Dine-Arounds

WHAT IS A "DINE-AROUND"?

A joint initiative of the Organizational Stewardship Office and the Career Pathways Office, the goal of the pilot is to: 

1. Foster cross-Lab opportunities for informal knowledge-sharing and connection-building, and 

2. Provide a space for any individual or group to convene discussions on “team science” topics that could drive collaboration across the Lab. 

Our LBNL definition of “Team Science” recognizes that innovative solutions to complex problems arise from embracing all approaches, experiences, and roles. As such, all Lab members (including all roles in operations and science, and all experience levels from intern to senior leader) are warmly invited to participate.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every other month, a different space at the Lab will be reserved for Dine-Arounds. Any individual or group from across the Lab can volunteer to “host” a table by choosing a discussion topic. Topics and discussion locations will be advertised Lab-wide.

Everyone (any position, any part of the Lab) is welcome to attend. Individuals can bring their own lunch, or purchase a “Dine-Around Special” from the food trucks. Those who purchase a "Dine-Around Special" in advance can have their lunch delivered to the dine-around location. 

Attendees can sign up in advance to let the host know they plan to attend the discussion, or they can drop-in. Space may be limited, but hosts will strive to accommodate all interested attendees.

DINE-AROUND DISCUSSIONS

1. At each dine-around, about six tables, with about 10 seats each, will be reserved for hosted discussions.

2. Anyone at the Lab (an individual, group, organization, office) can volunteer to host a discussion, as long as it is:

   1. 1. Focused on a “team science” topic (see next bullet for parameters) that you would like to discuss with others at the Lab with different approaches, experiences, and roles.

      2. Discussion must be open to anyone at the Lab who is interested in the topic.

3. Topics can be operational, scientific, or both. Some examples could include:

   1. 1. Discussions seeking innovative solutions to complex problems (“How might we solve Problem X”?)

      2. Discussions intended to bring together approaches, experiences, or roles that are usually siloed (“How can we get X and Y to work better together?”)

      3. Discussions intended to share a unique approach, experience, or role with others at the Lab (“I/we have figured out how do X; how might this be useful to you?” / "Ask Me Anything about Y") 

FAQs

Have a question that isn't covered here? Email the Career Pathways Office at pathways@lbl.gov.

For Attendees

Who can attend? 

All Lab members (including all roles in operations and science, and all experience levels from intern to senior leader) are warmly invited to participate. Our LBNL definition of “Team Science” recognizes that innovative solutions to complex problems arise from embracing all approaches, experiences, and roles. 

Do I have to be an expert in the discussion topic in order to attend a dine-around?

Not at all! Anyone from the Lab who is interested in any topic is welcome to join.

Is lunch provided?

No, lunch is not provided at this time. Attendees can bring their own lunch, or pre-purchase a Dine-Around Special from the food trucks, to be delivered to the dine-around location. (Orders must be submitted between 8-10 a.m. the morning of the dine-around.) Read more details.

Do I have to RSVP?

No, you are welcome to drop-in. Space may be limited, but hosts will strive to accommodate all interested attendees. But if you can RSVP, that is helpful, so that the discussion hosts and organizers know how many to expect. Also, if you would like your lunch to be delivered to the dine-around, you must order it between 8-10 a.m. the morning of the event. 

For Discussion Hosts

How do I sign up to host a discussion?

Please fill out this form or email pathways@lbl.gov to let us know your topic!

Who can host?

All Lab members (including all roles in operations and science, and all experience levels from intern to senior leader) are warmly invited to submit discussion topics. We will prioritize a breadth of “team science” topics, which we define as:

• Discussions seeking innovative solutions to complex problems (“How might we solve Problem X”?)

• Discussions intended to bring together approaches, experiences, or roles that are usually siloed (“How can we get X and Y to work better together?”)

• Discussions intended to share a unique approach, experience, or role others at the Lab might want to learn more about (“Come learn how I/we do X”) 

What support will hosts receive?

Hosts will be provided with:

• Materials on facilitating an effective team science conversation

• Support with advertising their discussion, including Lab-wide communications via Elements

• A list of any advance sign-ups for their discussion

• An opportunity for both hosts and participants to purchase food to be delivered to the dine-around location 

• (Optional) If hosts would like, they can request a co-facilitator from Career Pathways or Organizational Stewardship to help guide the discussion, subject to availability. 

Can groups or teams sign up to host a discussion? 

Yes! Keep in mind that most dine-around tables accommodate around ten participants, and your discussion must be open to anyone who would like to join. If you have a large group, you may wish to sign up for multiple tables. 

If I host a discussion, who will attend?

Discussions are open to all, and will be advertised Lab-wide, so attendance could include anyone in any role from across the Lab. If there are specific groups or individuals you hope may attend, we encourage you to advertise your discussion to them. The Office of Organizational Stewardship and the Career Pathways Office are happy to help and advise if needed.

Can I host a discussion on the same topic multiple times?

Yes! If you have a topic that would benefit from being discussed across multiple months, you are welcome to host repeat discussion tables, as long as space allows.