The Joining Game https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2277227722 Pwd 27

The short explanation;

Let's join on what we have in common and play to integrate our differences.

The long explanation;

The Joining Game structure is a 90 min call with a 10 min pre-call (total 100 min). The pre-call is for negotiating who is the gamemaster for that call and if the call will be recorded and if recorded where it will be posted. (So you can let us know your decision about the recording and posting the day of the call)

11:50-11:55 Gamemaster and recording are negotiated 11:55-12:00 Open space buffer 12:00 Game Starts

The gamemaster leads the call and holds the space. My goal when participating is to follow the gamemaster of the day to the best of my ability. The role is customarily offered to the person with the least familiarity with the structure of the game. If a disagreement arises about who will gamemaster that day, any individuals with a desire to gamemaster the call negotiate among themselves by suggesting a criteria for why they want to be the gamemaster until an agreement is made.

A sub gamemaster and a sub-sub gamemaster may step forward as well if the gamemaster or sub-gamemaster step into a player role. When process questions arise I intend to follow the lead first of;

1. The gamemaster
2. The sub-gamemaster
3. The sub-sub-gamemaster

in that order.

Only one person inhabits the gamemaster role at any given time. The subs only take on a gamemaster role when the others are players. Participants rename themselves in Zoom to indicate explicitly what role they are in.

The gamemaster is free to lead the call however they wish. Gamemasters have tended to follow a uniform structure, but it is possible and acceptable within my understanding of the overall structure that the gamemaster of the day may invite the players in a completely different and new direction completely.

The customary structure is as follows;

Segments; 1. Centering 2. Eye contact 3. News and distractions 4. Conflicts and exclusions 5. Topic suggestions 6. Play (This is the main section, starts about 10 min into the call and lasts for the majority of the call) 7. Silent Subgroup (15-30min before the end, gamemaster's discrection) 8. Surprises and learnings and/or Forcefileds (5-10min) 9. Gamemaster debrief (5 min segment after the call, closed to players.)

Play

During the Play segment players join on what we have in common and play to integrate our differences. Anyone may begin by taking the floor and speaking to the group. When they are done they invite anyone to reflect and join. When the person who spoke is satisfied they have been reflected, the person who reflected checks in with themselves. If they want to bring in a similarity they speak to the whole group. If they want to bring in a difference they first ask the group if it's ready to hear a difference. If the group is ready the speaker can talk about anything. If the group is not ready, the speaker passes the floor back to the group for anyone who wants to bring in a similarity.

Note on exclusion and muting;

Generally, exclusion from the game is voluntary - in the exclusion segment anyone may invite anyone else to exclude themselves. But the gamemaster of the day is empowered to exclude or silence players by force using the digital controls of Zoom at their discretion.

Participation in the game is open to anyone.