MWI facilitators provide professional and neutral facilitation services to businesses, organizations, academic institutions, corporations and others facing potentially difficult meetings. MWI facilitators effectively run meetings, retreats and conferences that are expected to be contentious or complex.

The information below is designed to provide an overview of the questions, skills and focus that an MWI facilitator will bring to a meeting. 

1. WHO - The facilitator will clarify before the start of the meeting - who should attend the meeting and why?

a. internal people?
b. external people?
c. necessary people not present - what process will be created to deal with this?

2. WHY – is the group meeting?  The facilitator will clarify and communicate this to the group.  Is it to - 

a. understand perspectives? 
b. exchange information? 
c. brainstorm options? 
d. create an action plan? 
e. fulfill an established set of goals? 
f. reach agreement / commitment? 
g. establish a process for the current and/or future meetings?

a. notes? If so, for whom? 
b. items to be followed up on? 
c. a memo for review? 
d. a draft agreement? 
e. materials for external distribution or publication? 
f. a concrete action plan? 
g. duties for next meeting? 
h. a signed contract?

a. who will do what? 
 - recorder 
 - timekeeper 
 - observer 
b. create an agenda (in advance of meeting?  at meeting?) 
c. prioritize agenda items 
d. establish time allotment for each agenda item 
e. separate option generation from making commitments 
f. revise agenda, if needed 
g. is additional information needed? 
 - form subcommittees? 
 - date and time of next meeting? 
h. take time to close 
 - review progress 
 - clarify next steps 
i. review process – with group / individuals, if necessary.

Please click here for information on how to obtain MWI's facilitation service rates.  Please contact Mediation Works Incorporated at 800-348-4888 or mwi@mwi.org for more information.

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