Presenter:
Amy Griffin
Director, Health Evaluation Initiatives, The Consultation Center at Yale
Director, Strategy and Engagement, YaleEVAL

Description:
Evaluators wear many hats. A critical role is that of the facilitator. Facilitation is needed at every phase of the evaluation process including planning meetings, participatory logic model development, development of data collection methods, qualitative data techniques (e.g. focus groups), and results dissemination. Quality facilitation builds trust among the evaluator and our community partners. Convening effective and productive meetings send a message of respect and can create a positive and energetic working atmosphere. These skills are essential but are rarely taught in school. During this session, we will discuss how to prepare for various types of facilitation experiences and will provide considerations for selecting facilitation modes (in-person versus virtual) and methods (using technology, flip charts, voting, group decision-making) depending on the facilitation goals and group dynamics. Participants will also engage in a self-assessment process of their facilitation skills. This is an interactive session. Participants will be provided the opportunity to plan and present.


Learning Outcomes:

• The difference between facilitation, training, and presenting
• How to prepare to facilitate a meeting
• Techniques for managing group dynamics including disruptive behaviors
• Strategies for furthering your unique facilitation style

Agenda and Learning Strategies:
The agenda involves lectures, independent work, and group work.
Agenda:
Part 1 (1 hour) 15 mins Introductions 15 mins Self-assessment:

• Self-assessment of soft skills
• Confidence, comfort, perceived level of skill
• Self-assessment ratings
  • Active listening
  • Giving feedback
  • Managing divergent opinions
  • Capturing information
  • Conflict 
  • Meeting prep
  • Vulnerability
  • Self-reflection

30 mins Self-assessment discussion - 1:1 breakout with a partner and then come together as a group for sharing.

Part 2 (1 hour) 10 mins Introduction to preparing for the facilitation -Instruction and 1:1 breakout with a partner
10 mins Matching techniques to facilitation goals and context 10 mins Group decision-making techniques
10 mins Managing group dynamics and identifying destructive behaviors
20 mins Self-assessment (individual work) about strengths and challenges managing each disruptive behavior (e.g., dominating, rushing, withdrawing, discounting, deviating, and obstructing).

Part 3 (1 hour) 40 mins Group Exercise: Redirecting disruptive team behaviors. -Break out with 4 to 6 people per group. -Each person will have a chance to facilitate a meeting based on the group exercise. They will select one person to demonstrate a disruptive behavior that they feel they are least prepared to manage as a facilitator. -Teammates will provide feedback about how the facilitator navigated their experience with the disruptive behavior.
20 mins Group discussion/sharing experiences, additional resources, and wrap up


This workshop is aligned to AEA’s Competencies and Guiding Principles as follows:
The workshop directly relates to how evaluators establish trust, make space for all voices, and focus on equity imbalances to do their work. Effective facilitation affects our professional practice (domain 1), planning and management (domain 4), and most relatedly, our interpersonal skills and abilities (domain 5).

The workshop is most closely aligned with the following Guiding Principles:
D. Respect for People: Evaluators honor the dignity, well-being, and self-worth of individuals and acknowledge the influence of culture within and across groups.
D1. Strive to gain an understanding of, and treat fairly, the range of perspectives and interests that individuals and groups bring to the evaluation, including those that are not usually included or are oppositional. E. Common Good and Equity: Evaluators strive to contribute to the common good and advancement of an equitable and just society.
E1. Recognize and balance the interests of the client, other stakeholders, and the common good while also protecting the integrity of the evaluation.


Facilitation Experience:
I have been working with nonprofit organizations as an external evaluator since 1997. My experiences have led me to understand the importance of effective facilitation. With regard to teaching and training. I have been a guest lecturer since 1999, discussing topics related to youth development, evaluation, and data analytic techniques for universities and nonprofit agencies. Most recently, I developed content related to the Principles of Facilitation as a guest lecturer at the University of New Haven. The lecture was well received, and I was asked to repeat the content to a graduate Human Resource Management Club on campus. A detailed description of my teaching experience is below. Additionally, in my work with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, I have led/facilitated several strategic evaluations and strategic planning processes for various chronic disease prevention programs over the past 10 years.

Faculty (2020 - Present) Connecticut Department of Public Health and Yale School of Public Health (Virtual) Evaluation training to health practitioners in the State through a grant opportunity from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.

Trainer (June 2022) American Evaluation Association Summer Evaluation Institute, Atlanta, GA Topic: Facilitation Skills for Evaluators.

Guest Lecturer (2019) University of New Haven, Psychology Department, Graduate Student Course, New Britain, CT Topic: Principles of Facilitation, Program Evaluation Design

Trainer (2013 - Present) Yale Evaluation Group at The Consultation Center, New Haven CT. Facilitate evaluation capacity-building trainings to selected grantees from behavioral health and other social service agencies in Philadelphia, PA over a two-year funding cycle. Topics: Evaluation 101, Data Analytic Approaches, Communicating Your Findings, Sustainability

Trainer (2016) The CT Department of Public Health, Hartford CT. Designed and facilitated evaluation capacity-building trainings to health program associates and epidemiologists within the Chronic Disease Area. Topics: Evaluation 101, Data Analytic Approaches, Action Planning, Communicating Your Findings
Trainer (2006 - 2015) The Consultation Center Inc., Prevention Training Program, New Haven, CT Funder: The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Topics: Evaluation 101, Evaluation for Program Managers, Selecting Evidenced-Based Programs, Conducting Needs Assessments

Guest Lecturer (2013) Central Connecticut State University, Department of Psychological Science, Graduate Student Course, New Britain, CT Topic: Program Evaluation Design and Data Collection

Guest Lecturer (2011- 2013) University of Connecticut, School of Social Work, Graduate Student Course, West Hartford Campus, CT Topic: Using Novel and Archival Data to Inform Program Evaluation

Date:
June 30, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time