Facilitation Skills Workshop

Dates: Thursday 29th & Friday 30th November, 2007

Course Outline

When groups come together to generate solutions to complex problems involving multiple stakeholders and a range of interests, effective facilitation skills become critical to create the space for meaningful discussion and collaborative decision making. 

Effective facilitation rarely comes naturally and when practised well, can elicit the best from a group of people.  It is the ability to manage, but not control in order to give people the opportunity to safely explore a range of ideas, while maintaining a focus towards achieving general commitment to an agreed solution.  The facilitator’s skill is to use techniques that will optimise both creative and analytical processes, while creating a sense of engagement and participation by all. 

This program will assist you to learn the skills to manage the multiple roles of a facilitator, and the complexity of group processes and structure.

Target Audience

Developed for people who are required to facilitate internal and external groups in a range of contexts.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this program you will be able to:

• Understand group dynamics
• Manage group processes, including conflict and passive behaviour
• Understand the difference between chairing, training and facilitating
• Hold a powerful facilitator identity
• Understand and use personal motivation strategies to energise a discussion
• Use interesting techniques to further participation and problem solving
• Draw ideas together, showing their relationship to the purpose of the meeting

Program Content

• A systems approach to facilitation
• Group dynamics
• Managing your emotional state as a facilitator
• Group motivation strategies
• Decision making and problem solving techniques
• Creating a positive experience for participants
• Design and choice of activities
• Summarising and recording the major views of the group

Methodology

This two-day program is highly experiential and includes group work, practice facilitation and theoretical input.

Facilitator:     Peter Canny, Centre for Organisation Development

Venue:             Suite 2, Pier 35, Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne

Time:               9.00am - 4.30pm

Click here to download an application form.

For further information please call us on (03) 9645 4466 or email nathalie@cfod.com.au.