Facilitator

Looking for an experienced, objective, strategic planning facilitator, public input, community involvement facilitator, town hall or meeting moderator in Colorado?

I’ve been privileged to facilitate leadership retreats, board strategic planning sessions and moderate town hall meetings for:

  • Land Trust Board
  • Community Leaders
  • Professional and Trade Association boards
  • Non-profit Boards
  • US Government Senior GS Leadership Teams, Reserve and active duty Military Leaders

I’ve helped them….

  • Establish clear values, mission, vision and goals
  • Clarify roles and responsibilities using Carver’s Model of Governance
  • Relieve them of the responsibility of managing the meeting
  • Discover areas of strength, gaps and opportunities
  • Revitalize team interaction or commitment levels
  • Discuss issues without deteriorating into a shouting match
  • Encourage the quiet ones to speak up and diplomatically ‘channel’ the strong-willed, outspoken personalities
  • Prepare for challenge or impending change
  • Create a sense of purpose, progress and enthusiasm
  • Build camaraderie, engagement and accountability
  • Facilitate a S.W.O.T. or gap analysis process
  • Conduct a “year in review” to evaluate lessons learned
  • Validate accomplishments and plan for the future
  • Create or clarify board, team or organizational identity

AND FROM THE CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE…

“I wanted to say another big THANK YOU for your incredible job at OLT’s strategic planning weekend. I think you have such a winning combination of wisdom, knowledge, energy and savvy! Your incredible personality made the weekend relaxed yet engaging, and made all the hard work really fun! We all walked away feeling like we had achieved so much and that we have put OLT on a greater course for success!! Thanks again and stay in touch!” –Amy Trainer, Executive Director, Orient Land Trust, Valley View Hot Springs, Villa Grove CO (2009)

“Just a note to say that I enjoyed meeting you last evening and to thank you for facilitating our strategic planning session. Pretty tough job on such short notice with so little to go on and so little time to time to complete the task. Well done.” –Christopher D. Whitney, Attorney-at-Law and Board Member, Colorado Horse Council (2008)

“I truly enjoyed your work with us and the board members.  I believe we gained a greater understanding of ourselves and those we are working with. You delivered thought provoking and enlightening information which seemed to energize our group as a whole. Thank you for your valuable work.” –Cindy Fisher, Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities, Denver CO (2008)

“We so appreciate your facilitation and strategic planning support for our Mountain Post Historical Center Board of Directors. It has been a real benefit to help us move forward on this most important project!” –Becky Bayer Hughes, Executive Director, Mountain Post Historical Center, Colorado Springs CO (2008)

The Corporate Board of Newborn Hope held its annual Retreat in February this year and Laura Benjamin facilitated the day. She was a last-minute “emergency” fill-in as the scheduled facilitator was ill. Laura was at-ease and comfortable working with a large board of “professional” volunteers. She used her CARLA Concept™ from her book and the DISC personality profiles to draw members together and help them to know each other better in a non-threatening atmosphere. All of this was accomplished with very little pre-planning. The profiles were such a success I’ve made copies of them for each Board member to access throughout their term. As a result of using Laura, our Board is ready top move forward as a unified body and accomplish the goals we set forth during the Retreat. In fact, we’ve asked Laura to return mid-year to evaluate our progress. If any organization has the opportunity to work with Laura, I highly recommend it! Sincerely, Ann Hazuka, Newborn Hope Inc. Corporate Board President, 2006-2007

Dear Laura, I can’t thank you enough for helping me start my Newborn Hope Corporate Board President year with a “BANG”! I continue to receive such high praise when it was your expertise that made our Retreat a huge success! Ann Hazuka, President

Dear Laura, Thank you for your GREAT facilitation with Newborn Hope today. You were terrific and brought alot of “right on” perspectives to a very strong group! We have some good tools as we move forward. So good to see you…again, thank you for adding your special touch to our unique team. Cindy Fowler, Newborn Hope Inc. Board Member