The facilitator’s role is to guide participants through CO.STARTERS programs by asking the right questions, drawing on the knowledge in the room, and using available resources and connections in the community to point participants in the right direction. The facilitator works closely with the hosting organization’s staff to ensure a quality program that meets the needs of local entrepreneurs. Talk to your hosting organization for clarity but these are the general responsibilities of a facilitator:
- Helps recruit participants to the cohort
- Spend a minimum of an hour per week during the cohort reviewing the content and preparing for the session
- Guide the group through the content for three hours each session (typically for ten sessions)
- Shares community connections and resources with participants
- Meets with participants one-on-one as needed or hold “office hours”
- Stay sharp by participating in CO.STARTERS continuing education workshops and/or monthly facilitator round tables