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Brainstorming 

Click here to access the Brainstorm Virtual Idea Board  

Brainstorming generates innovative ideas! It is a problem solving technique used to encourage participants to create and think of new createive ideas.

To begin, one person (preferably an outsider) should serve as a facilitator or group leader, and one person (could be the facilitator) should serve as the recorder. The facilitator has the important job of keeping the group on track, focusing on the problem at hand. The facilitator needs to make sure that all participants are clear about the topic being explored. Brainstorming is a process where quantity of ideas counts rather than quality and everyone in the group should be allowed to contribute. It is the facilitator's job to encourage everyone to participate and to not allow anyone to dominate the discussion. Participants should be encouraged to suggest solutions or to suggest ideas that will stimulate others to suggest solutions.

Fo your session to be successful, create some rules to guide your discussion. Use those listed below and please modify them to fit your situation.

  1. The facilitator is in control.
  2. There is no wrong answer.
  3. Do not pass judgement on any of the ideas brought forward. No one should be critical.
  4. Encourage wild and crazy ideas.
  5. Everyone should have the opportunity to contribute.
  6. Build on the ideas brought forward by others.

Arrange the members of the group to be seated in a circle to make everyone feel equal. You will need flip charts or a white board to record participants' responses. The recorder should use thick, colored markers to record ideas - everyone should be able to see the recorded responses. Provide each member with a notepad to jot down their ideas before they are forgotten. A brainstorming session could last from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Once you have finished brainstorming, evaluate the responses - look for themes, group like concepts together, and discard responses that unquestionably do not fit in.

To brainstorm solutions to create a mission statement, brainstorm ideas to answer the following 4 questions.
  1. Who are the people or stakeholders your organization serves?
  2. Why does your organization exist?
  3. How does your organization intend to operate?
  4. What values drive your organization?


Click here to access the Brainstorm Virtual Idea Board

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