Meeting facilitation, dynamic talks, and collaboration expertise to help your group be more productive.
Our clients’ comments are organized into categories by type of project. Click on any category to see clients’ comments or click here to expand all categories.
Learn more here about how we impact clients.
“I am so excited I just heard Craig Freshley give a keynote speech. His delivery was fabulous, his interaction was fabulous; you’ve got to try him out. His energy is terrific and his message is even more stunning.”
- Susan Radwan, MEd, CAE, SMP, Leading Edge Mentoring
“I had the pleasure of listening to Craig keynote a large conference I attended recently. I was really entertained. I learned a lot. He is a superb speaker and tells stories like a master. I’m pleased I had the opportunity. And now I think I have a new friend!”
- Larry Johnson, Founder, The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising
“Thank you for a stellar evening. The conversation continued after you left and as they exited students were saying things like ‘the best class yet’ ‘I don’t like those kinds of exercises, but that was great’ and ‘that was awesome!’… Needless to say you had an impact, we all learned a lot, and the group has a new rapport that will carry well into the future. You are a fabulous teacher who brings active learning to a new level! Thank you for bringing the group new tools, a new appreciation of team approaches and a broadened perspective on how groups can learn together.”
- Elise Bolda, Associate Research Professor & Chair, Graduate Program in Public Health, Muskie School, University of Southern Maine
“During the 2015 annual conference of the International Policy Governance Association in Vancouver, Canada, Craig Freshley delivered a keynote on Leading Together. I was impressed by the way he combined a casual tone with a strong and compelling message. Craig managed to interact with the whole audience, and he engaged everyone with a personal story. In short it was fun, lively and very insightful. Greatly recommended!”
- Dr. Hartger Wassink, De Professionele Dialoog, The Netherlands
“Craig’s Endnote speech helped us reflect on the day as a whole, and helped us draw out key insights and leave the conference with a sense of the main takeaways. It was also great to have a chance to hear directly from other audience members about how they were inspired to take action as a result of what they learned. A fitting end to an encouraging day!”
- Diana Scully, Executive Director, Maine Bar Foundation
“Working with Craig on our Annual Conference was a joy. In preparation and follow-up he was efficient, professional and always thinking about how best he could serve our participants. In delivering our keynote he provided practical value in a human and inspiring way. On the day, and in our post-conference evaluation, our participants made it clear – Craig was a great hit!!”
- Caroline Oliver, CEO, International Policy Governance Association
“Very engaging…I’m coming away with lots of ideas on how to improve decision-making at meetings.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Facilitative Leadership workshop led by Craig
“A+++ Great session! I learned a lot and will take what I learned back with me in my workplace and personal life.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Communications Workshop led by Craig
“You are a very motivating speaker and have a good heart. What’s not to like about you and your work?”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
“Thank you for the excellent sessions you ran at the Maine Bankers Leadership Conference. Your tips for networking really helped; having a list to keep in my head was very beneficial. Thanks again for being such an engaging presenter.”
- Annagail Barnes, Camden National Bank
“Yesterday’s session was immensely productive – I think you need to spend some time with our leaders in Washington D.C.”
- Wendy Hebb, Coordinator of the Kneading Conference
- Tom McAdam, CEO, Kennebec Behavioral Health
“Hiring Craig was an effective way to develop our strategic business plan. He is results oriented, and keeps us focused and on time. Everybody’s voice is heard. He is here to help us, not do it for us. There is tough competition for insurance, and we work hard to retain coworkers and clients. Our strategic plan has improved our culture and the way we do business. Our communication is better, and we make decisions more quickly. Our people know our mission and values.”
- Steve Cote, President, Chalmers Insurance Group
“Craig Freshley was a wonderful facilitator for our annual meeting and strategic planning session. He was well organized and kept our conversations fun and productive. We were able to discuss heated issues with respect and were able to make useful plans to move forward. I highly recommend Good Group Decisions to any organization interested in strategic planning.”
- Sarah Kotzur, ND, Past President of the Maine Association of Naturopathic Doctors
“I look to Craig as a partner, helping us when we need to have really difficult discussions and make decisions. He does a great job driving for results. He is respectful, and gets everybody to participate and feel heard, but he pushes the group if they need to make a decision. He also incorporates some fun! It’s worth the money because it’s so critical. I can’t imagine not wanting him for every retreat we do.”
- Karynlee Harrington, Maine Health Data Organization
“I would like to recognize the great work done by Good Group Decisions – Craig, maybe it’s time for a name change to Great Group Decisions!”
- Jack Healy, President, University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation
“Craig Freshley was a delicate but dedicated power tool to the success of our organization’s crucial strategic planning retreat. He helped us cut through issues that had been binding us up for months, issues which if unresolved, threatened our ability to stay together. He was warm, friendly, but task-oriented and goal-directed, and as a result we had a great strategic planning process. If you have organizational cats to herd in planning or other retreat processes, this is your guy, and he is proof that money spent on leadership of organizational change strategizing is worth every penny.”
- Dr. Erik Steele, Former Chief Medical Officer, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
“Great facilitation by Craig to make the meeting efficient and focused.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a RSU 16 School Board workshop
“Many items were accomplished, based on what we as a group wanted to set for an agenda. Craig and Kerri were very helpful in keeping us on track throughout the day…. You helped to keep us moving and to set accountables – goals and people assigned to each goal and timetable. I’m glad we are working with you to help us with our conversation.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a retreat for Chalmers Insurance Group
“Craig is like a magician who can make an agreeable plan out of a lot of different thoughts and opinions.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of the Maine Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Collaborative
“I really enjoyed the energy and conversations and how everyone was encouraged to contribute.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Maine Community Foundation retreat
“We went above and beyond our objectives with Craig’s facilitation. Not only did we generally address the issues on the agenda but went further and came out of the session with some exciting, concrete projects to pursue.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a United Way Board and Staff Retreat
“Craig helped us to have a respectful, constructive and inclusive session.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Nature Conservancy Board and Staff Meeting
“I appreciate Craig’s facilitation skills in ensuring full participation, echoing our thoughts and ideas in a way that felt inclusive, thorough, respectful, clear and relatively succinct. I also enjoyed the good vibrations that emanate from a committed group of individuals working for a common goal and believing fiercely in what’s best for our clients, our people and each other.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Maine Migrant Health Retreat
“Craig kept us moving and everyone had some airtime. No one voice dominated and we settled on desired changes as well as next steps so quickly.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Kieve-Wavus Education meeting
“I call Craig if I have a diverse group that needs to make a decision. He keeps us going and on point and ensures that we get the results we need.”
- Angela Twitchell, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
“Craig was lead staff to a blue ribbon commission that I chaired. He organized the research, managed the consultants, arranged the meetings, handled all the public input, and guided publication of our final report. From start to finish, he did an absolutely outstanding job.”
- Robert Woodbury, Chair of Governor Angus King’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care
“It is impressive to see Craig work with a group. Yes, good group decisions were well facilitated by Craig this morning. Lovely to observe him in action.”
- Mary Sylvester, Special Assistant to the President for Community and Economic Development, University of Maine at Farmington
“I look to Craig as a partner, helping us when we need to have really difficult discussions and make decisions. He does a great job driving for results. He is respectful, and gets everybody to participate and feel heard, but he pushes the group if they need to make a decision. He also incorporates some fun! It’s worth the money because it’s so critical. I can’t imagine not wanting him for every retreat we do.”
- Karynlee Harrington, Maine Health Data Organization
“Craig is energetic and really does a great job at getting the most out of our participants by keeping them engaged in the discussion. Our meetings cover a lot of ground and Craig keeps us focused so we can maximize our time.”
- Chris Fogg, Former Executive Director, Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
“I have seen Craig facilitate several regional meetings…..where the goal was to achieve consensus among town managers, fire chiefs, and police chiefs. Craig did a great job with the very difficult task of moving the groups toward spending homeland security funds in the best interest of their region. I would recommend him for facilitating multi-stakeholder groups, even those historically unaccustomed to collaboration.”
- Bruce Fitzgerald, Maine Emergency Management Agency
“Craig’s skilled facilitation of a diverse group of organizations has enabled us to forge a strong and unified voice representing the interests of Maine’s elderly. Not only does he facilitate the meetings, he and his associate also prepare minutes, maintain a website for the group, and manage our email listserv. Their package of meeting facilitation and secretariat services is really great!”
- Brenda Gallant, Elder Issues Partnership and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
“Mr. Freshley is a man of considerable skill. He can herd cats. Very impressive. I would hire him in a minute.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Justice Action Group meeting
“Working with Craig was a tremendously helpful experience for our group. We brought clearer ideas back to work, and could not have done so as successfully without Craig’s facilitation and guidance.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Bates College Athletic Department Retreat
“Your work in helping us facilitate a diverse group of industry and business stakeholders was excellent. We were able to reach conclusions and identify gaps and opportunities that we probably would have missed had we done this on our own. Directing the discussions to stay on topic and eliminate dominance by 1 or 2 persons was also key.”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with you…I want to acknowledge some of the more helpful traits you brought to our short but memorable, and I believe impactful, engagement. First, I was amazed and pleased with your flexibility – from the terms of your engagement to the last minute changes to our meeting agenda and slides, you demonstrated remarkable ability to reflect and provide your reactions to new ideas quickly and substantively. I also noticed how easy it was to feel that we were a team, from our very first telephone call to the end of the Summit. Finally, I appreciate very much your positive energy and smooth processing of complex content at a summit of 45 thought leaders who had not previously been convened. Bottom line, I’d hire you again in a heart beat, and hope I get the opportunity to do so!”
- Andrea Cianchette Maker, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLC and Consultant to Educate Maine
“Craig served as lead staff on organizing a regional economic development plan among four municipalities. What a challenge! He facilitated a series of meetings and teased out our issues and aspirations. He brought us together on a plan we could all agree to. We were fortunate to have him on the project.”
- Nelson Madore, Former Mayor, City of Waterville
“We needed a neutral person, a trusted advisor, to facilitate the conversation, to bring the groups together, and help us brainstorm solutions. Craig created a safe atmosphere and set a positive tone. He quickly established trust in the process and kept us on track, which saved us months. Employees were amazed at the process and felt valued. The change that was started has impacted people’s lives. It led to good communication and solid working relationships.”
- Jackie Little, Office of the Executive Director, Maine State Legislature
“The best MANP training I’ve attended (there were 5 others). Great presenter!”
- Anonymous evaluation of a “How to Deal with Difficult People” workshop led by Craig
“Our facilitator was well organized, communicated well with us before our meeting, made sure all issues were explored, and made sure everyone had ample opportunity to speak. I’m glad we retained Good Group Decisions for our meeting and will probably do so again if the need arises.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association board
“Good Group Decisions is professional and prompt, offering soup-to-nuts service, and never afraid to confront the hard questions.”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
“I have seen Craig facilitate meetings where the tension is high and passions run deep. Craig was a thoughtful, calming, engaging facilitator that brought the group to better working relationships and resolution.”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
“I call Craig if I have a diverse group that needs to make a decision. He keeps us going and on point and ensures that we get the results we need.”
- Angela Twitchell, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
- Tom McAdam, CEO, Kennebec Behavioral Health
“Thank you for so deftly guiding us through a very productive and positive day. You were very organized, responsive, and communicative throughout the entire process. Our group really took to you and your approach. The evaluations from our staff were full of glowing feedback!”
- Tara Chhabra, Human Resources Manager, Saratoga Springs Public Library
“Hiring Craig was an effective way to develop our strategic business plan. He is results oriented, and keeps us focused and on time. Everybody’s voice is heard. He is here to help us, not do it for us. There is tough competition for insurance, and we work hard to retain coworkers and clients. Our strategic plan has improved our culture and the way we do business. Our communication is better, and we make decisions more quickly. Our people know our mission and values.”
- Steve Cote, President, Chalmers Insurance Group
“We at MCH have always been more than satisfied with the meetings you have led for us. Our recent staff retreat is a good example…The evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Our work with you over the past couple of years has been an important ingredient in a process of moving the organization forward that is already bearing fruit.”
- Lee Karker, Former Executive Director, MCH Coastal Trans, Inc.
“You have an amazing capacity for synthesizing information and multitasking. We all very much appreciated your assistance Craig, and I hope we have a chance to work together again in the future.”
- Kay Whitmore, Acadia Insurance
“AAW members gained a better vision of our organization through the guidance and leadership of Craig Freshley.”
- Karen Boykin Peterson, Former President, American Agri-Women
“We needed a neutral person, a trusted advisor, to facilitate the conversation, to bring the groups together, and help us brainstorm solutions. Craig created a safe atmosphere and set a positive tone. He quickly established trust in the process and kept us on track, which saved us months. Employees were amazed at the process and felt valued. The change that was started has impacted people’s lives. It led to good communication and solid working relationships.”
- Jackie Little, Office of the Executive Director, Maine State Legislature
“Craig Freshley was a delicate but dedicated power tool to the success of our organization’s crucial strategic planning retreat. He helped us cut through issues that had been binding us up for months, issues which if unresolved, threatened our ability to stay together. He was warm, friendly, but task-oriented and goal-directed, and as a result we had a great strategic planning process. If you have organizational cats to herd in planning or other retreat processes, this is your guy, and he is proof that money spent on leadership of organizational change strategizing is worth every penny.”
- Dr. Erik Steele, Former Chief Medical Officer, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
“…yes, these are powerful and practical tips for the would-be collaborator. But, honestly, [The Wisdom of Group Decisions] is as much a manifesto on kindness and living well in community as it is a how-to book for facilitators. As my twin daughters prepare to enter university, it strikes me that your book should be required reading for college students…your faith, good-heartedness, and commitment to a better world shine through in the words and I will highly recommend the book to others in my network.”
- Dennis Skinner, President, MANY-TO-ONE: The Facilitation Practice
“During board and staff meetings, I am using the skills I learned in Craig’s workshop. I have seen vast improvements in productivity and energy. Thanks, Craig!”
- Chris McCabe, Maine Association of Nonprofits
“Thank you for the excellent sessions you ran at the Maine Bankers Leadership Conference. Your tips for networking really helped; having a list to keep in my head was very beneficial. Thanks again for being such an engaging presenter.”
- Annagail Barnes, Camden National Bank
“Thank you Craig for your excellent work with us during the past year. We are all very impressed with your calm and thoughtful manner, and your professionalism.”
- Stacy Benjamin, Former Director, Land Use Team, Maine State Planning Office
“Craig was lead staff to a blue ribbon commission that I chaired. He organized the research, managed the consultants, arranged the meetings, handled all the public input, and guided publication of our final report. From start to finish, he did an absolutely outstanding job.”
- Robert Woodbury, Chair of Governor Angus King’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care
“As a Republican member of the Maine Senate and the Maine Economic Growth Council, I often found myself in a vocal, yet minority position. As non-partisan staff Craig handled that very well, always making sure my views were heard and considered.”
- Philip Harriman, Former Maine State Senator
“Craig served as lead staff on organizing a regional economic development plan among four municipalities. What a challenge! He facilitated a series of meetings and teased out our issues and aspirations. He brought us together on a plan we could all agree to. We were fortunate to have him on the project.”
- Nelson Madore, Former Mayor, City of Waterville
“I have worked with Craig on sustainable development, smart production, the downtown initiative, and other issues over the past few years. In my experience, Craig is a highly creative and thoughtful individual who brings terrific experience, enthusiasm and new ideas to issues that are critical to the future of Maine. I’m sure that whoever hires him will find him to be quite an asset and I would recommend him without hesitation.”
- Martha Kirkpatrick, Former Commissioner, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
“Thank you for a great session. It was just what we needed! I have never seen live on-screen work like you did. That was quite effective.”
- John Duncan, Director, Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System
“Craig undertook a significant challenge when he was asked to begin facilitating our group. A diverse group, we were developing recommendations on how Maine should best serve its children and families. An aggressive and tight meeting schedule necessitated strong organization and preparation. Maintaining momentum required excellent summarizing skills. Craig did an outstanding job of identifying and providing a flexible plan with which to navigate this project. The avowed satisfaction of the many participants is testimony to the success of his efforts.”
- Cheryl Rust, Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Integrated Services for Children and Families
“I’ve received great feedback from people saying first, how terrific you are and second, how energized they felt leaving the meeting. I agree with all those who have told me that you are by far the best facilitator they have ever worked with.”
- Catherine Lee, Lee International and Maine Climate Table
“I have seen Craig facilitate several regional meetings…..where the goal was to achieve consensus among town managers, fire chiefs, and police chiefs. Craig did a great job with the very difficult task of moving the groups toward spending homeland security funds in the best interest of their region. I would recommend him for facilitating multi-stakeholder groups, even those historically unaccustomed to collaboration.”
- Bruce Fitzgerald, Maine Emergency Management Agency
“Craig’s skilled facilitation of a diverse group of organizations has enabled us to forge a strong and unified voice representing the interests of Maine’s elderly. Not only does he facilitate the meetings, he and his associate also prepare minutes, maintain a website for the group, and manage our email listserv. Their package of meeting facilitation and secretariat services is really great!”
- Brenda Gallant, Elder Issues Partnership and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
“Mr. Freshley is a man of considerable skill. He can herd cats. Very impressive. I would hire him in a minute.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Justice Action Group meeting
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with you…I want to acknowledge some of the more helpful traits you brought to our short but memorable, and I believe impactful, engagement. First, I was amazed and pleased with your flexibility – from the terms of your engagement to the last minute changes to our meeting agenda and slides, you demonstrated remarkable ability to reflect and provide your reactions to new ideas quickly and substantively. I also noticed how easy it was to feel that we were a team, from our very first telephone call to the end of the Summit. Finally, I appreciate very much your positive energy and smooth processing of complex content at a summit of 45 thought leaders who had not previously been convened. Bottom line, I’d hire you again in a heart beat, and hope I get the opportunity to do so!”
- Andrea Cianchette Maker, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLC and Consultant to Educate Maine
“Thank you for so deftly guiding us through a very productive and positive day. You were very organized, responsive, and communicative throughout the entire process. Our group really took to you and your approach. The evaluations from our staff were full of glowing feedback!”
- Tara Chhabra, Human Resources Manager, Saratoga Springs Public Library
“I cannot express enough my satisfaction with the facilitation of our retreat. It was a wonderful experience for myself and TPC staff alike! I have received so much feedback, which included that this was the best retreat EVER! I am going to take time to endorse the work of you, Craig, and Good Group Decisions publicly wherever I can and would most certainly recommend you to my colleagues!”
- Kristin Benedix, Past Executive Director, The Progress Center, Inc.
“You have an amazing capacity for synthesizing information and multitasking. We all very much appreciated your assistance Craig, and I hope we have a chance to work together again in the future.”
- Kay Whitmore, Acadia Insurance
“As a brand new organization, we hired Craig to facilitate the opening full-day retreat of our board of directors. Craig worked with us to plan the agenda and then did a great job working us through it. At the end of the day we knew each other well and had made several decisions. For our second retreat two years later, we hired him again.”
- Janet Yancey-Wrona, Former President, Maine Technology Institute
“Thank you all for the wonderful retreat. We all came back recharged and with a renewed sense of purpose and you really helped us accomplish a very aggressive agenda and made it interesting to boot!”
- Jane McGillicuddy, Director of Human Resources, VNA Home Health Hospice
“Craig Freshley is such a non-stop source of practical group-dynamics/effectiveness information and inspiration (tools!) that I’m finding that I have a hard time deciding which to spotlight.”
- Dr. Debra Beck, Laramie Board Learning Project
“It was clear that having a facilitator made a difference. You were able to compile key ideas on the spot and came very well prepared to allow us to make the most of our time together.”
- Anonymous evaluation of an APS Healthcare retreat
“Fantastic facilitation skills…The team spirit that was generated was phenomenal!”
- Anonymous evaluation of a staff workshop at Tri-County Mental Health Services
“I liked the links between the team building exercises and what we do on a daily basis – very valuable.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of RH Foster Energy
“Did a great job with our team – still using the data to support healthy team building.”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
“It was clear that having a facilitator made a difference. You were able to compile key ideas on the spot and came very well prepared to allow us to make the most of our time together.”
- Anonymous evaluation of an APS Healthcare retreat
“The best MANP training I’ve attended (there were 5 others). Great presenter!”
- Anonymous evaluation of a “How to Deal with Difficult People” workshop led by Craig
“Fantastic facilitation skills…The team spirit that was generated was phenomenal!”
- Anonymous evaluation of a staff workshop at Tri-County Mental Health Services
“Great facilitation by Craig to make the meeting efficient and focused.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a RSU 16 School Board workshop
“Precise, yet flexible. Focused, yet yielding.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a retreat for the Maine Association of Naturopathic Doctors
“Our facilitator was well organized, communicated well with us before our meeting, made sure all issues were explored, and made sure everyone had ample opportunity to speak. I’m glad we retained Good Group Decisions for our meeting and will probably do so again if the need arises.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association board
“Craig is like a magician who can make an agreeable plan out of a lot of different thoughts and opinions.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of the Maine Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Collaborative
“I liked the links between the team building exercises and what we do on a daily basis – very valuable.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a meeting of RH Foster Energy
“Really a master of his craft – watching Craig work is just as instructive as listening to him.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Meeting Facilitation Techniques workshop led by Craig
“I really enjoyed the energy and conversations and how everyone was encouraged to contribute.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Maine Community Foundation retreat
“Organization and presentation was exemplary. The notes alone are invaluable – great synopsis.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Lewiston Public Schools workshop
“Very engaging…I’m coming away with lots of ideas on how to improve decision-making at meetings.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Facilitative Leadership workshop led by Craig
“A+++ Great session! I learned a lot and will take what I learned back with me in my workplace and personal life.”
- Anonymous evaluation of a Communications Workshop led by Craig
“We went above and beyond our objectives with Craig’s facilitation. Not only did we generally address the issues on the agenda but went further and came out of the session with some exciting, concrete projects to pursue.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a United Way Board and Staff Retreat
“Craig helped us to have a respectful, constructive and inclusive session.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Nature Conservancy Board and Staff Meeting
“I appreciate Craig’s facilitation skills in ensuring full participation, echoing our thoughts and ideas in a way that felt inclusive, thorough, respectful, clear and relatively succinct. I also enjoyed the good vibrations that emanate from a committed group of individuals working for a common goal and believing fiercely in what’s best for our clients, our people and each other.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Maine Migrant Health Retreat
“Craig kept us moving and everyone had some airtime. No one voice dominated and we settled on desired changes as well as next steps so quickly.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Kieve-Wavus Education meeting
“Mr. Freshley is a man of considerable skill. He can herd cats. Very impressive. I would hire him in a minute.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Justice Action Group meeting
“Working with Craig was a tremendously helpful experience for our group. We brought clearer ideas back to work, and could not have done so as successfully without Craig’s facilitation and guidance.”
- Anonymous evaluation from a Bates College Athletic Department Retreat
“Craig is just awesome. Use him.”
- Anonymous Comment from Client Survey
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