Moffat 1

Gavin Moffat

Alison Jackson Frasier

HDF 413

6 November 2023

Pervious Facilitation Experience

Before the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester, I had the opportunity to assist a group of

approximately 9 new first-year students in their transition to college through the URI

Leadership Institute. This experience provided me with the chance to facilitate a series of

engaging activities and energizers at the North Woods Challenge Course. While at North

Woods, I guided my group through a quick energizer, the low island activity, trolleys, and

finally, the nitro challenge, culminating our time at North Woods. For each of these activities,

I meticulously applied the principles of effective framing, debriefing, and other techniques

acquired from the institute and North Woods training.

Initially, I was apprehensive about facilitating for my group. However, after getting to know

them, I quickly developed a rapport and their encouragement when I seemed hesitant or

nervous to speak in front of a large group boosted my confidence. Returning to the actual

facilitation, we began with the low islands. I started by instructing the group to form a circle

while I stood on the periphery. Next, I reintroduced myself and conducted a name whip to

enhance my familiarity with their names. I provided precise instructions for the activities,

including all safety aspects, such as specifying the maximum number of individuals allowed

on the middle island at any given time and the necessity to seek approval before crossing. The
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activity progressed smoothly, and I proactively utilized various techniques and skills when the

group encountered challenges. For instance, when the board touched the group, I encouraged

them to sign "I am enough" to regain the board. In cases where someone's foot touched the

ground, I facilitated a decision-making process to choose who would wear a blindfold. To

maintain effective communication, I allowed only those directly interacting with the

blindfolded individual to speak, thereby promoting cooperation and trust. After the activity's

completion, we convened in a circle for a thorough debrief. The debriefing process

commenced with a one-word whip, where participants expressed their emotions after

completing the activity. We followed this with discussions on what worked well, what could

be improved for the next time, and the roles they would assign themselves in a hypothetical

flight staff (Passenger, Crew Member, Pilot). We also delved into the values that emerged

during our time on the course.

In my role as a facilitator, I believe I excelled in framing the activities, adapting the level of

challenge to the group's progress, and conducting effective debrief sessions. However, I

acknowledge that the debriefing process could be enhanced by allowing more time and

ensuring it is factored into the allotted time rather than being rushed.

Reflecting on this experience, I have learned the vital importance of appropriately framing an

activity to provide guidance without overwhelming the participants with excessive

information. Moreover, I realized the significance of allocating sufficient time for group

reflection and debriefing, typically 5-10 minutes, as it enables participants to discern the

purpose of the activities and associate them with their goals and values on the course.
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To apply these lessons in future facilitation and leadership roles, I will harness my Gallup and

VIA strengths. My love of learning will encourage me to continually seek knowledge and

clarification, and my curiosity will drive me to experiment with new variations, formulate

innovative questions, and remain deeply engaged with the group's objectives, allowing me to

adapt and find new activities as needed.

In conclusion, I have identified areas of proficiency and areas in need of improvement in my

facilitation skills. Through this course and upcoming lessons, I am committed to further

enhancing my abilities as a facilitator and leader.