#87: Soft Start – Ideas for Engaging Participants Before Your Program Begins

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Ideas and Resources Shared in the Episode

Unofficial Start, from Serious FUN: Your Step-by-Step Guide To Leading Remarkable Fun Programs That Make a Difference by Mark Collard – "I build into all of my programs activities for people to do before the program is scheduled to start...arrival activities...gently inviting people into the space..." 

Threshold Moments described in The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker.

Adventure Slips – Read all about them and get your FREE printable copy of the slips at FUNdoing. 

Table of Torture is described by Sam Sikes in his book, Raptor: And Other Team Building Activities. Sam tells us, "A variety of teaching methods is one of the keys to learning. [A] table with puzzles and small games [is] a good way for people to take a break from the main training focus and still work on a number of skills such as seeing situations in a new way. For people who tend to be more analytical or shy, the puzzles offer a good way to socialize one on one while working on the puzzles."

Name Tags – Be creative with name tags. For example, put questions on the back of for participants to ask each other. Check out Chad Littlefield's new WE! Connection Sticker Name Tags (a video of Chad showing you how they work).

Conversation Starter Buttons and Quotables by Jennifer Stanchfield. 

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Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - Riki Resources Mentioned in the Episode​