Group Education Manual - Peace Corps Wiki

Handout 11G: The Facilitator’s Role in Group Discussions Plans the meeting ahead of time and creates an agendao Consults with CAT (Community Action Team) members or other stakeholders to plan themeeting and make sure the goals and agenda are clearo Prepares materials and distributes them ahead of time (if appropriate) Guides the processo Helps with creating the process so the CAT can create the content. Asks CAT members tomake choices about the process they will use for the group discussions (such as how theywant to make decisions)o In general, the facilitator should not be the resource person for content. In other words, thecontent should come from the CAT or from other resources identified by them.o Has an awareness of where the group is energetically and what process will lead them to thenext phase of their work Encourages participationo Makes eye contact (where culturally appropriate) with allo Creates a safe environment, especially for those who tend to participate less or have lesspower in the groupo Varies the ways that people work (individual reflection, pairs, small groups, whole group) Helps the group reach conclusionso Guides each discussion to an eventual closeo Checks for agreement (consensus or vote)o Keeps track of action items and “parking lot” items to look at latero Celebrates the meeting’s achievementso Distributes meeting notes or decisions as appropriate Pays attention to gender and other group dynamicso Can step outside of the agenda and have the group deal with social attitudes that arecontrary to gender equality and respectful relationships that may emerge during thediscussions.o At other times, it might be more beneficial to discuss the problematic comment or actionoutside of the meeting itself.o Should be assertive in dealing with disruptive or disrespectful behavior, or else other CATmembers may feel reluctant to participate.110