Handouts

Key Guidelines For Public Input And Engagement Craig Freshley 2026 04 21

Handout How To Model Decorum Craig Freshley 2026 04 21

Handout Guidelines For Facilitating A Public Discussion

On March 21, 2026, I moderated a debate among candidates for Governor in Maine. I have facilitated thousands of meetings, but have never moderated a debate. I pushed myself to learn best practices and afterwords I reflected on lessons learned.

Many Ways To Make Good Group Decisions

In this one-page handout Craig explains ten key characteristics for consensus decision making, including group attitudes, group structure, and group processes.

In this one-page handout Craig provides tips for effective meetings within a consensus decision making process.

This 6-page handout highlights several tips and tricks for facilitating highly effective Zoom meetings. These tips can be applied to other online meetings also.

Zoom Meeting Basics Handout

In this handout Craig briefly explains seven things that high functioning groups do, and why groups should aspire to be high functioning in the first place.

In this one-page handout Craig provides five principles for talking with adversaries, including how to speak, how to listen, and what to do when stuck, angry, or dejected.

In this one-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides an overview of seven conditions for successful meetings - from attitudes to ground rules to meeting structure.

In this two-page handout Craig explains how room setup supports good group decision making, and provides a diagram of his preferred setup.

There are so many books about group decision making! Here's the list of Craig's favorites, in a 4-page handout organized by category.

In this one-page handout Craig offers a quick overview of principles to help your group design an agenda and run an effective, inclusive meeting.

In this two-page handout Craig summarizes the elements of a strategic plan, steps in an inclusive planning process, and the purpose of a plan.

In this one-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides an overview of eight key principles to help address conflict.

In this two-page handout Craig explains how to prepare for and facilitate a high-quality panel discussion. If the words "panel discussion" fill you with dread, this handout is for you!

In this two-page handout Craig summarizes the steps to plan and prepare for a meeting, from defining the objectives to packing your bags.

In this nine-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides in-depth, behind-the-scenes insights into the four essential functions of meeting facilitation.

In this one-page handout Craig lists an assortment of principles for group decision making, including understanding when to speak, separating substance from process, and distinguishing needs from wants.

In this one-page handout Craig provides a simple chart for group decision making showing when to make decisions by consensus, majority-rule, or one-decider.

In this one-page handout Craig provides a simple illustration of three types of group decision making: consensus, majority-rule, or one-decider.

In this one-page handout Craig provides an overview of seven steps for group decision making, including detailed guidance for the step called "create".

In this four-page handout about group process and practice, Craig discusses the purpose of ground rules and provides dozens of sample ground rules covering individual attitudes and actions as well as collective group processes.

In this one-page handout Craig provides guidance on when to offer feedback, how to structure feedback, and a four-step process to handle criticism.

In this two-page handout Craig describes the general flow and specific steps in a consensus decision making process. He also provides additional detail on addressing a block and allowing previous decisions to stand.

In this five-page handout Craig discusses three types of disagreement and outlines a six-step process for addressing conflict.

In this one-page handout Craig provides a quick overview of the conditions for successful mediation and the role of the mediator.

In this one-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides a quick overview of nine key characteristics of productive, inclusive, efficient groups.

In this handout Craig discusses six characteristics that help facilitators be good at what they do.

In this handout Craig explains accountability dynamics in groups and offers a five-step process to address accountability issues.