Learn how to facilitate a meeting

The word “facilitate” comes from the Latin root facil, to make easier. That’s just what a good facilitator does — makes it easier for a group to achieve its highest aims.

And ironically, when a facilitator is highly skilled, the group hardly even knows it’s been helped.

Learn how to become a master facilitator by attending the upcoming How to Facilitate a Meeting workshop hosted by Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center. The workshop is slated for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 16) at the Aging & Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kinoole St., in Hilo.

Workshop participants will learn how to help a group:

• Prepare with clear materials, supplies and room setup.

• Best use the time allotted to work toward a goal.

• Clarify its mission and people’s roles.

• Minimize conflict and still handle difficult issues.

• Bring out hidden talent, skills and creativity.

• Develop an awareness of power relationships that will help the group move skillfully from one issue to the next, incorporating new participants as needed.

The workshop is perfect for anyone in a position to “run a meeting” anywhere, who participates in public meetings, who wants to sidestep conflict by helping people informally organize their aims or who is helping a group work toward a long-term goal.

The workshop will be presented by Kimberly Dark, a resident of Lower Puna, who has been consulting in conflict resolution facilitation for more than 20 years. Dark completed mediator certification with the National Conflict Resolution Center in 1996, and served on the San Diego Mediation Center Community Justice Advisory Board from 1997-98. She currently teaches in the sociology departments at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and California State University, San Marcos.

Cost to attend the workshop is $75, with group discounts and partial scholarships available.

To register or for more information, contact Jenifer Aveiro at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center by calling 935-7844 ext. 1 or emailing jenifer@hawaiimediation.org.