Role of the Facilitator

Facilitators are neutral, impartial process leaders whose goal is to help groups improve the way they communicate, examine and solve problems, and make decisions. Professional facilitators have no decision-making authority in the group and they do not contribute to the substance of the discussion. Their job is to help groups stay on task and to be a catalysts for people to be more creative, efficient and productive than they would be without such help.

The role of the facilitator is to:

• Create a safe environment and put people at ease
• Establish ground rules
• Ask timely and appropriate questions and probe for more information when necessary
• Ensure that participants feel comfortable speaking, even when their message is difficult
• Deal with hostile or domineering participants
• Provide objectivity and neutrality
• Record key points on flipcharts and manage the information
• Reframe individuals’ comments to enhance group’s understanding
• Provide humor when appropriate

Rita Schweitz Facilitating & Consulting
800 Washington Street #909
Denver, CO 80203
303-300-2200
303-756-0307 fax
rita@schweitzfacilitating.com