Facilitation Skills for Scientists and Resource Managers Training in Seattle, Washington

Facilitation Skills for Scientists and Resource Managers
Course ID: FAC-301 ( 3 days )
February 9-11, 2010, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
NWETC - Headquarters
650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108
PHONE: (206) 762-1976 | FAX: (206) 762-1979

Instructor: Jim Nelson

Registration | Directions | Accommodations | Course Brochure PDF | Course Catalog

Description: Facilitation skills are used by scientists and resource managers to form productive teams, plan programs and projects, and to implement controversial projects and programs. Facilitators help groups to communicate productively, honoring diverse points of view and respectfully creating options that provide the richest suite of benefits for all.

The success or failure of programs and projects often depends on the support of a variety of interested parties-staff, management, agencies, environmental groups, the general public, and other stakeholders—with diverse perspectives. Productive communication among project stakeholders is essential for successful implementation. In some cases, worthy projects have been blocked by disenchanted stakeholders who felt they had no voice or had been treated badly by public officials. Perhaps as bad is a missed opportunity because of the loss of meaningful participation that could have improved a project’s design and implementation.

This course is intended to be a practical approach to improving group meetings. It is oriented specifically to the needs of scientists and resource managers. After core facilitation skills are practiced, the class will be tailored to the students’ development needs. Participants will be asked to complete a pre-workshop skills profile. Students are presented with a wide array of tools and opportunities to practice new facilitation skills.

Course Topics:

Perspectives
Why doesn’t everyone think like me?

Meetings
Different meetings for different needs

Roles and Responsibilities -
Who wears what hat?

Planning Meetings
Assessing needs, objectives, and purpose

Process and Content
The two parts of effective meetings

Logistical Considerations
The right room, the right set up

Basic Facilitator Skills
Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
Maintaining rapport
Framing, reframing, and paraphrasing
Managing personal states of being

Basic Facilitation Processes and Their Use
Use the right process
Agenda
Ground rules
Open participation
Presenting information
Collecting information
Analyzing information
Decision making
Closing the meeting
Evaluation

A Facilitator’s Tool Kit
Tools that make meetings better and easier

Managing Group Dynamics
Tracking and assessing audience needs

Skills Practice and Feedback
Creating a safe place to explore

Discussion on Challenges
How to prevent or deal with problems

Students will be provided an overview of the competencies required for effective meetings. These competencies include:

The ability to assess needs and design meetings to serve the purpose of the meeting and the interests of its participants
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the facilitator, assist team, meeting leader, participants, etc.
Managing and facilitating meetings
Information gathering and presentation techniques
Facilitation skills
- Verbal skills
- Nonverbal skills
- Recording skills
- Basic visual facilitation techniques
Decision-making processes
Evaluation processes

Outcomes: Participants will be able to design and facilitate meetings more effectively with lower anxiety and better meeting outcomes. Better meeting participation of all students is an expected outcome of this training.

About the Instructor: Jim Nelson is a retired California Department of Fish and Game Staff Environmental Scientist. He has trained as a mediator and facilitator and has long experience dealing with challenging public meeting opportunities, and helping groups of scientists to organize programs and projects. Jim worked as a trainer and facilitator following his retirement and has assisted many groups with complex technical and organizational issues. He has taught a variety of courses including Facilitation, Public Meeting Techniques, Environmental Negotiations, and Basic CEQA. He has also authored technical papers on rare and endangered plants and is still active in habitat conservation efforts.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for scientists and resource managers who must plan, facilitate or manage meetings. The skills learned in the class are applicable to work groups and project teams, larger staff groups, interdisciplinary teams, multiagency groups and public meetings.
Past attendees have included personnel throughout organizations: executives, managers, supervisors, technical staff, clerical, and seasonal and contract employees.

Prerequisites: None.

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the course proceedings including notes and reference material on the first day of the course.

CM (pending approval)
AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity [or many activities at this event]. When CM credits are available, they are noted at the end of an activity description. More information about AICP's CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm.

Continuing Education Units: 2.0

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

Registration: Earlybird pricing for registrations received by December 18, 2009, $695/$595*; $795/$695* thereafter
(*reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to the day prior to the event. Registration may occur up to the day prior to the event provided that space is available.