Training Manual > 10 - Groups > Developing a Group Agenda
Developing a Group Agenda
When facilitating groups, I almost always put the quote: "A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved" on the flip chart. It is critical that the mediator assist the group to effectively define the issues it will be discussing. Participants will tend to offer issues for discussion as accusations, such as "how to get so-and-so to stop doing this or that." It is critical that the mediator reflect such "blame frame" statements back to the participants as effective problem-solving challenges. It is recommended that problem solving statements begin in one of two ways: (1) "How can we best . . . ?" or (2) "What is the best way for us to . . . ?" The key is to state issues for discussion in future-focused, mutualized, problem-solving terms. Having identified a number of problems to be solved, the mediator way want to assist participants to group and order items for discussion. Commonly, it is best to assist the group to resolve process (communication) issues first, suggesting that the group then immediately begin to practice their agreements; then deal with issues that seem central to the group's overall sense of progress; then assist in the resolution of miscellaneous or derivative issues. The reality is that the group will commonly evolve to making simultaneous progress on a number of issues, either through homework assignments or sub-group work. In trying to decide which issues are central and should be first addressed, each participant can be given two or three votes, with the greatest vote getting items receiving the first attention.
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