The word "facilitate" means "to make easy." A Facilitator conducts group business and guides the Formal Consensus process so that Decision-making flows smoothly at group Meetings. Rotating facilitation from meeting to meeting shares important skills among the members. If everyone has firsthand knowledge about facilitation, it will help the flow of all Meetings. Co-facilitation, or having two (or more) people facilitate a Meeting, is recommend. In this way, an inexperienced Facilitator may apprentice with a more experienced one. Use a variety of group discussion techniques throughout the meeting. And with proper timing, a bit of humor can go a long way in easing tension during a difficult moment at the Meeting.
The Facilitator is expected to meet with the Agenda Planning Committee prior to the business meeting to plan a proposed agenda and brainstorm on discussion techniques for specific agenda items.
Good facilitation is based upon the following principles:
- Non-Directive Leadership
- Clarity of Process
- The Agenda as a Contract
- Assume Good Will from all Participants
Sources: Consensus for Cities, On Conflict & Consensus
Contributors: Amy Rothstein, C.T. Butler
Recommended Books: Consensus for Cities, On Conflict & Consensus
If not then leave us a suggestion on how it can be improved