Facilitation
Contact
Matt Strassberg
Director
EMC/Ag Mediation
177 Paddy Hill Road
Moretown, VT 05660
(802) 583-1100
Keep Productivity on Track and Achieve Your Objectives
When it comes to environmental or agricultural projects, it’s not just about the technical aspects. It’s also about working with diverse stakeholders, ensuring open communication, and navigating complex decision-making processes.
That’s why hiring a professional facilitator can make a significant difference in the success of your project. Our facilitators have expertise in designing and leading effective meetings, and bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with these types of projects.
We will work with you from start to finish, helping you achieve your goals while minimizing potential conflicts. By having a neutral third party facilitate your project, you can ensure that all voices are heard and maximize the likelihood of reaching consensus on a mutually acceptable path forward.
How it Works
While every situation is different, most projects include the following steps:
Meet with the convener
We want to identify stakeholders and understand the range of perspectives, the challenges you face, and your goals for the process.
Interview key stakeholders
Preliminary interviews with stakeholders are critical for designing an effective process tailored to the facts and circumstances. We will explore where stakeholders agree and disagree.
Design the process
Based on conversations with the convenor and stakeholders, we will design a process based on the issues, perspectives, and complexity of the group. For example, if there are disagreements about factual issues, we may use a joint fact-finding process, using a mutually-approved team of experts and stakeholder representatives to resolve factual disagreements.
Form a working group
When there are numerous stakeholders, we may suggest forming a working group to represent various stakeholders’ interests, or even a steering committee with sub-committees to work on specific issues for larger groups.
Facilitate meetings
We work with all parties to ensure meetings are productive and that stakeholders feel they have been heard. We ask probing questions to seek common ground and meet with individual stakeholders throughout the process to hear feedback and search for possible areas of consensus.
Draft report
We usually prepare a report summarizing the process and the outcome of the project. Examples of previous EMC reports include the Vermont Land Use Act 250, Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program, Lake Champlain Phosphorus Pollution, and New Hampshire Meat and Poultry Project (see links below).
Featured Projects
Vermont Act 250 Stakeholder Project
Act 250, Vermont’s landmark land use law was passed over 50 years ago. Learn about the EMC’s work with diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on updating Act 250.
Forestland Transfer Initiative
Lake Champlain Phosphorous Pollution
Lake Champlain is threatened by phosphorus pollution from a variety of sources. This project seeks input from the agricultural community and other stakeholders on the most effective ways to improve water quality.
Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program
The EMC is evaluating the effectiveness of the Good Neighbor Program by conducting focus group meetings, interviews, and a survey.
New Hampshire Meat and Poultry Project
Increasing Communication and Collaboration with New Hampshire’s Meat and Poultry Producers and Processors.
Vermont Act 250 Stakeholder Project
Act 250, Vermont’s landmark land use law was passed over 50 years ago. Learn about the EMC’s work with diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on updating Act 250.
Forestland Transfer Initiative
Lake Champlain Phosphorous Pollution
Lake Champlain is threatened by phosphorus pollution from a variety of sources. This project seeks input from the agricultural community and other stakeholders on the most effective ways to improve water quality.
Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program
The EMC is evaluating the effectiveness of the Good Neighbor Program by conducting focus group meetings, interviews, and a survey.
New Hampshire Meat and Poultry Project
Increasing Communication and Collaboration with New Hampshire’s Meat and Poultry Producers and Processors.
Don’t leave the success of your environmental or agricultural project to chance—hire a professional facilitator for the best outcome.
Contact us to talk about facilitation for your project.