1. Brief definition

The defining characteristic of this is type of communication is that since the contents of the interchanges are one's own life experiences, one commits oneself to it in an integral way.

2. What functions does it fulfill?

Knowledge and interpersonal assistance.

3. Who does it reach?

In general, the people in the immediate environment with whom we communicate in an intentional way.

4. Advantages and difficulties in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Produces changes in attitude.

- Strengthens trust.

- Helps mutual cooperation.

- Solidarity advances.

b) Difficulties:

- Requires willingness and reciprocity.

- Requires adequate conditions and environments.

- It can be difficult to initiate this type of communication.

5. What to do:

- Make a decision to communicate.

- Make this intention known to the other person.

- Make sure that you have both an adequate environment and moment.

- Reach agreement about the conditions of the dialogue.

- Pay attention to the verbal and non-verbal language, to having a tone and attitude that favors communication.

- Pay attention and listen actively to the other person.

- Respond with understanding, and express oneself in a non-critical manner.

- Attempt to arrive at a synthesis of the conversation.

1. Brief definition

In this activity, a team of people that wishes to disseminate an idea or communicate with others goes to the places where people live and visits each house within the given area.

2. What functions does it fulfill?

- Make direct contact with people in their homes.

- Disseminate a proposal, present a personality, invite people to a large gathering, or to learn points of view through a relationship that is face-to-face.

- Cover a given territory in an orderly fashion.

 

3. Who does it reach?

Those who live within the defined territory.

 

4. Advantages and difficulties in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Allows person-to-person communication.

- Involves teams and generates participation.

- Facilitates knowing about a given area and the profile of the people who live there.

- Allows you to be sure that in that given area, the information is received by at least one member of that family.

- Low cost (cost of materials only).

b) Difficulties:

- Requires significant physical energy and time.

- If you do not establish permanent ties with some of the people in that area, the signal becomes diluted.

 

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Plan the activity, considering the following points:

* Tangible and intangible objectives.

* Materials that will be delivered to each house (flyers, cards, etc.)

* The speech and the role.

* The team of people who will accomplish this.

* Schedule and map of the area.

- Field tests.

- Evaluate the activity and make a new plan.

b) Necessary equipment:

- Team of people.

- Material to leave at each house.

- Map.

c) Useful data:

- It is important to generate a homogeneous strategy of how to cover each area, so that no house is left unvisited.

- If you have a large team of people, it is best to divide it into sub-teams with their own maps and coordinators.

- The activity must always be evaluated in reference to the objectives.

- At first, the members of the team who have greater experience and more roles should accompany those who have less experience and have more resistances.

1. Brief definition

This is a system for direct communication. It uses a visual support that attracts people in the street. The panel is a type of portable, giant poster with both graphic and written messages. It encourages people who are affected by a specific theme to approach.

2. What are its objectives?

- To call upon people in a place of heavy pedestrian traffic.

- To gain the attention of pedestrians, so that one can then communicate, interchange, clarify, invite, survey, etc.

3. Who does it reach?

Pedestrians who are walking near where the panel is installed.

 

4. Advantages and difficulties in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Allows people who are interested in the theme depicted in the panel to approach of their own accord. In other words, it awakens the intention of the other person and permits self-selection.

- This is a good system for a place where a lot of people circulate.

- Permits a quick form of clarification; it also permits us to transmit a certain sensitivity and make contact with many people.

- It is not very expensive.

b) Disadvantages:

- You are exposed to criticism and aggression from those who disagree with the stated position.

- The signal is only temporary.

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Define the objective.

- Form the team.

- Determine the message one wishes to convey, and design the display with its written and graphical elements.

- Agree upon a calendar when the activities will be carried out.

- Build the support for the display.

- Install the display anywhere that a lot of people circulate. There should be a minimum of 3 people taking care of the display.

- Communicate with those who are interested; make sure that they receive materials with broader information; obtain personal data from the interested parties.

- Evaluate the activity in the light of the objectives.

b) Necessary equipment:

- Cardboard or poster board, photographs, clippings from magazines, drawings, etc.

- Physical support for the panel.

- Materials with broader information.

c) Useful data:

- Ensure that the panel is resilient and easy to transport.

- We recommend a design with a strong impact, or with humor, so that it overcomes the threshold of perception.

- This activity should not be carried out for more than two hours at a time. It is also convenient that the outings be spread apart in order to prevent 'burn out' of this form within the team.

1. Brief definition

This is a small public act. It begins suddenly with a rapid massive invitation, almost at the same time as the rally starts. A speaker delivers a message or harangues the people that are approaching.

2. What are its objectives?

To spread a message in a direct and speedy fashion.

3. Who does it reach?

An audience of up to 100 people.

4. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- It does not require a great deal of infrastructure.

- Several demonstrations can be realized in a short time, so the message can reach a large number of people.

- It is possible to avoid repression, should the message involve a risk to the participants.

b) Disadvantages:

- The speaker must be a charismatic character so that the message generates an impact.

- The themes cannot be developed in depth.

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Define the objective, the message, and the speaker.

- Know the characteristics of the place and the most appropriate moment.

- Develop a calendar with rigorous schedules.

- Obtain a megaphone.

- Once you have arrived on location, people are convoked and the speaker climbs upon a some type of platform to deliver the message.

- Evaluate in light of the objectives.

 

b) Necessary equipment:

- A megaphone.

c) Useful data:

- Prior to the demonstration, rehearse the role of the speaker.

- Prepare some type of material that people can take with them after the meeting.

1. Brief definition:

This is a mechanism to consult a some fraction of the population about a specific issue.

2. Objectives:

a) Global

- Find out what people think or want.

b) Possible specific objectives:

- When one is part of a public institution this may be used in order to latter implement what was expressed through the survey (a concrete mechanism of Real Democracy).

- When one is not part of such an institution, it is generally used to pressure the authorities to carry out what was expressed through the survey.

- It can also be used as a base on which to organize some fraction of the people who are interested in the issue.

- To explain, spread, or publicize ideas about a particular issue.

In any case, it is interesting to demonstrate this mechanism as an approach to the theme of Real Democracy.

3. Who does it reach?

The limits of this method is given on one hand by the capacity to implement measures, and on the other by the limits imposed by the conflict itself(local, regional, specific environments related to the issue, etc.).

4. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Direct communication during the previous work of clarification about the mechanism and about the specific issue.

- Possibility of giving continuity to the ambits that result from the above mentioned.

- Given adequate technological equipment: the sensation that may be produced within the population of how simple it is for a large group of people to participate simultaneously. On the other hand, if one holds a public office, the sensation of how easy it is for this large group of people to take concrete decisions about a given conflict in a speedy fashion.

- This is a demonstration effect that can prepare people for subsequent steps.

- In all cases, people can be left with the sensation that Real Democracy "is possible after all." What this means in terms of communication is that, at the very least, there is produced an esprit de corps and an interest in what happens to others.

b) Disadvantages:

- Might produce frustration. This could happen if the objective is only to obtain immediate success about a very specific conflict. Given the situation of the present moment, the sensation that "nothing can be done" (the impossibility of changing things) could increase, and this would produce results contrary to those we seek.

- There is no possibility of communication and even less of giving continuity to these actions if we concern ourselves only with a specific consultation about a given issue, without clarifying the meaning that this action has in process.

- In some cases, limitations in the ability to implement measures.

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Clearly define the internal and external objectives.

- Define the method: How many people, where, how (through computation, with ballot boxes, in direct and personal fashion, etc.) Decide on whether you will have alternate workers available to relieve the previous shift, prepare explanatory materials, preparation of the teams, consider the work done previously and the work of sensitizing. Do not forget the work of evaluation: who will do it and the indicators to be used.

- Implement the steps that were defined previously.

- Evaluation, conclusions, and communicating the results to the appropriate parties according to the objectives.

b) Necessary equipment:

This depends on the type of consultation and the methodology that was chosen. One should consider both the objective and the subjective limitations of the area.

c) Useful data:

- Keep in mind that the concept of a consultation or plebiscite should be adapted to the particular language of each place.

- Clarify very well both its objective and utility (the 'why' or 'what for').

- It would be ideal to carry out a small test sample before the survey is launched. The purpose of this test case is avoid falling out of phase with the codes people use (terminology etc.) or with their interests in the selected theme.

- Always consider the work previous to, and following the consultation itself.

1. Brief definition:

Exposition of ideas by one or more specialists or people with experience on a given subject. It is given to a group of people who play the role of spectators, and gives them the possibility of asking specific questions.

2. Objectives:

It fulfills an educational and explanatory objective about a given subject. It makes available the knowledge of the specialist to the audience.

 

3. Who does it reach?

It reaches those who have a personal interest in the particular subject or in the speaker. In general, the audience may range from 10 to 200 people.

4. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

Sensitizes, educates, or clarifies themes or points of view that are generally new or little known by the audience. Since there is a previous interest, the listeners are usually attentive.

b) Disadvantages:

Does not encourage a lot of participation, and it depends greatly on the quality of the speaker, who must know how to hold the attention and interest of the audience.

 

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Define the subject matter, and an attractive title for the conference.

- Determine the date, place, and time.

- Prepare written invitations.

 

 

- Invite people with a motivating speech, through personal invitations and also through the various forms of mass and or local media (radio, TV, interviews, etc.).

- Prepare the presentation of the speaker very well (subject, tone, audience, spatial location, available infrastructure, etc.).

- Greet and register those who arrive.

- Have a printed copy of the material, which will be later distributed to the audience.

b) Necessary equipment:

- location, microphone, invitations, chairs, banner for the stage, copies of the conference.

c) Useful data:

- Arrange the chairs so that the organizers can easily circulate among the audience, giving and retrieving information.

- Plan to have an intermission or break that allows people to make contact.

- Forms that can be filled out by the participants and highly visible boxes where the forms can be deposited.

- It should be easy to identify who the organizers are.

- If the organization has explanatory materials that can add to the subject of the conference, these can be placed on a table near the exit halls.

- banquet

1. Brief definition:

This is an environment where normally two or more people who are well known in a given subject area -- a specific or general area -- explain their points of view and positions before an audience. A context is defined, and the development of a theme takes place, in this those present can participate to some extent.

2. Objectives:

- Gather people together around a given subject, socialize.

- Inform and become informed (interaction).

- Discussion and interchange with the possibility of reaching conclusions and proposals for future actions.

3. Who does it reach?

Different groups with interest in the subject matter or the personalities. Minimum of 20 people, and maximum of 300, more or less.

4. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Can be produced with very little cost, since what is needed is easy to obtain.

- Amplification of a theme or thanks to the different points of view that are expressed.

- Possibility of making contact with those who have gathered because of the theme of the forum-debate; that is, people who have specific characteristics.

b) Disadvantages:

- Might allow the participation to be restricted or manipulated.

- One must depend on having well known participants in order to produce a good turn out.

- If there is no image of how the themes of the forum-debate will be given continuity then the form becomes weakened.

 

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Design the forum-debate: the type of invitation, the methodology and the personalities.

- Define functions: public relations, resources, infrastructure, and production.

- Obtain a commitment for the location of the event.

- Obtain a commitment from the panelists.

- invitations: produce invitations and send them to the participants.

- Advertise through the mass media.

- Verify the estimates of attendance.

- Production.

b) Necessary equipment:

- Invitations, infrastructure (place, tables, chairs, sound equipment, etc.), background scenery, printed programs (optional), a display for general information, and registration forms for the participants.

c) Useful information:

- There must be a coordinator for the event and a minimum of two assistants.

- Arrange to have replacements for the panelists, in the event that they fail to arrive.

- The invitation must be extended to a minimum of approximately three times the minimum number of persons you wish to show up.

- Test the sound equipment and lighting three hours ahead of time.

- The moderator should be able to put energy in and add humor to the event.

1. Brief definition:

These are gatherings about specific subjects related to the social conflicts that are relevant to this point where we are rooted. The invitation should be very open and may include leaders of grassroots organizations, specialists in or people working on that particular issue, municipal or local authorities, as well as people from the neighborhood. This method encourages participation, producing interchange within mixed committees. These committees are organized around issues that have been prioritized. The committees present their conclusions, then during a final plenary session agreements are made that will give continuity to the proposals.

2. Objectives:

- Advance in a process of placement and rootedness.

- Facilitate communication and establish links between grassroots organizations who share a direction of rebuilding the social fabric.

- create a horizontal relationship between neighbors and authorities, this allows progress towards a real democracy where participation is equivalent with taking decisions.

3. Who does it reach?

Everyone who participates in their environment with a dynamic attitude, the members of the various organizations, and those who can be reached through the local means of communication.

 

4. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication:

a) Advantages:

- Creates links between people and fosters participation.

- Permits continuity in activities by generating mixed committees around issues (organizations, government, and specialists). The function of these committees is to work to implement the agreements reached at the gathering.

- It increases the neighbors' self-esteem because it makes relationships more horizontal, and it focuses attention on the common work rather than on "personalities."

- The costs of implementation are low.

b) Disadvantages:

- If the committee that is responsible for following up on the agreements does not work, the form becomes weakened.

- It requires a high level of organization and previous work in each geographical area.

5. Implementation:

a) What to do, in chronological order:

- Create environments for the gathering of the various social organizations within a given area of rooting.

- Create coordinating bodies for the social organizations.

- Give priority to a given social conflict.

- Plan the open gathering, and involve social leaders, specialists, and the authorities. Establish the different stages, a calendar, functions, and the methodology for the event.

- Produce two basic documents -- which have been discussed previously in the coordinating body (made up with representatives of the participating organizations) and in the other official ambits. The first document is produced based upon the needs and the proposals of the community. The second is a synthesis produced by the official ambits with their assessment of the issue and of the resources that they have assigned to respond to the conflict being dealt with in the open gathering.

- Create an executive body that will take responsibility for the complete implementation.

- Design and distribute invitations to the leaders, civic authorities, and specialists.

- Obtain the infrastructure (place, sound equipment, background scenery, etc.).

- Advertise through the local and mass media.

- Arrange the ambit for the gathering, register the participants, and deliver the folders with the prepared documents.

 

b) Necessary equipment:

- Invitations, documents, sound equipment, a place with different environments, background scenery, and a closing banquet.

c) Useful information:

- Each mixed work group should have a coordinator with the role of focusing the discussion, ensure that everyone participates, and take the minutes of the meetings.

- It is suggested that the invitation includes information on how long the gathering will last.