Extension to Communities

Facilitating For Results

A Task-Oriented Approach To Reaching Consensus And Taking Action

by Norm Riggs
Community Development Specialist, Iowa State University Extension

This web site offers a comprehensive "how-to" approach to facilitating, goal-setting, and action planning with large, often public audiences. Its elements, however, can be applied to organizations and small groups as well.

Warning: Do not attempt to read all these web pages in one sitting unless you suffer from insomnia. Wait until you are faced with a real-life facilitation situation and refer to those sections that will help guide you through the meeting. The Content Outline should serve as a handy reference regarding the steps and principles employed in effective facilitation.

Content Outline

Introduction: What is Facilitation?; Guiding Principles
Ready, Set, Begin: Meeting Setting and Equipment; Your Introductory Remarks
Goal-Setting (The "What"): Introduction to Brainstorming; Brainstorming: The Steps; Your Wrap-Up
Action-Planning (The "How"): Choosing Projects
Conclusion

NOTE: If you decide to print out a hard copy of the Facilitating for Results web pages, please don't forget to print all the linked pages (indicated by colored, underlined words). If you don't, you'll miss some of the worksheets and examples.

Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
Questions or comments? Contact the Extension to Communities Secretary, lindaek@iastate.edu
last updated Thursday March 01 2001