Should we pre-screen questions for high profile speakers / contraversial topics
Hi everyone,
For the Tom Dart presentation, I'd like to start screening questions. I've noticed that anytime we get a controversial topic or high profile speaker the odds of getting commentary/bad questions go up. We're also getting to the point where we don't have time for every question and I'd like to do a better job of trying to surface the really interesting ones.
The simplest way to do this would be to have people ask questions in the google doc. Alternatively, I can collect questions towards the end of the presentation and select questions at random. (Either calling on the person or just reading them out.)
What would we think of this?
Joel Inwood Thu 4 Aug 2016 9:11PM
What if we did half pre-screened (first) and then half spontaneous, randomly selecting who gets to do both. Also, it works nicely when folks with questions have to line up somewhere. They could get in line as soon as they think up their question. Just a thought.
Joel Inwood Thu 4 Aug 2016 9:11PM
P.S. time limit! Put a clock up on the screen or something. Say it in 30 seconds or less.
Ben Cooper Thu 4 Aug 2016 9:52PM
What if we just did a basic google form for questions? It might look a bit awkward on video but it's a common tactic at universities when high profile speakers come in and you don't want to wade through a huge crowd to hand the questioner a microphone. If I remember correctly, Google Slides has this feature built in.
Emily Zvolanek Thu 4 Aug 2016 10:29PM
Speakers don't need to be soft-balled questions, but an invited speaker also shouldn't have to deal with off-topic questions a person asks to push their own agenda. I support Christopher and/or Derek screening the questions for next week. I like the idea of passing around a fish bowl: no technology required. I also like Joel's idea about standing in line, but I worry that would intimidate some people. if someone already feels uncomfortable asking a question in the room, making them get up and stand in line would most likely hinder that even more. Finally, Christopher made a great point about Q&A getting a little long. I think the County website presentation went past 7:30.
Ben Wilhelm Fri 5 Aug 2016 2:00PM
I support the idea of a fishbowl or google doc; some way to make sure that questions can be asked in response to what the speaker has just said. I would also suggest that when we DO have inappropriate/off-topic/rambling questions, that Christopher or whoever is moderating can politely but firmly address that in the moment, with a clear explanation (again, politely) of why that's not appropriate right now, and reminding the asker that he or she can speak to the presenter privately afterward. Over time, this gives the room a clear picture of what is and is not appropriate for the Q and A.
Steve Ediger (ChiCommons) Sat 6 Aug 2016 4:31PM
The idea of a presenter and Q&A period has always bothered me. I prefer an interactive dialogue between professionals, which means an exchange. With perhaps one or two exceptions, I have not noticed a tendency in CHN to go off-topic or press a specific agenda. Granted, this would tend to extend the presentation time and we do need to consider the ramifications (perhaps we could do this once a month for specific presenters). I do like Ben's suggestion of a fishbowl (a limited number, 3-4 people, exchanging with the speaker at first and then they can step down allowing several others to exchange dialogue with the speaker and each other.
Poll Created Wed 10 Aug 2016 1:50AM
Have moderated Q & A with a 30 second time limit Closed Sat 13 Aug 2016 1:02AM
From now on, Christopher or Co-Host would run Q & A instead of the speaker. Christopher will state at the start of Q&A to keep questions to 30 seconds. Christopher will then warn the questioner at 20 seconds. Christopher/co-host will also take questions from the Google Doc/Twitter/Slack. Moderator reserves the right to re-word questions to make them more succinct. Moderator also reserves the right to call on different people to preserve balance of questioners. (Dudes/Not Dudes)
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Agree | 90.0% | 9 |
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| Abstain | 10.0% | 1 |
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| Disagree | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 35 |
|
10 of 45 people have participated (22%)
Eric Sherman
Wed 10 Aug 2016 2:29AM
Google Doc/Twitter/Slack before and after presentations is valuable, not seeing the need for ongoing censorship beyond what happens naturally.
Steven Vance
Wed 10 Aug 2016 4:14AM
I think we should have been doing this for a while. Since you proposed it, I've thought of many other meetings/gatherings/conferences, and rarely does the speaker do this job of calling on questioners.
Steven Vance · Thu 4 Aug 2016 9:07PM
This sounds like it will stifle spontaneity and it sounds like censorship. I don't think CHN people who use Loomio should position themselves to judge others' comments.
Logistically, not everyone has a laptop and not everyone who has a laptop cares to edit the Google Doc.