When group or public conversations become too tough, emotions too embroiled, or progress too obstructed, a facilitated dialogue may be the way to go. The member organizations of Community Mediation Minnesota work in partnership with the Bureau of Mediation Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution (OCDR) to offer a series of dialogue-based services customized to help your group or community tackle difficult conversations constructively. Designed for organizations of any size or scope, these interventions help direct members toward a shared vision free of unnecessary disputes and distractions. These dialogues can also be employed for heated public forums discussing controversial or contentious topics of broad community interest.
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Facilitated Conversations in Minnesota
Step 1
Facilitated dialogues are designed to the unique dynamics and objectives of the group or public forum. Still, core similarities across dialogues exist. These include (1) a thorough review underlying interests; (2) selection or development of optimal facilitation tools and techniques; (3) the deployment of prepared, professional facilitators; and (4) the facilitated movement from discord to understanding and, where appropriate, consensus around a collaboratively developed path forward.
Step 2
Of course each group and public dialogue is unique. Your specific group may require more or less facilitator preparation, a one-time or continued engagement, the use of one or more facilitators, or some customized combination of these and other considerations. Similarly, facilitated public dialogues may require use of multiple methods, multiple facilitators, and multiple levels of engagement and agreement. Whatever your specific needs, OCDR/CMM will work with you to design and provide an appropriate process
Why Use Facilitated Dialogues?
Action-Oriented. Great plans demand great implementation. Our dialogue facilitators work to ensure your group is not left wondering about next steps. We work with you to develop action items, assignment allocations, implementation schedules, and check-in procedures that will keep your group action-oriented and achievement-focused.
Buy-In. Using whole-room engagement techniques and ensuring every willing voice is heard, dialogue facilitators build participant buy-in to the process and its conclusions. This buy-in will be critical to achieving success after the facilitation when you turn your agreement into action.
Customizable. With the right information, a process can be designed that anticipates your hurdles, achieves your objectives, and exceeds your expectations.
Insightful. Whether participants live in the weeds of detail or float blissfully above the content, our dialogue facilitators elevate key issues, illuminate underlying interests, and highlight possibilities. In doing so, we hope to inspire your group to uncover insights that clear the way to renewed progress.
Engaging. Facilitated dialogues encourage active participation from all in attendance. Facilitators work to ensure conversations are robust and engaging, eliciting the best your members have to give.
Impartial. Dialogue facilitators have no allegiances to group leaders, factions, or outspoken members. This frees your group to focus on the problem and explore a more inclusive array of options than would otherwise likely be possible using an in-group facilitator who may be partial or have predetermined a particular course of action.
Professional. CMM facilitators are trained, experienced professionals. They are skilled in various facilitation techniques, many of which can be expertly customized to your unique group or forum needs. They skillfully handle impasse, opposition, and troublesome participants to keep the group right on track.