This two-day course provides a core program of theory, discussion and practice designed to develop attendees' basic and more advanced facilitation skills.
Facilitation skills are used to form productive teams, plan programs, and to implement controversial projects. Trained facilitators help groups communicate productively, constructively manage diverse points of view, and create concrete actions as a result of meetings. It is also a personally satisfying experience when you, as the meeting facilitator, bring out the best in the people in a meeting and can help a team improve its performance.
After reviewing basic facilitation skills such as how to set up a meeting for success (writing objectives, sharing agendas, etc.), the instructor will introduce and provide opportunity to practice techniques for facilitating groups with specific goals. For example, certain methods are utilized when answers need to be generated, and others are used to facilitate groups that need to make decisions. In addition, time will be allocated to practice techniques to handle difficult behaviors.
A study by Microsoft® pointed to worthless meetings as a major time waster in America. Respondents in their survey spend 5.6 hours each week in meetings and 71 percent of these people think those meetings “...aren’t productive.” Good meetings don't just happen.
Leaders with outstanding facilitation skills are key to turning this wasted time into meetings that produce results.
This course is intended for anyone who wants to increase their personal effectiveness and have greater influence over the work they do in groups.
Government folks (managers and staff) need at minimum these basic skills." Heidi C. Dec 2015 "The idea that meeting prep is necessary and shows respect to your attendees should be on all hosts minds" Debbie S. Dec 2015 "The training and materials have given me a much-needed orientation toward respectful and effective facilitation rather than just plowing through an agenda as rapidly as possible. I’ve already been using several of the techniques, and your training has made me a better meeting participant when I’m not facilitating. And I loved the music!" G. Husak, April 2015 "I thought it was the best course on facilitation that I have taken" A. Dirnberger, April 2015 “The range of skills and tools that were taught that cover from pre-meeting planning through meeting wrap up and post meeting work. Great ideas and techniques that will come in handy in lots of situations.” S. Johnson, May 2013 " [The class was] great, [insructor was] calming, made for a very safe environment. I tend to be very nervous and I felt comfortable!" L. McNearney, March 2013 |
Additional Discounts for registering related courses: There is an additional $50 discount when registering for either Collaborative Negotiation Skills for Environmental Professionals OR Conflict Resolution Skills for Environmental Professionals when they are offered in the same week. The two registrations must be made at the same time to get the discount. There is an additional $100 discount when registering for all three classes when they are offered the same week. Registration for all three classes must be made at the same time.
*Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes, government employees, nonprofits, students and AFS, NAEP, NEBC, TAEP members.
You may register online or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at (425) 270-3274. Online registration is strongly encouraged.
Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements.
