These contributions can be quickly scanned by participants in Bulletin form, may be cited and linked by speakers (particularly with regard to exact wording), may reduce the time pressure in discussion periods, and provide an immediately available written record of issues raised. Investigation of this possibility is very worthwhile because of the way it can considerably increase the sessions's productivity. Allocating the necessary typing, reproduction and collection/distribution support could even prove to be a better investment, in some instances, than simultaneous interpretation (specially if translations were made). Naturally, use of in-session messaging would depend on suitable facilities and personnel support, eg. whether the chair arrangement impedes movement of ushers.
A variant on the previous option is to restrict distribution of the in-session Bulletin to those on the podium (e.g. panel members) who are thus able to select and group the points raised prior to a verbal response (although some written message responses would also be possible if the Bulletin issues were to be available to all participants on leaving the conference room or later). This is an extension of a practice already adopted - when written questions are filtered by the session secretary and then distributed to panellists.
It is also possible to use the Bulletin for specially requested feedback. One particular question (or more) may be considered as worthy of special written feedback; it may also need to be voted on by participants (use of stamps avoids identity problems)/1. In this way a variety of perspectives on the issue may be quickly obtained through an issue of the Bulletin.
When the range of questions is greater, an issue of the Bulletin may contain (or consist of) a questionnaire/vote form to be returned as with normal messages (like a "reader service reply card" found in some magazines where numbers can be ringed according to reader interest). With each question given a reference number, this option blurs into that of a questionnaire. Such a set of key questions may in fact be a useful way of launching the process (see Pump Priming / E3).
Notes:
1/ When voting or opinion assessment is desirable, the message collection and processing service may be used. This may well avoid wastage of session time (e.g. roll-call voting, card voting, hand counting). Use of the "stamp" procedure discussed above avoids identity problems. When the range of questions is greater, an issue of the Bulletin may contain (or consist of) a questionnaire /vote form to be returned as with normal messages. If necessary a procedure analogous to the "reader service reply cards" to be found in some magazines could be used (e.g. a card consisting only of lists of numbers to be ringed according to participant interest in the questions to which they relate).