Telephone Host Training

"The training call for hosting Let's Talk America conversations was a wonderful example of the style of hosting you are putting forward... It was tremendously valuable in itself to be a participant. Since the call I have found my conversations taking place in a different light. Where I used to defend positions defined largely by the other speakers' assessments, I now look for, and find, honor and dignity in the others' point of view, and can learn what they really want…Listening to people with the intention of seeing the world through their experience is profound, and it changes us."

Peter Barus, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Objectives for Telephone Host Training:

By the end of the call, you will be ready to host a Let's Talk America conversation! The training will include:

Familiarization with history & purpose of Let's Talk America.
Overview of roles the host plays during an LTA conversation including convener, welcomer, reminder, inviter, and focuser.
Review of the Agreements and Process used during a LTA conversation.
Discussion of the various ways to introduce the question.
The art of inviting diversity to the conversation.
Ways to find a venue & promote your LTA conversation.
Suggestions for deepening the conversation and bridging polarities.

Upcoming Host telephone trainings:

Tuesday, September 27th at 4:30pm PST / 7:30 pm EST - Sign up for this meeting

The conference call phone number and pin number are listed in the meeting information.

Preparation before the Host Training:

To prepare for the telephone host training:

1. Please download and print the Host Manual (or PDF Version) and the Wallet Cards (PDF file). Read over The Art of Inviting and look through the Questions and Conversation Starters. These documents are also available along with other hosting resources at Hosting Resources.

2. Please read the Host Manual before the training. Write down any questions you have on hosting. Email them to the instructor (Susan) ahead of the class if you can.

3. Invite a small group of friends together to practice your hosting skills after the training. Plan to do this on the day of or after the host training. Set aside a 90-minute time frame to go through the whole conversation cafe process. We suggest at least 4 and not more than 8 people.

How Does It Work?

Call the conference number at the start time. Your instructor will welcome you and ask your name and the city you are calling from. The session will last 1.5 hours, including some discussion and time to ask questions. Just like a live seminar, you may participate as much -or as little- as you wish.

How much does it cost?

For most people, there is a long distance charge for placing the call. If you are located in the United States, your phone rate may be as low as 5 or 6 cents a minute, or between $3.00 and $4.00 per call (cheapest rates are usually available by using a long distance phone card). In addition we are asking for a $10 donation to help defray our costs.. You can make the donation on our Donate page.

Conference Call Etiquette

1. Use your telephone's mute button. If you don't have a mute button, please call from a quiet location.

2. If you have a two-line phone, please turn the ringer off of the second line.

3. Put pets in another room so that the class will not be interrupted by a barking dog or similar disturbance.

4. Don't use a speakerphone unless you use the mute button. Pick up the handset when you share and put the mute button on when you're just listening.

5. Sharing: I will ask for callers to share throughout the call. Please wait to be prompted. If/when you do share, say something like, "Susan, this is Bob from Cleveland."

6. Early/Late arrivals: If you're late to the call, no problem, just dial in and be silent until you catch on to what's being discussed. Susan will invite you to introduce yourself at the next appropriate moment.

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»Home »Sign Up »Find a 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		Telephone Host Training "The training call for hosting Let's Talk America conversations was a wonderful example of the style of hosting you are putting forward... It was tremendously valuable in itself to be a participant. Since the call I have found my conversations taking place in a different light. Where I used to defend positions defined largely by the other speakers' assessments, I now look for, and find, honor and dignity in the others' point of view, and can learn what they really want…Listening to people with the intention of seeing the world through their experience is profound, and it changes us." Peter Barus, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Objectives for Telephone Host Training: By the end of the call, you will be ready to host a Let's Talk America conversation! The training will include: Familiarization with history & purpose of Let's Talk America. Overview of roles the host plays during an LTA conversation including convener, welcomer, reminder, inviter, and focuser. Review of the Agreements and Process used during a LTA conversation. Discussion of the various ways to introduce the question. The art of inviting diversity to the conversation. Ways to find a venue & promote your LTA conversation. Suggestions for deepening the conversation and bridging polarities. Upcoming Host telephone trainings: Tuesday, September 27th at 4:30pm PST / 7:30 pm EST - Sign up for this meeting The conference call phone number and pin number are listed in the meeting information. Preparation before the Host Training: To prepare for the telephone host training: 1. Please download and print the Host Manual (or PDF Version) and the Wallet Cards (PDF file). Read over The Art of Inviting and look through the Questions and Conversation Starters. These documents are also available along with other hosting resources at Hosting Resources. 2. Please read the Host Manual before the training. Write down any questions you have on hosting. Email them to the instructor (Susan) ahead of the class if you can. 3. Invite a small group of friends together to practice your hosting skills after the training. Plan to do this on the day of or after the host training. Set aside a 90-minute time frame to go through the whole conversation cafe process. We suggest at least 4 and not more than 8 people. How Does It Work? Call the conference number at the start time. Your instructor will welcome you and ask your name and the city you are calling from. The session will last 1.5 hours, including some discussion and time to ask questions. Just like a live seminar, you may participate as much -or as little- as you wish. How much does it cost? For most people, there is a long distance charge for placing the call. If you are located in the United States, your phone rate may be as low as 5 or 6 cents a minute, or between $3.00 and $4.00 per call (cheapest rates are usually available by using a long distance phone card). In addition we are asking for a $10 donation to help defray our costs.. You can make the donation on our Donate page. Conference Call Etiquette 1. Use your telephone's mute button. If you don't have a mute button, please call from a quiet location. 2. If you have a two-line phone, please turn the ringer off of the second line. 3. Put pets in another room so that the class will not be interrupted by a barking dog or similar disturbance. 4. Don't use a speakerphone unless you use the mute button. Pick up the handset when you share and put the mute button on when you're just listening. 5. Sharing: I will ask for callers to share throughout the call. Please wait to be prompted. If/when you do share, say something like, "Susan, this is Bob from Cleveland." 6. Early/Late arrivals: If you're late to the call, no problem, just dial in and be silent until you catch on to what's being discussed. Susan will invite you to introduce yourself at the next appropriate moment. back to top

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