Tips for Being an Effective Discussant, Facilitator, Presider or Recorder

Announce the name of the session, welcome everyone, <strong>an</strong>d briefly introduce each speaker.This should take no m<strong>or</strong>e th<strong>an</strong> a total of 3 minutes.Monit<strong>or</strong> the presentation <strong>an</strong>d keep each speaker <strong>an</strong>d if there is a discuss<strong>an</strong>t, his/her comments to thespecified time limit (12 minutes each <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> speakers <strong>an</strong>d 5 minutes <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> the discuss<strong>an</strong>t).If there is a discuss<strong>an</strong>t, all speakers should give their presentations be<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>e the discuss<strong>an</strong>t speaks. Monit<strong>or</strong>the time limit (5 minutes) of the discuss<strong>an</strong>t <strong>an</strong>d following his/her remarks, begin asking <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> questionsfrom the audience if there is no facilitat<strong>or</strong> assigned. Have one key question ready from each presentationso that every presenter is asked at least one question.When the audience asks questions, repeat these questions using your microphone so that everyone c<strong>an</strong>hear the question, <strong>an</strong>d those who will be purchasing <strong>an</strong>y media will be able to hear the questions also. If you are filling the role of a facilitat<strong>or</strong>, keep questions <strong>an</strong>d discussions to a specified time limit of 1minute per person, <strong>an</strong>d tactfully intervene if a person does not heed this.DISCUSSANT RESPONSIBILITIESRead the material obtained from each paper presenter be<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>e the conference. If you have not received thematerial from the presenter by November 1, contact your Section Chair to obtain this in<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mation. Ifthere is not a separate presider you will prepare a 1-minute introduction <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> all the speakers. Beconcise.Prepare <strong>an</strong> outline ahead of time about each proposal. Emphasize the connections between the papers <strong>an</strong>dsignific<strong>an</strong>t the<strong>or</strong>etical <strong>an</strong>d methodological issues noted in papers (strengths <strong>or</strong> weaknesses). Yourcomments should highlight issues <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> elab<strong>or</strong>ation <strong>an</strong>d discussion. You will have a total of 5 minutes <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>your remarks, so that there is time <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> audience participation <strong>an</strong>d presenter question <strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>swer. Do notuse this time as a place to present your own ideas <strong>or</strong> research. Your task is to summarize <strong>an</strong>d present“take-home” suggestions.Prepare 1-3 implications on how attendees c<strong>an</strong> use the research presented.If there is time at the conference, the presider <strong>or</strong> facilitat<strong>or</strong> will allow attendees to ask questions.____________________________________________________________________________________2011 Instructions <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> <strong>Presider</strong>s, Discuss<strong>an</strong>ts, <strong>Facilitat<strong>or</strong></strong>s, <strong>an</strong>d Rec<strong>or</strong>ders at NCFR Conferences Page 2

FACILITATOR RESPONSIBILITIESThe role of a facilitat<strong>or</strong> is to engage discussion between the audience <strong>an</strong>d the presenters.If you have not received the papers from the presenters by November 1, contact your Section Chair <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>this in<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mation. Have a couple of questions prepared in adv<strong>an</strong>ce about each paper. This will evoke discussion of all sidesof the issue. Ask <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> questions from the audience <strong>an</strong>d keep the discussion moving. Give everyone timewho wishes to talk <strong>or</strong> ask questions. Keep questions <strong>an</strong>d discussions to a specified time limit of 1 minuteeach; tactfully intervene if a person does not heed this. Repeat the questions using a microphone. This is <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> the benefit of the audience <strong>an</strong>d those who maypurchase the session in media <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mat.RECORDER RESPONSIBILITIESKeep a supply of speaker h<strong>an</strong>douts <strong>an</strong>d give to attendees as they enter the session.Take a count of those attending the session.Take notes during the session <strong>an</strong>d prepare a write-up that will be emailed to the Section Chair after theconference.____________________________________________________________________________________2011 Instructions <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> <strong>Presider</strong>s, Discuss<strong>an</strong>ts, <strong>Facilitat<strong>or</strong></strong>s, <strong>an</strong>d Rec<strong>or</strong>ders at NCFR Conferences Page 3