How do I find a group facilitator?

March 6, 2014 8:58 PM

How do I find a facilitator? I'm looking for someone who can help a group work through some personality conflicts and agree on some on some goals and mission. Whatever I'm searching for is not working.
posted by katinka-katinka to Human Relations (9 answers total)

Although they usually work through specific conflicts for an agreed upon resolution, what about a mediator?
posted by GPF at 9:07 PM on March 6, 2014

I used to work with meeting facilitators. Where are you located? And how are your group members tied together (work related project? Neighborhood association? Nonprofit board members?)?

Some search terms that may take you where you need to go: "consensus building," "meeting facilitation," "graphic recording," "graphic meeting facilitation."
posted by samthemander at 9:19 PM on March 6, 2014 [1 favorite]

You could see if someone at the Public Conversations Project or the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation has any resources for finding someone in your area. Also some universities have centers or departments involved in facilitation/dialogue type stuff. Maybe these people can help point you in the right direction?
posted by aka burlap at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2014 [1 favorite]

In any case looking at those sites will give you more search terms.
posted by aka burlap at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2014

Response by poster: This is a small non-profit and involves board members. We are in New Jersey.
posted by katinka-katinka at 9:27 PM on March 6, 2014

You might also look for mediation clinics that specialize in working with groups rather tha individuals, but I bet aka burlap is on the right-er track!
posted by tapir-whorf at 10:48 PM on March 6, 2014

Can you call other nonprofits and see who they have used in the past? That's what we have done.
posted by Stewriffic at 3:56 AM on March 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

Your state nonprofit association probably has lots of resources relevant to your situation, including facilitator recommendations.
posted by postel's law at 4:47 AM on March 7, 2014

Consider a mediator but bear in mind that may not work if a psychopath is involved, in which case said p'path needs to be fired but will probably be promoted.
posted by tanktop at 1:36 PM on March 7, 2014