Facilitation

what is Facilitation?

Facilitation is a collaborative way to manage small or large group discussions to assist groups of people to identify and solve problems, make decisions, and complete tasks.

Facilitation encourages a cooperative environment so that the group can fulfill its purpose as easily as possible.

Facilitation creates a climate that invites creative thinking, protects individuals from criticism, and generates ideas so the group can reach its goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is facilitation?

Facilitation is a collaborative way to manage small or large group discussions to assist groups of people to identify and solve problems, make decisions, and complete tasks.

Facilitation encourages a cooperative environment so that the group can fulfill its purpose as easily as possible.

Facilitation creates a climate that invites creative thinking, protects individuals from criticism, and generates ideas so the group can reach its goals.

What issues are suitable for facilitation?
  • Clarifying Goals, Objectives & Priorities
  • Community Input Process
  • Conference & Event Planning
  • Interdepartmental Planning
  • Organizational Change
  • Problem Solving
  • Strategy Development
  • Information Sharing
What can facilitation accomplish?
  • Foster Creativity & Innovation
  • Build Consensus & Commitment
  • Mobilize Participation
  • Help Align Vision, Mission & Values
  • Identify Commonalities
  • Summarize & Organize Participants’ Ideas
  • Foster Communication Among Group Members
  • Promote Harmony
  • Produce “Doable” Solutions
How does facilitation work?

A group contacts a facilitator to assist it to work through its issues in a meeting or a series of meetings.

The facilitator provides guidance on the process.  Group members are responsible for the content and decision-making.

The facilitator helps establish the mechanics of the meeting, such as the agenda, identifying necessary participants, timetable, and meeting logistics.

During a facilitated meeting, the group focuses on problems and solutions, often seeking consensus to resolve the issues.  Ground rules or group protocols encourage broad and effective participation.

The facilitator keeps the discussion focused and on point.

After the meeting (if requested), group members may receive a meeting summary that includes key discussion points and agreements, follow-up actions, an agenda for the next meeting, and/or any other pre-arranged items.

TESTIMONIALS

“The Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center facilitator skillfully led our nonprofit and a partner government agency through a process to develop needed partnership documents. Her excellent tools, focus, pacing, and follow-up work helped us gain the clarity we needed to develop great products.”

Margot Griffith

Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association

“The Ku’ikahi facilitator was extremely well prepared for the Home Owner’s Association meetings. She knew how to engage those in attendance by setting decorum parameters at the beginning of the meeting. Her expertise and facilitation skills were readily apparent when the need arose.“

DJ Howell

Board Member, Kalapana Seaview Estates Community Association

“Kuʻikahi Mediation Center has some of the best facilitators around. Case in point – Julie Mitchell, the Center’s Executive Director, is expert at the strategic design of a session to produce both quality outcomes and a meaningful experience for participants.”

Ron Whitmore

Deputy Director, County of Hawai‘i Department of Research and Development

“The facilitator from Kuʻikahi was very engaged in preparing for our meeting and was especially astute at managing the sometimes emotional dynamics of the group during our half-day meeting.  She recognized when breaks were needed to keep people engaged and to diffuse tension.”

Jon Christensen

Chief of Facilitites Management, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

“I wanted to extend a huge thank you for what you did for our group.  We made it much further and smoother than I thought we would have.”

Facilitation Client

"Thank you very much for your expert and professional assistance at our recent strategic planning session and the prompt summaries you sent. We look forward to continuing our mission for the parks with renewed energy and commitment!"

Donna Barr

Board Chair, Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association

“Thanks to both of you, we are now able to move forward as one unified Big Island team.  Great working with you and will refer to friends and family.”

Facilitation Client