#critlib: anti-oppressive facilitation strategies
Storify of the #critlib chat from 4/21/2015 on anti-oppressive facilitation strategies, moderated by @alyciaiclya, @captain_maybe, & @kellymce. For more information about #critlib, including past & future chats, please see: http://tinyurl.com/critlibx
- [The usual disclaimer: I tried to include all of Tweets from the chat and string Tweets from the same thread together as best as I could. Retweets, favorites, & tweets without the hashtag omitted on purpose. Lacunae, misreadings, or other mistakes my own.]
- The readings for this week are great, so I've copied them here too.
- * On Facilitation, Char Booth: https://infomational.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/on-facilitation/ …
* Anti-Oppressive Facilitation - Making Meetings Awesome for Everyone, the AORTA Collective: http://aorta.coop/sites/default/files/ao_facilitation_resource_sheet_july_2014.pdf …
*Calling IN - A Less Disposable Way of Holding Each Other Accountable, Ngọc Loan Trần: http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/2013/12/calling-less-disposable-way-holding-accountable/ … - Getting started with introductions!
i'm rachel, an archivist in bklyn nyc, another one of the mods tonight. #critlib (#hashtagfail)
Hi @kellymce, @alyciaicyla, & @captain_maybe. Thanks for moderating #critlib tonight! Jenna here, from Barnard College in NYC.
@edrabinski I really read that as a metaphor for how much facilitation you do, instead of typo. Like "even facilitate the air" #critlib
@RoxanneShirazi I didn't either (catching up now), but so burnt out I'm giving myself a pass and participating anyway <3 #critlib- Question 1 : What is good facilitation? What strategies make for a good meeting or discussion? #critlib
@edrabinski rotating minutes is so key! #critlib- @DinahHandel Or why I was invited to be there/to the table! #critlib
- @alyciaicyla ohhh I like this. what's an example of what this looks like on the ground? #critlib
- @activitystory how can we take on that shared role, as participants? #critlib
@captain_maybe That's a tough one - I hope we can talk more about that :) #critlib
If only I read #critlib reading before last group project. Would have been more prod, less emotionally taxing http://bit.ly/1yMjFYL
@kshockey04 maybe not younger but less experienced. Create space where it's ok to admit less experience #critlib- @kshockey04 yes - I've felt forced into the role in certain contexts; I didn't feel ready for it #critlib
Showing up late for #critlib! Franny here from Butler U in Indianapolis. #scholcomm librarian, #openaccess advocate, v interested in #dh- @edrabinski that is so real! I see that dynamic play out in so many groups, again and again. #critlib
- @edrabinski does it make you less scared when facilitation rotates? #critlib
- @edrabinski librarian confessions! #critlib
@edrabinski Taking minutes often means controlling the narrative. Can be a power role! :) #critlib- .@bibliolaura True! + can be hard when you also have something to say on the issue but don't want ur relative power to quiet others #critlib
- Question 2: Tell us about a meeting that reinforced systemic power dynamics or oppressions (e.g. not on an individual basis). #critlib
- @DinahHandel ugh! public shaming is NOT good facilitation #critlib
@captain_maybe also disempowered students! and maintained economic hierarchy #critlib- @aliqaesong yes - I was thinking of a mtg where admin got to reply to *every* comment anyone made. #critlib
- @donnarosemary I might favorite this, unfavorite it, and then favorite it again because it's that good! So true! #critlib
@donnarosemary Love this so hard. Consensus is difficult beast in an employment context. #critlib- THIS WAS A 4--YEAR LONG NIGHTMARE I LIVED. is there an emoji for crying yourself to sleep at night? #critlib https://twitter.com/donnarosemary/status/590686697542840320 …
- @donnarosemary oh that one is a killer #critlib
- @donnarosemary Middle management even more fun. You've been told the outcome and to get consensus around it! #critlib
- @lisalibrarian = not fun at all, nor productive, for those being managed #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian yeah! Tbh, I've also had this talking about bi experiences in gay groups, too. #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian yeah! Regardless of the groups involved, that insider-outsider thing is so real. #critlib
- @kshockey04 was teaching new frat kids Robert's rules - made a point of bringing this up & saying don't game it #critlib
@kshockey04 and we're rarely given an orientation to the rules! #critlib- @kshockey04 "you dint submit the form in triplicate? THAT is why you're not on the agenda, duh." #critlib
A2 +1 to @kshockey04 and also rules deployed inconsistently in ways that outwardly appear to reinforce power structures. #critlib- @kshockey04 though if you master those rules ... #critlib
@lisalibrarian Robert smiles upon you. #critlib- I'm guilty of this! Will try to be better. #critlib https://twitter.com/GinaMurrell1/status/590687139412729857 …
- .@GinaMurrell1 AORTA article suggests round-robin asking for input, with the option to pass. I feel like this is a really good tool #critlib
- .@AskCharissa in those situations, it can feel like you're not even supposed to be in the room. even if meeting is open. #critlib
- .@AskCharissa omg I was talking about this today at conf. I introduce as a student, then conversation over. Never wil work for you. #critlib
- @AskCharissa @oksveta @SarahCrissinger I'd like reactions of how to set expectations of others by how I start off a meeting, etc. #critlib
- @AskCharissa @oksveta @SarahCrissinger better to say "so glad Grads here to contribute" or does that make it worse not better? #critlib
- @lisalibrarian @AskCharissa @oksveta see, this is what I struggle w. Even in meetings w/ only GAs. How to make welcome not call out #critlib
- @lisalibrarian @AskCharissa @oksveta it's defin a fine line! I find myself trying to do that in GA meetings and making it worse #critlib
- Question 3: How can participants intervene when there is troublesome facilitation? How can you effectively call out bad behavior in a mtg? #critlib
- @DinahHandel what about the punch up approach to this one--more public call outs in situations w/more obstinate offense? #critlib
- To me "be kinder" is the key to good facilitation & participation in meetings. #critlib https://twitter.com/DinahHandel/status/590688752462356480 …
- Yes! We try to get support staff involved & often some/many of them want to be left alone to do their work. #critlib https://twitter.com/alyciaicyla/status/590689391133196289 …
- .@SarahCrissinger build habits to check in early, b4 anything is wrong &people can feel more comfortable when something is wrong #critlib
- @SarahCrissinger although, this process prob more effective if proposed before meeting instead of when it starts to get bad #critlib
- .@SarahCrissinger been thinking a lot abt how there are some contexts where i shld speak more, others where i shld listen more #critlib
- @edrabinski this happened at a panel here - complimented her later on tact as well as bluntness in ending situation. #critlib
- @captain_maybe or use being called to say "I'd like to hear from xyz ..." #critlib
- @captain_maybe I don't wanna be what about gays!!! But applies there too. I've been passed over b/c no one wants to hear divisive #critlib
- @captain_maybe like "we know he'll have opinion that might challenge". Altho, white dude anyway, so %chance is higher by default #critlib
- yeah, its all intersectional #critlib https://twitter.com/Gaymerbrarian/status/590690813102927872 …
- @lisalibrarian so diplomatic! Love it! #critlib
- @lisalibrarian Borrowing this! #critlib
- @edrabinski I'm pretty into twinkle fingers to show agreement, instead. #critlib
@tmillerLibrary enforcing’s for the extroverts! :) Yes, they need to be agreed upon and taken seriously #critlib- @ginaschless good point! I like something vaguer like, "we haven't heard from anyone on this side of the table..." #critlib
- @captain_maybe ohhhh I was ruminating on what place, if any, a code of conduct for a lib org might have in tonight's #critlib topic
- Question 4: How might we apply feminist/anti-racist theory in discussions? Could librarians adapt/apply the Aorta guidelines? #critlib
- Question 5: What resources have you used for facilitation? How have you taught yourself to consciously facilitate? #critlib
- .@DinahHandel reflecting on our good & bad experiences & generating meaningful change in our self spaces #critlib
@Gaymerbrarian I did my grad assistantship in ResLife and for the most part, they were so good about facilitation! #critlib
@captain_maybe Agreed. I love when movement people end up in charge. #critlib- A5: I've learned not to expect faculty to get things done. Give them discussion Q to guide decision making. #critlib https://twitter.com/captain_maybe/status/590693755814080512 …
- @captain_maybe Ah, now I know what my problem has been! #critlib
- .@captain_maybe turns into "meeting to schedule our next meeting" ad infinitum #critlib
- Or, the fifth circle of hell... #critlib https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/590694082734903296 …
- .@kshockey04 yes! I hadn't considered this an thing to examine critically, but librarians organize not just items. #critlib
- @kshockey04 yes, good teachers are also good facilitators #critlib
@tmillerLibrary Yes! Setting ego aside & being open to constructive criticism will very much improve future meetings/discussions. #critlib- .@kshockey04 When you ask students to lead discussion, give them tools like tonight's readings. #critlib
- .@GinaMurrell1 yes! or including short writing exercises, drawing, post-it note maps? other things w/in the meeting itself. #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian doesn't seem like anything wrong with that - thinking is a kind of experience (Kolb Experiential Learning Theory) #critlib
- @kshockey04 A reason that course is called "classroom management" not "empowering participation"? :) #critlib
- A5: also, I'm pretty into @EdwardTufte's approach to meetings that are abt disseminating info. #critlib
- Meeting adjourned! Thanks everyone (Apologies for the bad pun, though...)
- Also! #critlib pitches.
- My #Critlib pitch is that all MLIS students shld submit to the Braverman Prize: http://progressivelibrariansguild.org/content/award.shtml … Deadline is May 1, get stuff in!!
- Because I'm hella burnt out right now, I am #critlib pitching @mariataccardi's #infolit instrucion burnout project: … https://libraryinstructionburnout.wordpress.com/
- Thx @alyciaicyla @captain_maybe and @kellymce for a fab #critlib. Really appreciate the concreteness of the discussion!
- Gotta go. Thanks mods for great questions & [I hear] great readings! @alyciaicyla @captain_maybe @kellymce #critlib
- Echoing thanks to @alyciaicyla, @captain_maybe & @kellymce for an excellent #critlib. Am going to be applying almost instantly!
- @Gaymerbrarian tell me more! Or better yet, fill out the form: http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcritlibmod&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEip5h2gNgEvHxt82ekYoH0M81kwQ … #critlib
- thanks you guys, this was awesome. and thx @alyciaicyla + @kellymce who are A++ i <3 #critlib! even tho i am actually a #critarchivist
- Great chat tonight folks, many thanks to @captain_maybe @alyciaicyla and @kellymce for moderating. Will def return to this l8r. #critlib
- High-five to @alyciaicyla and @captain_maybe for a sweet triad of moderation tonight! #critlib I learned a lot from everyone!
- @alyciaicyla @kellymce @captain_maybe great job, y’all. Loved the readings & will be sharing them #critlib
- Another excellent #critlib chat! Thank you @captain_maybe, @kellymce and @alyciaicyla for moderating! [High five]
- really enjoyed #critlib tonight - thanks @alyciaicyla @captain_maybe @kellymce thanks for moderating :)
- Fin.
