Method guide · Progress through phases
Rain making
Build and reduce a four-stage wave across three groups through small sounds or equivalent visual signals, with shared silence on request.
- People
- 3–100
- Base procedure time
- 5 minutes
- Recording
- No record
Purpose: Begin together; Build working relationships.
English guide
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How this method works
A sound-cooperation method in which three groups build through four stages with time offsets and return to silence in reverse order. Each person chooses small sounds, such as rubbing fingertips or gentle tapping, or visual cards showing the same stages. Begin with the first group and add the groups in order up to the fourth stage, without becoming louder than ordinary conversation. After the peak, reduce in reverse order starting with the third group. If a lower-volume or stop card is raised, return all groups to silence. Do not record group volumes, chosen participation methods, or use of stop cards, or use these to evaluate performance. Do not use this without alternatives for people sensitive to sound or unable to move their hands easily, signals that reach everyone, and safe volume.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
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- Choose four stages of sound or visual signals0–1 minutes from the start (1 minute)
Action: Choose. Participation: Everyone.
No record
- Check three groups and signallers1–2 minutes from the start (1 minute)
Action: Split. Participation: Three groups.
No record
- Increase sound one group at a time2–3 minutes from the start (1 minute)
Action: Increase. Participation: Three groups.
No record
- Overlap three waves at a safe peak3–4 minutes from the start (1 minute)
Action: Overlap. Participation: Three groups.
No record
- Reduce in reverse order to silence4–5 minutes from the start (1 minute)
Action: Reduce. Participation: Three groups.
No record
Facilitation steps
- For 1 minute, try four stages—rubbing fingertips, gently tapping with fingers, tapping with two fingers, and gently patting thighs with palms—and visual cards for the same stages.
- For 1 minute, divide everyone into three groups with a size difference of no more than one person, and check each group's signaller and lower-volume/stop cards.
- For 1 minute, begin with the first, second, then third group, increasing one stage at a time to the facilitator's stage cards.
- For 1 minute, overlap the three groups' time offsets without becoming louder than ordinary conversation, making the fourth stage the peak.
- For 1 minute, decrease one stage at a time in the order third, second, then first group, and close only after all groups have returned to silence.
If something changes
If
Before starting or during performance, even one person shows a lower-volume or stop card.
Then
Return all groups to silence and let that person choose visual cards only, a quieter sound, or ending.
If
2 minutes after the start, one or more participants cannot see the signals.
Then
Place one signaller in each group to relay the facilitator's stage cards to neighbours in the same order.
If
At the sound peak, even one group continues louder than ordinary conversation.
Then
Lower all groups by one stage; do not compete over intensity, and use that stage as the peak before moving into reverse order.
Preparation
Materials
- One four-stage sound/visual-signal card set for each of 3 groups, 12 cards in total
- One lower-volume/stop card per person
Room and setup
- A semicircle or seating where all three groups can see the facilitator's signals
Adjust for people and time
With 3–30 people, divide into three groups whose sizes differ by no more than one person. With 31–100, still use three groups and put one signaller in each to relay the facilitator's signals to neighbours. Do not run this with 101 or more people or in a venue where everyone cannot perceive the signals. Do not evaluate or record group volumes or participation methods.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Offer visual alternatives and small sounds no louder than ordinary conversation. A lower-volume or stop card from anyone means all groups return to silence, with that person choosing the alternative or ending. Provide signals everyone can perceive; do not run this with 101 or more people or without the stated accessibility and volume conditions. Do not assess performance or record volume, participation choice, or stop-card use.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Rain making
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions for applying anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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