Facilitating a workshopFacilitating a workshop

Neither over nor under facilitate – strike a balanceNeither over nor under facilitate – strike a balance Deal with disruptive behaviourDeal with disruptive behaviour

Watch out for those whole will dominate and sabotage – deal with them by Watch out for those whole will dominate and sabotage – deal with them by involving not isolating theminvolving not isolating them

Use group agreements, clear guidelines on process and time keepingUse group agreements, clear guidelines on process and time keeping Get group to self regulateGet group to self regulate

Build rapport but show favouritism or biasBuild rapport but show favouritism or bias Document the session – use a scribe, flipchart etcDocument the session – use a scribe, flipchart etc Train and incorporate the group into the facilitation process if Train and incorporate the group into the facilitation process if

possiblepossible Run a session on the use of consensus techniques if you feel Run a session on the use of consensus techniques if you feel

comfortable with it and it is appropriatecomfortable with it and it is appropriate

Good facilitation is keyGood facilitation is key

Facillitating a workshopFacillitating a workshop

Top tips – 10 - list them and get them in pairs to demonstrate them in groupsTop tips – 10 - list them and get them in pairs to demonstrate them in groups

Explain structure of workshopExplain structure of workshopSpend time establishing ground-rules, expectations, names etc.Spend time establishing ground-rules, expectations, names etc.Make plenty of opportunites for questions from participantsMake plenty of opportunites for questions from participantsAsk questions in preference to making statementAsk questions in preference to making statementTry to use ‘open’ rather than ‘closed’ question - give examples of theseTry to use ‘open’ rather than ‘closed’ question - give examples of theseBe aware of your own role. Offer guidance but don't dominate. Be honest about Be aware of your own role. Offer guidance but don't dominate. Be honest about your perspectiveyour perspectiveBe flexible to change plan if its not working, but be confident in your mannerBe flexible to change plan if its not working, but be confident in your mannerSmile and enjoy it and your participants will tooSmile and enjoy it and your participants will too

Facillitating a workshopFacillitating a workshop

A good facilitator needs:A good facilitator needs:

Little emotional investment in the issues discussed.Little emotional investment in the issues discussed.Energy and attention for the job at hand.Energy and attention for the job at hand.Understanding of tasks for the meeting as well as long-term goals of the group.Understanding of tasks for the meeting as well as long-term goals of the group.Good listening skills to be able to understand everyone's viewpoint properly.Good listening skills to be able to understand everyone's viewpoint properly.Confidence that good solutions will be found and consensus can be achieved.Confidence that good solutions will be found and consensus can be achieved.Assertiveness that is not overbearing Assertiveness that is not overbearing Respect for all participants and interest in what each individual has to offer.Respect for all participants and interest in what each individual has to offer.Clear thinking – observation of the whole group.Clear thinking – observation of the whole group.Attend both to the content of the discussion and the process – and emotionsAttend both to the content of the discussion and the process – and emotions

Workshop rolesWorkshop rolesAll optional or merge-able:All optional or merge-able:

FacilitatorFacilitatorCo-facilitator (for large meetings)Co-facilitator (for large meetings)Minute takerMinute takerTime keeperTime keeperSpeaker-hand takerSpeaker-hand takerWelcomer-doorkeeperWelcomer-doorkeeperVibes watcher!Vibes watcher!

Workshop planningWorkshop planning

Key issuesKey issuesFind out about the group and what they wantFind out about the group and what they wantHave a clear aim, or set of aims for sessionHave a clear aim, or set of aims for sessionSelect techniques relavent to the aims of the workshopSelect techniques relavent to the aims of the workshopDon't overcram with informationDon't overcram with informationHave clear and precise informationHave clear and precise informationBe varied (share facilitation - use films, quotes, images, physical activities Be varied (share facilitation - use films, quotes, images, physical activities etc.)etc.)

Moving forwardMoving forward

Use concrete examples and give resources for Use concrete examples and give resources for people to follow uppeople to follow upAim to arrange ongoing work and/or future contact Aim to arrange ongoing work and/or future contact between people – think of how this can be donebetween people – think of how this can be doneAsk for feedback - remember you are learning tooAsk for feedback - remember you are learning tooOffer to send people further hand-outs or resourcesOffer to send people further hand-outs or resourcesMake space to share info about upcoming events or Make space to share info about upcoming events or people's exisiting projectspeople's exisiting projects

Moving forwardMoving forwardSome issuesSome issuesWhat is the difference between information/facts What is the difference between information/facts and a facilitation?and a facilitation?How do we empower rather than indoctrinate or How do we empower rather than indoctrinate or alienate?alienate?How do we recognise and use the diversity in How do we recognise and use the diversity in workshop settings?workshop settings?How (and should we) contain our own How (and should we) contain our own perspectives on issues and what change is?perspectives on issues and what change is?

Exercise in groupsExercise in groups

Practice designing a workshopPractice designing a workshop