Democracy Café

Increasing Democracy and Cooperation in Milpitas Politics

Proposal World Café Principles Democracy Café Script Café Budget Support and Co-Sponsors Notes and Links
Democracy Café Script (for Facilitator)
(This outline is expected to evolve.)



[Music #1 plays as people arrive. - 9:00am or earlier]

Introductory comments at the Café - 9:10am]
[include context, purpose of the Café, Café etiquette, and process description]
Thank you all for investing your time today in what could prove to be a marvelous experience. My name is Bill Ferguson, and I've been selected by the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association to facilitate this event. Today, we will explore the question "How can we create better democracy here in Milpitas?" According to the dictionary, democracy means "government by the people, especially rule of the majority." It's a government in which "the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly though a system of representatiation usually involving periodically held free elections."

Process Description:
Today, we will explore the topic in rounds of conversation that are 20 to 30 minutes long. At the end of each conversation, three of the people at your table will move to other tables. They will carry with them the key ideas from their original table to share at the new one. Remember that everyone's experience and ideas are a valuable contribution to the whole. Imagine asking your inner judge to step aside and take a rest period, just for a little while, from determining whether someone else was right or wrong. [Pause for a moment, then say "You may be wondering, or hearing yourself saying, "What's an internal judge?" The voice in your head that asked the question is your internal judge. Give that voice a rest this morning."] Participants will both identify issues and contribute to solutions.

Café Assumptions
Café Etiquette - Focus on what matters!
On your table is a pale yellow card with World Café Principles on one side and Café Etiquette on the other.

[Principle 3: Explore QUESTIONS that matter]
How can we create better democracy in Milpitas?
Open-ended questions such as this invite exploration, inquiry and discovery rather than advocacy and advantage. We could talk about local elections and campaigns. We could seek more civic involvement. Or we may simply find the right questions to ask that further our exploration and learning.

Everyone's experience and ideas are a valuable contribution to the whole. Sharing personal stories can deepen the conversation.

We'll have three rounds of 4-person conversations - followed by a conversation of the whole room. As your facilitator, I'll let you know when each round is coming to a close and it's time for three of you to move to other tables. One person will stay at the table as a table host to welcome new people who have been part of other conversations. They will be bringing key ideas from their tables into the next round. The important thing is to capture the essence of what's been said on the table sheets. Do it with drawings, symbols, and words on your table covers. Continue to link and build ideas. Notice patterns and common themes as well as the aha's.

Although some of you know each other, not everyone does. So, it would be great if you could quickly introduce yourselves before jumping in. You might also mention why democracy is important to you. During these conversations, if you have any questions or want some assistance, simply raise your hand and one of our Café hosts will come to your table to help. OK, let's get started. How can we create better democracy in Milpitas? Start sharing. [Please begin.]

[25-minute conversations loosely monitored by room hosts. 9:15am - 9:40]

You have two minutes to wrap up your conversations. 9:38am

We are coming to the end of this conversation round. In a moment, three of you at each table will travel to another Café table and continue the conversation. We encourage people who came here together to separate at this time and go to different tables. One person will stay as the table host to greet the people coming from other conversations. Whoever is the table host, please ask your guest to quickly introduce themselves as you get started? Then show your new group what's on your tablecloth and let your guests know where your conversation has taken you. And travelers, be sure to carry the key ideas from your original table to the new one. Sharing those ideas will help link the thinking of everyone at the table. And be sure to keep doodling on the tablecloths. In this second round, begin to listen even more deeply to see what patterns and connections are emerging. Listen together as a group for the deeper assumptions and patterns underlying the varied perspectives. Write those on the table cloths also. OK, now move to another table.

[25-minute conversations loosely monitored by room hosts. Music #2 plays for first five minutes 9:45 - 9:50]

You have two minutes to wrap up your conversations. 10:08am

Let's wrap up this conversation and prepare for the third round. After you move to a new table, spend a few minutes sharing how the conversation has evolved and ask yourselves "What remains in the background of these conversations that hasn't been expressed, i.e. what is missing?" OK, now move to another table.

[25-minute conversations loosely monitored by room hosts. Music #3 plays for first five minutes 10:15 - 10:20]

You have two minutes to wrap up your conversations. 10:38am


[Principle 6: LISTEN together for insights] 10:40am
LISTEN together for Pattern, Insights, and Deeper Questions
It's time to bring your conversations to a close. Now, let's prepare for the large-group sharing of insights and discoveries. We'll play two minutes of music while each of you jot a few notes about what has impressed you during earlier conversations. Here are some questions to ponder during this two minutes: What has had real meaning for you in what you've heard? What surprised you? What challenged you? What's missing from the picture so far that we're not seeing? What do we need more clarity about? Ready? Take the next two minutes to quietly ponder these questions and jot a few notes.

[Two-minute interlude while "mellow" music #4 plays. 10:43am]

During this large-group conversation, one of your Café hosts will jot down key ideas on these easels labeled Key Ideas, Remaining Questions, and Possible Actions. This is how we will harvest and share collective discoveries.


Principle 7: Share collective DISCOVERIES
Listen closely to each person's contribution. If you have a thought that is connected in some way, rise to share it. I'd like everyone to consider what's most essential from previous conversations. Listen for deeper wisdom before sharing insights and discoveries. We're looking for the "tablecloth in the center of the room" to enable all of us to see the larger picture. Speak from your personal experience of what's at the center of our collective conversations so we can tap into the "heart wisdom" in the room.

Let's start this whole-group synthesis by hearing from someone at this table. Then, if someone else has a question or observation that is connected to the first, stand to share it and we'll see what emerges.
[Listen and note on the easels the main points.]

[We expect the conversation to narrow-in on specific actions that participants are committed to supporting. Because this portion is unpredictable, the facilitator will go with the flow in an unscripted way.]

COMPLETION - 11:45am
[Treasurer speaks.] Thank you all for creating this event. I'm Rob Means, the Treasurer of Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association. SNA has coordinated this event, including the financing. If you think this Café has been valuable, then please make a contribution to cover the costs of this event. In a moment, one of our Café hosts will come to your table with a basket. Just drop your checks, cash and IOUs into the basket. Now is a good time to recognize our financial supporters. I'll quickly read the list ...read from the FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS list

We will send a summary of today's efforts and results to you - if we have your e-mail address. If you don't receive our report by the end of January, or if you don't use e-mail, please contact us if you want a summary of this Café. Also, for those who checked the YES box at the sign-in desk, some of our sponsoring organizations may contact you. Thanks again for your support.

[Facilitator speaks.] Note the tables at the back of the room. At them, you can learn more about the organizations that have co-sponsored this Café. Voter registration forms are also back there. Co-sponsoring organizations include the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association of Milpitas, ... [read from the list of CO-SPONSORS]
Both literature and member expertise are at the tables in the back of the room.

Although we're at the end of the formal portion of this event and we will soon start clearing the room, we encourage you to continue your own conversation around the facilities here. Or, you may prefer to extend your conversations at the many restaurants and coffee shops nearby. Thank you again for your time and wisdom. Enjoy the rest of your day.

[upbeat music #5 plays from 12:00 noon until 12:15 pm.]

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