Overview: Facilitation is the process of creating movement for a group – how people can effectively get from a common starting point to a shared destination.  The facilitator plays the critical role of the guide, a process expert, providing the navigation for groups of people in staff meetings, community forums, advisory committees, board sessions, planning retreats and many other settings.  Effective facilitation is essential for all groups, organizations, systems and communities trying to find ways to be more collaborative in working together - to ultimately be more productive in identifying issues, addressing challenges and getting things done.

Workshop Description: An intensive two-day learning opportunity for participants to build awareness, knowledge and skills in group facilitation practice.  The training is designed as an interactive "hands on" workshop geared towards participants at all levels of facilitation experience. The learning experience includes lecture, small group work, large group discussion, experiential activities and individual reflection. Highlights of the workshop include the modeling of the development of a learning community and the opportunity to apply skills through a practicum where participants receive professional coaching and peer feedback.  

 Learning Objectives:

• Build personal awareness of facilitation strengths and challenges
• Develop practical facilitation skills and group process techniques
• Gain skills into meeting design and agenda development
• Apply learning in simulations and practice sessions
• Participate in the development of a learning community

 Day 1:  Tuesday, August 9 8:30am - 4pm           

• principles of facilitation and group process theory
• meeting design and agenda development
• facilitator toolbox of practical techniques and tips
• group process preventions and interventions

 Day 2:  Wednesday, August 10 8:30am - 4pm    

• apply learning in “real world” facilitation practicum
• practice facilitation techniques in mock meetings
• address challenging group dynamics in role plays
• give and receive peer feedback in practice sessions

About the Facilitator, Dave Nakashima
 For over twenty five years, Dave Nakashima has worked in the field of developing and implementing culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible educational, social and health services to culturally diverse communities. As a national consultant, he focuses his facilitation, training, technical assistance and curriculum development to build individual and organizational capacities in the areas of collaboration, strategic planning and cultural competence. He has experience guiding collaborative efforts with community based providers, county and state health departments, national non-profit organizations and federal agencies.

A partial list of his clients include the American Cancer Society, American Medical Association, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Brown University, California Department of Education, California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Corporation for National and Community Service, Kaiser Permanente, Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco, Legacy, Monterey Bay Aquarium, National MultiCultural Institute, Praxis Project, Project for Public Spaces, United Way of America and University of California.

Dave holds a Master of Science in Cross-Cultural Counseling Psychology from San Francisco State University and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is a fellow of the Coro Policy and Public Affairs program. He lives in Oakland with his partner Debbie, daughters Gabriela and Camila, surrounded by his collection of Japanese Maples and assortment of vintage "old school" audio gear.