Copyright © The Beyond Intractability Project Beyond Intractability is a Registered Trademark of the University of Colorado PowerPoint Summary of: Facilitation

Slide 2: 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

Slide 3: 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 Slide 5: 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

Slide 6: 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