Collaboration Training

From Common Energy UVic

This needs to be updated to reflect the new situation with the Working Groups

One of the main tasks for the Research team is to train effective facilitators and note takers. This is obviously important for Common Energy meetings. However, the real challenge will come during the Conference where we will have facilitators for each of the Focus Areas and a few floaters wandering around to make sure that things keep going smoothly. Those facilitators and note takers will then be key participants in the Working Groups.

One way for doing this is to use a combination of Mapping and a customized form of Facilitation. A Mind Map of issues is drawn at the beginning of the meeting to form a non-linear agenda. The facilitator then draws a table with Issues, Solutions, Concerns, and Data. An issue is selected from the Mind Map and then solutions are crafted given possible concerns and relevant data. The group can then proceed wherever it's creativity takes it - it's not a problem if things jump around a bit before they reach something creative. However, from the Mind Map it still has a sense of the whole range of issues to be discussed at the meeting and doesn't get lost.

The challenge for the facilitator and note taker is to then translate this non-linear discussion into good notes and actions items. So we'll build a template - and we'll probably use this Wiki directly when taking notes.

Do you want to be a facilitator? In the first week of January we will train facilitators. Our goal is to train at least 10 to 15 people. Enter your name on the list below to sign up:

• Mark Chandler
• Mike Optis
• Jill Doucette
• Brandy Sistili
• Allie Johnson
• Megan Thom
• Andy Hill
• Lynne Milnes
• Heather McKenzie
• Andrew Bateman
• Joe Melton
• Cal Burkosky
• Jamie Biggar
• Rosemary Collard
• Heather English

• Your name here

[edit] Actions

• Facilitators and note takers will be trained on the Saturday of the first week of January, before the Conference Workshop
• The facilitators and note takers will meet afterwards to debrief and prepare for the Conference
• Build a template for notetaking

[edit] Who will do it and when?

• Naomi will train the facilitators and note takers in the first week of January
• Mark will book a room for January 6th
• Jamie will help to develop some guidelines for facilitating the Conference
• Insert your name and time here.