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Download
course overview in pdf
"The training was
relevant and hands-on. The methods I learnt have been useful
in a number of different circumstances, both in working with
young people in formal meetings, and also in more informal
situations"
- Garmon ap Garth, Young People's Co-ordinator,
Foyer
"I used the Consensus
Workshop method with teachers and artists to help them agree
the key processes and milestones for a creative project they
are working on. Their feedback was that the session had achieved
a lot, and been enjoyable!" - Rachel Gardiner,
Arts Education Consultant
“The best thing about
Group Facilitation Methods is that the methods are really
practical - I have enjoyed using them in meetings with partners
organisations, and that has helped me to develop my leadership
role. I fully recommend it!” - Rob Cookson,
Director, Tameside 3rd Sector Coalition
“The GFM course was great
in that it combined two very useful and compatible tools for
facilitation. I had used cards in my work previously—to
bring a group to consensus—but this course has given
me insight into how to do it properly (in my case the gain
was insight into tips to maximize participation throughout
the process, and how to streamline the process).”
- Lesley Adams Training & Facilitation
Who this course is for
This course has no pre-requisite, but is the pre-requisite
for all our intermediate & advanced courses.
It is recommended both to newcomers to facilitation, and to
experienced facilitators who are new to our
approach.
It is suitable for all those who want to be able to facilitate
groups more confidently and effectively, including team leaders
and managers within organisations, those working with partners
and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and
independent facilitators. This is our most popular course.
Questions this course answers
“How can I have more purposeful & productive
conversations, bring out the wisdom of a group, encourage
feedback between people, and reach shared awareness in meetings?
How can I generate and weave together a diverse range of ideas,
develop creative solutions and build a group consensus?”
This course provides a structured introduction to the Focused
Conversation and Consensus
Workshop methods, which form the foundations of the Action
Planning method, Participatory
Strategic Planning and other applications.
What you will gain
By the end of the course, you will
- be able to identify when and how to use the Focused Conversation
and Consensus Workshop methods
- have gained confidence in the use of these methods
- have recognised and explored elements of participation,
creativity, teamwork and action
- have built links with others to promote future collaboration
and support in the use of the methods
Focused Conversation method
 The
Focused Conversation method provides a structure for effective
communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the
opportunity to participate.
The method results in clear ideas and conclusions, it broadens
perspectives and enables participants to gain valuable insights
from their own and each others’ experience. Practical
applications of this method include analysing trends and current
situations, talking through difficult issues and clarifying
values within work and community settings.
Download
Focused Conversation Method overview
Consensus Workshop method
 The
Consensus Workshop method enables a facilitator to draw out
and weave together everybody's wisdom into a clear and practical
consensus.
The method involves a five-step process that guides people
from generating and collecting ideas, through organising those
ideas into meaningful groups, to reaching agreement on the
question they are facing and identifying some next steps to
move forward.
The method generates new creative ideas, incorporates both
rational and intuitive approaches to problem solving, and
builds team spirit and consensus.
Download
Consensus Workshop Method overview.
Download a case
study (pdf) of how these methods were used in developing
a mission and values statement
Learning style
The course presents the two methods in a practical and participatory
way. Each method is first demonstrated, then analysed and
discussed, and then practiced in supportive small groups with
guided reflection & feedback. Finally, participants plan
how they will apply each method in their own situations.
It is scheduled back-to-back with the 1-day Introduction
to Group Facilitation and Action
Planning courses, to allow from one to three days of training
at once.
What do participants say about this course?
93% of GFM participants in the year to March
2007 rated the course 8/10 or higher.
Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations
included:
- provides two practical, easy-to-use methods to discover
deep insights from diverse groups - useful tools for any
group, organisation or community
- an excellent opportunity to learn new techniques for
facilitating groups in a supportive & challenging environment
- an excellent hands-on course, and good networking too
- benefits for experienced facilitator and novice alike
- clear methods that almost anyone could feel comfortable
learning and putting into practice - even children and young
people could lead adults with these
- methods of group facilitation like you have never known
- you will constantly refer back to them and use them in
everyday life and work
- thorough and accessible to all because of the various
methods of learning used – theory plus practice makes
it dynamic and held my interest
- a great way to build your confidence in a short time
- will enhance your role as a trainer, facilitator, team-leader,
or manager
- 2 days hard graft, sometimes wiping sweat off my brow
- but like after any workout I feel fitter
- it was like seeing for the first time – empowering
and inspiring, great stuff
- brilliant - a must-do if you want better, more effective
meetings
- experiential learning at it’s best - if you want
to learn about effective ways of encouraging participation,
you couldn’t do better
- worth every penny – excellent content & great
presentation
Check course dates and book online now.
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