In a meeting, is there a difference between the chair and the facilitator?
While, in reality, the Chair and the Facilitator are often the same person, each role has different and distinct responsibilities. The Chair is the elected (or appointed) head of the team. The Chair...
View ArticleIs there a "best" size for a committee?
The "best size" for a committee or working group is the size that enables the group to get its work done effectively and efficiently. Thus, the best number of people for one project might be five,...
View ArticleWhat is a "process observer"?
A "process observer" is a position that some boards and committees choose to appoint. This individual's responsibility is exactly what the title suggests – to observe the process. Throughout the...
View ArticleUsing Focus Groups for Community Development
Paul Lachapelle, Community Development Specialist, and Tara Mastel, Community and Economic Development Agent Why use Focus Groups? A focus group provides insightful understanding of complex issues...
View ArticleAsset Mapping: A Quick Overview and Related Resources
"Asset mapping" is an important component of "asset-based development," an approach to community development that seeks to build on a community's existing resources – rather than focus on its needs –...
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Making Group Decisions - Six Options
As you know, one of the primary functions of groups is to make decisions. We have a problem → we need to change something → we need a decision. At times though, this is easier said than done. Some...
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Enhancing Rural Capacity Community
Enhancing Rural Capacity Community of Practice Helping rural communities identify, pursue, and achieve their development goals About this Community Enhancing Rural Capacity (ERC) is a team of...
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Understanding Consensus
There are six decision-making options: spontaneous agreement, one person decides, compromise, multi-voting, majority voting, and consensus building. In meetings, we know that the facilitator, group...
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Logic Models: A Tool for Program Planning and Assessment
A logic model is a graphic representation to describe a program that shows the linkages between what the program does (the input and outputs) and the expected results (outcomes) related to a specific...
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Teaching Community Development to Children
I was recently thinking about ways that citizenship skills and the concept of community are conveyed to young children. Part of this thought process led me to wonder how young is too young to...
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SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Group Planning
At times in the course of a project or an organization's history, it is helpful to engage in strategic long range planning. Doing so can allow an initiative's leadership to take stock of the issues...
View ArticleTools of Community Development
Following are tools commonly used in the field of Community Development. Selecting the right tool for the job is important. Logic Models: A tool for program planning and assessment Asset Mapping: An...
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Neutral meeting facilitation – difficult and critical.
You work with groups. Sometimes you lead the group. Sometimes you facilitate the group. Sometimes you are there to train and other times you participate as a member. Sometimes you are in multiple...
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Good Meetings Don’t Just Happen
A focus on three components: preparation, the agenda, the meeting I. Preparation: a sample of what should happen before most meetings. Reserve the room Send out the agenda to remind participants...
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Can conflict be constructive?
When I was a child, I remember my grandmother telling me that if a married couple did not disagree on occasion, it probably meant that one of the two was regularly acquiescing to the other, to the...
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Debra Hansen, Washington State University Extension
Debra Hansen is the WSU Extension County Director in Stevens County, Washington with a program emphasis in Community and Economic Development. She designs and offers classes and workshops to local...
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Lisa Hinz, University of Minnesota Extension
Lisa Hinz is an Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension in Leadership and Civic Engagement. Lisa works regionally and statewide with public and community-minded individuals and...
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Jane E Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Jane Haskell is a Community Development Educator with University of Maine Cooperative Extension. She thrives in designing and implementing experiential community development programs for youth and...
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Sharon Gulick, University of Missouri Extension
Sharon Gulick is Director of Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (ExCEED) with University of Missouri Extension. She works with small towns, communities and regions on issues related...
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Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, Cornell University
Heidi is a Senior Extension Associate with Cornell University's Community and Regional Development Institute and someone who is committed to community empowerment and sustainability - meaning the...
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