Tips for Participating

How to Be an Effective Participant in a Breakout Session  

When you attend a breakout session, keep in mind the session leader's goal(s). Please support the session’s purpose, contribute meaningfully, and help make the most of 45 minutes for yourself, for the leader/convener, and other participants.

1. Contribute, Don’t Compete  

   • Breakout sessions are collaborative spaces, not debates or soapboxes. Help create an environment where ideas flow, leaders feel supported, and everyone leaves with clarity, connection, or action steps.  

2. Help Serve the Stated Purpose  

   • Listen carefully to the breakout session leader’s goal.  

   • Stay on-topic—help the leader complete their thinking and presentation.  

   • If you have ideas or a different agenda, offer them as additions—not distractions. Or, create your own breakout session!

3. Help Keep the Session Focused  

   • Be an active listener—make sure the leader and other attendees feel heard.  

   • Watch for hijacking. If someone derails the discussion, kindly redirect:
     “That’s important! But let’s make sure we cover the leader’s main points first.”  

4. Respect the Leader’s Facilitation Style / Approach

   • Some sessions may be discussion-heavy, others action-focused.  

5. Remember the Law of Two Feet  

   • If a session isn’t what you expected or you’re not contributing, you are free to leave. Find a session that better fits your interests—this is a self-organizing space!  

6. Take Responsibility for Your Own Learning  

   • Take your own notes—don’t assume detailed notes will be shared later.  

   • Ask for relevant links or materials if not provided.  

7. Plan Your Own Followup!

   • The session leader may or may not need or want to followup with every participant in the breakout session. Get the contact information you need if you would like to followup with any participant in the group!