DOT VOTING

This simple activity has a multitude of applications. It will be familiar to a lot of readers so be both creative and judicious in how and when it is used.

TIME REQUIRED

Varies depending on the topic but usually quick.

RESOURCES

Sheets of coloured dots; you can also use stars, triangles, squares, or even those lines of coloured tape that come with wall planners (stick them end-to-end to produce a linear vote).

ACTION

1. First you have to have something to vote on! The ACTIVITIES in this Handbook, and others in your repertoire, generate ideas from participants either as a wall of sticky notes or a flipchart list from a Brainstorming session. Where we have indicated the use of DOT VOTING in this Handbook, we have also recommended how many dots per participant but there are no absolute rules, so tailor them to the task at hand.
2. After votes are cast, and priorities identified, this will often lead into a new ACTIVITY or discussion or provide an ACTION PLAN for your organisation.
3. The next step depends on how you use DOT VOTING.

DISCUSSION

Any discussion will be relevant to the theme at issue.

EVALUATION

QUESTION: “Is DOT VOTING effective and relevant for the use to which it is put?”

ADAPTATIONS

How would the group use this ACTIVITY in the future and would they make changes? Capture, record, circulate.