This activity is for participants taking part in the Cities of Learning study visit for Networking and Advocating.
It provides a fun and interactive way for participants to get to know each other on a more personal level, fostering initial connections and building a stronger sense of community. It aims to enhance skills in "Communicating Meaningfully" and "Collaborating in Teams", foundational elements of the European Training Strategy (ETS) Competence Model for Youth Workers.
Why this Activity? (Building Connections through Interaction)
Effective networking begins with genuine connections. This "human bingo" activity encourages participants to step out of their comfort zones, engage in light-hearted conversations, and discover shared interests or experiences with their peers. It is a practical application of communication and collaboration skills, crucial for building a cohesive network and preparing for deeper discussions on advocacy.
Objectives of the Activity
To facilitate informal introductions and initial conversations among participants.
To discover shared experiences, skills, or interests with other participants.
To build rapport and comfort within the peer group.
To practice initiating conversations and active listening, contributing to the "Communicating Meaningfully"competence.
To foster an environment of open exchange and group cohesion, supporting the "Collaborating in Teams"competence.
Instructions
1. Receive Your Waffle Card:
- Each participant will receive a "Waffle Card" (a bingo-style grid) containing various statements or characteristics (e.g., "Find someone who has traveled to more than 5 countries," "Find someone who can speak 3+ languages," "Find someone who works in non-formal education")
2. Mingle and Connect
- Participants are encouraged to move around the room and chat with as many different people as possible.
- The goal is to find a person who matches each statement on their card. When a match is found, that person signs the corresponding square on your card.
- Each person can only sign one square on any given card.
3. Achieve a "Bingo"
- The first participants to get a line of signed squares (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) should announce "Bingo!"
4. Share Discoveries (Optional)
- After a few "bingos" have been achieved, there will be an opportunity to briefly share some interesting facts or connections discovered during the activity.
Completion & Badge
By actively engaging in the "Waffle Card (Human Bingo)" activity, initiating conversations, and making new connections, participants will earn the "Connection Weaver" badge! This badge signifies active participation in building rapport and fostering communication within the Cities of Learning Network, and contributes to the development of the "Communicating Meaningfully" and "Collaborating in Teams" competences as defined by the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers. This badge has been issued by the Cities of Learning Network Partner trio who are managing the Network.