A Divide is a difference of opinion wide enough to prevent proper communication.
To Cross Divides is to connect.
Gather a group of friends, allies, and/or adversaries for relaxed, facilitated discussions about matters of mutual interest. Consider the following formats.
Crossing Divides Discussions
Have trouble talking to someone about certain difficult subjects? (Politics, perhaps?) Let’s try having a friendly discussion where everyone gets listened to, the way they want to be heard.
Crossing Divides Practice Groups
Practice crossing divides.
Democratic Collaboration Groups
Ongoing, self-governed group to develop collaboration and cooperation skills, building our agency in society. We can choose a project to work on, to see results, or not. The group decides.
Subject Area Interest Groups
Ongoing, regular groups of up to a dozen people who want to discuss specific issues with people who have different points of view.
Fresh Ideas
Ask a question, describe a problem, or explore an idea. The group responds.
In the interests of full disclosure and welcoming even the slightest niggling doubt when something isn’t working for you, here are some sample complaints to consider. Each complaint is followed by a response. If the response doesn’t satisfy you, we will help find a solution that does.
Complaint
The conversation was good, but it wandered around a lot. Could we stick to a single topic in future?
Response
The short answer is yes. Though it’s up to the group. The topic might seem to wander when people make connections that aren’t immediately obvious. Problems are solved by different thinking from that which created them. The remedy might be to be clear about what participants hope to achieve today.
Complaint
You let people talk too much. For the sake of fairness, you should balance it out more.
Response
People sometimes need time to clarify their thoughts. If it’s taking too long for you, can you think of a way to move things along? Something you actually want to do? Just as people talking too long are learning to work more democratically — as an equally valued member of a group — so are you.
Complaint
We are too much alike politically. Could we invite someone from the “other side,” to give us more of a challenge?
Response
The group already includes a fair range of participants (for example, from far right to far left). By not exaggerating the differences, it can be hard to tell. Regardless, groups may ask more people to join.
Complaint
Talking is all very well, but when are we actually going to do something?
Response
Talking could be considered doing something. However, if there is something more you want to do, try discussing it with the group.
Complaint
You’ve obviously thought about this a lot. Why ask questions when you already know all the answers?
Response
Would that were so. We ask questions as they occur to us. Groups may think about questions for which there are no easy answers.