Group Facilitation

Converge creates safe space for groups to successfully navigate the chaos and conflict that often accompany change. We work toward a desired end while allowing a groups’ wisdom to lead to unanticipated possibilities. Group size can vary from small teams to large convenings that engage hundreds of constituents. From one-time events to multi-session processes, meetings are designed to draw out diverse perspectives, surface priorities, and find common ground.

  • Tools and activities encourage participation, discussion of difficult issues, creative solutions, and consensus on next steps.
  • Participants work together to develop long-term vision, surface hopes and concerns, identify existing resources and challenges, and consider how past events, and anticipated trends may influence the future.
  • Collaborative processes deepen group connection, enhance performance, and reduce implementation challenges.
  • Mindful movement practices cultivate presence, enhance emotional intelligence, and offer new insights to build community and leadership.
Contact Converge to discuss your meeting facilitation needs:
  • Staff, Faculty and Board Retreats
  • Strategic Planning and Collaborative Action Plans
  • Multi-Stakeholder Events
  • Community Forums, Public Meetings, and Town Halls
  • Vision, Mission and Values
  • Theories of Change and Logic Models
  • Consensus Building
  • Conference Sessions

What Do
Facilitators Do?

Sample Projects

Sacramento County Coalition for Youth

Collaborative planning to prevent youth alcohol use

Converge CRT facilitated the development of the Coalition’s action plan to prevent underage drinking over a period of 8 months. Using a consensus-based decision-making process, the SCCY selected four Environmental Prevention strategies to achieve multi-level community change including: 1) developing targeted media messaging, 2) limiting youth access to alcohol, 3) addressing current laws, policies and practices, and 4) understanding and redirecting social norms. The Coalition is led by the Sacramento County Office of Education and supported by the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services, Alcohol and Drug Services.

Communications Studies Department, Sacramento State University

Faculty Retreat

Using methods derived from Appreciative Inquiry and the Technology of Participation, the retreat resulted in the development of a long-term vision and near-term goals. Dialogue at the retreat engaged more than 20 full-time tenure track faculty in discussions about how to handle changes in staffing, technology, and delivering quality education to more than 1800 majors.

Converge CRT worked with the Department Chair to engage faculty in the retreat design, developing a survey for adjuncts and establishing a strategic planning task force.

gs.

California Farm Academy, Center for Land-Based Learning

Developing a Theory of Change

Explaining the complexities of creating change in the regional food system in a one-page graphic is a tough assignment, especially amid a shifting landscape. Converge CRT provided consulting, capacity building and facilitation to help CFA develop a Theory of Change to explain their program’s desired outcomes. Converge conducted a staff survey and provided pre-session technical assistance resources to inform the process design and prepare staff to participate. The results will be used in ongoing organizational development and evaluation activities.

 

Poor People’s Campaign, Northern California Chapter

Visioning & Action Planning Retreat

In collaboration with a planning committee, Converge CRT designed a retreat for the Northern California chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign for about 35 members across the region including Sacramento, Oakland, Grass Valley, Chico, and Merced. By the end of the day, the group had generated a shared vision and action plan. Their focus is on changing the narrative about poverty and addressing multiple, intersecting issues including systemic racism, environmental degradation and the war economy.

Sacramento Creating Community Solutions Network

Facilitating Implementation of Sacramento’s Mental Health Action Plan

Informed by Collective Impact principles, Deb developed the conceptual framework and collaborative process to structure the work of four Action Teams and a Coordinating Council and facilitated monthly Council meetings. The one-year project resulted in multiple outcomes including a youth social media campaign, expansion of mental health first aid training, development of a white paper on integration of behavioral health and primary health care services, and identification of systemic issues, barriers and gaps faced by transition-age youth. Converge CRT facilitated implementation of Sacramento’s Mental Health Action Plan in partnership with Sacramento County Office of Education, Mental Health America of Northern California and Sierra Health Foundation’s Center for Health Program Management.

Race to the Top Federal Grant Initiative

Collaborating to increase early education quality

Converge CRT worked with the Sacramento County Office of Education to convene a diverse group of 35-40 child care providers, parents, and local experts to collaboratively develop a plan to establish and test quality standards for Early Childhood Education. Despite time pressure and potentially polarizing issues, Deb’s facilitation allowed the group to reach consensus on a rating system and a coordinated plan to provide professional development and support for early childhood educators. This process provided the foundation for Raising Quality Together (RQT), Sacramento County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.

Respite Partnership Collaborative (RPC)

Implementing a County-Wide Innovation Plan to Address Mental Health Crisis

To implement the local Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Plan, Converge CRT facilitated the establishment a community-driven collaborative group in partnership with the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services and Sierra Health Foundation. Through ongoing consulting and facilitation, Deb helped the RPC develop a logic model to guide their efforts, create governance structures, reach consensus on funding distribution strategies, and award three rounds of grants to establish 11 new respite programs in Sacramento County. Over three years, Deb worked with the RPC to distribute more than $3 million to provide mental health respite and reduce psychiatric hospitalizations.

Sacramento County MHSA Innovation Plan

Overcoming conflict and leading the way in collaborative innovation

In the face of budget cuts, reduced services, law suits, a looming deadline and other challenges, Deb assisted leaders at Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services in organizing a community planning process to develop a plan to address mental health crisis. Over six months, Deb facilitated meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders – including mental health clients and family members – to examine data, set priorities and reach consensus on how to move forward. The plan made it through all the approval channels without protest and brought more than $8 million in implementation funding to Sacramento County.