1. Communicate your needs to the facilitator. The facilitator is responsible for guiding the conversation, summarizing key ideas, and soliciting clarification of unclear points, but if you are confused, raise your hand. Chances are that you are not alone when you don't understand what someone has said.

2. Help keep the discussion on track. Make sure your remarks are relevant; if necessary, explain how your points are related to the discussion. Try to make your points while they are pertinent.

3. Listen carefully to others. Make sure you are giving everyone the chance to speak. Keeping a pen handy to jot down your thoughts may help you listen more attentively since you will not be concerned about losing the point you want to make.

4. Speak your mind freely, but don't monopolize the discussion. If you tend to talk a lot in groups, leave room for quieter people. Be aware that some people may want to speak but are intimidated by more assertive people.

5. Engage in friendly disagreement. Differences can invigorate the group, especially when it is relatively homogeneous on the surface. Don't hesitate to challenge ideas you disagree with. Don't be afraid to play devil's advocate, but don't go overboard. If the discussion becomes heated, ask yourself and others whether reason or emotion is running the show. Aim your criticisms at statements and view points rather than persons and their character. For example, if you think a statement has racist implications, focus on the statement and explain why you think it is problematical instead of attacking the person or labeling them a racist.

6. Maintain an open mind. Your understanding is not furthered by stubbornly sticking to your early statements. Feel free to explore ideas that you have rejected or failed to consider in the past.

7. Most importantly: Strive to understand the position of those who disagree with you. Your own knowledge is not complete until you understand other participants' points of view and why they feel the way they do. It is important to respect people who disagree with you. They have reasons for their beliefs which are usually not dumb or unreasonable. You should be able to make a good case for positions you disagree with.

Four Rules for Participants
1. When you have a comment, signal the facilitator by raising your hand, and you will be taken in turn.
2. Only one person talks at a time.
3. Address yourself to the whole group or to the person in the group whose point you are discussing, instead of talking only to the facilitator.
4. Be aware of time. Don’t try to take more than a couple of minutes when it’s your turn.

Ok, I understand what I should do, but how is the meeting run?