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Facilitation Methods

50 Years of Innovative Facilitation Methods

HIGHLIGHTS

TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATON METHODS

A video of ToP Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop Methods

 

A 17-minute AI NotebookLM on the “Evolution of ICA’s Facilitation Methods”

AI source:  Brian Stanfield, June 25, 2005

Content of the Facilitation Methods Collection

Providing individuals and groups with methods for deepening reflection and enhancing participation

GROUP FACILITATION METHODS

THE TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION (TOP)®

Group Facilitation methods and processes are intended to help groups and organizations move from where they are to where they want to be. The Facilitation Collection contains contextual frameworks, procedures and approaches developed by EI/ICA in the field over more than 50 years. For those who would like an in-depth summary—a master source for the foundations and application of these methods—refer to Getting to the Bottom of ToP by Wayne and Jo Nelson. Order Getting to the Bottom of ToP from iUniverse. To see reviews of the book, click here.

Where did these methods come from?  

The methods were forged out of the study and deep collaborative wrestling and experimentation of Institute staff and colleagues around the world. They wrestled to embody a style of responsible human living appropriate to the challenges and opportunities of their era. Collaborating in this way was a major laboratory for the Institute.These individuals were passionate about enabling others to experience and benefit from the stew pot of creativity coming out of the post WWII era. See also The Evolution of ICA’s Facilitation Methods, by Brian Stanfield

HISTORY:  ICA METHODS DEVELOPMENT & PRACTICE

ICA methods grew out of working with individuals, communities and organizations enabling them to take active roles in making informed decisions and creating effective actions.

REFLECTION:  CONVERSATIONS & REFLECTIVE PRACTICES

Methods were created for sharing, understanding, and relating to experiences as a way to broaden and deepen individual and group work.

 

ACTION: METHODS FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION

Group processes were created to help people work effectively across the cultural, political, economic, and social dynamics of society regardless of the societal level, presumed sophistication, financial status, or education of the individuals involved.

 

MASTERY:  PREPARATION & STYLE

Facilitation as a profession, as a practice, as a discipline, is much more than having a set of effective methods and processes. Excellent facilitation requires mastery on several levels.

 

RESOURCES:  FURTHER EXPLORATIONS

In addition to the resources in this section, additional resources are mentioned throughout the website.

Methods I Have Loved and Used

Murial Griffith shares a 1-page chart of her use and application of many EI/ICA Methods..

             A facilitator is one who makes it easy

            for others to perform their tasks.

            Simply speaking, the facilitator thinks through procedures

and formats that enable a group

                – to gather its cumulative insights

                – to order them -and then

                -to decide on a course of action that has consensus and commitment backing it.

                                                                 John Epps, Master Facilitator