“A good listener is not only popular everywhere,
but after a while he gets to know something.” Wilson Mizner
(1876-1933)
Facilitation
Facilitation usually is used for large groups, organizations
or businesses. The facilitator helps the group focus on identifying
and solving problems, issues, or plans for future development
or projects of the group. There may be one or more groups,
organizations or businesses involved in a facilitation.
There are two types of facilitation
Basic Facilitation
Basic facilitation is employed when the facilitator is brought
in to help a group address a pressing problem. The facilitator
helps the group to temporarily improve its process and solve
the problem.
EXAMPLE #1: A number of entities were involved
in attempting to resolve problems in a neighborhood park. The
entities included local government departments (police, parks,
and city councillors), a neighborhood group, a local church
and a local social service agency. The process in this case
involved several smaller mediation sessions between two entities
at a time, and then a large group facilitation that involved
all of the interested entities.
EXAMPLE #2: Another example involved a church
in which the pastor was in a relationship with a member. The
relationship became known to the congregation and a number
of feelings and issues were raised that needed to be aired
and looked at.
Developmental Facilitation
Developmental facilitation is used when the facilitator is
brought in to help a group improve its process. This leads
to a reduced dependence on a facilitator in solving future
problems.
EXAMPLE #1: A non-profit organization was
planning a large event and its members had divergent views
on how that event should look and/or be financed. Besides dealing
with just this issue, the facilitator helped the organization
develop a method for dealing with similar situations in the
future.