How To Be An Effective Facilitator Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation Workbook Dr. Martin Carcasson PART 3: THE BASICS OF FACILITATING

Understand the Issue Facilitators are NOT expected to be experts, however, it is CRITICAL that you read and understand the issue book. Be prepared to point people to visual charts or illustrations. Familiarize yourself with each approach. Try to briefly describe the approach and the underlying value in one, simple sentence.

Understand the NIF Process Welcome everyone and introduce ground rules Begin the forum with a personal stake question and offer everyone a chance to contribute a concern about the issue. Give equal time to discussing each approach Endeavor to reach common ground and remaining concerns Provide an opportunity to complete a post-forum survey or conduct a dot-voting exercise.

An Effective Facilitator Remains impartial about the subject of the forum Manages the room well Models democratic attitudes and skills Does not take on an “expert” role with the subject matter Keeps the deliberation focused on the approaches

Listens for values that motivate a participant’s comments Intervenes as necessary. Asks clarifying questions, if necessary Encourages everyone to join in the conversation Asks thoughtful and probing questions to surface costs and consequence Helps participants find common ground and identify and work through key tensions Encourages deeper reflection An Effective Facilitator continued….

What are the Responsibilities of a Facilitator ? Motivator Guide Questioner Bridge Builder Clairvoyant Peacemaker Taskmaster Praise

The “Soul” of the Facilitator Facilitators care about people Facilitations want to help Facilitators put their egos aside Source: Michael Wilkinson’s The Secrets of Facilitation (Josey-Bass, 2004), pp.24-26

The Five Basic Facilitator Choices Move on to the next speaker by simply pointing to the next person in line or asking the group for additional comments. Paraphrase what that person said in order to clarify the point, help the note-takers Ask a “ probing ” or “ follow up ” question to the same speaker to get clarification or dig deeper Ask a “reaction ” question that seeks to have other people respond to the last speaker’s comments in some way. Ask a new starting question

Primary Facilitating Styles The Referee – Only interferes as necessary to enforce rules and time constraints. The Interviewer – Prepares specific questions beforehand and pushes participants on particular issues. The Devil’s Advocate – Works to present views that are not represented in the forum. The Weaver – Focused on helping participants identify and build upon common ground.

Facilitator Skillful Tips Know the venue Coordinate tasks with team members – co-facilitators, recorders, and time keepers. Model friendly and relaxed behavior while welcoming people and introducing the issue Provide a visible list of ground rules Be an Active Listener Stay NEUTRAL!

Facilitator Skillful Tips continued Ask open-ended questions Allow for pauses and silence Do not allow anyone to make you or another person “the expert” on the issue Encourage participants to respond to each other Keep the discussions on track Use conflict productively

Facilitator Skillful Tips continued Do not allow people to personalize their disagreements – no put-downs Draw out quiet members of the group Do not let the group get hung up on the facts Do not let an aggressive, talkative person to dominate the conversation

Ending the Forum Individual reflection How has your thinking about this issue changed? Group reflection Can we identify any shared sense of purpose/direction? Next-Step Reflections What still needs to be discussed or resolved Feedback Is there is one thing you could say to political leaders about this issue, what would you say?

Ending the Forum continued Thank everyone for participating Request that participants fill out a deliberation evaluation form and/or issue questionnaire

Time Keeping & Recording Time Keeper should clearly announce that a minute or two remain and “call time.” Observers – Listen for values, common ground, drawbacks, underlying values for participants’ concerns, and any specific quotes that capture essential points Flip Chart Recorder - Write in 2” letters, record attractive actions, objections or drawbacks, common agreement, & difficulties that prevent consensus.

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