Mealtime Protocol

1. Mealtime Protocol Setting Beginning Manners Conversation Closing Community Work

2. Setting What does the table look like? What is the atmosphere of the room? How are people seated? seating arrangement; place setting; the food presentation; lighting; décor; sounds; responsibilities for making thistime possible.

3. Beginning What would the leader do to establish the tone for the group and ceremonially signal the start of this time together with food? poem; song; breathing; benediction; acknowledgement

4. Manners What are the polite procedures to ensure everyone has sufficient food and drink and what constitutes good table manners? could I have…; would you…; ensuring others have sufficiency; offering; caring; courtesy

5. Conversation How are good topics raised? What is inappropriate to talk about while eating? inquiry into other’s experience; what you did; what I did; what others did; plans; family experiences; responding to others on their topic without changing it

6. Closing How is this meal time to be ended? What is the message you want to convey that marks this time? how early finishers stay included; when it is appropriate to end even though some may be still eating; words, actions or other signs that mark the conclusion

7. Community Work How are all the food related materials are cleaned and restored? How are the responsibilities for that work assigned? rotation system of additional assignments; personal responsibilities of all

8. Mealtime Protocol Setting Beginning Manners Conversation Closing Community Work