Members of the Growth Facilitators team are all smiles as they celebrate the recent accomplishment of Gill Chambers (second left) and Sandra Cooper (right) who were successful in completing the facilitator certification process of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) in Tampa, Florida, recently. Sandra and Gill now join Robert Wynter (left) and Marguerite Orane (second right), increasing the number of Certified Professional Facilitators in Jamaica to four. - CONTRIBUTED
WITH JUST over 300 Certified Professional Facilitators (CPF) in the world, and only six in the Caribbean, Jamaica now leads the region in this profession by boasting the expertise of four CPFs.
Marguerite Orane, Robert Wynter and the recently certified Sandra Cooper, from Growth Facilitators, along with Gill Chambers of Jamalysha Training Company are Jamaica's only accredited professional facilitators, having all been certified by the International Association of Facilitators (IAF).
Facilitation is a way of providing leadership without taking the reins, enabling groups, teams and organisations to be effective in terms of learning, problem-solving and planning.
Using practical group process tools, it allows highly energised, productive and inclusive participation in group settings in which people truly collaborate and make sound decisions.
A facultative approach is appropriate when the organisation is concerned not only with the decision that is made, but also with the way the decision is made.
UNIQUE PROFESSION
Facilitation is rapidly taking its unique place as a profession in its own right. The standards are high, and the designation CPF is no easy accomplishment. The IAF has designed and established a demanding certification process based on rigorous examination procedures.
The designation, IAF-Certified Professional Facilitator, is granted to a candidate after he/she has demonstrated evidence of competency in six core facilitation competency areas. In this in-depth certification assessment, candidates must successfully display their capabilities in writing, through interviews, and then through a demonstration of facilitation skill.
The process takes several months to complete, and is recognised as a serious commitment to the field. The professional facilitator designation offers clients an assurance that those who are certified are qualified to design and provide group facilitation services.
In describing the value of certification to his clients, Growth Facilitators Partner Robert Wynter who was certified in 2002 said, "Our methodology, now validated by formal certification, ensures our clients' agreement around issues, buy-in to solutions, and commitment to implementation."
- Contributed
