MASTERCLASS INSIGHTS – TRAINEES SHARE LEARNING JOURNEY

Last month, MosaicLab teamed up with newDemocracy Foundation (nDF) to run a special training event for facilitators that unpacked the methods and processes detailed in our book Facilitating Deliberation – A Practical Guide.

In the first phase of the training, 25 participants experienced a condensed citizens’ assembly over two days, learning first-hand how a deliberative process works.

A group of 10 facilitators then attended an additional three-day facilitation masterclass. The trainees worked with MosaicLab directors Nicole Hunter and Keith Greaves to practice their new skills and co-facilitate a live deliberation alongside MosaicLab.

We spoke with two of the facilitation masterclass participants, Polly Cameron and Tony Matthews, to get their thoughts on the experience.

What stood out for you most about the masterclass? 

Polly: Immediately, I was struck by how practical it was. There was so much focus on the doing, getting up on your feet rather than talking about the principles, which I loved. It’s so helpful to take the leap from conceptualising to doing.

We were immediately putting the examples into action, with the emphasis on running a deliberative style process from beginning to end.

There were so many opportunities for us as facilitators to step forward and lead different parts of the process.

Tony: So much stood out for me, it was a deep and important learning experience.

What comes to mind is the critical role that the facilitator takes in ensuring that all voices are heard, and the efforts you need to make to ensure there is equity in the decision-making process.

Also, there was a great sense of achievement in the group, both for us as facilitators in the masterclass and also for the participants in the deliberation.

At the end we had a sense that we’d done something meaningful, and that can be really powerful.

What was challenging about the experience? 

Polly: There’s a lot of unlearning required, especially if you’ve done work in community-led design or facilitation before.

An example of this would be around recognising that you as the facilitator hold the reins of the process, but you have to let go of the outcome.

In a deliberative process the participants are writing the key outputs, not you, so you really need to learn a different way of working with the group.

Tony: One challenge was having to think in the moment, when you need to go off the run sheet to work with something that might be happening in the room.

You need to be working with the dynamics within the group itself and giving them the time they require.

You really need flexibility in the moment to work with what’s emerging, but also to stay focussed on helping the group reach an outcome by the end of the process.

What, if anything, surprised you? 

Polly: I was surprised at how generous Nic and Keith were, willing to share the hard-won lessons and drawing on their experience of what has worked for them and what hasn’t.

And the level of detail in the handbook is outrageous! Also, the ongoing support to stay connected after the workshop has been amazing, offering us advice on our own projects and giving lots of encouragement.

Tony: I’ve participated in a number of deliberations and observed a few, so I had some experience of the process.

Something I found particularly useful was seeing the stages of the process as a ‘diamond’ (referencing Sam Kaner’s Diamond Participation model) – that makes so much sense as the broadest framework for what we’re trying to do.

In a way it wasn’t surprising, but it certainly supported me in my learning.

How will you apply the techniques you learned, either in your work or in your community? 

Polly: The techniques are invaluable across the work I do.

I’m focusing on community groups that are advocating to bring about change in their area, with many using these processes already. Now I’ve got a sense of how it works, I can be confident in the advice I give.

It’s helpful in the way I communicate and advocate, and in the way I design. Before I used to talk around these ideas, now I can speak with confidence.

Tony: I’m already applying some of the techniques at work in some of our community projects where I am wanting to ensure all voices are heard.

The techniques really apply themselves very well to strategy work and in helping other organisations to work collaboratively - essentially applying the techniques in a broader context.

What was your biggest takeaway from the masterclass? 

Polly: I actually understand from a participant’s perspective what it feels like to go through a process. It’s so important to have had the experience from the other side.

The masterclass was after a two-day in-person process to get the experience of participating in a deliberation. That was so important to then do the training as a facilitator and have that holistic understanding of the process.

I now know what it feels like to be in the ‘groan zone’.

Tony: That this work, particularly community deliberation work, takes a team that knows what they are doing.

I can see such value in a team approach, having that second, or even third, set of eyes in the process.

I have a clearer understanding of the complexity of the work, and that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea from a facilitation perspective.

What would you say to someone thinking about participating in a future masterclass? 

Polly: There’s no doubt you’ll get a lot out of the experience.

You’ll walk away with a greater understanding of what is involved in a genuine deliberation process. You’ll grasp the ‘bigness’ of what it means to be a facilitator.

It’s a helpful check to run a process with integrity and this is so important for anyone who’s interested in doing real, deep community engagement work.

Tony: Be prepared to be challenged. It is a deep learning experience.

Be prepared to come away with an understanding of the participant’s experience as well as the facilitator’s experience.

We were always to-ing and fro-ing between these experiences, and that was really valuable.

Our immersive training in facilitating deliberation will run again in 2024. Details will be shared in our monthly e-newsletter The Discussion later in the year or register your interest here.

Thank you from the MosaicLab team to the participants for their wholehearted participation, and for sharing their learnings so generously.