Facilitation Skills for Scientists and Resource Managers Training in San Diego, California

This course has been postponed until May 25-27, 2010 in Pasadena, California
for more information email iclausen@nwetc.org

Facilitation Skills for Scientists and Resource Managers
Course ID: FAC-301
March 23 - 25, 2010, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Mission Valley Resort | 875 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, California 92108

Instructor: Jim Nelson

Registration | Directions | Accommodations | Course Brochure PDF | Course Catalog

Description: Scientists and resources managers use facilitation skills in order to form productive teams, plan programs and projects, and implement controversial ventures and agendas. Facilitators help groups communicate productively by honoring diverse points of view and respectfully creating options that provide the richest suite of benefits for all.

Often, the success or failure of programs and projects depends upon the support of a variety of interested parties: staff, management, agencies, environmental groups, general public, and other stakeholders, all with diverse perspectives. Productive communication among stakeholders is essential for successful implementation. In some cases, worthy projects have been blocked by disenchanted stakeholders who felt they had no voice or had been treated badly by public officials. Comparatively bad, is a missed opportunity due to loss of meaningful participation, which could have improved a project’s design and implementation.

This course is intended to be a practical approach to improving group meetings. It is oriented specifically to the needs of scientists and resource managers. Students are presented with a wide array of tools and opportunities to practice new facilitation skills. After core facilitation skills are practiced, the class is then tailored to students’ developmental needs. Participants will be asked to complete a pre-workshop skills profile.

Course Topics:

Perspectives
Why doesn’t everyone think like me?

Meetings
Different meetings for different needs

Roles and Responsibilities
Who wears what hat?

Planning Meetings
Assessing needs, objectives, and purpose

Process and Content
The two parts of effective meetings

Logistical considerations
The right room; the right set up

Basic Facilitator Skills
Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
Maintaining rapport
Framing, reframing, and paraphrasing
Managing personal states of being

Basic Facilitation Processes and Their Use
Use the right process
Agenda
Ground rules
Open participation
Presenting information
Collecting information
Analyzing information
Decision making
Closing the meeting
Evaluation

A facilitator’s tool kit
Tools that make meetings better and easier

Managing Group Dynamics
Tracking and assessing audience needs

Skills practice and feedback
Creating a safe place to explore

Discussion on challenges
How to prevent or deal with problems

Students will be provided an overview of the competencies required for effective meetings. These competencies include:

The ability to assess needs and design meetings to serve the purpose of the meeting and the interests of meeting participants.
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the facilitator, assist team, meeting leader, participants, etc.
Managing and facilitating meetings.
Information gathering and presentation techniques
Facilitation skills
- Verbal skills
- Nonverbal skills
- Recording skills
- Basic visual facilitation techniques
Decision-making processes
Evaluation processes

Outcomes:
Participants will be able to design and facilitate meetings more effectively with lower anxiety and improved meeting outcomes. Better meeting participation of all students is an expected outcome of this training.

About the Instructor: Jim Nelson is a retired California Department of Fish and Game Staff Environmental Scientist. He has trained as a mediator and facilitator and has lengthy experience dealing with challenging public meetings and helping groups of scientists organize programs and projects. Jim has worked as a trainer and facilitator following his retirement and has helped many groups with complex technical and organizational issues. He has taught a variety of courses including Facilitation, Public Meeting Techniques, Environmental Negotiations, and Basic CEQA. He has authored technical papers on rare and endangered plants and is still active in habitat conservation efforts.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for scientists and resource managers who plan, facilitate or manage meetings. The skills learned in the class are applicable to work groups, project teams, larger staff groups, interdisciplinary teams, multiagency groups, and public meetings. Past attendees have included personnel throughout organizations: executives, managers, supervisors, technical staff, clerical, and seasonal and contract employees.

Prerequisites: None.

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the text of Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making by Kaner et al and course proceedings including notes and reference material.

CM (pending approval)
AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity [or many activities at this event]. When CM credits are available, they are noted at the end of an activity description. More information about AICP's CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm.

Self Reporting Continuing Education Units: 2.0

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own.

Registration: $695/$595*
(*reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to the day prior to the event. Registration may occur up to the day prior to the event provided that space is available.