The Sustained Dialogue Process
Sustained Dialogue's membership is divided into "dialogue" groups, each with twelve to fourteen people. Every group meets for two hours every two weeks to discuss racial issues. Unlike forums, Sustained Dialogue groups don't simply tackle an issue for an hour and then leave having barely scratched the surface--groups are able to understand the problems in depth because the meetings are sustained over time. The groups also differ from classes in their small size and heavy focus on personal experiences and perspectives. Finally, the discussions follow the process of "Sustained Dialogue," (the organization's namesake) created by former U.S. diplomat Hal Saunders during his work in forging peace agreements between countries or factions within countries overseas. He found that various groups with longstanding differences that achieved some kind of resolution always followed a particular path, which he articulated in the Sustained Dialogue Process:
The Process (short version)
- Organize.
- Describe the overall environment (get everything off your chest): What are the problems? How do the problems fit into the larger context of community relations? Which problems should the group try to tackle?
- Thoroughly examine each selected problem in detail. How could community relationships be changed to reduce or remove the problems? What options are available?
- Build a course of action.
- Do it.
It is not important--in fact, sometimes detrimental--for group members to continually think about how to move through each of these steps. Normally functioning groups will undergo the process regardless of how much emphasis they consciously place on it. Each group creates its own agenda of issues to explore and should devote its energy towards understanding those issues.
Those who join make a substantial commitment in doing so. Sustained Dialogue is not an easy process, just as generating racial change is not a matter to be taken lightly. The process requires time, energy, and patience. Participants must be willing to expose themselves to criticism and share their beliefs in full honesty, and most of all, they must be willing to change, for no one who enters the process emerges the same person.
Organization Summary:
- Recruiting. Due to the prolonged nature of the dialogue groups, new members cannot be placed into groups after the initial set of meetings. Recruiting is heaviest at the beginning of the semester and at the end, when new members are sought for the following semester.
- Information Sessions. Typically two in number, held early in the semester.
- Annual Kick-off Retreats. Interactive introductions to Sustained Dialogue for new members (attendance is mandatory) that occur just following the Fall semester information sessions. Major speakers like Hal Saunders are usually featured and new members get the chance to form trial dialogue groups in the latter part of the event.
- Groups. Each group is staffed by two trained student moderators and otherwise composed of approximately 12-14 students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Primary meetings occur every other week for two hours each. Groups often plan additional meetings or get-togethers depending on members' schedules.
- General Body. Gatherings of the general body have been historically infrequent, but include barbeques, social gatherings, and events open to all students.
- Officers. The officers organize and help perform the general functions of the organization, particularly recruiting, information sessions, moderator training, and general body events. Officers attend bi-weekly administrative meetings. Elections occur in December.
- Moderators. Moderators guide the discussions in their groups, but do not set the agenda. Moderators work to keep discussions civilized and are trained to ask questions to enhance those discussions. Moderators are crucial to the functioning of the organization, and Sustained Dialogue can only support as many groups as it has moderators for.
- Moderator Retreats. Large training sessions for both new and current moderators, held in August and March.