Berkeley Facilitators Network (BFN)

Berkeley Facilitator Network logo

Mission 

The Berkeley Facilitators Network (BFN) is devoted to building the capacity of skilled facilitation on campus by providing a community of practice where colleagues can make connections, find support, receive training, and share best practices on the topic of facilitation.

BFN offerings include:

  • Circles of practice where staff learn facilitation skills from each other

  • Workshops and training on specific facilitation skills

  • Training by professional facilitators on timely topics 

  • Networking events and career-building events

What is a Facilitator?

Facilitators create space for groups to do their best thinking toward tangible outcomes. 

We focus on promoting creative and fruitful facilitation through these core values:

  • Full Participation: Diversity of opinions is acknowledged and encouraged

  • Mutual Understanding: All group members understand and respect each other’s points of view

  • Inclusive Solutions: Everyone’s perspective and needs are taken into consideration when forming solutions

  • Innovation: Creative and thoughtful meeting strategies enhance meeting quality and outcomes

Inspired by: Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making by Sam Kaner and Liberating Structures 

Facilitation at Berkeley may look like:

  • Leading staff meetings

  • Strategic planning

  • Running workshops and trainings

  • Team building 

  • Interactive presentations

  • Building organizational culture

  • Navigating DEIBJ issues

  • Stakeholder relationships

  • Decision-making process

  • Or anyone who facilitates processes and people!

Resources

We have a robust resource library on Google Drive (available to UC Berkeley staff only). You can find materials from our previous workshops as well as additional resources for team building, facilitating, and leadership skills.

Membership

BFN is open to any UC Berkeley staff member with an interest in facilitation. Email bfn@berkeley.edu to be added to our listserv, events calendar, or both. 

Coordinating Committee

The BFN Coordinating Committee is made up of 5-10 members with a Chair, incoming Chair, and Former Chair as leaders and other committee roles such as marketing and member engagement. Committee members commit to attending monthly meetings and contributing 3 to 5 hours per month to BFN program planning. Individual committee members are responsible for organizing (with a co-lead) three or four events a year, in which they work with presenters on topics to ensure a strong fit with facilitation-related learning goals.

The BFN Coordinating Committee is searching for new members to help us continue to provide great sessions and ideas for Berkeley staff. If you are interested in effective and participatory facilitation, contributing positively to Berkeley's staff experience, meeting others on campus, and working with a great group, we want to hear from you!

If you are interested in joining our team, send an email to bfn@berkeley.eduwith the following information:

  • Your interest in joining the Berkeley Facilitator Network.

  • The strengths you lend and skills you hope to develop by being on the Coordinating Committee.

  • Your facilitation experience or interest in developing facilitation skills.

Sponsors

  • Lasana Hotep, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Contact