Training

See also: Coastal Training Network, Sustainable Human Systems

Facilitation skills are used by scientist, planners and resource managers to form productive teams, plan programs and projects, and to implement controversial projects and programs.  Facilitators help groups to communicate productively, honoring diverse points of view and respectfully creating options that provide the richest suite of benefits for all.

 This course was intended to be a practical approach to improving group meetings.  It was oriented specifically to the needs of scientists and resource managers.  After core facilitation skills were practiced, the class was tailored to the participants' development needs.  Participants wereasked to complete a pre-workshop skills profile.  Participants were presented with a wide array of tools and opportunities to practice new facilitation skills.

 Course topics:

•  Perspectives- Why doesn't everyone think like me?

• Meetings - Different meetings for different needs

• Roles and responsibilities - Who wears what hat?

• Planning meetings - Assessing needs, objectives, and purpose

• Process and Content - The two parts of effective meetings

• Logistical considerations - The right room, the right set up

• Basic facilitator skills - Verbal and nonverbal communication skills: maintaining rapport; framing, reframing, and paraphrasing; managing personal states of being

• Basic facilitation processes and their use - Use the right process: agenda; ground rules; open participation; presenting information; collecting information; analyzing information; decision making; closing the meeting; evaluation

• A facilitator's tool kit - Tools that make meetings better and easier

• Managing group dynamics - Tracking and assessing audience needs

• Skills practice and feedback - Creating a safe place to explore

• Discussion on challenges - How to prevent or deal with problems

 Outcomes:

 Participants will be able to design and facilitate meetings more effectively with lower anxiety and better meeting outcomes. 

 Participants will be provided an overview of the competencies required for effective meetings.  These competencies include:

•  The ability to assess needs and design meetings to serve the purpose of the meeting and the interests of meeting participants.
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the facilitator, assist team, meeting leader, participants, etc.
• Managing and facilitating meetings.
• Information gathering and presentation techniques
• Facilitation skills
• Verbal skills
• Nonverbal skills
• Recording skills
• Basic visual facilitation techniques
• Decision-making processes
• Evaluation processes

 Quotes from prior participants:

 “Good flow of information, demonstration of flexibility with agendas and awareness of the group's state of being. Best training course I have attended.”

 “I learned many new skills and perspective and was able to put them into practice during the workshop.”

 “I thought it was very well organized and prepared. I enjoyed watching the learning in the moment process and really appreciate Jim's flexibility.”

 “Excellent modeling of skills, great recognition of the value of each participant!”

 “I liked the opportunity to practice facilitation in small groups and be surrounded by great people.”

 Important Information

The fee for this 3 day workshop was$450 and included refreshments, lunch each day, and materials.  Registration and Payment Deadline:  5 p.m. November 13, 2012.