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person of color. The dot was inconspicuously placed in the corner. Its sole purpose was to
help insure diversity in each small group.

Event Program

Programs are an important part of the event on the day of the Big Conversation. They make
the focus of the event clear; they provide information and schedule for how the time will be
spent; and they provide background information on invited speakers/presenters/panelists.
The program may also provide reference information that attendees may take with them on
the subject to be discussed. A diagram of the facility may be helpful to orient participants to
the relative location of the large meeting area and the individual breakout rooms. The cost
of the program printing was donated by Middleham and St. Peters.

Steps Action(s)
Set the Stage Provide background information on the series of program events,
the topic of the day and generally how the time will be spent.
Guidelines How may attendees participate in a way that will assure them
maximum value while promoting civil discourse?
Schedule What is the expectation for timeline of the event?
Speakers/Presenters Provide photos and brief biographies to inform participants of
the presenters’ experience and credentials.
Subject Matter Additional supporting information that attendees may take with
Information them for future reference.
Diagram of Facility Where will the large group presentations and small group
discussions take place and how does one get back and forth
between the two locations.

Building Bridges Resource Guide

What else would you like participants to take away from the conversation? Our experience
has been that participants frequently wish to create an action item list and these are often
forgotten shortly after the event. At the same time, there may be many organizations in the
community already taking action related to the focus of the community conversation. Our
mediator/facilitators on the planning committee drafted a document that highlighted more
than 30 organizations engaged in this effort with points of contact. We suggested that, if
event participants wished to join in this work, they pick one or more of these organizations
that interest them and offer to help. The Building Bridges Resource Guide can be found
on the Big Conversation Dismantling Racism and Privilege Clearing House website:
(https://dismantleracism.org/).

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