Communication Guidelines In order to make the most of our time together, the following Communication Guidelines are designed to provide a space where all can participate in an engaging and meaningful dialogue. We ask that you are mindful of these guidelines throughout your participation in the dinner dialogue.

Dialogue, not Debate - We encourage you to come with an open mind to hear different perspectives, not to debate or argue who is right or wrong.

Agree to Disagree - We do not need to all agree; we embrace the sharing of our different viewpoints and experiences as an opportunity to learn from and better understand others.

Be Respectful - In how we speak, in how we listen, in how we withhold judgments. We avoid name calling/personal attacks and acknowledge that we are all in the process of learning.

Use “I” Statements - We share using “I” statements, because each of us can only speak from our own individual experience and perspective (e.g., “I think, I feel, I have experienced…”, and refrain from using “everybody thinks…,” “people are …,” “we all know …,” “students at UCLA are…”, etc.). No individual is asked to represent an entire culture or identity group

Confidentiality - What is shared in the room stays in the room.

Make Space/Take Space - We make space for every voice to be heard. We “make space” to allow for others to share if we notice we have already spoken a lot, and we “take space” to share our voice if we realize we have been quiet.

Be Present - We avoid side conversations and put our phones on “silent”.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: Alliance for Intergroup Dialogue