The most artful facilitators are sensitive to these issues and, consequently, develop trust with participants more quickly than facilitators who are not. Training facilitators well in how to be aware of cultural and language barriers and the history of minority communities can make the difference between success and failure as groups come together for the first time. The strategies highlighted next are designed to enhance good facilitation training. While knowing your audience is critical to the success of any community forum or discussion, it's more critical for facilitators working with parents, community members and others from different cultural backgrounds. The more facilitators acquaint themselves with their participant's needs, the more meaningful the discussion.
Good facilitators welcome and introduce themselves to every participant.
This may seem painfully obvious, but a flurry of activity takes place before a community conversation and this most important step is often overlooked. This step is critical because this sets the tone for the entire meeting. It can affect the comfort level of participants and the quality of the conversation. SEDL staff who attended Study Circle meetings observed participants entering a room and standing alone, unsure and uncomfortable. Take care of the logistics early on, so that when participants arrive, you can concentrate on them.