Community Conversations are facilitated dialogues on selected topics held via Zoom. We invite you to our Zoom Living Room, an open, trusted space. Community members come together to relate and to connect. An invitation to share perspective, generate understanding, build relationships, and ultimately strengthen the community.
Next Conversation:
Coming Out Stories – Saturday, June 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. (ET). As part of Pride Month, we want to hear your stories of coming out—all types of coming out and all types of stories are welcome. Facilitated by Ryan Groom. Register here
Upcoming Conversations
Microaggressions: Naive ignorance or subtle racism? – Wednesday, June 16 from 5-6:30 p.m. (ET). Celebrating National Week of Conversation, we are holding a dialogue to share thoughts and feelings on microaggressions. What are they? Do they matter? Facilitated by Jamila Mindingall. Register here
Agreements we set as ground rules to ensure a safe environment for great conversation:
Be curious and listen to understand.
Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
Show respect and suspend judgment.
People tend to judge one another. Setting judgment aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk.
Note any common ground as well as any differences.
Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
Be authentic and welcome that from others.
Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
Be purposeful and to the point.
Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
Own and guide the conversation.
Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal if you feel the agreements are not being honored.
These ground rules and our Community Conversations are inspired by Living Room Conversations.
Stop Telling Stories with facilitator Jamila Mindingall
Setting Healthy Boundaries while Sheltering in Place with Co-habitants During the Pandemic with facilitator Jamila Mindingall
Free Speech, Hate Speech, and Campus Life with facilitator Kelly Crosby
Anxious Around ReOpening…for You and Your Family, with facilitator Elizabeth Kehoe
Unmasking Shame with facilitator Jamila Mindingall
Empathy is not Endorsement with facilitator Jamila Mindingall
If you have any suggestions for Community Conversation topics, please email kmurphy@mediationsavannah.com