A Crash Course in Facilitation

A Crash Course in Facilitation

for great group gatherings

A mid-level short course in group facilitation skills

Effective Group Facilitation requires a range of tools
and methods for helping and herding humans.

This short-course goes beyond the beyond the fundamentals
to begin the journey of the high-functioning facilitator

WHY DO IT?

Grow to be impactful and elegant in leading sessions

Facilitation skills training is effective at jump-starting the facilitator’s learning journey.

This short course is appropriate for team leaders, workshop trainers and committee meeting organisers who are looking for new tools and new understandings to improve their practice.

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WHAT’S INVOLVED?

The course can be delivered in two ways: three sessions of five hours or over five sessions of three hours.

The following is the course outline for the version over five shorter sessions.

§1 GETTING SETTLED
Beginnings are crucial Let’s get our own start right, so that we can learn from that.

Setting the scene for our own learning, learning about the five fundamentals of facilitation, and sharing approaches that work to make the right first impressions.

§2 PURPOSE PROCLAIMED & CULTURE CODE
We need to know why we are here, and we need to have a conversation to encode how we treat each other.

The importance and theory behind the Why and the How of humans in groups. Also including various methods to open and progress those conversations.

§3 NEXT LEVEL LISTENING
If there’s no listening, you’re going nowhere.

Listening is simple, but it is not easy. Listening, noticing, watching and observing on multiple levels is a skillset that can only improve.

§4 POWER & PROTEST: COPING WITH CONFLICT
When it all goes south, everyone will be looking to you.

As facilitators, we need to be prepared for disruptions, dysfunctions, conflict, difficult discussions and challenging conversations.

§5 HERDING HUMANS: HELPFUL HACKS & HINTS FOR GROUP MANAGEMENT
Most groups have hard-workers, holiday makers and some hostages/ hijackers.

A chance to discover more tactics and tricks to help you to facilitate with grace. Also including suggestions on further avenues to explore to practice your craft.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The course works by offering:

THEORY & THINKING
This is the understanding of the role of the facilitator, and a framework of thinking about the job, that allows you to plan for successful sessions, and problem-solve in the moment when disruption and dysfunction surface.

TOOLS & SKILLS
These are the processes, discussion formats, listening and communicating skills that are the visible aspects of the job.

TACTICS & TRICKS
It takes a human to lead a group of humans. And it takes a skilled and graceful facilitator to make that look natural and elegant.

The tactics and tricks are the small, often unnoticed, little touches that can help you look effortless in the role.

THE FACILITATOR’S CLINIC

If the content is not relevant, then the time spent training is wasted.

The Facilitator’s Clinic is a space in the training room to examine real-life stories and realistic challenges.

The trainer and participant group together then design appropriate effective solutions, coping mechanisms and/or preventative measures.

BOOKLET OF HANDOUTS

Each session comes with a selection of handouts describing and signposting in comprehensive detail more tools to use, methodologies to consider and further insights to ponder.

FACILITATION TRAINING

Get the competence and confidence to
chair, convene, conduct or coach
your groups in style.

THE CORE OF FACILITATION
Level 1: one-day introductory workshop

A CRASH COURSE IN FACILITATION
Level 2: five half-day sessions mid-level short course

THE CRAFT OF FACILITATION
Level 3: Nine-week evening exploring course The Craft of Facilitation, level 2 group faciliation skills course by Dave Dunn

GROUP FACILITATOR

For meaningful meetings,
courageous conversations
and wicked workshops.

Also experienced at strategic visioning & planning; hosting conferences; chairing AGMs; MC-ing open mic nights and cheer leading laughter workshops.

Take a look at his previous clients list.

Dave Dunn is organised, curious and playful. dave.dunn.ie Group Facilitator

VARIOUS WORKSHOPS

These are interactive,
engaging and empowering
learning workshops.

Pitching & Presenting, Resilience, Time & Task Management, Laughter, Listening, Creativity and Business Development Training.

Short, half-day or full-day.
They're also good craic.

Here's a list of upcoming open workshops. dave.dunn.ie workshops