Scene Three: Thursday, May 10, 2007:
Including and Engaging people of all socio-economic levels
Working with the unmentionable difference - Class
A Training Design on Class
This training design was prepared and implemented with a group of Diversity Professionals in a Fortune 500 corporation. Please review it considering your own organization using the following guidelines: 1) What works well; 2) What needs revising; 3) What you would recommend for improvements given your own organization. The slides that accompany this design are also available with this session's online resource (256k Adobe® Acrobat™ .pdf).
Class in Organizations: Expanding our understanding of Inclusion, Diversity, and Organizational Effectiveness
(A training design on class)
OBJECTIVES
- To discuss dimensions of class (caste) and provide an opportunity to talk about this often "undiscussable" dimension of diversity;
- To examine class dynamics in this organization;
- To explore strategies for increasing inclusion of class as a dimension of difference and diversity in our organization.
AGENDA
| Time | Activity | Materials/Resources |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 | A look at Class: Introduce Objectives and Agenda | Slide or handout |
| 2:10 | Small group discussion: What are the differences that get ranked which, in your experience, have to do with class at X? What is your data? Feelings; observations; information Be prepared to report on the two or three most frequent or important differences you have identified. |
Slide 40 |
| 2:20 | Pop-ups from groups | |
| 2:30 | Input: Class: What Differences? | Slide 15 |
| 2:50 | Drawing exercise by "class groups" Task: Within your same-based group, how do you creatively represent your group's experience, interactions, history, pains, dreams, etc. at X and the value you bring/add to the organization? You have 3 minutes to present and 5 minutes for Q & A. |
|
| 3:10 | Break | |
| 3:20 | Report out/presentations from groups | |
| 4:00 | Discussion in max-mix groups: What are the ways in which we keep class differences going? Divisions Symbols & stereotypes Interactions What are consequences for inclusion and effectiveness? In what ways can we challenge class' negative consequences? What do you want to say to the community as a result of your discussion? Learnings or insights Questions or confusions Challenges you see ahead |
Slides 41, 46, 47, 48 |
| 4:50 | Application Trios: Form groups of 3 with people from another work-group/organization: "Your chance to examine what you can do about class in your organization." Set up groups and role of time-keeper so that each person has a 10-minute turn to explore. Review the Task (slide). Task: During your turn, discuss, reflect, or strategize aloud: What is a class issue or dilemma - a class division, symbol, or interaction - in your organization that is having negative consequences, and that you would like to change? What are some ideas about how to propose and/or facilitate a change? |
Task slide or Instructions handout |
| 5:20 | Share ideas from Application Trios in plenary "Pop-ups" from Application Trios Wrap-up with Strategies for Change - What other organizations are doing |
Slide 51 |
| 5:45 | Written evaluation Verbal evaluation/reflection: Take 2 minutes to think or write out a thought about what you take back to your organization. Round robin on "what you are taking back." |
Workshop evaluation form |
| 6:00 | Close: (Brief) Thank you for your work today; offer to be a resource for more information or specific assistance. |
Diversity Learning Series - Class Relations in Organizations
Change Agents Parallel Session
Handout: Class Training Session design
Dr. Evangelina Holvino; Chaos Management, Ltd. © 2007.
May 10, 2007
Scene Three was the third session of the 2007 NW Diversity Learning Series, Life Theater - Inclusion and Engagement: Challenging and Expanding My Diversity Competency: Moving Beyond My Comfort Zone. The Series, held in Seattle, WA, is organized by The GilDeane Group, publishers of DiversityCentral.com.