Working with a Co-Facilitator
Working with a co-facilitator is a great way to model co-operation and different talents to the participants. It will also allow you to learn from one another and to support each other during long sessions or while broaching complex topics.
When working with a co-facilitator the goal is to create a relationship with them that is:
• Supportive yet constructively critical
• Open and honest
• Trusting
• Creative and empowering
• Respectful
• Allows for learning
It is a good idea to work out a plan for how to work together as co-facilitators. Here are some ideas from our experiences:
• Make sure you prepare adequately together and that each person is familiar with the activities that are going to take place, even the ones where you are not taking the lead in facilitating.
• Participate actively along with the girls in the parts of the workshop where you are not taking the lead in facilitating. This helps to model good participation to the girls and supports your co-facilitator too.
• Give your co-facilitator lots of encouragement!
• Agree on cues for timing and raising each other’s awareness in case you spot a problem that needs to be addressed in the group (for example, low energy, people are confused, etc.).
• Before you co-lead an activity, discuss how you can best support each other. What are your expectations of each other and what role you would like each other to play? For example, is it helpful for your co-facilitator to ask questions to prompt the girls along if there is a silence? Should your co-facilitator help physically, by handing out materials while you talk? Or would you prefer your partner to sit quietly and respond only to pre-arranged cues?
