Make a Date

Purpose. Structures one-on-one conversation time with variety built in.

When to use. In the first 15 minutes of a session, once names are known and the group is settling in.

Best for. Any group size, in person.

• Gather: one paper plate and pen per participant.
• Prepare a few open-ended discussion questions in advance. See Trainer's Reference below.

Room setup. Open enough floor space for pairs to spread out and hear only their own partner.

Virtual setup. Adapt to a rotating series of breakout-room pairings instead of paper plate “bookings.”

Hybrid setup. Pair remote participants with each other in rotating breakout rooms alongside the in-room pairing.

Materials. Paper plates, pens

1. Give each participant a paper plate and a pen.
2. Ask them to draw a simple clock face on their plate, marking several hours around the edge, for example 1 o'clock through 6 o'clock.
3. Explain the challenge: participants mingle and “book” each hour slot with a different person, writing that person's name next to the matching hour, making sure neither person double-books the same hour with someone else.
4. Once most plates have several “appointments” booked, call time on the booking phase.
5. Announce the first hour, for example “It's 1 o'clock!”, and have participants find their 1 o'clock partner.
6. Give pairs a facilitator-provided open-ended question to discuss together (see Trainer's Reference below for examples).
7. After a few minutes, announce the next hour and repeat.

Learning outcome. Participants leave having had several genuine one-on-one conversations, each with a real question to dig into.

• Paper plates and pens
• Discussion questions prepared
• Debrief questions ready
• Timer set for 15–20 min