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Facilitator How-To

When you have your first meeting you will introduce yourselves as the facilitator. The main job of a facilitator is to help guide a group discussion so that it is meaningful, productive, respectful, and safe for everyone involved.

A facilitator:

  • Is neutral on the topic. Your bias and knowledge shouldn’t sway the discussions and decisions of the group.
  • Is curious about what others think and helps them express their ideas.
  • Is informed about the objective of the group.
  • Comes prepared with a flexible agenda (and a list of discussion questions.
  • Helps set the tone for a safe, comfortable, healthy discussion.
  • Leads community building activities (sometimes called icebreakers).
  • Role models constructive behavior for the group by demonstrating active listening and positive body language.
  • Leads the discussion by asking relevant and meaningful questions that generate healthy discussions.
  • Uses other facilitation tools and techniques to help participants share information, expertise, and experience on the subject matter.
  • Usually works with a co-facilitator to help the group achieve the objective of the discussion.
  • Sometimes helps the group make an action plan that the group or the individuals will follow to achieve their goals after the workshop.
  • Works with the group to set guidelines based on the Four Pillars: Respect, Listen, Understand, and Communicate.

Facilitation Tools:

Here are just a few techniques that help to slow the discussion down, allowing for a safe space in which people can feel comfortable talking about personal and difficult issues.
Safe Space
Talking Stick
Deep Listening
Four Pillars

- The Students Commission

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The Students Commission