ae606@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Victoria Edwards)

	A good group ... How a facilitator helps

                      A facilitator should be: 
	relaxed
	non-judgemental
	listen to what is said
	watch how people behave

                            A facilitator:

reminds the group participants about accountability/ground rules
allows people to disagree ie. I believe ...

acts like a valve, opening and closing

allows for diversity
	
asks for suggestions
	
reflects the diversity (topics)
	
is proactive (suggests possibilities)

uses an evaluation sheet (identify problemes in the group)

clarifies the topic under discussion-make sure everyone understands/wants
the same topic by saying it and asking about it

gets enough information about the topic and employs a `resource person` on
occasion

                 You might have a co-facilitator to handle

the group in general

a difficult person

                         Know when to:

let go! "this bombed, let`s go onto another topic"

               A good facilitator develops the ability

to listen

to share

to reach out, and

be open to the needs of the group by providing information and ensuring a
good climate for discussion

                    Starting up the Group Discussion

Try a round or small group activity

	numbering (all threes go to a separate table)
	
	have people `interview` each other then report back to the group
	...on each other ... Susan is a Taurus, who loves reading,
	writing, and argueing and her favorite chair is a bean bag 
	
	tags or colour (depending on length of time in group, 
        introduce self to 3 people of different colours)

	coins
	
	what`s your name and ... sign & what characteristic applies to you
	make up a game
	
	vary the physical form, have people arranged differently by birth
	month or preferences for example (ice cream flavor)
	
	do a `who knew that..?` and have people stand up, or sit down, or
	move from one side of the room to another
	
	try a 4 corners approach to the game

	Always reserve time for an opening round "What happened this week?"

	Announcements & Community events round.

	Other ideas ... lesbigays in the media round
	            ... positives & negatives