Criticism
Each person at the meetings should take it upon themselves to create a good, effective, and open spirit. However, groups often tend to get polarized and divisive when concerns and criticisms go unvoiced. If you need to voice a criticism but don’t want to destroy the open, effective spirit of the group try making a criticism sandwich. You will need the following ingredients:

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The Criticism Sandwich
BREAD: Say something positive about what they are doing.

LIVERWURST WITH ONIONS (yucky!) State politely and to the point what your concern is. It definitely helps to take a taste test with this part of the sandwich once or twice ahead of time. Try saying this part aloud to yourself or to a friend, and honestly try to anticipate and evaluate the reaction this statement will have on another group member.

MORE BREAD: Cushion the shock of that not so tasty liverwurst and onions with another positive statement about that person.

For example: “I’m really impressed with what you’ve done to try to stop logging in the Hoosier National Forest. (BREAD)

“But I’m worried that Eco-Terrorists for the Eradication of all Humans might not be the best group to work with. (LIVERWURST WITH ONIONS)

“You are very good at building coalitions with other groups. Perhaps you and I could build one with Heartwood instead? (BREAD)

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Should you get offered a criticism sandwich, try not to be defensive. It is difficult not to get defensive when you are feeling attacked. That is why it is so important to frame criticism in positive, unthreatening tones.