Conversation Checklist

PURPOSE

• Agree on purpose of the community conversation with your primary contact
• Create conversation guide
• Review questions before the conversation and prepare for different ways
  to engage participants

PLANNING

• Start planning and inviting participants at least a month ahead of time
• Find a space to hold the conversation
• Keep the conversations small and informal (around no more than a dozen people).
• People tend to be less inhibited in informal settings
• Identify partners to help with participant recruitment and invitations
• Call to invite participants and follow-up with written confirmations

BEFORE THE DOORS OPEN

• Make sure you have supplies to help facilitate discussion — flip charts, markers, tape or stick pins, nametags, pens and paper for people to take notes and any hand–out materials
• Arrange the tables and/or chairs in a circle, rectangle, or horseshoe so everyone can see each other. If there are too many participants to fit around one set of tables, stick with the horseshoe model when setting up rows
• Put refreshments in a location that people can access without interrupting the conversation
• Locate the restrooms so you can tell people where they are before the conversation begins

AFTERWARDS

• Send participants a thank you note and a summary of your insights from the conversation
• Send out any requested information to participants
• Be sure to gather and record the flip charts
• Use the 7 Knowledge Keys to figure out and record what you heard.