We are often called upon to facilitate public meetings, board workshops, or advisory groups. We’ve found that these interactive, facilitated processes can help an organization manage single-issue viewpoints, cultivate relationships, and increase the value of the decision-making process. These groups can serve as an early warning system for issues, options, or opportunities that can be addressed thoughtfully and proactively.

Using a facilitator to help conduct business can be particularly important when:

• The issue the group is providing recommendations on is technical and complex
• The organization has a defined schedule that must be met
• The organization has a strong interest in having a workgroup produce a recommendation that is useful to its governing body
• There is a risk for potential conflict

Raftelis’ facilitators set the agenda with the group’s consensus, establish clear context for all deliberations, create an environment where all parties are comfortable, listen actively, evoke the creativity of the group, ask appropriate questions, and assess progress. Above all the facilitator’s role is to ensure decisions are made when necessary to keep the workgroup moving forward and ensure meeting process and outcomes.