Expanding Panel
Complimentary Tool for Active Meetings!

Overview

This activity is an excellent way to stimulate discussion and active participation while giving participants an opportunity to identify, explain, and clarify issues.

Procedure

1. Select a meeting issue sure to engage the participants' interests. Present the issue so that participants will be stimulated to discuss their viewpoints. Identify five questions for discussion
   
   For example, a group of managers meets regularly to discuss methods of increasing productivity. Some believe allowing workers to telecommute is a viable option; others strongly oppose that step. Some probable questions would be:
   

   "What does telecommuting offer the company?" "How complicated would it be to set up and equip a telecommuting program?" "Will the initial cost be offset by later saving for the company?" "Are certain jobs more likely to be suitable for a telecommuting program? If so, Which ones?" "Should workers be allowed to volunteer to telecommute or should managers select them?"

   
   
   
2. Choose four to six people to serve as a panel discussion group. Ask them to sit in a semicircle at the front of the room.
   
   
3. Ask the remaining participants to position themselves on three sides of the discussion group in a horseshoe arrangement.
   
   

4. Begin with a provocative opening question. Moderate a panel discussion with the core group while the observers take notes in preparation for their own discussions.
   

5. At the end of the designated discussion period, separate the entire group into subgroups to continue with a discussion of the remaining questions.
   

Variations

1. Reverse the sequence; begin with small-group discussion and follow with a panel discussion.
   
   
2. Invite the participants to generate the questions for discussion.

©2004 Active Training ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Active Training
303 Sayre Drive Princeton NJ 08540
800-924-8157

Mel Silberman

Return Policy

Privacy Policy