Applying F.A.I.R.

Now that the participants have finished their Methodology based sessions and explored the queries posed to them, the last step of the formal program is to help participants apply what they have learnt to an issue or topic of their own interest. 

Applying F.A.I.R. is crucial to help participants utilise the F.A.I.R. thought process and apply it to situations in their everyday lives, whether that is political, commercial, personal or professional.

To facilitate this, there should be an introduction call for this where participants are informed of the format and structure of how they would apply F.A.I.R., and a showcase session where participants would present.  

Therefore, the sessions that you would conduct are as follows:

  1. Introduction: This would include explaining the structure of the session and encouraging participants to begin preparations. 
  2. Showcase: This would include participants pre-recording a 12-minute individual talk on an issue or topic they are passionate about and showcasing it on a public platform such as YouTube. 

Session Structure

The Applying F.A.I.R. session is geared towards providing participants the opportunity to showcase their thoughts publicly. 

This session would require advance preparation from the team since participants will have record and submit a 12-minute pre-recorded video where they are speaking on an issue or topic that they are most passionate about. Once these talks have been submitted, you should produce and check the videos to ensure that there are no glitches. 

Once the videos have been checked and produced, they should be showcased on a public platform such as YouTube and should be publicised for everyone at large to view. 

The sessions for this could be structured as follows:

PartTime AllocatedObjective
Part 1: Introduction Call60 minutesThis would include explaining participants the requirements for the individual 12-minute video they would have to prepare.  
Part 2: ShowcaseSubject to number of participants.This includes showcasing each video publicly.  

Steps to help facilitate this are provided below:

1. Emails:

To help provide context on what participants need to do for the Showcase, an email with the ironed-out requirements should be sent to all participants. Here is a template for the same.

2. Video production:

Since these videos would be uploaded on YouTube, you should set aside enough time between the video submission and video production. The video production need not be elaborate and can only include an intro and an outro which would be provided to you by The F.A.I.R. Project Team. An example of this provided on the playlist link provided below: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8OcaF8bt3nkTnICcg-0JwnIiytabwHX

3. Video title and description:

Each showcase video should have a title and description. While you would only know the title once the video has been submitted to you, the description could include the 100-word bio that participants submit during the onboarding process.

4. Fixing showcase dates and times:

Depending on the number of participants, the Showcase could take place over 1 or 2 days to space out the talks and retain attention. For instance, in case there are 32 participants, then the videos could be showcased over two days with 16 participants on one day and 16 on the other day.

5. Uploading videos on YouTube:

Videos should be uploaded to a playlist and should be scheduled 15 minutes apart. The videos should also be set to “premier” on YouTube so that the countdown can take place. 

6. Setting up a viewing party:

A group call should be set up when the videos are being showcased so all participants can view the videos together and encourage each other. At this time, participants should also be asked to post comments and like the videos. 

7. Social media post:

Since these videos will be available for mass viewing, social media posts with the dates, times and the playlist link to the showcase, should be uploaded on social media. 

Introduction Session

Introduction would include highlighting the aims and objectives of this step. It would also involve explaining the format of the showcase video. 

Talking points for introduction:

1. Applying F.A.I.R.:

Now that all of you have spent time understanding the Methodology and answering queries that we have posed to you, it is time for you to apply this to any issue or topic of your interest, even if it is outside of the purview of our themes. 

2. Format of talk:

The talk will be 12-minutes long and should be submitted to us in advance. Once you have done so, we will do our production on it and then upload it to YouTube which will thereafter be available for everyone to view. 

3. Invitation:

Feel free to invite all your friends, families, colleagues, teachers or anyone you would want to view this talk and we will do the same. The idea is to have your thoughts reach to as many stakeholders as possible. 

4. Topic of interest:

While it may difficult for you to narrow down on a topic that you are interested in, do remember that this is just one of many talks that you will end up giving. This talk here is just to help get you started and should look to applying the thought process you have been introduced to so far. 

5. Important dates:

Do remember the dates for submission and please do submit the videos by then so we have adequate time to produce your videos, as well as invite the relevant stakeholders to view your talk, based on your topic. 

6. Questions:

Feel free to ask questions or throw your ideas at us or each other in case you feel stuck. You know how to contact us and we are available for any conversations you may want to have. All the best!

Showcase Session

The showcase session will primarily include viewing the videos prepared by the participants together. It is important to view these videos together to encourage participants and to ensure that each individual feels heard. 

A few points of note for this are:

1. Communicating details for viewing:

Send out emails to the participants detailing an invitation for the viewing. Here is a template you can use for the invitation email.

2. For the viewing:

When the call begins, either a member of the team or one of the participants should screen share so that the videos are being watched on one screen. However, participants should also be asked to keep YouTube open as well for the live viewer count. They should also be asked to comment and cheer on their colleagues. 

3. Between two videos:

In the time duration between two videos, you as the facilitator should unmute and speak to other participants and encourage them. You may also ask the individual whose video is next to introduce their video if they wish to do so. 

4. Increasing viewer count:

You should also try your best to ensure that the live viewer count on the video is high by inviting guests to watch and posting on social media to encourage people to tune in. Because there will be many videos, it would be better to share the link of the playlist as opposed to links to individual videos. 

Takeaways From ‘Applying F.A.I.R.’

For the participants

Applying F.A.I.R. will be important for participants especially when it comes to their confidence levels, as well as getting used to them projecting their thoughts. 

You must bear in mind that being on a public platform can also be very stressful for the participants and therefore it is important to constantly encourage them. 

At the end of it, you must also show to participants the impact of using The F.A.I.R. Methodology as a thought process when speaking on issues. As participants, they should be able to understand that even though the conclusion they have arrived at may not change, what is important is the considerations they have attributed to different perspectives and stakeholders before arriving at their conclusion.  

For the facilitator

As the facilitator, it would be crucial for you to be as positive and encouraging as possible throughout this process. This would begin right from asking participants to record their thoughts, to their videos being showcased. 

It is also crucial for you to send the link to these talks and invite as many individuals as possible to facilitate the participant’s outreach. 

For yourself, you should also try and assess as to how and in what ways have participants incorporated their learnings into their talk.