But You're Wrong...Navigating Disagreements
Current students want to know that their school is addressing social justice topics. Which means all of us are doing our best to provide programming that - addresses and acknowledges social justice issues, give students skills that will allow them to coexist and be in community with each other (without simply trying to seem like the smartest, most socially just person in the room), and that gives them a shot to actually connect with each other across difference. College is often the most diverse space incoming student have lived. This session is designed to provide tools for navigating the diversity of identities and ideologies and the inevitable disagreements that arise from them.
What is this session about?
But You’re Wrong is a session all about the ways we view each other when we’re in conflict, particularly when that conflict is about political, social justice, or hot button issues.
What are the stories that form about the people we disagree with? How do we act when we think we’re right and they’re wrong? And what strategies can help us navigate those conflict in a healthy way?
What is the session really about?
Helping students understand their capacity for empathy (even in the face of strong disagreement)
Building an understanding that disagreements can be discussed (not just debated)
Understanding how our needs motivate behavior and play into disagreement (via Glasser’s Choice Theory)
Strategies for good-faith disagreement (including ones for when we’re emotionally exhausted)
The ultimate goal is for anyone who attends the session to not only have more perspective on others but to walk away with specific strategies they can implement when navigate challenging disagreements.
Who should come to this event?
Administrators and student affairs professionals. If those titles don’t fit you but you supervise students and student leaders or organize professional development within your school or community, we want you to come and experience But You’re Wrong first hand!
This session was originally designed for a first-year orientation session for 600+ students. It works for groups as small as 6 and as large as the room (or Zoom!) will hold.
By attending the workshop you’ll get to experience the workshop, know exactly what we’d be offering, and find out if it is a good fit for your students and community.
I’m not in student affairs but this sounds cool can I come?
Yes! If you are looking for professional development sessions for your leadership, managers, teachers, or community, this could be a great fit.
Is this a lecture? How interactive is the session?
This session is not a lecture. It’s a highly interactive workshop that involves a ton of different invitations for participation. We’ll start off with some live-polling, do some self-assessment, moving into breakout room discussions, debriefs, and self-reflection exercises. It moves quickly enough that everyone stays active the whole time but not so quickly that we lose people along the way.
Who is leading this thing?
But You’re Wrong is led by Meg Bolger a long-time social justice educator and facilitator. Meg has over 10+ years of social justice facilitation experience. She helped start The Safe Zone Project and Social Justice Toolbox, as well as being the co-author of Unlocking the Magic of Facilitation and the CEO of Facilitator Cards.
This session is Meg’s Magnum Opus, an urgently important distillation of perspectives and strategies that everyone can use to have breakthrough conversations and helps us humanize people—no matter how deep the divide may seem.
FAQs
Can I invite a bunch of people from my organization?
Absolutely!
If I can’t come...are you offering this again?
Yes, click here to add your name to the interest form for the next session.
Is the session recorded?
Yes, and it will be shared all those who register for the event (or who add their name to the interest form), it will not be publicly listed.
