Inclusion is the intention of the diversity welcome. It can be long or short. The more parts or aspects of what is present are named, the more the participants are likely to feel welcome in their diversity. It is a ritual, so don't be bothered by the repetitive phrasing. Take your time with it!

To read more: Training for Change

A check-in is a type of meeting ritual that sets the scene. It establishes that the meeting has started and helps orientate people in the group. Check-in drives both self and collective awareness. Knowing where everyone’s mind is at, drives clarity. Checking-in shouldn’t take too long.  As a rule of thumb, aim for five minutes tops for a meeting with 8 to 10 participants.

Thanks to Geitsj a Dutch goat page for this fun survey. 

To read more on checking in: Check in and Check Out Questions

Having the vocabulary on what we are feeling at a given moment is crucial for our emotional quotient. You can download the  Human Systems Emotion Wheels Needs Wheel to help your participants articulate their emotions. 

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Why I love using these emotion wheels is because it helps articulate the intensity and gradience of emotions. 

Engaging your participants through doodling can be a fun and thought-provoking experience. I use PICCLES as a virtual engagement tool to ask participants a prompt such as  

"What was the most precious gift that you received for 2021?" 

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Click on the link to draw and join the fun!

This is a very interesting prompt to ask to get to know each other better. 

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"What would your occupation be if you had followed your childhood dreams?" 

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You can have a round of sharing, and also deepen it with a question of "What got in the way of you following your childhood dreams?"

This is a short variation of the Mad Tea Liberating Structure. You can read more about the Mad Tea (Chat) online at Learning Moments. 

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For this shortened variation, ask the participants to write 2 truths and a lie statements. Let them write their answers in the chat BUT not to press enter. Once the facilitator says "GO" then everyone presses enter. 

Provide some time sharing  the statements in a big group or in small groups. Letting people guess what the truth or lie statements are.

Prepare a series of questions that reflect the diversity of the group. Questions like- "Leave your camera open if... you have worked abroad; ate an exotic animal; grew up with more than 5 people at home." 

Ask the participants to cover their camera if the description DOES NOT apply to them.

Acknowledging the Future is as simple as saying a short statement at the start of meetings or events to recognise future generations and those who have yet to be born. It borrows from Australia’s Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country, where the country’s colonial past is recognised and respects are paid to the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land, the Aboriginal peoples.

To read more: Long Term Tools

A mihi (or mihimihi) is an introduction which can take place at the beginning of a gathering or meeting. It is used to establish links with other people present and let people know who you are, and where you come from.  Mihimihi offer a good opportunity for people to connect with each other, by sharing their whakapapa (genealogy)

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A simple way of doing a mihimihi is to share:

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The mountain I affiliate with is...

The river I affiliate with is...

The people I am part of...

The tribe I am part of is...

I am from...

My ancestors are (naming grandparents, parents and to some to as far back as you can name)

My name is...

A moment of silence is a great way to start or end a deep session. You can use a sound bowl or a chime and ask the participants to just listen and sit in silence as the sound reverberates. Once the sound is done, they can leave the online room/space. 

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You can also choose a meditative music to play such as this "OM CHAKRA" from Wakes- Ada and Nathan

This check out prompt offers another layer to the usual "what is it that you are taking away from this session?" It was introduced by circle way facilitator, Melinda Varfi in one of the community circles. 

As a check-oput, as each person to share their biggest take away from the session and to think of a wish they would like for themselves that they then pass on to someone else, until it completes the circle.  For example:

"My biggest take away from this session is to trust my instincts. My wish for you Carla is that you would claim your space and share your voice." 

Then Carla takes her turn and passes it on. Until the last person shares and passes the wish to the person who started the check out.

This is a great way to capture the moment with your community.

Do a screen shot of the group but before asking them to pose, give a prompt that they can act out.

For example: "eating a lemon"  or "meeting your favorite artist in person". 

Let them act it out, freeze and take the shot!

Another way to start the check-ins with a team or group is by using interactive platforms like Miro, Mural or Jamboard. 

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You can download this energy bar image and use it for your Jamboard check-in exercise. 

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The "One-word" check-out image can also be used for wrapping up the session and also harvesting their words in one graphic. Please note that you might want to use more slides when you have more participants.

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Use the Praise Jars image for your Jamboard check out exercise. 

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In the image there are 3 different praise jars:

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About yourself- praise that participants of the session give to themselves (can be based on insights, participation, and or presence)

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About the session- praise that participants can share about what they got from the activities, the presentation or the circle experience.

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About the facilitator- praise that the participants give to the person who held the circle, hosted the gathering or facilitated the session.

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At the start of a session, you can take a pulse check on where people are at on a given topic, skill or idea that you are presenting. 

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You can use the Four Corners as a Jamboard exercise to make visible where people are at.

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I have a Blank Four Corners image and also a Filled in Four Corners image  that you can use in assessing how much people know about a certain topic or theme.