Close the Gap: A Community Guide

Introduction

Tips for Facilitators:

1. Planning

   When designing your Community Film Series start by creating a planning team. The team should preview the films, and discuss the details related to events. Below are a few things your team should keep in mind:
   
   
   1. Dates, Place, Times and Refreshments
      Discuss and decide how many films you would like to show, and how much time you would have for community events. Identify dates and times. Be mindful of religious and cultural events that may prevent your community members from attending. Try to identify a location that is easily accessible to bus routes and your targeted participants. Decide if you will provide refreshments and logistics around this coordination.
      
   
   
   2. Format of the Event
      Discuss and agree on the format of your event. It can be organized as a panel discussion, workshop, community dialogue, etc. Different formats have different benefits, so discuss with your team what format is the best for your community. If your team is going to show more than one film on different occasions, think about how you can make connections between your events.
      
   
   
   3. Speakers
      Make sure you invite speakers who know first-hand about the situation described in the film. When inviting speakers or panelists, make sure you are inclusive of different perspectives on the story. For example, if the story is about homelessness, it would be beneficial to invite both individuals who have experienced and/or are experiencing homelessness, as well as government agencies and non-profit organizations working on this issue.
      
   
   
   4. Handouts and Equipment
      Think about what materials and handouts you could provide to your participants. Prepare copies of the True or False or Agree or Disagree Surveys. Develop a PowerPoint presentation with statistics to project on the screen, and prepare handouts that participants can take with them.
      
      Reserve all necessary equipment in advance. Check video and sound equipment. Ensure that panelists have a microphone, if necessary.
      
   
   
   5. Outreach
      Think about how your team will publicize the events. Develop and post both hardcopy and electronic flyers. Send a reminder a few days before the event. Partner with other non-profit and community-based organizations to help publicize your event.
   
   

2. Holding the Screening

   Regardless of the format your team decides to use, the checklist below may help your team on the day of the screening.
   
   
   1. Registration and Welcome
      Welcome the participants as they come in and distribute flyers and handouts. You may want to create a sign-up sheet for participants who would like to be invited to other events or be involved with your Human Rights Commission or organization. Begin to develop your e-mail contact list, which is the cheapest means of advertising for future events.
      
      This is also the time to pass around True or False or Agree or Disagree Surveys, which participants can fill out individually. You may ask them to hold on to the True or False Surveys, but fill out and return the Agree and Disagree Surveys to the facilitators before the screening.
      
   
   
   2. Introduce the Event
      Whether it is a one-time screening or a Community Film Series, start by introducing the Film Series and the reasons behind creating these documentaries.
      
      Even if you are not showing the Making the Case documentary, you can use the materials in the corresponding section to introduce the Film Series.
      
   
   
   3. Introduce the Speakers or Panelists
      Introduce the speakers and allow a few minutes for each of them to say a few words. Make sure you know how to pronounce each speaker's name and can introduce their workplace or affiliation, and position, if available.
      
   
   
   4. Discuss Before Viewing Questions
      Each story contains Before Viewing Questions that will allow you to further introduce the audience to the subject of the film. At this point, you can also review and discuss the Key Terms.
      
      Facilitating discussions and activities about disparities and issues, such as immigration and racism, is not an easy task. These issues are often politically and emotionally charged, and can lead to disagreements and confrontations. Make sure you address the ground rules for discussion at your events.
      
      An example of ground rules is the RESPECT acronym:
      
      
      • Responsibility - The ability to take charge of one's life, fulfill one's obligations, be accountable for one's actions, and not let people down.
      • Empathy - The ability to listen deeply to another person's story or experience and connect to the person's feelings and story.
      • Self-Discipline/Share Air - The act of ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate in a group task or a project, and that no one dominates the discussion.
      • Participation - The act of sharing, joining, or working with others to make decisions, complete a task, or initiate a project.
      • Enthusiasm - The feeling of great excitement which inspires great zeal and fervor.
      • Cooperation - The important skill that helps us work successfully in groups and interact harmoniously with others.
      • Trust - The ability to let others know your feelings, emotions, and reactions, and have the confidence in them to be supportive and encouraging.
      
      See Annex 2 - RESPECT Poster or download it online at http://www.hrusa.org/thisismyhome/project/resources.shtml#posters
      
      
   5. Show the Film
      During the film screening, your team can tally the results for the True or False or Agree or Disagree Survey to share with participants during the discussion.
      
   
   
   6. After the Film
      Each story also contains After Viewing Questions that can help you and your team to facilitate the discussion. You can use the suggested questions or create your own. You can start by asking the audience to share their immediate reactions to the film. When facilitating the discussion, make sure that every panelist gets a chance to speak, and that the discussion is not dominated by the same people in the audience.
      
   
   
   7. Evaluation and Follow-Up
      Your team can decide which way is the best to evaluate the effectiveness your event. For example, before the event is over, you can ask participants to share: a) one new thing that they have learned; b) one thing that surprised them; c) one thing that inspired them; and d) one thing they will try to do as a result.
      Your team can also develop a more formal evaluation form that you can collect at the end of your event. For example:
      

   Evaluation Sheet

   One word that describes how you are feeling after this event:
   
   Give one example of something you learned in today's session and will pass on to your colleagues and friends:
   
   Give one example of something you will try to do or change as a result of this event:
   
   Please rate this event in terms of how it responded to your needs (1- least useful; 5- most useful):
   
   Do you think we should continue hosting Community Films?
   
   What ideas do you have for improving the Community Film Series?