Don'ts for facilitators
A facilitator should not:
- Impose a solution on the group. They clarify issues, focus discussions, bring out viewpoints, synthesize differences, and look for underlying agreements. However, this does not mean they impose a solution on the group.
- Downplay people’s ideas.
- Push personal agendas and opinions as the “right” answer.
- Dominate the group.
- Read from a manuscript.
- Tell inappropriate or offensive stories.
- Make up an answer.
- Allow people to bully others in the group.
- Take a stance with one section of the group.
- Tell too much about their personal experience and life.
- Assume the demographics of the group.
Do's for facilitators
A facilitator should:- Know the material before doing the workshop.
- Exude confidence, be clear, enthusiastic, and breath!
- Use humour, stories, and examples that directly relate to their work.
- Have lots of visually appealing handouts and flip charts
- Determine needed supplies, room requirements, and chair setup.
- Think through the exercise and visualize potential problems and pitfalls- one of the biggest is not allotting enough time for activities.
- Clearly explain activity directions and be prepared for questions.
- Observe individual participation and involvement during exercises.
- Be aware of individuals that may be experiencing discomfort or who are not participating.
- Follow up the exercise with discussion.
- Processing will reveal the thoughts and feelings never expressed previously.
- Be available to talk/debrief with participants during break times and before/after the training.
- Evaluate the experience and write down notes for future training.