Facilitation (small groups, boards, large gatherings)

Often difficult decisions need to be made, competing choices are really all that appears possible, or you're the leader and you need to be involved in the discussion, not acting as the process facilitator.

A significant part of what CMC does is provide process facilitation and management.  The groups will range in size from just a few members to upwards of 25.  They will each bring their positions, opinions, interests and concerns; our role is to provide a safe place where honest conversations can take place, manage the process in a productive manner and help the parties work toward a solutions.

Here are some examples:

• Denver Taskforce on Diversity Hiring in the Police and Fire Departments.
  • Everyone at the table brought their concerns, a solution or two from their perspective and a fear of the other side's solution.
  • Our role was to manage the process in such a way that everyone was heard and collaborative decisions were made.
• Douglas County's North Meadow's Extension Funding Group.
  • A connection from I-25 to North Meadows is imperative for the city of Castle Rock, Douglas County and adjacent homeowner associations and developers.
  • Where does the proposed roadway go?  Who chips in to pay the cost?  What are the upsides and downsides?
  • Our role is to bring the relevant parties together, help them communicate through the issues in an objective manner, listen to each other, discover what they are hesitant to talk about and finally arrive at a good decision.
• Legislation for a Warranty of Habitability legislative bill.
  • Colorado is one of two stated without a Warranty of Habitability bill.  Legislation has been introduced numerous times over the past twenty years only to die in committee.
  • CMC was tasked with bringing the Tenant and Landlord Advocates together and coming out with a legislative bill that both sides will support as it moves through the legislature and eventually ends up on the Governor's desk.
  • The issues are complex, everyone wants what they believe is important to their constituents, each time a new item is discussed the concepts, phrases and even words matter.  Our role is to insure full discussion, many times controlled arguments, and eventually a collaborative agreement on what is possible.
• Graffiti Taskforce
• City Council Prioritization of Bond Expenditures
• Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Colorado State Division of Local Affairs
• Centura Hospital's Spiritual Care Departments (12 hospitals) to develop a "Full Circle Spiritual Care" approach

If You're Thinking About CMC's Facilitation; Ask

1. Would we benefit from having an objective, third party manage the process?  Would it make the outcome more acceptable and collaborative?
2. Are there strong opinions, perceptions and differing views on the facts?  Would someone 'from the outside' help?
3. Do I need to be involved in the discussion and decision making process, and not managing the group dynamics?
4. Would it be helpful is someone were there to make certain everyone's voice was heard?  Everyone's opinion acknowledged?
5. Will we need someone to push us toward collaboration and agreement?
6. Is it important to have written summary's as we go along so we don't slide backwards or forget what we already decided?
7. Do we need someone to make certain our choices are clear, measurable and action orientated?