U-Connect Conducting the Program A Guide to Facilitators, Speakers, Presenters

What is Uconnect  An effort to connect with universities, colleges, training institutions  Long term engagement  Sustainable model  Commitment from the institutions  Meditation Hall, Library, Time Table, OOP expenses  We offer  Curriculum, Content, Faculty, Training and Support

Roles  Facilitators  Continuity & Connecting link between sessions  Master of Ceremonies  Lecturer at times and Conduct workshops at times  Takes charge, Assigns someone to record (write) the proceedings  Speakers / Presenters  Specific Subject  May use PPT  Styles are different  Submit the ppt or outline in advance  Support  IT, Prefect, Admin  Area Coordinator

Communication  Acknowledge  Respond  Timeliness  Phone calls, s, SMS – Use SMS for calling back  Use all modes effectively – Check s twice a day  Body language  Open, listening and engaged  Smile often and be natural

A letter from Omegite  First year students are more or less like a plain sheets of paper. They accept things first and then slowly judge in most of the cases. They are more enthusiastic. They expect instant results. Very impatient beings…They are very fearful. Mainly because of ragging stories.  Students are more towards science..! And it has left such solid impressions on them that most of them claim to be an atheist..!! Therefore talks should not lead to be God oriented or godly something!!.  Topics like Sex and Love, consciousness, mind, meditation appeals to them most, rather than spirituality or religion. So it would great if we go from self development aspect rather than mystic or saintly approach.  Personal interaction in the class makes students attentive and listen. Interactive sessions should be preferred over plain lecturing. The initial sets of sessions should be very appealing.  The Gist of the story is.."things should be practical enough”. They need to get an Idea for " Why Spirituality..??", an answer they need terribly.

The Approach  Open minded  Secular  Culture of Spirituality  Unifying aspects of variety - diverse yoga, religions, cultures etc  Self Development with Spirituality ( Inner Dimension)  Less Academic and Intellectual or argumentative  Importance of practice and personal experience  Sahaj Marg as one of the systems – Voluntary  Help that want to help themselves

Emphasis  Unifying aspects of religions and spiritual systems  Stronger Self is the Inner Self  Self and the Society  Balanced Existence with a Goal of Aspiration  Will not make empty promises of stress reduction, concentration etc  Sincere practice will yield tangible results of moderation of tendencies  Will not talk much on Master and the Mission  Sahaj Marg as one of the systems – Voluntary

In Session  Pay attention to short attention span  Deliver in a rhythm & Repeat the rhythm  Stories, Homor, Cartoons, Images  Educate, Inspiring Quotes, Theorize,  Prod, Key Questions, Interact  Watch a short Video  Group Activity – In class practicals, Discussions, Presentations  Practice before delivering  Adapt the presentation tools to your style  Manage the miscreants precisely.  Don’t let them hijack the program  Involve them, Talk to class coordinators separately, Be tactful

Practical Sessions  We emphasize personal experience  Practicing 10 minutes of quiet time daily  Same place, same time  Meditate on an idea, ideal  Meditate using a system  Meditate after receiving transmission

When to introduce SM?  Find out early how many will be inclined to practice meditation.  In a longer program of 10 – 15 weeks  5 th to 10 th session  In a shorter duration session start early.. Depending on the size and interest

How to Prepare  Dress nicely and neatly  Study the PPT, Read the supplementary materials  Watch the Video if you like  Practice to suit your own style of delivery  Prepare your own ppt if possible or get it done with the help of facilitator or coordinator or uconnect  Submit the materials to the facilitator in advance to prepare the class room arrangements  Submit to Uconnect for review and addition to the library of content

Sustaining (For CIC)  Introductions with care… take time to give sittings  5 minutes minutes + 5 minutes  Spread out and avoid assembly lines  Develop a rapport with the new abhyasis – tea and ice cream  Support on campus  Visit weekly  Integrate over 2 years

Short Video 5 tips to deliver a great presentation