Re: A facilitators checklist | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Evan Hunt (evanhsco.COM) | |
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 95 18:04 CST |
Hmm. My general guidelines for facilitating a meeting: * The facilitator's job is to create a safe environment in which others can work toward consensus. The facilitator is _NOT_ in charge. On issues about which there are many opinions, try to speak last, or not at all. Think of yourself as a midwife, not a parent-- you have an essential role in guiding the meeting to fruition, but you are not _creating_ the meeting, and it is not your job to think up all the solutions to all the problems. * You are responsible for making sure that everyone gets a chance to speak. If four people speak at once, stop them and announce the order in which they will get the floor--"Pete, Sue, Ed, Lucy." Keep eye contact with the members of the group; be aware of the ones who want to speak but are too shy to shout over the general din, and give them their chance. * Writing the agenda in large letters in a place visible to all participants (blackboard, whiteboard, easel tablet, whatever) helps the group to keep its own focus. * The average attention span is stretched to the limit after about fifty minutes of sitting still. Try to remember to take a break--at least five minutes, preferably ten--each hour. "A motion to adjourn"-- or take a break--"is always in order." I guess those are the main things I keep in mind. It's not really that hard, it's just a new way of thinking for most people--you're not leading _or_ following, and that means learning new ways of relating to people. It's usually more pleasant than leading or following, so have fun. eh
- Re: A facilitators checklist, (continued)
- Re: A facilitators checklist Stuart Staniford-Chen, January 16 1995
- Re: A facilitators checklist Kevin Wolf, January 17 1995
- Re: A facilitators checklist Jim Snyder-Grant, January 17 1995
- Re: A facilitators checklist Barbara Saunders, January 17 1995
- Re: A facilitators checklist Evan Hunt, January 17 1995
- A facilitators checklist Rob Sandelin, January 26 1995
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