Toward Equity in Meetings: Making Space to Include All Voices

These past weeks have been a time to sink in to the discomfort of learning, listening, reflecting on the systems of oppression that many of us are reexamining and questioning.

As graphic facilitators, we are in a position of power to design a process that helps our groups move toward their goals and work more cohesively as a team. We have an opportunity to design ways of understanding one another and to create spaces in which different ideas are valued and disagreements can happen in a safe and healthy way.

This can be especially complex to do authentically in a virtual space, so here are some strategies to create space for all the voices in (and outside of) the room.

Before designing the process, ask questions like who will be there? Is English a second language for anyone? Are there different cultures (workplace or other) that should be considered when designing? For example, how does staying on time resonate with different groups attending? Is it rude to run over time, or rude to cut off a respected speaker before they’re finished?

Create opportunities for different ways to process information -- time for people to write or sketch ideas before speaking, or working in pairs.

Do a Circle Check In – call on each person so they each have an opportunity to speak.

Co-create Group Agreements to share the air: Three Before Me is a new favorite that indicates everyone should wait until at least 3 others have spoken before they speak again – to create space for others to speak.

Ask yourselves “Who isn’t here that should be?” What might they say? Challenge the group to think outside of who’s present to seek inclusive paths forward.

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Let’s design a process together for your team.

Where in the Virtual World is ConverSketch?

Heads Up! I’ll be on the river June 28-July 7 and will not have access to phone or internet during that time. Thanks for your patience and I’ll look forward to connecting with you before or after.

Children with Medical Complexity: In the first of a series of virtual reflections with universities and health campuses across the country, the graphics will capture lessons learned, accomplishments, and where these teams can focus in the future to support families and children in their health.

New Hand Painted Video: Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida is in danger from sea level rise. The newest Drawing Connections video for the National Park Service will focus on the colorful history and what millions of tiny shells can teach us about resilience. You can see the other videos we’ve created here.

Education NC: Supporting Teachers in North Carolina in the Time of COVID as they move through a design thinking sprint process this summer to think holistically about how to support their students and families in remote learning situations.

Black Lives Matter

The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and George Floyd, which is only a snapshot in time of what Black and Brown people have experienced throughout the history of this country, is heartbreaking and horrifying.

These events compel all of us to ask whether we are doing enough, as individuals and as a community, to change the systems that are producing these patterns.

Where can we start? With ourselves and with our own communities.

By asking rather than assuming, and truly listening.

By practicing empathy, especially when it’s difficult.

By holding ourselves accountable to learn, unlearn, relearn.

There are so many resources out there, and so many people who are ready to share now that more folks are ready to listen. Where I’ve started:

• 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.

• This post from Barack Obama.

• Reading up on my local police department’s policies, trainings, and culture.

Learning from and with each other is what I want to do. If you want to dialog, process, share perspectives or resources that you’ve found useful, please reach out.

The world, systems, and challenges we face are complex and uncertain.

What I do know is we are stronger together, and this is an opportunity to learn and be better.

Respectfully,