On Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce in Lynn, Dianne Timberlake

will present “The Art of Facilitation,” a workshop designed to build meeting skills that everyone needs.
“The Art of Facilitation” moves clients through basic facilitation skills on to techniques and methods that lead group gatherings and meetings to better outcomes.
“To attend any event in which collaboration or group learning is desired and come away with a sense of fulfillment is incredibly satisfying,” said Timberlake. “Such events are highly energizing and most times give you the boost to jump start the next thing on your list. In today’s busy world, where time and resources are a premium, this type of meeting outcome is highly desired.”
The opposite result is extremely frustrating and a real energy drain, Timberlake said.
The workshop is designed to help ensure a group being guided through a meeting or training reaches its intended destination.
“Every such venture is a journey,” Timberlake said. “A fulfilling journey starts with a clear understanding of the destination, creates a plan to get there, and uses appropriate methods to help stay on course. Come learn the basics of meeting facilitation to chart the course of your next meeting.”
Timberlake has taught the art of meeting facilitation to leaders in various business settings. Her background includes more than 20 years of leadership development, change management and performance management in the telecommunications and pipeline industries. In addition, she said she has developed a deeper understanding of what it takes for people to work together through her studies with Jackie Woods, spiritual teacher and founder of Adawehi Institute and Healing Center in Columbus. Timberlake is currently employed with Polk County government, a first-time exploration into public administration.
During the workshop, Timberlake will lead participants through discussions and practice exercises that will then begin to build basic facilitation skills.
Organizers said if there is interest in this topic, other, more advanced facilitation workshops will become available.
Mountain BizWorks (mountainbizworks.org) is a non-profit community development financial institution that provides lending, consulting and training to small businesses in Western N.C.
For more information, contact Adriana Chavela at 828-692-5826 or the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce at 828-859-6235.
This project was supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-21817.
– article submitted by JoAnn Miksa-Blackwell