Communication Programs
 

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of programs/activities to help with communication between members, specifically confrontation skills?

Thanks

I saw this once on a documentary about prison reform...members sit in a circle. Anyone wishing to confront another member enters the center of the circle and sits in a chair. The person they called out comes in and sits down. Both sit on their hands. Members are instructed to avoid accusations, assumptions, and "always" statements (you "Always!" put me down). Members should use statements such as, "when you said this, it made me feel this way because..." The sitting on the hands thing is good because it prevents violence and over gesturing and forces the two people to focus on each other.

another thing we do in my chapter is to do a gavel pass. You can only talk when you hold the gavel. We sit in the living room, lights off, and just vent. Good, bad, ugly. No "listing" allowed (I do this and this and this and I still manage...) but you can address issues or call out people. It works because people have time to think about their responses before the gavel gets to them. The darkness allows people to not be influenced by the reactions of other people and it allows others to hide their tears or reactions.

If you have a Sigma Nu chapter at our around your school, one of the 'continuing education' segments that are taught to members (2nd year members) called "LEAD II" contains a session called "Contraversy with Civility". It's an excellent workshop. I've facilitated it a few times for our current active chapter.

Again, your access to this will depend a lot on whether or not you have a Sigma Nu chapter anywhere close, and also how your relationship is with them. Good luck though.