Flipchart Basics

This post is geared to coaches and facilitators who are new to working with groups in person. I often get asked about some of the basics of facilitation - how to create flipcharts, how to use post-it notes, etc. Today's post covers some flipchart basics for all of us to keep in mind when working with our next group in person. The picture above is me working with a wonderful co-facilitator of mine Sharon Miller at a couples retreat we ran in Muskoka a few years ago.

Flipchart Basics:

• Use two colours – Watch use of red and green in case there are people in your group who are colour blind
• Watch impact of All Caps/ versus larger and smaller font
• Post flipcharts around room (ask for permission from venue)
• Consider which flipcharts would be useful to have retained – ie. Ground Rules/Terms of Engagement
• Creating list of topics to address/focus areas for coaching (Agenda Areas)- link to video
• When capturing content – se participants words – if necessary have them rephrase/paraphrase themselves

When would use them:

• Copy of Agenda
• Ground Rules/Ways of working/Group Agreements
  
• Wheel of ….Life/Management/Leadership/Business etc
• Questions – discussion questions for pairs to consider, evaluation questions
• Any graphics you want to share
  

It is likely that a majority of your learners have a preference for visual learning, so flipcharts can be an important part of the learning process.

What other tips would you suggest around using flipcharts?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) - Check out other logistical tips in Chapter 9
Host of the Group Coaching Essentials program (6.75 CCEs) & the Advanced Group Coaching Practicum (starting April 27th - Fridays 10:30 - 11:45 am ET)
Join me in Muskoka this summer for the July 12 - 13 Group Coaching Intensive program (15 hrs of Group Coaching Training, a CCE renewal application is being submitted for the program)
Phone: (416)996-8326