RE: Facilitation of advisory groups

[Elizabeth Carlson <beth.carlson@dnr.state.mn.us>]

I have to respond on behalf of those of us agency facilitators who do, in fact, practice our craft as non-partisans.  It can happen and we can do it with integrity under these conditions:
- IF we believe that our professional ethics demand it;
- IF we have the support of our senior managers to do our jobs this way;
- IF we can succeed in building trust-based relationships with participants; AND
- IF we can let go of owning the content and focus instead on crafting a fair and effective process for all participants.

I could not do my job as a planner and facilitator properly if I could not "speak truth to power" or if I was expected to represent the agency in the process.

It is not always possible, desirable, or effective to use a facilitator from an agency in every situation, and I would be the first to recommend using a third party if needed.  I don't know the work of any facilitators with the EPA but I'd guess there are good examples to go along with the bad.  Please do not make this an either-or argument.  What works and what's best depends upon both the situation and the skills and reputation of any prospective facilitator (internal or external).

Beth Carlson
MN Dept. of Natural Resources