In todays world of tight finances, truncated timelines, increased workloads and demands for workplace democracy, working together is a given. We know we need to make group decisions. We'd like to make them in a positive atmosphere and as quickly as possible.

We know meetings are necessary. We also know that meetings are frustrating and are seen by many as a waste of time. It doesn't have to be that way.

If you want meetings that are participatory, effective and productive, we can help. Tall order? Perhaps, but we believe the tools in this course will prepare you to be a better meeting facilitator - a better facilitative leader.

You can:

• Enhance participation and group productivity
• Plan and facilitate meeting agend items
• Design and orchestrate meetings
• Play the role of meeting facilitator more effectively

• Get more people participating helpfully
• Diminish frustration among participants
• Enable people to become more productive
• Get better overall results from your meetings
• Achieve consensus quickly and positively

Day One

Day Two

Session One
Participating in Meetings

• What makes a great meeting? - an exploration of what makes a meeting great
• Participation - at its best
• Levels of involvement in decision making
• Facilitating brainstorming

Session Three
Participating in Meetings

• Keys to healthy communication
• Preparing for meetings
• Creating designs for meeting
• Meeting planning - working in small groups

Session Two
Planning Agenda Items

• Dialogue - What are the key elements?
• Asking questions to promote conversation
• Planning for agenda items in meetings
• Creating plans to facilitate agenda items - work in small groups

Session Four
Facilitating Meetings

• Stages in the group's journey
• The facilitator's role in meetings
• Dealing with difficult situations
• Personal action planning

Design
Effective Meetings

• Prepare more thoroughly
• Create engaging agendas
• Construct meaningful questions
  

Improve
Meeting Results

• Increase group productivity
• Enable groups to get results
• Create solid group consensus

Create a
Participatory Environment

• Handle diverse situations
• Deal with difficult situations
• Develop a sense of teamwork

Gain Confidence
as a Facilitative Leader

• Learn highly useful tools and techniques
• Enhance meaningful participation
  
• Communicate more effectively in groups