Facilitator's Role

The role of a skilled facilitator is to create conditions in which a group can work together effectively to get a task done efficiently. The facilitator does not provide "expert" answers to problems the group faces. Rather, he/she provides a process which enables the group to develop its' own answers out of its' own collective expertise. Basically, the professional facilitator:

- Helps planners create an EVENT DESIGN that will enable the

group to focus its' efforts most effectively (e.g. formulate

strategic planning questions in a logical sequence or design a

large group event to maximize engagement of all participants).

- Provides STRUCTURE in how to go about various tasks (e.g.

problem-solving sequence, process flow charting, etc.).

- Guides the PROCESS of group interaction so that

participants can be maximally effective with each other (i.e.

monitoring both task focus and relationship interactions).

- Remains NEUTRAL. Is not on anyone's "side". Is only on the

"side" of the group being effective together and achieving its'

goal (e.g. does not offer personal opinions about how to fix the

problem).

- Creates a COLLABORATIVE SPACE. Provides methods

for groups to think together effectively (e.g. posts thoughts on

flip charts so they can be seen and manipulated by the whole

group).

Essentially, the effective facilitator functions as a catalyst for group productivity. The end result is two-fold. First, the group gets its' task done efficiently. Second, the group learns how to work together effectively.

A professional facilitator gradually transfers these skills to the group itself, so that in the future they can be just as effective and efficient without outside facilitation.