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Ask the Consultant
Why Use A Facilitator?
Question for the Consultant:
How can I get a copy of "Why do I need a Facilitator for Strategic Planning?” We would like a facitator to assist the Housing Authority of the City of Houston in developing a strategic plan with about 20 members of management.
Please send me any information that may be helpful.
Thanks!
Response From GinCommGroup:
Thanks for your question. Here are a few reasons why a professional facilitator is a sound investment:
1. You can take advantage of and learn from the experiences (successes and failures) of other organizations.
2. You dramatically decrease the learning curve, especially if your organization has not established a regular process of strategic planning.
3. An experienced facilitator can effectively manage the process and recommend the most appropriate approach for your organization.
4. You are assured of objective guidance throughout the process.
5. You obtain the maximum result from the organization's planning resources - meeting time, volunteers, staff.
6. The facilitator can introduce you to new approaches to problem solving and help participants think "outside the box."
7. The facilitator can help resolve conflicts and increase communications among members of the planning team.
Facilitators' fees are based on the length and complexity of the project. To proceed, you'll want to talk with a potential facilitator (actually you'll want to talk with two or three) to give them a good feel for your project. (Alternatively, you can develop a written request for proposal and circulate it to possible facilitators.) They will then provide you with a written proposal that outlines their recommended approach, time line and fees.
A good reference book is "Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations Organizations" by Jon M. Bryson, Jossey-Bass Publishers, San
Francisco, 1988.
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