The Large Group Facilitator's Manual: A Collection of Tools for Understanding, Planning and Running Large Group Events

Most organizations are adept at using small groups - witness the widespread use of teams. Yet, how do you work with 20 to 500 people at a time? How would you involve all stakeholders in a critical issue or the organization's future? How can you generate contributions, consensus and commitment from the bottom up? People want to contribute but often are frustrated through a lack of opportunity or means. Large group processes allow people to participate over things that matter to them. Participation leads to commitment and commitment to ownership. Working with large groups is relatively new, but these processes are proving very effective with positive outcomes. Audiences can be customized with stakeholders who might be inside or outside the organization, such as employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, the general public and any other interested parties. Applications are wide-ranging, touching on almost every aspect of organizational life. This text offers you a blueprint for planning, preparing, running and reporting successful large group events. The authors walk you through six different processes from concept to step-by-step facilitation with sample invitations, checklists and even scripts.