Facilitating Grassroots Groups May 25, 2009

These hands-on capacity-building sessions are designed to help people develop and practice the skills needed to organize and maintain successful and productive small groups. PeerNetBC facilitators accommodate those who wish to facilitate groups as well as group members who want to participate more effectively.

Our approach to group process emphasizes the skills necessary for support groups, but this knowledge is also completely applicable to any other small group wishing to create supportive group space.

Day One: Foundations of Peer Support

May 25 and 26/09, 5:30 - 8:30pm

Explore key concepts of self-help and peer support, the facilitator's role and the power of storytelling in groups.

Day Two: Tools for Effective Group Process

May 30/09, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Learn about the stages of group development and examine how listening and other facilitation skills affect group functioning.

Day Three: Planning and Organizing

June 1 and 2/09, 5:30 - 8:30pm

Use collaborative decision-making, address diversity issues and work with the 6 steps for organizing peer support and community groups.

Day Four: Dealing with Difficult Dynamics

June 6/09, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Determine issues particular to facilitating your group and strategize about facilitation skills to address common challenges.