The Communication-Skills Assembly Program (v 4.13)
What's it about? What's it about?
The Communication-Skills Assembly Program is a six-session, three-hours per session, experiential, discovery-learning educational process for 8th - 12th grade
students. Very few students communicate openly, honestly, and spontaneously with adults.
Most students hide thoughts (especially
perpetrations) from their parents. Some students, like myself, never
communicated with anyone during K-12 ("talk" yes, "in-communication
with" no). Also, very few teachers have been taught how to communicate at the level of skill,
specifically so that all students do the homework and pass.* Many teachers sincerely believe it
can't be done. The same communication skills, the same communication model, that effects
open and honest communications with one's parents, friends, and teachers, also works for
teachers when it comes to communicating homework, subject matter—and
desired salaries. Kerrith H. (Kerry) King The assembly program is about accelerating the communication mastery process. It's a
highly participatory, fast moving, entertaining educational process. We begin by looking to see exactly what conditions must be present in order to create space for
communication to take place. We draw attention to the difference between communicating and
talking and we notice the effects, the results of each. We have lots of conversations that
produce observable measurable differences. The correlation between
personal integrity and outcomes is made clear. The content of each session is generated from the students and faculty who
participate equally together. The assembly also gives everyone a direct experience of what
it would be like to tell the truth all the time. Students and teachers alike will begin to
notice that homework always gets done when it's "communicated" and many times
doesn't, to a desired standard, when it's "assigned." * Evidenced by the fact that for the last
four decades 25% of the
nation's college freshman require remedial composition and comprehension
courses to communicate what their K-12 "teachers" failed to teach. [ top ] Who may attend the Assembly Program? The program is presented to junior and/or senior high school students
and their faculty and
staff. The principal must attend. School board members are strongly encouraged to participate as are the
administrative staff and custodians. Participants agree to attend all sessions. Optional by majority vote: Parents may be invited to attend the last session. Parents
are enrolled to serve as volunteers to handle phones, security, etc. while teachers and staff are in the assembly auditorium. [ top ] The Purpose: The purpose of the Communication-Skills Assembly Program is to experience an expanded
ability to create mutually satisfying communications.
The purpose, unlike a goal or an objective, continually expands and is directly experienced
beginning with session one. Put another way; one's experience of communication is transformed
not just changed.
[ top ] Our Promise: Our promise is that the majority of participants will report that they are communicating
"better" or more effectively with one or more people.
A significant percentage will report that they hugged their parents for the first time
in a long time or, that they told their parents they loved them. Teachers will report that more students are doing their homework and doing it neatly. The majority of participants will report they have a new, more precise, language with
which to get to the truth. All participants will acknowledge a transformed ground-of-being regards agreements; both
teachers and students will report that more people are creating and keeping more agreements. Teachers will notice a significant shift in student responsibility. This will be evidenced
by less excuses, reasons, and lies, for why things don't get done or not turned in on time. Teens will report that dating conversations are easier and more
truthful. [ top ] We predict that there will be a significant decrease in teen pregnancies and an actual
improvement of long-term sharing of financial responsibilities for those students that do
have a child. We also predict that the records will show fewer absences allegedly related to health.
That is to say, the Assembly Program introduces participants to an Acknowledgment Process.
The process may be used anytime to free a troubled "stuck" student's mind of
lies, deceits, perpetrations and withholds. The premise being that students misbehave,
fail and sometimes get sick to draw attention to something for which they need to be
acknowledged. Participants will report that they have a common ground-of-being from which to relate
with fellow Assembly Program participants. This allows one to cut through the stuff
that usually clouds an issue; it supports getting to the truth, the source of, and
disappearing a problem. The program is non sectarian and does not endorse or promote any
philosophies or lifestyles. The communication model used throughout the program is
consistent with, and can be readily applied towards, the ideals and beliefs of all
religious practices. Swearing is not condoned. The Assembly Program supports open, honest
and spontaneous mutually satisfying communications—zero significant thoughts
withheld. If at any time during any session the principal wishes to terminate the session/program
he/she merely walks down a side isle. The remainder of the program will be politely
transferred to the principal, without comment, as though it were meant to
be. [ top ] Program Evaluation:
Near the end of the first three-hour session we hand out a Completion Form. The primary
purpose of the form is to elicit thoughts and feelings about the experience.
We ask
if the participant would like us to come back for the remaining sessions. A school staff member does the tallying. If
90% vote "Yes" we then have an agreement to complete the program, the remaining
five sessions, one a month for five-months in a row. A total of six sessions. Near the end of session-six we hand out another Completion Form. It includes a question
asking if the participant recommends the program to other schools. Participants are not required to stand and share however many do. No one
is called upon however there is an implied agreement that teachers will
willingly participate verbally. Participants may post messages to the
facilitator on the private Assembly Program Forum, and be assured of a written acknowledgment. [ top ] Fees:
There are no fees, the entire
program is free. There are no sales pitches for other courses. Outer-island/mainland schools must pay to cover
the facilitator's transportation to and from the Big Isle and lodging expenses.
[ top ] Brochures: There are no flyers or brochures about the program nor are there any handouts or
outlines for the sessions. It is a series of conversations. We don't know what specific
aspects of communication we will be covering until we know the collective concerns of school
body. The content is merely the vehicle used to bring clarity to
words such as communication, model, communication model, responsibility, cause, effect,
agreement, integrity, out-integrity, withhold, abuse (verbal and nonverbal), talking,
incomplete, completion,
context, results, intention, space, truth, lie, experience, concepts, power, control,
victim, point of view and many other words. These are words that one will hear being used
frequently and with accuracy by participants throughout and after the six sessions.* The
underlying theme is communication theory and strategies. Much of what gets communicated is
an introduction to responsibility, ethics, and integrity, as they apply to communication. *
For
example: Whereas before the program if one asked any member of the
school the definition of the word responsibility one would get as many
different answers as there are school body members; after the six-session program, one will get
the essence of the same definition, and an
example, from everyone.
[ top ] Facility:
The sessions are conducted with movable chairs set up auditorium style with a center
and side aisles. The
following is desired and optional: The facilitator is best viewed on a raised platform.
The stage is set up, when possible, with two 4' x 8' white boards and a chair/stool and
small end-table. For student bodies with more than 50 we use a sound system.
Unless the school has one we will use our own WiFi microphone. We will
use a minium of three standing floor-microphones for participants who have questions or wish
to share. The Communication Skills Assembly Program is best delivered in a facility that allows
for chairs to be moved so that students can turn their chairs around to face each other
during one-to-one or paired sharing communication skills exercises. Fixed auditorium seating can be made to
work by having participants pair off with the person next to them. [ top ] Agreements: At the beginning of session #1 we co-create the participation rules and agreements. We
guide participants to make an agreement to the effect that if they hear anything that in anyway feels,
sounds or looks like it is an abusive, offensive or inappropriate communication, to
immediately raise their hand and wave it. This stops the conversation and we put in
correction. In this way a student, teacher or principal may voice his/her considerations
and alter the direction/outcome of any conversation. Another agreement we support is having each participant grant the other participants
permission to experience upset, anger, grief, confusion, uncomfortableness, uncertainty,
happiness, love, wanting to quit, rage, sadness or joy. We demonstrate, at the beginning,
how to be when another participant is experiencing emotions. In short the sessions are a
safe space for one to experience the entire range of human emotions. Bathroom break midway—or,
anytime when someone waves their hand [ top ] Note to Assembly Program Coordinator: You may print this page and use it to present the program
to your committee. We do not provide brochures, outlines, or references. Once you have approval from your committee/supervisor
you may then request a one page Application Form via
email.
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