This book reveals the secrets of the art of facilitation and shows how to use it to initiate group empowerment.

Developing facilitation skills means first fully understanding the facilitator role: that of a guide helping a group or individual towards a conclusion, without steering the decision. To become an effective group facilitator you need to understand the principles of self-facilitation and the facilitation of individuals, as well as that of a group.

The authors, all experienced facilitators, begin by fully explaining the skills required and the benefits to be derived. The Toolkit which follows includes practical activities, designs and processes, and includes a model facilitation training programme.

This combination of personal experience and practical advice will have wide appeal for facilitators, trainers and group members.

Contents: Part 1 Facilitation: Preparing the ground; Facilitating yourself; Facilitating others; Facilitating a group; On the edge of the sword; Working on the different levels; Getting to agreement; Cutting through; Facilitation and the client; Facilitation and change. Part 2 Toolkit: A – Design: Workshop design; Meeting design; Project design; Evaluation design. B - Facilitative Processes: Being with another; Being with a group; My world, your world; Mining the gold; Speaking the vision; Empowering interpretations; Identity check; Situation check; Role plays; Uncovering sabotage patterns; Clearing processes; Getting fully present; Getting complete; Speaking the higher purpose. C - Facilitator’s Training Programme. Appendices: Contract confirmation model; Meeting record sheet model; Recommended reading; Index.

About the Author: Dale Hunter is a consultant in organizational and community development. Her experience ranges from facilitating public meetings of several hundred people through strategic planning, conflict resolution and performance management to individual and team coaching.

Anne Bailey works with groups and organizations as a catalyst and facilitator on projects involving personal and professional development. Her background is in education, counselling and community development.

Bill Taylor is a professional journalist as well as an experienced facilitator and counsellor.

Hunter, Bailey and Taylor are also the authors of The Zen of Groups: A Handbook for People Meeting with a Purpose.

Reviews: 'There is certainly much here that stimulates further thinking and new facilitators will find it a practical introduction to the subject.' Management Skills and Development

'packed with useful practical information.' Modern Management

'Everything that has been significant in creating the groups I have been involved with is dealt with in this book. The tool kit is particularly useful - and would also be an excellent refresher for anyone who professes to being proficient at facilitating.' Voluntary Voice

'This book should go a long way towards helping trainers to extend their roles beyond the modern equivalent of chalk and talk. I found this an interesting, useful and certainly different book for trainers who wish to develop their range of skills.' Training Officer

'An easy to read, practical book on the subject ... a useful addition to the range of facilitation books currently available.' Rapport 44, Summer 1999