Ownership of the solution ultimately must stay with the parties involved, not be imposed or directed by the outsider. For this reason Maser does not believe there is a need for the facilitator to know all the details of a conflict. Those details are contained within the participants, and drawing their knowledge into community awareness comprises a central part of the process. Once invited by the parties to facilitate, Maser first develops general criteria for the facilitation process, i.e. what it is and is not intended to do. He then divides the process into three main segments, each having its own focus.
Participants get to know one another by sharing brief personal information.
Maser encourages or even directs a mixing of the various parties, letting people converse informally in smaller groups in addition to wider formal sharing. Participation as equals is essential. The facilitator provides a safe atmosphere for sharing, empowering the weak and those less sure of themselves or their power base, while recognising the contribution of all. A facilitator places people on equal footing early in the process without taking sides or promoting alternatives. After developing inclusiveness it is important to explain what the facilitation process includes, what the goals are, and how community creation among the parties can help.