Taking root in the Quakers’ society and Native American cultures, facilitation aims to optimize group participation all the while promoting values of honesty, responsibility and cooperation. Inspiring much of the literature on facilitation in print today, A Manual for Group Facilitators offers its readers a “blueprint for how to engage the whole person and the whole group.” Truly geared toward real-life applications, this manual gives insight on group dynamics and provides plausible scenarios and exercises.
The first chapter is dedicated to introducing facilitation, its uses and code of ethics. The following two chapters focus on understanding the group, its function and goals, and on getting things started on the right foot, including clarifying roles and expectations. Chapters four and five dig into group process, communication, facilitating discussions and special techniques. The last two chapters centre on how to conduct an evaluation and on trouble-shooting.
Both the advice and exercises address a wide variety of group situations. You’ll find yourself reaching for this manual when conflicts arise and in situations of crisis intervention or just to get a meeting started on the right foot or to learn new teaching techniques to enliven a workshop. As such, this manual is a valuable resource not only for aspiring and experience facilitators, but also for all who want to gain insight into and to improve group dynamics.
Download for $10 (USD)