly host conference calls where hosts can share success stories and brainstorm ways to enhance their conversations. Sign up for the next session in our meeting tool.

Key principles for any Let's Talk America Conversation

Inclusive - all people and all perspectives welcome:


»Home »Sign Up »Find a Conversation »Host a Conversation »Tell us about your Conversation »Edit Your Profile »Tell Your Friends »Register to Vote »Get involved »How to start an LTA conversation »Hosting Resources »Convening Resources »Endorsers »About Us		Hosting Resources Congratulations! Making the choice to host a Let's Talk America conversation is a bold step of living democracy. With your help, we will achieve the purpose of Let's Talk America: restore faith in our democracy, build trust between us, and give us a sense, once again, that the voices of "We the People" matter. The resources provided here will enable you to host conversations in ways that will honor LTA principles and take the conversation from small talk to big talk so that everyone can feel respected, safe and heard. Please note, however: you are welcomed to use any process or structure that has a beginning, middle and end, that guarantees that all voices will be heard (and no one voice heard too much!) and that truly welcomes all points of view in the spirit of LTA goals and purpose. There are many methods, such as Council, World Café, Wisdom Councils, Open Space, Future Search, Study Circles, Utne Salon, etc. Go to www.thataway.org, the website for the National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation, for a wealth of resources. Host Resources Introduction to Hosting for Let's Talk America: This manual (or PDF Version) teaches the Conversation Café method in detail. This is the simplest process we know and one that has a proven track record to be easily and reliably adopted by hosts who may have no previous experience -as well as by skilled facilitators. How can I start a LTA Conversation? This simple two page flyer, which is also posted on this website, introduces the bare bones of the Conversation Café method so you can start up a conversation right away, even with the person next to you on the bus or in line at the grocery store. Art of Inviting: This short handout offers Suggestions for attracting and inviting participants, including those who think differently from you. Using this Website to Post your Conversation: Follow this Step by Step Guide to walk you through how you list your conversation, find out how many people sign up, make any changes to the details of your meeting, and contact the people who sign up to attend your conversations. After the Conversation: There is a questionairre that we encourage you to fill out after hosting a meeting so that we can share what is happening with others. The LTA Café: A Design for Hosting Large Group Let's Talk America Dialogues. For those with some facilitation experience who want to host a conversation for a large group. This design combines elements of Conversation Café with World Café. Questions and Conversation Starters: Suggested questions to use in your conversations: the framing of the opening questions is critical and sets the tone and vector for the whole conversation. Media and Public Relations guide: This short brochure offers many ways to get the word out through the media. Sample Materials to Download and Print: Sample invitation: Use this email message to send to everyone in your email address book. Poster: Use this to advertise your conversation (or PDF Version) –- and as a flyer to put in your neighbor's mailboxes. Wallet Card: A "mini-manual" that gives an introduction to Let's Talk America, as well as the Process and Agreements. Sign in Sheet: Use this sign in sheet (or PDF Version) to gather then names and emails of all who attend - some guests may show up who have not signed up on the website: but you'll need their email to send them a link to fill out the questionnaire after the conversation and to invite them to future conversations. HOST TRAINING & SUPPORT OPPORTUNTIES Telephone Training: Every two weeks you can join Telephone Host Training via a bridge phone line for just the cost of a long distance call (very inexpensive with long distance calling cards). They usually run from 5:30 to 7:00 pm PST. Sign up for the next session in our meeting tool. Video introductory training you can play off the web: Our host training for Lets Talk America conversations uses this simple, tried and true dialogue process. Host Conference Call: Check the website: there will be monthly host conference calls where hosts can share success stories and brainstorm ways to enhance their conversations. Sign up for the next session in our meeting tool. Key principles for any Let's Talk America Conversation Inclusive - all people and all perspectives welcome: Invite friends and neighbors including individuals you don't usually get to talk to and those who may think differently than you and hold different views. If you are open to having people you don't know, register your conversation at www.LetsTalkAmerica.org so that people in your community can find you. Non-partisan - bring your views, but no lobbying for your causes, candidates, movements or parties In Conversation Cafes, we call this being a "commercial free zone" - no marketing of a product, service, event or particular agenda, point of view, outcome, solution or cause. Refrain from political networking, creating task groups or enrolling others in collective actions so that "no committees will be formed" between the opening and closing rounds of a Conversation Café. Respectful - there is a host and "ground rules" to assure that everyone has a chance to be heard Use the Conversation Café Agreements and Process - or any other structure that allows a good balance of safety and creativity for everyone at the table. Open - new people, new ideas, new information, open up new insights, and possibilities for action Foster the spirit of inquiry - discovery and curiosity rather than persuasion or debate. back to top

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