An Online Series of Best Practices for Online Meetings
Given that we are all learning to navigate online meetings, we are offering a series of facilitation trainings specific for virtual meetings.
We’ll host these via Zoom on Thursdays from 12:30-2pm.
SCHEDULE:
Thu, Mar 26: #1 Virtual Platforms & Participant Engagement
Thu, April 2: #2 Using Agendas for Action
Thu, Apr 16: #3 Leadership Styles & Facilitating Humans
Thu, Apr 30: #4 From 100 Bright Ideas to 5: Decision-Making #1
Thu, May 14: #5 Virtual Dialogue & Decision Making
Thu, May 28: #6 Key Strategies to Refine Agendas
Training Resources
Past Sessions
Facilitating Virtually: A series to learn best facilitation practices
Every other week on Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:00pm, until May 28
Facilitation skills are key to increase participation and engagement in meetings, especially virtual meetings. We’ve shifted our in-person ‘Facilitating for More Voices’ workshops to an online series that offers tips and techniques for effective and fun virtual facilitation. Join us!
Thu, Mar 26: #1 Virtual Platforms & Participant Engagement
- In this first workshop, we shared tips for navigating Zoom and other virtual platforms and shared specific techniques to increase participant engagement, like check-ins and Zoom Breakout Rooms.
Thu, April 2: #2 Using Agendas for Action
- In this session, we focused on agenda design and sequence to move towards effective outcomes. We also shared Zoom and virtual engagement tips, like using polls and the chat.
Thu, Apr 16: #3 Leadership Styles & Facilitating Humans
- In this session, we’ll help you understand your leadership style and how it impacts group dynamics. We’ll model tools to help facilitate more effectively through everyday disruptions and difficult personalities.
Thu, Apr 30: #4 Decision Making through Open, Narrow, Close
- In this session, we’ll describe and practice a decision-making technique called Open, Narrow, Close – a narrowing process to get to the best ideas. We’ll also review the value of shared leadership and roles.
Thu, May 14: #5 Virtual Dialogue & Decision Making
- In this session, participants will gain skills for encouraging dialogue and leading groups through a facilitation technique called ORID (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, Decisional) Process that focuses on a conversation. We’ll also practice Open, Narrow, Close again in small groups.
Thu, May 28: #6 Key Strategies to Refine Agendas
- In the last session in this series, we will highlight our ‘Staff Picks’ for key, simple facilitation essentials and dive deeper into creating effective agendas, even on the fly. We hope you join us!
Additional Resources, specifically for Zoom
- The Devil is in the Details: Tips for Hosting Smooth Online Meetings – Food Policy Network staff
- Zoom is hosting weekly webinars teaching users how to schedule and convene meetings using their video conferencing software. Register here. Webinars are scheduled for: Mondays @ 5PM, Tuesdays @ 1PM or 5PM, Thursdays @ 1PM or 5PM, Fridays @ 1PM (All times in EST)
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Beware Zoom Users: Here’s How People Can ‘Zoom-Bomb’ Your Chat
Past Sessions
Facilitating Virtually #1 - Navigating Virtual Platforms & Participant Engagment Tips
Facilitating Virtually #2 – Using Agendas for Action
Topics include:
- Using agendas as a tool for action, tips for design and sequence;
- Co-facilitator tips;
- Using zoom polls and breakout rooms for more input and discussion
Facilitating Virtually #3 – Leadership Styles & Facilitating Humans
In this session, we’ll help you understand your leadership style and how it impacts group dynamics. We’ll model tools to help facilitate more effectively through everyday disruptions and difficult personalities.
Topics include:
- Understanding how leadership styles are important to group dynamics
- Understanding more about your leadership style
- Understanding and managing personalities in (virtual) meetings
Facilitating Virtually #4 - Decision Making with Open, Narrow, Close
Topics include:
- Participants gain skills in leading groups through decision making, specifically using the technique Open Narrow Close.
- A review of shared leadership and techniques to avoid taking on all the meeting roles.
- Participants are engaged and learn tips for encouraging dialogue.
Facilitating Virtually #5 - Virtual Dialogue & Decision Making
Facilitating Virtually #6: Staff Picks Review & Active Agendas
- In the last session in this series, we will highlight our ‘Staff Picks’ for key, simple facilitation essentials and dive deeper into creating effective agendas, even on the fly.
