Cascade Greeting

Cascade Greeting is a participatory activity designed to close an event or session in a positive and memorable way. Participants greet each other progressively by shaking hands and wishing one another well. This activity reinforces interpersonal connections, fosters an atmosphere of gratitude, and creates a meaningful closure for the group.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Encourage a positive and meaningful closure.
    • Strengthen interpersonal connections among participants.
    • Promote an atmosphere of gratitude and mutual appreciation.
  2. Prepare the space:
    • Organize the space so participants can move freely and form a large circle.
    • Ensure the setting is comfortable and allows for close interaction.
  3. To run the activity virtually:
    • Use collaborative platforms that allow participants to interact in rounds via video or chat, wishing each other well and sharing closing reflections.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction:
    • Explain the purpose of the activity: to close the event on a positive note and foster gratitude and interpersonal connection.
    • Emphasize the importance of expressing sincere wishes during each greeting.
  2. Initial formation:
    • Ask participants to form a wide circle where everyone can easily interact.
  3. Start the greeting:
    • The first participant begins by greeting the person next to them, shaking their hand and offering a positive wish.
    • The greeting continues from person to person until everyone has participated.
  4. Additional options:
    • For large groups, divide participants into smaller subgroups to speed up the process.
    • You can include a reflective message or a symbolic object passed from hand to hand.
  5. Closure:
    • Conclude by thanking everyone for their participation and highlighting the most meaningful moments of the activity.
Recommendations

Before the activity

  • Prepare the space: Make sure you have a spacious, obstacle-free area.
  • Explain the rules: Clearly define how the activity will unfold and what is expected from participants.

During the activity

  • Create a relaxed atmosphere: Encourage participants to be genuine in their wishes and reflections.
  • Maintain the flow: Ensure the activity moves steadily without interruptions.

After the activity

  • Reflect: Invite participants to share how they felt giving and receiving greetings.
  • Meaningful closure: End with a positive message to motivate participants to apply the experience in their daily lives.
Inspiration

Variations to make the activity more meaningful:

  • Themed rounds: Participants can share specific reflections, such as key takeaways from the event or upcoming challenges.
  • Cultural greeting: Use greetings from different cultures as a symbol of inclusion.
  • Incorporation of symbolic objects: Introduce items like bracelets, cards, or messages for participants to exchange.
  • Reflective rounds: Each participant can share a word or phrase that represents their experience during the event.
  • Collective message: At the end, gather the best wishes shared to create a group message.
Materials
  • Spacious area
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of Cascade Greeting is to close an event or workshop on a positive note, strengthen interpersonal connections, and foster an atmosphere of gratitude and mutual appreciation.
Type of activity
Participatory EvaluationParticipatory Interaction
Level of participation
Collaborative assessment
Target audience
Students, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Urban and rural planning, Health and social well-being, Art, culture, and creativity, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Conflict resolution, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
10-15 minutes.
Ideal number of participants
15-30 people.
Topics related to this activity
Active CollaborationActive ReflectionCollective RecognitionCollective ReflectionConexión humanaGamificationGratitude ActivityGratitude DynamicGroup Closing TechniqueGroup EnergizerGroup RecognitionGroup StrengtheningHuman ConnectionIcebreaker ActivityTeamwork
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