PC-7437     1999

To Order

Facilitation Resources

Note: (This is a Web Sampler. Information about the complete publication and how to order it is available here.)

Contents | Authors | Order Form | Reference List

Introduction to Facilitation Resources

During the 1990s there has been a renewed interest in citizen involvement in community decisions. While many issues are still decided by powerful and financially strong networks, the ability of the average citizen to collect relevant information, address issues with intelligence, and initiate public meetings has made the public influence greater.

Those who work with organizations have learned the need for effective facilitation skills. In the Foreword to Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making by Sam Kaner, Michael Doyle presents two important lessons learned. "Lesson one: if people don’t participate in and ‘own’ the solution to the problems or agree to the decision, implementation will be half-hearted at best, probably misunderstood, and, more likely than not, fail. The second lesson is that the key differentiating factor in the success of an organization is not just the products and services, not just its technology or market share, but the organization’s ability to elicit, harness, and focus the vast intellectual capital and goodwill in their members, employees, and stakeholders. When these get energized and focused, the organization becomes a powerful force for positive change in today’s business and societal environments."

Facilitation Resources, available as a set of eight volumes, is an effort to enhance volunteers’ group facilitation techniques. The participants will be able to use the skills in facilitating nonprofit groups and organizations through important discussions vital to the organization and to the community.

Table of Contents

Volume 1. Understanding Facilitation

      Overview: Understanding Facilitation
      Stages and Tasks of Facilitation
      Clarifying Your Role
      Sample Facilitator Position Description
      Ten Principles of Effective Facilitation
            Facilitation Observation Tool
            Evaluating Yourself as a Facilitator
      Coaching
            Reflection Tool: Improving Your Coaching
            Reflection Tool: Planning Coaching Strategies
            Reflection Tool: Reaching Your Coaching Goals
            GAPS Model: A Tool for Coaching
      Leading Change
            Leading Change: Attitude Assessment
            Leading Change: The Eight-Stage Change Process
      Finding More Resources

Volume 2. Contracting and Handling Logistics

      Overview: Agreeing to Facilitate and Handling Logistics
      Contracting: Diagnosing the Situation
      Contracting: Ethical and Process Questions
            Worksheet: Some Initial Questions-Diagnosing the Situation
            During Contracting
            Worksheet: Some Initial Questions-Ethical and Process
            Considerations in Contracting
      Worksheet: Logistics and Arrangement
      Advance Planning for Inclusive Facilitation
      Meeting Organizer
      Equipment and Materials Checklist
      Room Arrangement
      Finding More Resources

Volume 3. Getting Focused: Vision/Mission/Goals

      Overview: Getting Focused - Vision/Mission/Goals
      Facilitating the Development of a Shared Vision
      Planning an Agenda
            Meeting Agenda Worksheet
            Meeting Summary
      Creating Effective Mission and Vision Statements
            Worksheet: Brainstorming a Mission Statement
      Example Worksheets and Planning Session Agenda
      Exercise: Letter to a Significant Child
      Strategic Planning Worksheets 1 and 2: 2020 Foresight
      Finding More Resources

Volume 4. Managing Group Interaction

      Overview: Managing Group Interaction
      Icebreakers and Openers
      Ground Rules for Facilitators
      Identifying and Agreeing on Norms
            Snow Cards Exercise
      Facilitator Training Norms (Sample)
      Ground Rules Worksheet
      Helping a Group Stay on Track
      Levels of Intervention
      Stages of Group Development
      Behaviors That Enhance or Hinder Group Effectiveness
            Worksheet: Forms of Nonverbal Communication
      Working with Large Groups
            Large Group Methods
      Finding More Resources

Volume 5. Making Group Decisions

      Overview: Making Group Decisions
      Decision-Making Models
      Consensus Building
      Fist to Five: Determining Support
      Guidelines for Using Consensus
      Decision-Making Strategies
            Affinity Mapping
            Brainstorming
            Criterion Listing
            Data Dump
            Envision Worst/Best That Can Happen
            Nominal Group Process
            Worksheet: Decision-Making Case Study
            Worksheet: Making Group Decisions
      Finding More Resources

Volume 6. Dealing with Group Conflict

      Overview: Dealing with Group Conflict
      Facilitating Conflict-Habituated Situations
      Guidelines for Dialogue: Listening
      Guidelines for Dialogue: Leveling
      The Iceberg Theory of Group Relations
      Conflict Framework
            Worksheet: Reflection - Group Conflict
      Handling Common Problems
      Problem Meeting Behaviors
            Worksheet: Handling Common Problems
      Dealing with Challenging Behaviors Role Play
            Case Example: The County Feedlot Committee
            Worksheet: Sample Role Play
      Finding More Resources

Volume 7. Utilizing Diversity, Power, and Ethics

      Overview: Diversity, Power, and Ethics
      U.S. Attitudes and Beliefs
            Survey: Individual Attitudes & Beliefs
      Facilitation and Diversity
      Power Bases
            Power Bases: Worksheet for Reflection
      Code of Ethics for Facilitators
      Ethics and Facilitation
            Worksheet: Ethics and Facilitation
      Finding More Resources

Volume 8. Designing a Volunteer Facilitation Program
      Executive Summary: Extension Facilitation Program
      Overview of Designing a Program
      Examples of Specific Schedules
      Case Examples
            The County Historical Society Retreat
            The County Feedlot Committee
            The Church Camp
            The Gift
            A Sexual Orientation/4H Leader Controversy
            Family Service Collaborative
      Marketing Volunteer Facilitators to the Community
            Sample News Release
            Sample Application
            Sample Detailed News Release
            Sample Brochure
      Pre/Post Participant Assessment
      Pre-assessment Worksheet
      Post-assessment Worksheet
      Individual Session Evaluation
      Sample Activity Report for Facilitators
      Volunteer Facilitation Program - Evaluation Summary
      Design Team Roster
      Finding More Resources

---

About the Authors and Additional Contributors
The authors of this guide have over 115 combined years of facilitator experience. The members have tested and refined many exercises and resources while facilitating and training a wide range of community groups, organizations, and companies. They recognize that in this work called facilitation, one never quits learning.

Marian Anderson
Marian has served as Extension Educator in Rice County since 1989. Previous to that, she was Extension Educator in Big Stone County from 1968 to 1989. She earned a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota in Home Economics Education. Marian specializes in Leadership/Citizenship Education, is a member of the Minnesota Association of Extension Educators, Minnesota Association of Extension Family and Consumer Science, Minnesota Facilitators Network, and many community organizations and networks. She is a contributor to Kiwanis and the Rice Unit of the American Cancer Society.

Sharon Roe Anderson
Sharon is the Director of International Exchange Programs and Associate Director of the Reflective Leadership Center at the Humphrey Institute of the University of Minnesota. The Center’s approach to understanding and enhancing leadership development has drawn international attention and recognition. Sharon has taught and consulted extensively with organizations and communities on "collective leadership," doing together what is not possible as individuals. She has developed leadership centers as well as programs for people at all levels in the educational, political, community, and business arenas. A recipient of many honors and awards, Sharon specializes in a pragmatic approach and is sought out as a strategist and coach in issues of leadership, shared power, proactive change, informed decision making, and excellence in organizations.

Mary Laeger-Hagemeister
Mary has been Extension Educator in Steele County since September of 1997. Her primary responsibilities are youth development and leadership/citizenship issues. Previously, Mary was an extension educator for Penn State University in the Harrisburg area for nine years. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and a Master of Education in Individual and Family Development from Penn State. She is an active member in the Minnesota Association of Extension 4-H Agents, and the Minnesota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and is a Certified Family Life Educator through the National Association on Family Relations.

Donna Rae Scheffert
Donna Rae has been a faculty member at the University of Minnesota Extension Service since 1987 specializing in ethics and public leadership, community and organizational issues, and international study exchanges. She is currently studying for a Ph.D. in adult development and education and holds a Master’s degree in continuing studies with an emphasis in leadership development. Donna Rae has published several articles in professional journals.

Roger Steinberg
Roger is an assistant professor and rural community development specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, working out of the University Center, Rochester. He also holds an adjunct appointment of the faculty of the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University. His work involves educational seminars, workshops, and conferences, bringing University faculty and students out from campus to work on community issues, and assisting communities, groups, and organizations with strategic planning, goal setting, and leadership development. This work is done through local Extension offices. Roger grew up in South Dakota and Northwestern Iowa and is a graduate of South Dakota State University.

Production Staff
Karen Burke: Project Manager
   Communication and Educational Technology Services
   University of Minnesota Extension Service
Jim Kiehne: Graphics Designer
Nancy Goodman: Editor

Additional Contributors
Sara Taylor
Mary Ann Gwost Hennen
Kim Boyce
Lisa Hinz

A special thanks to the initial participants in piloting the Facilitation Resources volumes:

Rebecca Bachrach Jane Boots Richard Cook Lynnette Estrem Willard Estrem Brenda Guderian Nancy Jenson Kirsten Kaffine

Mark Kuether Gene Kuntz Karen Kuntz Daniel Lee Jean McCarthy Melissa Neil Dave Peterson Tom Pietz

Mary Schroeder Judy Srsen April Sutor Larry Tande Jill Vollmer Toni Webster Tara Winter

Copyright ©  2012  Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

The information given in this publication is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Minnesota Extension is implied.

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.