Barbara S. Talley, a Maryland- DC Metro Area based Speaker who speaks on the themes of vision, values, and virtues.Text Box: goal is to look at the commonalties between issues and highlight which solutions defined by the separate Interest groups actually benefit all groups. The purpose is to get group members to realize that by working together they can more quickly accomplish their individual needs. They also identify triggers that bring them into conflict and make mental notes to stop these programmed responses. How Does it Work? The group defines on newsprint the types of diversity that make up their organization. Typical responses are RACE, AGE, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, PARENTAL ROLES, EDUCATION, ETHNICITY, or PHYSICAL CHALLENGES/DISABILITIES. Sometimes the groups may be even more explicit, ex. white males, young people, married people, unmarried people, black males, women, etc. The group decides. (Divisions may be different if used for team-building or leadership.) Next they choose one group that they wish to work with. Anyone can work with any group as long as they are interested in the topic, have empathy for the issue, or can help educate the larger group from that particular

position.  Each Interest Group discusses the following three questions. 

1.    What biases or concerns does your group face or fear? -( Share actual first-hand issues)

2.    What can your group members do to overcome these fears/biases?

3.    What do you require from management to implement real change? 

They later report the results of their small group dialogues to the  larger group for discussion.  The lists are then stripped of identifiers and participants discover that the solutions and desires identified by each group benefit all groups and that a common strategy for accomplishing group harmony can be employed.
Text Box: Speakout™ - A Facilitated Dialog About Diversity Text Box: Participant Comments Text Box: Barbara S. Talley, ThePoetSpeaks Workshop Leader, Poet, Author, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator (301-428-4831 Barbara@ThePoetSpeaks.com

“Lots of energy and enthusiasm; a good choice to follow-up on what has been accomplished through those sessions.  She was excellent and a good listener.”

Possible Outcomes:

· Individuals have the opportunity to articulate their needs in a small group session.  Having the support of the group is helpful for those who are shy, fearful, or who would not feel comfortable doing so in a large setting.

· The group understands that they have common goals. (i.e., respect, fairness, opportunity, honesty and inclusion)

· Participants are empowered by identifying strategies that they can use to help resolve issues facing them.

· The organization gets a list of individual as well as consolidated concerns from its employees. This helps management with its strategic planning.

· Participants create empathy and understanding for one another.

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