FAC-301 logo
Course ID: FAC-301
May 25 - 27, 2010, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Sheraton Pasadena | 303 Cordova Street
Pasadena, California 91101

Instructor: Jim Nelson

Description: Scientists and resources managers use facilitation skills in order to form productive teams, plan programs and projects, and implement controversial ventures and agendas. Facilitators help groups communicate productively by honoring diverse points of view and respectfully creating options that provide the richest suite of benefits for all.

Often, the success or failure of programs and projects depends upon the support of a variety of interested parties: staff, management, agencies, environmental groups, general public, and other stakeholders, all with diverse perspectives. Productive communication among 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. Comparatively bad, is a missed opportunity due to loss of meaningful participation, which 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. Students are presented with a wide array of tools and opportunities to practice new facilitation skills. After core facilitation skills are practiced, the class is then tailored to students’ developmental needs. Participants will be asked to complete a pre-workshop skills profile.

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 meeting 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 improved meeting outcomes. Better meeting participation of all students is an expected outcome of this training.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for scientists and resource managers who plan, facilitate or manage meetings. The skills learned in the class are applicable to work groups, 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.

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the text of Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making by Kaner et al and course proceedings including notes and reference material.

Continuing Education Units: 2.0 CEU's

Registration: $695/$595*
(*reduced tuition is available to employees of Native American tribes, government agencies, and nonprofits; students; and NAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976. Registration Online!

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.

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 lengthy experience dealing with challenging public meetings and helping groups of scientists organize programs and projects. Jim has worked as a trainer and facilitator following his retirement and has helped 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 authored technical papers on rare and endangered plants and is still active in habitat conservation efforts.

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.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.

Northwest Environmental Training Center
A 501(c)(3) non-profit program of EOS Alliance
650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220, Seattle, Washington 98108
Phone: (206)762-1976, Fax: (206)762-1979
www.nwetc.org