Participants:Pre-Event Questions

Overview

Aspiration events are participant-driven at every level. We use the following questions to engage participants as we plan event agendas and prioritize event outcomes.

The debate/disagreement question is also useful in designing Spectrograms.

Sample Questions

• What will make your time feel well spent? What outcomes will be most beneficial to you and the work you are doing? Specific and concrete answers are most appreciated.

• What would you like to share during the meeting? Are there particular experiences, knowledge or perspectives you want to contribute to the proceedings?

• What topics do you think participants are likely to want to debate? What issues might people disagree on?

• What other questions or concerns do you have about the meeting and agenda?

Sample Email

Dear NAME,

We are looking forward to working and collaborating with you next week. In order to craft the most focused and mutually beneficial agenda, we would like to invite your thoughts on the questions below.

We welcome your frank and honest responses. And short responses are fine; we understand that you are busy, and we just want to get a sense of priorities from your point of view.

And, given your current understanding of the purpose of the meeting and the types of folks attending:

• What will make your time feel well spent? What outcomes will be most beneficial to you and the work you are doing? Specific and concrete answers are most appreciated.

• What would you like to share during the meeting? Are there particular experiences, knowledge or perspectives you want to contribute to the proceedings?

• What topics do you think participants are likely to want to debate? What issues might people disagree on?

• What other questions or concerns do you have about the meeting and agenda?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Sincerely, ORGANIZER