IAF Overview

The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) was formed by a group of professionals desiring an avenue for interchange, professional development, trend analysis and peer networking. A formal association was proposed and adopted in Alexandria, Virginia, in January 1994. Since then, the IAF has grown to include members from 6 continents.

The Mission of the IAF is to promote, support and advance the art and practice of professional facilitation through methods exchange, professional growth, practical research, collegial networking and support services. This is accomplished through peer-to-peer networking, professional development and annual conferences, which are a critical means for fulfilling the Mission and reflecting our core Values.

The Values of the IAF are:

• Inclusiveness - Including the full spectrum of personal, professional and cultural diversity in our membership and in the field of facilitation.
• Global Scope - Connecting and serving Facilitators locally, nationally and internationally.
• Participation - Advocating participative methodologies that generate ownership of decisions and actions.
• Celebration - Celebrating life through spirit filled quality interchange, activities and events.
• Innovative Form - Modeling a participative and flexible organizational structure that promotes growth change and learning.
• Social Responsibility - Supporting socially responsible change within private, public and voluntary organizations.

The IAF encourages and supports the formation of local groups of Facilitators to network and provide professional development opportunities for their members. Regional groups from around the world are invited to become Chapters of the IAF to help promote the profession of facilitation as a critical set of skills in the global society of the 21st century.

For more information, see www.iaf-world.org

In response to the needs of IAF members and their clients, IAF established the Professional Facilitator Certification Program. The Professional Facilitator Certification Program provides successful candidates with the professional credential IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF), as signified by a Certificate. This credential is the leading indicator that the Facilitator has demonstrated each of the IAF Core Facilitator Competencies required to facilitate group interaction.

The IAF is the only internationally recognized, non-profit, industry association for Facilitators and the CPF is the only internationally recognized, non-commercial, professional credential for Facilitators. You can only receive the CPF designation from the IAF. As of June 2007, the IAF has certified CPFs in over 35 countries.

The Core Facilitator Competencies

Hiring a CPF ensures that the Facilitator has demonstrated the IAF Core Facilitator Competencies.

• Create Collaborative Client Relationships – The Facilitator prepares properly to meet client needs.

• Plan Appropriate Group Processes – The Facilitator designs and selects the right processes and tools that deliver the agreed to outcome while supporting a diverse group of participants, characteristics, and thinking styles to reach consensus.

• Create and Sustain a Participatory Environment – The Facilitator is able to manage communication, creativity, conflict, and encourage participation.

• Guide Group to Appropriate and Useful Outcomes – The Facilitator is able to execute the designed processes, guide the group, stay on track, and achieve the desired outcome.

• Build and Maintain Professional Knowledge – The Facilitator continues to be part of the profession and continues to learn new concepts and ideas.

• Model Positive Professional Attitude – The Facilitator is able to remain neutral, act with integrity, and be self-aware.

What Does this Mean to the Client?

I encourage all clients to hire only IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitators to ensure useful solutions, fewer mistakes and changes down the road and more complete consensus based information. You can be assured that the IAF CPF:

• Has properly prepared by:

• Interviewing the client.
• Identifying client needs.
• Structuring a process to meet those needs.
• Identifying the tools and processes needed to make the workshop a success.

• Knowing which tools and processes to use and when.
• Having a variety of tools to use.
• Staying content neutral.
• Believing in the possibilities of the Participants.

Recommendations

MGR Consulting strongly recommends that all Facilitators join the IAF and support the continued growth of Facilitation as a profession and we strongly encourage all Facilitators to ensure that they have the best training, practice to gain experience, become certified, and continue learning.

For additional information on how to become an IAF CPF, see Becoming an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF) .

For more information on Facilitator Training, see The FoCuSeD™ Facilitator Academy . Our class teaches specific "how to", it provides detailed facilitation and process tools, and, as an IAF CPF Assessor, Gary covers the IAF Core Facilitator Competencies and what students need to do to achieve them.