This material was developed by Alan Sloan.

Facilitators provide continuity. They act as the glue for binding together the elements of a group into an organic process that is meaningful for the participants. In some sense, a good facilitator is the narrator of the meeting, a human face and voice that gives form to the process.

Friendliness, openness and good communication skills are by far the most essential attributes. Facilitators need to be sensitive to the input and reactions of each participant while keeping an eye on the bigger picture, namely the group dynamic and the overall direction of each group.

The qualities of an ideal facilitator include:

• respected by the participants as an honest, organized and unbiased person
• gentle, direct, precise and a good communicator
• encourages participants to open up and share their experiences and wisdom
• helps participants to come to their own conclusions without interference or manipulation
• knows how to get out of the way of the creative process
• moves the group along toward an agreed upon goal (agenda), keeping both the conversation and overall process on track
• facilitates with a light touch, with humor and warmth (does not take the job so seriously that she/he becomes a "bottleneck")

The general guidelines for facilitating a meeting include:

1. Welcome the participants and begin with a bow.
2. At the first meeting, ask participants to introduce themselves.
3. Present the proposed agenda or meeting format, helping participants to identify and then set clear goals for the meeting or series of meetings.
4. Lead the discussion based on the course of action agreed to by the group (a flip chart and markers will be provided so that the entire group can track the progression of the discussion).
5. Provide interim summaries throughout the process to remind participants as to what has been covered and agreed upon (build consensus).
6. Summarize conclusions at the end of each meeting.
7. Thank the participants, acknowledging everyone’s worthwhile contribution to the group and commitment to future actions. Close with a bow.
8. Working with the scribe, coordinate the follow-up and documentation of the group’s work.