DALICO

Icebreakers

One Word Exercise

Pick a phrase that is central to the topic,why you’ve gathered and have everyone write down or say a word that comes to their mind in relation to it. Once everyone has shared their phrases, discuss the results. This ice breaker helps explore different viewpoints about a common challenge, before starting the meeting.

Speed Dating 

The goal of this game is to have a succession of very rapid conversations in an extremely short amount of time with as many people as possible. Have people sit in pairs.(They should look for partners they don’t know.)Determine the time limit (say 2-3 minutes for each conversation) and set a timer. When it starts, each pair has to start speed networking & find out as much professional info about the other as possible. This icebreaker can be used in large groups as well.Each time the buzzer goes off, the pair has to split and find a new partner again,looking for people they know the least.

Purpose mingle

You can use this at the beginning of each meeting, it’s so simple.At the beginning of each meeting, have people walk around andshare with others what they will contribute to that particular session. It’s a great way to enhance engagement andhelp people set goals andhold themselves accountable. It also makes others aware of everyone’s intent.

World Café

Need a shortpresentation(max. 15 minutes) on the topic 

Divide the audiance in to groups(min. 4 -max. 6-7 person/group)

Form small groups based on some tiny piece of data about them. You could use birthdays for four groups by using first, second, third, and fourth quarter of the year. You could try it by usingthelast digit in their telephone numbers, color of their shoes, favorite season, first letter of their middle name, or height. Haveparticipants stand in orderdescending/ascending(alphabetically or by height),and then split at the quarter, or one-fifth point depending upon how many groups you desire. If you need two groups, form groups of those wearing glasses or not. In a virtual classroom assign each group to a breakout room.

Use cards to form groups, use differnt signs or colors on chairs or on name badges, give them different flavoured chocholates for as many types and as many groups you would like to form, etc.

World Café Principles

1. Set the Context
2. Create Hospitable Space/Café like atmosphere/
3. Explore Questions that Matter
4. Encourage Everyone’s Contribution
5. Connect Diverse Perspectives
6. Listen together for Patterns and Insights
7. Share Collective Discoveries

Resources Required

• 1.5 hours.
• Small round tables of about 1m diameter are perfect (40 inches).
• Enough chairs for all participants and presenters.
• White paper tablecloths to doodle on for each round table (or colorful tablecloths covered in large pieces of white paper).
• Colored water-based markers or crayons scattered on each table. Preferably dark colors so the results are easy to read.
• A side table packed with fruit and refreshments (to keep those energy levels up).
• Flip-chart to capture the final plenary discussion.

Process

• Setup small café-style tables in a rooms and seat 4 or 5 Participants at each
• The Facilitator then explains to the group they will now have 3 rounds of conversation of approximately 20-30 minutes each.
• Questions or issues on the topic discussed while other groups explore similar questions at nearby tables.
• Encouragesthe table members to write, doodle, and draw key ideas on their paper tablecloths or to note key ideas on large index cards or placemats in the center of the group.
• After completing the 1st round of conversation, the Facilitator asks each table to agree a ‘table host’ who remains at the table while the others travel to different tables.
• Let the travelers begin their journey clock wise. The group travels together.
• The Table Hosts to welcome their new guests and briefly share the main ideas, themes and questions from the initial conversation (max 2 mins). Encourage guests to link and connect ideas coming from their previous table conversations –listening carefully and building on each other’s contributions.
• After your 3rd round of conversation, initiate a period of sharing discoveries and insights in a whole group conversation.

Resources:

https://www.fsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/World-Cafe-Method_0.pdf

https://mspguideorg.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/13msp_tools_world_cafe_13.pdf