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Submitted by Naomi Parada, ADR
The facilitator’s role is to ask questions, clarify and keep track of the main agenda. Generally the facilitator is there to see that all participants have a say and that all ideas are listened to and considered.
A facilitator:
1. Keeps the group members focused and on topic.
•Guide the discussion according to the ground rules but remain neutral.
•Guide the group through processes designed to help them listen to each other and assist them creating their own solutions.
•Guide the participants back to the topic of discussion.
2. Summarizes what participants have said.
•Relate what one person says to another person’s ideas (“It sounds like you’re adding to what Joe
said”.)
•Asks if the person could develop the idea further.
•Monitors who has spoken, who hasn’t spokenand whose points have not yet been discussed.
3. Create a safe environment.
•Protect participants from personal attack.
•Ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
•Summarize feelings as well as content (“Jane, you
seem to be disturbed about something”.)
4. Periodically summarize what has happened and what has been decided.
•Record agreements/issues on a large paper to ensure wording is correct.
•Make sure participants discuss follow through actions and deadlines.
•Summarize and celebrate accomplishments at the end of the meeting.
Ty Legal Department, call the Albuquerque Police Department! If you have reason to believe an officer of your Neighborhood Association is engaged in misconduct short of a crime, do not call the City at all. Your bylaws or the advice of a private attorney should be able to guide you as to what remedies you have or what actions you can take regarding misconduct of an officer of your private organization.
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