==== Guidelines for session hosts at the Luminous Green Workshop (31st JUL 2008)====

If you think you may be hosting a session, here are some hints and tips to help make your time as graceful and effective as possible.

===At the beginning:===
  * Begin by welcoming people and giving them a few moments to briefly introduce themselves, if there is time ask what their interest is in this particular session. (At least make sure that people know each others name)
  * Reiterate your topic and let everyone know what you mean by this..it may not be self evident. (You may want to briefly state why you choose this topic)
  * Describe your role and the nature of your session:  are you presenting information? Are you facilitating a conversation? Are you asking for information? 

===During your session:===
  * Ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and be especially attentive to language differences
  * if jargon, slang or acronyms are used check whether everyone knows the meaning
  * if the discussion is too fast paced you might want to slow it down and allocate some time for people who haven’t spoken to speak if they want
  * summarize and reflect to help people catch up, and keep the conversation focused.
  * Remind people to share the time if need be and ensure you are doing the same.
  * If the conversation gets stuck in disagreement or debate, acknowledge differences and delve underneath to explore underlying assumptions, differing perspectives beliefs, values, etc. 
  * Sometimes it helps to pause and notice what is happening in the process and ask people to reflect on how this may be indicative of roles/ issues playing out in the wider environment.

===At the end:===
  * make a brief summary of your discussion, thank people for time and give a few moments for final words from anyone.