Consult

Street Psalms Consultations

Reserve your slot for a 90-minute consultation with the Street Psalms’ Consultancy Team to discuss a major opportunity and/or challenge in your work. Please download directions and format.

Consultation Format

Adapted from Gene Thompson-Grove, Founding Co-Director of the National School Reform.

INTRODUCTION (10 MINUTES)

Context: How the SP Consultancy originated.
Format: Walk through the format.
Time Keeper/Facilitator: A member of the Consultancy Team is appointed to facilitate the conversation.
Desired Outcome: Is there a specific outcome you are hoping for in this conversation?

THE QUESTION: (10 MINUTES)

The presenter gives an overview of the dilemma/question/reflection related to the work and its implications for his/her site. This is also a time to offer some context.

CLARIFYING QUESTIONS (10 MINUTES)

The reflectors ask the presenter clarifying questions. Clarifying questions are for the person asking them. They ask the presenter “who, what, where, when and how.” They are not “why” questions. They can be answered quickly and succinctly, often with a phrase or two.

REFLECTOR DISCUSSION: (15 MINUTES)

The reflectors talk with each other (not to the presenter) about the dilemma/questions presented. What did we hear? What didn’t we hear that we think might be relevant? What do we think about the dilemma/question? What options might be possible? The presenter does not speak during this discussion, but instead listens and takes notes.

PRESENTER RESPONSE: (10 MINUTES)

The presenter responds to the discussion, sharing with the group anything that particularly resonated for him/her. The point of this time period is not for the presenter to give a “blow by blow” response to the group’s conversation, nor is it to defend or further explain. Rather, this is a time for the presenter to talk about what were the most significant comments, ideas and questions heard. The presenter can also share any new thoughts or questions that emerged while listening to the reflectors.

OPEN DISCUSSION: (30 MINUTES)

The remainder of the time is designed for open, informal conversation about the process, questions or concerns that it raised and perhaps next steps.