Guidelines for Small Group Facilitator

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             GUIDELINES FOR SMALL GROUP FACILITATOR

NERL has made extensive use of small problem-solving groups to
study and address local or regional issues.  Such groups are led by
a small group facilitator.  The guidelines for this role, presented
below, could be useful to any organization that wants to develop
creative approaches to community problems.

Facilitators will be assigned to NERL groups.  It is the
responsibility of NERL small group facilitators to facilitate the
problem-solving process by asking probing questions, synthesizing
ideas, preventing premature closure, and being a process helper.
During workshops the facilitator's duties will include the
following:

     1.   Keep group attention focused on its priority problem. 
          Since many of the problems chosen by the participants
          require considerable study, and the time allotted for
          study is limited, you will find that group attention must
          continually be focused on the problem and process.

     2.   Help the group obtain and examine necessary resource
          materials.  Encourage group members to work on the
          problem apart from scheduled sessions by dividing
          appropriate research tasks among members.  Efficient use
          of time is important!  Everyone need not read the same
          resource materials if time is allocated for reporting and
          synthesizing ideas.

     3.   Assist with selection of group resource faculty. 
          Communicate group's resource needs for appropriate
          action.  Once selected, make sure it is clear whether
          resource persons are to assist with the analysis of the
          problem situation, or assist with looking at alternative
          solutions.  Clearly communicate your expectations of
          resource persons and group participants as they relate to
          one another.  Indicate when and how long you wish
          resource persons to be present.  Allocate meeting time
          accordingly.  All groups need time to synthesize
          suggestions unfettered by the presence of external
          solution givers!

     4.   Facilitate the problem-solving process by asking
          questions, synthesizing ideas, preventing premature
          closure and so on; pay particular attention to being a
          process helper.  It is the facilitator's role to guide
          the group through the "how to" of problem solving.  Seek
          clarity of ideas.  Attempt to synthesize fairly often so
          group thinking can proceed.  Be alert to concepts that
          ought to be considered.  Finally, even if you "know the
          answer," try not to be a solution giver.  Instead, ask
          questions so your group is able to arrive at its own
          conclusions.

     5.   Help group prepare final report.

Guidelines for giving feedback to meeting leaders and facilitators
are provided in Exercise 11.

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98