The Critical Archives Reading Group has a rotating chair. Below is a broad agenda and some tips for the chair:
- Chairs are expected to nominate the reading for the session and be familiar with it. If you are stuck for ideas, you can pick one from the Suggestions tag in the Zotero list.
- Introduce yourself and any new participants – say hi to people as they join the meeting.
- Give an Acknowledgement of Country.
- Introduce the group and its purpose for new participants. For example, from the About page: "The Critical Archives Reading Group is a group of memory workers interested in the nexus between academic and practitioner work in archives, and how they influence each other (or could influence each other). We take turns to select readings and facilitate meetings on a voluntary basis".
- Mention that the meeting is covered by a Code of Conduct and encourage participants to be familiar with it. Highlight a key element of the Code of Conduct (eg, "We pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community") for new participants.
- Spend about 5 minutes to discuss upcoming readings and allocating chairs. Remind participants they can also make suggestions via the Zotero list at any time.
- Discuss the reading - Prepare a few questions or prompts for the group. If you like, you can start by giving a summary of the reading. Usually discussion just takes off organically.
- Wrap up and end the meeting on time.
General tips:
- Learn the art of the pause - for the sake of pinning a numerical value to the “ideal pause,” one to two seconds hits a sweet spot.
- Practice the “tennis match rule”, in which you make sure you keep returning the “tennis ball” of conversation back to the other person regularly.
- Tone is important - Think about a conversation you’ve had recently when you’ve been engaged or compelled to share important information. Absorb the moment and think of yourself in this situation when you talk to participants.
- See also Tips for Accessible Online Meetings.