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    Step 5

    Discuss as a group

    The group should include the same staff, board members and key volunteers who completed the evaluations.

    As a group, decide who will facilitate each discussion. It is best if you do not select the same person every time. The person may be a staff member, board member or volunteer. Or you may select an external facilitator.

    Before deciding, consider the pros and cons of having a member of your organization facilitate versus hiring someone outside the organization. Considerations might include:

    • External Facilitator

      Hiring an external facilitator may take the burden off the organization, which can seem beneficial if there are significant concerns that the discussions will be too difficult. If you decide to use an external facilitator, be sure to maintain flexibility, in other words, consider hiring the facilitator for an initial set of conversations, with the goal of learning how to facilitate future discussions in-house.

    • Internal Facilitator

      The benefits to using an internal facilitator include the opportunity to build and grow your internal expertise in facilitation and communications, as well as learning to have these conversations on your own. If you choose to use in-house facilitation, have a clear role for the facilitator (e.g., that they serve in an impartial role to lead the group through a deliberate dialogue, discussions on the topics and decision-making. The facilitator’s role is to prepare for the discussion, pose questions, equalize participation and clarify any necessary points.) The group and individuals in the group (regardless of organizational roles) in turn agree to allow the facilitator to play this role in service to the group.

    The initial group discussions should emphasize adopting a shared language, an essential first step in creating an organizational culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the mission. In addition, also consider developing group agreements using a similar agenda for each discussion, and a process to capture the actions agreed upon by the group. Refer to the resources under the Internal Communications topic for examples and templates.