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Marcella LaFever, Ph.D. View Marcella LaFever's profile on LinkedIn

Consulting Services

Consultating, group facilitation, and research services provided by M. LaFever are based on a 9P Planning Model developed by Dr. LaFever based on extensive research specific to intercultural settings of public decision-making and community development.

This communication model has been developed specifically for contexts where culturally diverse members of a community desire to collaborate on community and economic development but are encountering conflicts as a result of differing communication structures and communication values, often complicated by historical trauma and institutional racism.

9P Planning incorporates design elements that allow for group relationships to withstand and survive the conflicts and misunderstandings that can stand in the way of community maturation. In this instance the essential design factor is the attention that is paid to both intergroup and interpersonal relationships during the communication process.


Mutual Need: the recognition that each part of the community needs the other part in order to accomplish their own goals. Catalyst: an event that initiates the desire of members of the dominant culture to establish non-adversarial communication channels with members of a non-dominant cultural group. Dependence: a formal recognition that each group cannot act efficiently without the other. Social Capital: Connections within and across community boundaries that provide social organization features that can improve the efficiency of society by facilitating coordinated action. Copyright 2004 - M LaFever, Phd Relationship: the patterned communicative processes that create connections between people. Deliberation: the act of conversational engagement of the parties in decision-making. Dialogue: the genuine attempt to create something new at the societal and institutional level that is neither one position nor the other. How: the elements of the deliberation event at the time of the gathering of the participants. 9P Planning Model Information: ensuring that all pertinent data and knowledge is gathered and available to the deliberating parties. Product: any outcome of the deliberation that is agreed upon by both cultural communities as being successful. Procedure: ensuring that procedural rules conform to the communication norms of the marginalized cultural group. Principles: agreement between the deliberating parties on what principles will guide the dialogue. When:the circumstances that determine the most suitable time for the deliberation event. Where: the circumstances that determine the most suitable location for the deliberation. What:the circumstances that determine the most suitable structures for the deliberation event. Individuals who have a role in enhancing or creating relationships across cultural boundaries. Problems: conflicts between cultures, based on positions of power, which need to be openly dealt with during the dialogue process. Preparation: putting in place key components that will be needed during dialogue. Participant: the presence of qualities that are required of individuals to be successful in the dialogue process. Purpose: the degree to which the cultures can see benefits to a mutual dialogue process. Hover over the Model and Descriptions to have the definitions appear as Tool Tips

Definitions:

9P Planning:
A step-by-step model for instituting a interculturally sensitive process for community development.
Catalyst:
an event that initiates the desire of members of the dominant culture to establish non-adversarial communication channels with members of a non-dominant cultural group.
Deliberation:
the act of conversational engagement of the parties in decision-making.
Dialogue:
the genuine attempt to create something new at the societal and institutional level that is neither one position nor the other.
Relationship:
the patterned communicative processes that create connections between people at either the interperson or the group level.
Core:
connections between individuals and groups that exist inside of a cultural group (i.e. individual First Nation).
Lifelines:
connections that directly link the group to immediate networks and decision-making bodies (i.e. municipal government).)
Attenuating:
connections where day-to-day activities take place (i.e. businesses, schools, community groups).
Mutual Need:
the recognition that each part of the community needs the other part in order to accomplish their own goals.
P1:Purpose:
the degree to which the cultures can see benefits to a mutual dialogue process.
Vision:
the process of identifying community values that should be incorporated in to plans.
P2: Participant:
the presence of qualities that are required of individuals to be successful in the dialogue process.
P3: Problems:
conflicts between cultures, based on positions of power, which need to be openly dealt with during the dialogue process.
Capacity:
is the ability of the participants to fully engage in the dialogue process.
P4: Personal Links:
Individuals who have a role in enhancing or creating relationships across cultural boundaries.
Liaison:
Individuals who are rooted in one cultural group but have the desire/ability/personal qualities to connect on a personal level with individuals from other cultural communities.
Bridge:
Individuals who belong to/live in/ or feel a part of at least two cultural groups.
P5: Place:
the mechanics of physically engaging in dialogue.
Where:
the circumstances that determine the most suitable location for the deliberation.
P6: Preparation:
putting in place key components that will be needed during dialogue.
What:
the circumstances that determine the most suitable structures for the deliberation event.
When:
the circumstances that determine the most suitable time for the deliberation event.
How:
the elements of the deliberation event at the time of the gathering of the participants.
Information:
Ensuring that all pertinent data and knowledge is gathered and available to the deliberating parties.
P7: Principles:
Agreement between the deliberating parties on what principles will guide the dialogue.
P8: Procedures:
Ensuring that procedural rules conform to the communication norms of the marginalized cultural group.
Facilitator:
An individual who is intimately involved in developing and ensuring adherence to a culturally sensitive process during dialogue and deliberation.
Moderator:
An individual who has the role of guiding turn-taking between participants in the dialogue process.
P9: Product:
any outcome of the deliberation that is agreed upon by both cultural communities as being successful.
Social Capital:
Connections within and across community boundaries that provide social organization features that can improve the efficiency of society by facilitating coordinated action.