"I believe it’s important to talk about issues that affect our lives. The experiences shared at the table were unique. Understanding and acceptance begin with knowledge. Our willingness to openly share our thoughts, ideas, and experiences opened the door to awareness." – Brad Grubb

Omaha Table Talk roles and responsibilities

GUEST

  • Attend dinner at assigned home
  • Guests will be asked to share their thoughts focused on their values, beliefs, fears, needs, goals, experiences and reactions
  • Listen openly/respecfully without interrupting or trying to change others’ opinions
  • Bring an open mind and willingness to participate in the spirit in which the event is intended. Trained facilitators will lend structure to the evening and utilize established techniques designed to minimize debate and maximize understanding among people representing different backgrounds and cultures
  • We understand that emergencies do come up but if you must cancel, please do so 48 hours prior to event to allow time to fill your seat at the dinner

HOST

  • Open your home and provide a simple meal for 8-12 guests
  • Invite up to two personal friends at your home
  • Participate with guests
  • Number of guests that you can accommodate: include yourself, spouse (if applicable) and facilitator.
  • Select a meal that is simple to serve as it is not the focus of the event. Some successful ideas include: pasta and salad, soup and salad, picnic style or carry out chicken and salad, or a simple meal that reflects your personality and/or ethnicity. It is your choice to serve a desert.
  • Guests will arrive between 6 and 6:30. Your facilitator will arrive close to 6 to assist with greeting the guests as they arrive. We plan on concluding the evening as close to 9:30 as possible. This can be impacted by any time limits you have, so please discuss in advance with your facilitator.
  • Be prepared to begin serving as close to 6:30 as possible as the evening will go quickly. The discussion for the evening will begin once dinner is served (buffet, family style or served at table.) The flow of the evening depends on you home, but entertaining the entire time at the dinner table does work well and does not disrupt the flow of discussion. If you do want to move the group, discuss with your facilitator when will be a good time over the course of the evening to make the move.

FACILITATOR

  • Provide an emotionally-safe environment for participants
  • Attend mandatory facilitator workshop
  • Previously attended an Omaha Table Talk event or have some level of facilitation experience

For the Facilitators we ask you to attend one of the training sessions below. At the sessions we will distribute the OTT material and provide information regarding Omaha Table Talk. All Training will be held at Sheehan Center

Tuesday, October 2, 2007 from 2-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 4, 12-2 p.m.
Tuesday, October 9, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 11 6-8 p.m.

For those new facilitators who have not participated in Omaha Table Talk we ask you to attend an Omaha Table Talk Dinner for new facilitators on October 27th from 6:30 p.m. till 9 p.m. Please Contact A’Jamal Byndon for registration for that event and the location.