Participant Engagement Tips

University Counseling Center

Workshop Preparation  

1. Commit to the full experience 
   1. Once the workshop begins, please commit to the full experience.  
2. Confidentiality 
   1. Please respect the privacy of other participants who may share their personal experiences.  
3. It's OK to Make Mistakes 
   1. No one is expected to say the right thing 100% of the time. We all make mistakes.  
4. Curiosity 
   1. Approach with an attitude of curiosity (about yourself, about others' perspectives, etc.) 
5. Compassionate Correction 
   1. Approach differences and missteps with "compassionate correction" 
   2. If someone offers critical feedback about something you've shared (e.g., "I think you used an out of date/offensive term") or you feel compelled to offer this kind of feedback, please remember that this should come from a place of building connection/bridging misunderstanding (vs. shaming/blaming) 
6. Feeling "Triggered" vs. Feeling "Uncomfortable" 
   1. If you are triggered by content discussed, please take care of yourself. It is OK to step out if needed.  
      1. If you are experiencing discomfort, please know that this is normal, and necessary for growth! We ask that you please sit with the discomfort and stay in the workshop as long as it feels bearable.  

Post-Workshop Reflection 

1. How was this experience for you? 
2. What did you learn about yourself and/or others through this workshop? 
3. What information impacted you the most in this workshop?  
4. How did it feel to be a part of the dominant/minority opinion? 
5. Were there times when you felt uncertain about your beliefs? 
6. Were you surprised by how strong any of your beliefs were/are? 
7. Did you ever feel pressured (internally or externally) to alter your beliefs so others wouldn’t judge you? 
8. How did this workshop inspire and/or motivate you to act?  
9. What from this experience will you take with you moving forward? 
10. How could you have responded differently to a past experience using what you’ve learned from this workshop? 

Continued Growth 

Continue to…  

1. Cultivate a sense of cultural humility.  
2. Educate yourself about historical experiences of oppressed and marginalized people.  
3. Reflect on your privileged identities and how you can use them to support others.  
4. Be an ally.  There is no perfect way to be one, but a million ways to be a good one. 
5. Advocate for oppressed and marginalized groups.  
6. Listen to oppressed and marginalized people about what they need rather than assuming for them. 
7. Stand up against injustices when you see them.  
8. Take care of your mental health, racial trauma is real.  
9. Check your blind spots, implicit bias affects everyone.  
10. Make a difference and be a change agent.