What Makes a Good Facilitator?

Communites are working on recruiting Study Circles facilitators. Here are a few suggestions about what skills a good facilitator possesses:

• Has good people skills – good listener, well organized, connects with people
• Can remain neutral
• Can help a group set and keep ground rules
• Can help the group focus on the discussion
• Can bring in new and different points of view
• Creates opportunities for everyone to participate
• Able to put the group first
• Appreciates all kinds of people
• Has a passion for the group process

Source: A Guide for Training Study Circles Facilitators, Topsfield Foundation, Inc., 1998. www.studycircles.com