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PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

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Facilitation

Facilitation is a process wherein a neutral party helps a group work together more effectively

Facilitators

• May be internal or external

• Must be acceptable to all members of the group

• Are process leaders only -- they generally don’t contribute to the substance of the discussion

PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

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Core Values of Facilitation

Valid Information• Information is freely shared among the

group• Efforts are made to make sure this

information is clear and accurate

Free and Informed Choice• Participants define their own goals• Participants define the means to achieve

their goals

Internal Commitment• People feel personally responsible for the

choices they make• People believe in the process

PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

Slide 4:

Role of the Facilitator

Helps the group design a process consistent with the core values

This can be done by helping…• The group establish ground rules which

define- Appropriate behavior- Appropriate procedures- Boundaries of discussion

• Members get to know each other• Focus energy and thoughts of members• Keep the conversation “on track”• Keep conversation moving forward

PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

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Key Facilitation Skills Include:

• Probing without provoking defensiveness

• Reframing issues and positions

• Highlighting areas of agreement/disagreement

• Including all members

• Dealing with domineering participants

• Using non-verbal cues suggesting cooperation

• Reading/analyzing/responding to group dynamics

• Recording techniques which include all parties

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Benefits of Facilitation

Benefits of Facilitation Include• Increased motivation to support decisions

- Due to investment in the process

• Improved/more inclusive results- Due to increased innovation/participation

• Everyone feels like an integral part of the “team”

• People are encouraged to think and act for overall group benefit

• A forum for constructively resolving conflicts is developed

PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation