Inspired from: The Agreements for Multicultural Interactions at EBMC, Adapted from Visions Inc, “Guidelines for Productive Work Sessions”  www.visions-inc.org

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Question to Understand and Embody:

 Please refrain from seeking or giving advice. Laurie encourages individuals to witness themselves and be witnessed by peers and support systems. A witness does not need to be an authority figure. 

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Try It On:
Be willing to “try on” new ideas, or ways of doing things that might not be what you prefer or are familiar with.

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Practice Self Focus:
Attend to and speak about your own experiences and responses. Do not speak for a whole group or express assumptions about the experience of others.

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Understand the Difference Between Intent & Impact: 
Try to understand and acknowledge impact. Denying the impact of something shared by focusing on intent is often more destructive than the initial interaction.

Practice “Both / And”: 
When speaking, substitute “and” for “but”. This practice acknowledges and honors multiple realities. Refrain from blaming or shaming self and other. Practice giving skillful feedback.

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Take Space / Make Space:
Encourage full participation by all present. Take note of who is speaking and who is not. If you tend to speak often, consider “moving back” and vice versa.

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Question to Understand and Embody:
Being witnessed is at the heart of belonging, however, the purpose of Q & A is to understand and embody the material being taught. Please refrain from seeking advice or processing in that time. We encourage you to witness yourself and be witnessed by peers and support systems; a witness does not need to be a authority figure.

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Be Aware of Your Power:
As you engage , be mindful and bodyful of the power attributed to your identities and roles, and how that power impacts others.

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Practice Mindful Observing:


Try to avoid planning what you’ll share as you observe others. Be willing to be surprised, to learn something new. Observe with your whole self. Be open for the embodied experience.

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Confidentiality:
Take home learnings, but don’t identify anyone other than yourself, now or later. If you would like to follow up with anyone regarding something they said during a session, ask first and respect their wishes.

Right to Pass / Agency of Self-Care:
You can say “I pass” if you don’t wish to share.

 

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