Introduction

Facilitators guide the workshops and are responsible for ensuring that participant discussions remain focused on the workshop objectives. They also ensure that all issues are explored as thoroughly as possible within the available time.

A key Facilitator role is to encourage all participants to contribute to the discussion, and to remind them that this is a no-fault environment. Facilitators also build and maintain an environment where all the participants feel comfortable speaking honestly and where differences of opinion are respected.  Facilitators ensure that everyone feels included in the conversation and has an opportunity to participate.  Facilitators should not lecture or dominate the discussion, but rather keep conversations moving. Additionally, Facilitators may want to use a “parking lot” to document valid points that are raised by participants during the workshop which may risk taking the conversation off topic; these items can be assigned for later discussion to the appropriate persons.