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Welcome to the MECD home page.
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<h3>INTRODUCTION</h3>
<P>
Groups are "<i>the source of some of the most noble actions such as love,
achievement, nurturance, loyalty and sacrifice</i>". The group process is to be
found in all walks of life; in the home, at work and
at play. In an effective group, objectives are identified, strategies created and
problems are recognised and solved. This leads to collaborations and the formation
of partnership targeted towards a common goal. This can allow the maximisation of
resources leading to greater efficiency; the productivity of the group becomes
greater than the sum of its parts. However this is not always the case.
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The group leader has the responsibility to ensure that the group operates
effectively. In some circumstances the group is unable to fulfil this role: there
may be conflicts between individuals in the group, poor leadership and unfulfilled
roles. Group facilitation can provide a solution to these problems.
</P><P>
The dictionary definition of facilitation is "<i>to free from difficulties or
obstacles</i>" or "<i>to make easy or easier</i>". Applied to a group environment,
facilitation is "<i>to carry out a set of functions or activities before, during and
after a meeting to help the group achieve its own objectives</i>". Facilitation
increases productivity by increasing group motivation, confidence and commitment.
It provides a better climate for radical change and optimises group dynamics.
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<HR><H2>Topics</H2>
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<TD><A HREF="gf0.html">
<H2>Groups:</H2></A>
</TD><TD><H3>
<LI><A HREF="gf1.html">Teams and Groups</A>
<LI><A HREF="gf2.html">Introduction to facilitation</A>
<LI><A HREF="gf3.html">Groups facilitation techniques</A>
</H3></TD>
</TR><TR>
<TD>
<A HREF="topics.html" ALT"*"><H2>Facilitation</H2></A>
</TD><TD><H3>
<LI><A HREF="topics.html#TRoF" ALT"*">Roles of a group facilitator</A>
<LI><A HREF="topics.html#MS&Q" ALT"*">Management skills required</A>
<LI><A HREF="topics.html#PS&Q" ALT"*">Personal skills required</A>
<LI><A HREF="topics.html#PFME" ALT"*">Problems</A>
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<HR><H2>Other information</H2>
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<TD><A HREF="links.html"><IMAGE SRC="DRE/pictures/qu.gif"
ALT"*"></A>
</TD><TD>
<LI>Other FM sites
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<TD><A HREF="groups.html"><IMAGE SRC="DRE/pictures/X.gif"
ALT"*"></A>
</TD><TD>
<LI>Information about us</TD>
<TD><A HREF="http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/index.html">
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<LI>Articles on Basic Management Skills</TD>
</TR>
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<BR>21 Feb 1996
<BR>Last updated 23 Feb 1996
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