Powerful methods to facilitate and build consensus
Prerequisite: None *
*GFM is a prerequisite for most other ICA courses and all Programs.
Move beyond “seat-of-the-pants” facilitation and reliance on instinct, to use the most powerful facilitation methods and processes available. Learn step-by-step approaches to clear thinking, sound decisions, solid consensus and open dialogue.
GFM is a foundational course for professional facilitators and will give you a thorough grounding in facilitation practice.
Group Facilitation Methods is IAF Endorsed™ through the Endorsed™ Facilitation Training Program (EFTP). It will help prepare you to become a Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF).
This course is delivered by professional facilitators who demonstrate the materials, lead reflections to learn collaboratively, provide real life examples from experience, and set you up to practice with others. You might work on your own case study or another interesting one. The high quality manual is full of useful materials: underlying theory, short readings, step-by-step instructions, templates, and worksheets. As a result you will have the confidence to use your new understandings immediately with clients of your own.
Choose your preferred type of learning. The In Person (IP) and Live Online (LO) courses are IAF Endorsed™.
Price is in CAD$1,445.00. (approximately US$1011) Applicable tax is extra.
Take the course In Person or Live Online on scheduled dates
There is a Introductory-Level, Self Directed Online GFM at half price $750 (approximately US$540) until September 15, 2026. See tab below.
The Group Facilitation Methods course is the best course for your employees to take in-house at your location. Call us for details.
Benefits
Focus group energy on common goals
- Lead groups to form consensus
- Facilitate solid commitment to results
- Encourage group creativity
Build motivation and improve morale
- Help groups resolve conflict
- Build respect and trust in groups
- Create lively effective teamwork
- Generate positive interaction
Make groups more productive and effective
- Conduct easier, faster meetings
- Save time and money on meetings
- Involve participants in discussions
- Get more ideas into the mix
Pricing for Introductory Level Self-Directed Online courses
| Course Format | Certificate Included | Price |
| 2-Day In-Person (GFM, MTW, FCC) | YES | $1,445 |
| 2 Day Live Online (GFM, MTW, FCC) | YES | $1,445 |
| 3 Day In-Person or Live Online (TST) | YES | $1,895 |
| Self-Directed Online (GFM, MTW, or FCC) | YES | $1,445 |
| Self-Directed Online (TST) | YES | $1,895 |
| Introductory Self-Directed Online(GFM, MTW or FCC) | NO | $750 |
| Introductory Self-Directed Online (TST) | NO | $950 |
Take the Introductory Level Self Directed GFM as a self-directed course. Do it according to your own schedule and at your your own pace on our learning management system Instructure Canvas. It includes:
- Downloadable PDF books
- Videos of classroom interaction and methods demonstration
- Downloadable templates
- Examples of real client work
- Quizzes and games.
- Assignments for yourself and in groups that you convene.
Get all the demonstration, theory, application, practice and design of our regular courses, but You will confidently be able to use everything you learn immediately with your clients or in-house in your organization.
There is no certificate of completion for this course, nor are your assignments graded by an instructor. There is no free hour of telephone support.
You can upgrade anytime to the Certificate Level Self-Directed GFM to get feedback on your assignments from our trainers, a Certificate of Completion and one hour of coaching.
Register for $722.50 on the "See Dates or Buy Course" Button. Look to the bottom of the list for the Introductory Level course. This offer stands until September 15, 2026
Day One
The Focused Conversation Method
- Demonstration of FCM
- Theory and levels of thinking
- Applications of FCM
- Practice
- Designing focused conversations
- Practice leading conversations
- Feedback
Day Two
Consensus Workshop Method
- Demonstration of Consensus Workshop
- Theory and group dynamics
- Applications of Consensus Workshop
- Practice
- Designing Focus Questions
- Practice Consensus Workshops
- Feedback
- Experienced facilitators by reinforcing what you are already doing well and pointing out those areas that need work.
- New facilitators by starting you out on a solid foundation with best practices used by professional facilitators around the world.
- Executives, managers and other leaders by acquainting you with key facilitation skills that will immediately enhance your leadership capacity.
- Consultants by showing how to engage your clients more effectively in discussions and solutions.
- Presenters and trainers who will get new practical tools that will enhance the adult learning principles they know are important.
- Anyone who wants to be assessed by the International Association of Facilitators as a Certifies Professional Facilitator (CPF)
Learn two powerful methods to enhance your facilitation
The Focused Conversation Method provides a structure for clear dialogue and reflection, probes beneath the surface to the depth of a topic, encourages a diversity of perspectives and leads to decisions.
- Gets everyone participating
- Encourages a diversity of perspectives
- Provides a structure for positive dialogue
- Gets beneath the surface of a topic
- Builds common understanding
The Consensus Workshop Method provides a participative and respectful way to move a group toward consensus on those important topics that everyone wants a breakthrough.
- Involves each group member
- Gets all the ideas into the mix
- Focuses the group consensus
- Builds an effective team partnership
- Enables you to facilitate large groups
You can choose to take this course In Person (IP) or Live Online (LO). The codes IP or LO show in the course name when you register.
In Person (IP) classes are instructor-led events occurring in the same room on specific dates with one group of people. You have a deep level of dialogue with face-to-face practice in breakout groups, get paper manuals and books, use pen-and-paper worksheets and exercises and enjoy breaks and lunches together. Instructors demonstrate methods using flipcharts, index cards, marker pens and wall chart visuals . The experience for participants can be similar to working with a client in a live setting. There is no practice of online tools.
Live Online (LO) classes are instructor-led events occurring at the same time with the same people, using our learning management system and online platforms, primarily Zoom and Mural. The course covers the same material as an IP course but uses online tools with plenty of small group exercises. Manuals and books are downloadable as PDFs that can be printed out if you want. There are no programs or apps to download. Participants need a computer with a large screen (a cell phone won't work well), a high speed internet connection, and earphones or earbuds. We do not actively “teach” online tools, but participants get so see and experience the ones we use during the course.
All course graduates are encouraged to follow-up with some 1:1 coaching and join communities of practice we have set up to help extend and reinforce learning.
