Pros and Cons of Co-Facilitating Volunteer Training

Do you share facilitating volunteers training with others? Here are some pros, cons and special considerations to think about.

Let’s start with the Pros . . .

1. More time in preparation helps ensure common objectives and methods of working
2. Access to more resources — ideas, skills, information, experiences
3. Feedback on performance
4. Shared work load
5. A broader range of strengths and weaknesses
6. One leader can conduct a group session, with the other following through, or can make points that the first leader has forgotten or pick up group behavior that the first leader has missed.
7. The relationship can help build a warm, positive climate.
8. Greater possibilities for humor — one leader can “bounce” off the other
9. Modeling — you have an opportunity to demonstrate how conflict can be dealt with in a constructive way.  Your behavior models to the group how to negotiate, compromise, and make decisions. You can show how changing the direction of a group course openly, as a result of developments, can be of value.
10. One can carry the other in case of an off day, headache, or other problems.
11. If one leader is in difficulty in a session, the other can step in.
12. You can discharge stress and bad feelings to someone who will be a supportive listener.
13. Input style can be varied.  One person cannot appeal to everyone. Having two leaders increases the range of alternatives available, for example, sex, age, personality, voice types.
14. By careful seating, two leaders should be able to pick up most things that are happening in a group. One leader cannot focus on everyone simultaneously.
15. In case of administrative hassles, equipment breakdown, and such things, one person is free to deal with them.

And Now the Cons . . .

1. More time spent in preparation
2. Individual differences between co-leaders can be so great that they are not on the same wave length.  This can lead to divisiveness, competition, and destructive conflict.
3. Feedback to each other can be destructive if you do not respect and trust your co-leader
4. A poor relationship will produce a poor group climate
5. Danger of inside-jokes between the leaders, which can exclude the group
6. With insufficient trust, another leader might inhibit your style
7. Less autonomy for each trainer
8. May be distracting to have two leaders in the same room
9. Leaders sometimes talk to each other in the training sessions instead of focusing attention (eye contact, as an example) on the group
10. Leaders can behave exclusively, taking coffee breaks or eating apart from the group

With these pros and cons in mind it is important to consider . . .

1. Both facilitators should still be present at all training sessions so they get to know the trainees and what issues have arisen during the sessions.
2. Each facilitator should have the same level of competence as a trainer and experience in serving clients.
3. The trainers’ facilitation style should be similar so it is not confusing or distracting to trainees
4. Trainers should be highly skilled in utilizing the Seven Fundamentals and role-model their use throughout the training
5. Never have someone just pop-in for one session to teach on a subject. Save the guest speakers for an introductory training or in-service training.

This and many other topics are covered in the revised Leader’s Manual for the Equipped to Serve Volunteer training. If you are using the volunteer training you might consider purchasing a new Leader’s Manual. Click here to view the Leader’s Manual.