Making Group Work Easy: The Art of Successful Facilitation

by Steven A. Schiola

Overview

This book teaches a process that will help both teachers and administrators plan for and conduct meetings that are meaningful, useful, and that generate results. The place to start this work is before the meeting even begins. A careful look at the purposes of the meeting, the working agreements that the group will use, and the agenda will provide the framework for a successful outcome. Once learned, this structure can be used again and again. In addition, you will learn what to do in those cases when decorum breaks down, or you can't reach consensus, or a member of the group is not cooperating. You will also learn decision-making techniques that allow meaningful participation by all members of the group and how to prioritize a number of efforts. The effective structure of meetings along with other techniques to employ when things go wrong will make anyone an effective meeting facilitator!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607097754
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	11/16/2010
Pages:	138
Product dimensions:	6.09(w) x 9.08(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Steven A. Schiola worked for thirty years as an elementary teacher, elementary principal, and staff development coordinator in Colorado schools. He recently retired from public education and founded Open Road Consulting LLC. Learn more at www.openroadllc.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter 1 - The role of the facilitator
Chapter 3 Chapter 2 - Getting to the nut! How to clearly understand the problem
Chapter 4 Chapter 3 - Ensuring the right people are in the room
Chapter 5 Chapter 4 - Finding the purpose of the organization and the meeting
Chapter 6 Chapter 5 - The power of using working agreements
Chapter 7 Chapter 6 - Effective decision making strategies
Chapter 8 Chapter 7 - Making sure that every voice is heard
Chapter 9 Chapter 8 - Putting it all together
Chapter 10 Chapter 9 - Evaluation and accountability
Chapter 11 Chapter 10 - Looking for and celebrating success
Chapter 12 Chapter 11 - Now that you finished the process, it is time to start over. Included is a process for data conversations about student achievement.
Chapter 13 Chapter 12 - What do you do if? Strategies to deal with group issues.
Chapter 14 Chapter 13 - Resources for facilitators
Chapter 15 Chapter 14 - Materials for successful facilitation

Editorial Reviews

This book fills the needs of novice trainers and facilitators when they need it most. It is an easy read and provides real world insights into the initial struggles of leading training and facilitating a variety of meetings. The strategies presented are ones that work. They warrant review throughout a facilitator's career as they are the kinds of techniques that are useful no matter how much experience one has. Steve has made a valuable contribution to time-honored, authentic work in training and facilitation.

Helen Ryley

Steve Schiola has written a book for leaders and aspiring leaders that can make a significant difference in their effectiveness. Steve has worked in this discipline for years, he has been a student of best practices and is a master facilitator. His book is a compilation of the most effective strategies and techniques based on his research and experience. Readers will learn the fundamentals and progress to understanding the 'art' of effective facilitation that can be applied to even the most complex and conflict ridden issues. The skills of effective mediation, facilitation and conflict resolution are increasingly becoming what can differentiate a great leader from a good one. You will love this book.

Todd Gamble

Our sessions with Steve were instrumental in achieving the consensus we needed from the participants. Later, while formulating our action plans, we often referred back to the information gathered during our facilitated sessions. Our work with Steve made it easy to prioritize our challenges and stay focused on the most important issues at hand.

John Schroll