Facilitation at meetings can be awesome! The following is a list of general points that have lead to successful facilitation at yunity meetings in the past. The points here are practice-oriented whilst philosophy, theory and rationale are not to be ignored. An evolving toolkit for people who want to do it and learn by experience. This article is best read in conjuction with Meeting culture

In General

Starting

Ask the group for permission. Something like, "I'd be happy to facilitate this meeting - does that suit everyone?"
1. People are very likely to have no resistance and probably enthusiasm!
2. If not, can issue be resolved?
3. Never force yourself as a facilitator: this is no longer facilitation, but domination.
Establish the intention.
1. If intention clearly stated, read out to group.
2. If it's not clear, who called the meeting? Ask them.
3. If it's still not clear, ask each person for their intentions.
4. Consider using the dragon dreaming project wheel to describe the meeting.
Establish the time-frame
1. In many cases meeting time-frame is just as intention. Name a reasonably short duration that you can re-assess when the time runs out.
2. If there is a strict time-frame (such as in predetermined cases like the Daily Scrum) clearly state this and that you might have to moderate speaking times.
If wishing to start a meeting with meditation, do it as an invitation. "I invite you to join in 2 minutes of silence"
1. Silence instead of a guided meditation allows more people to participate willingly (the spiritually vegan option).
2. A chime or bell to begin and end with is nice.
3. If you don't have a bell, you can end it verbally with "You can begin to slowly open your eyes"

During

Is there an agenda? Is the group keeping to it? You don't have to, but is can be worth informing people if they go off topic.
Being a facilitator and participant is possible but may take practice.
1. Never abuse your position as facilitator to elevate your position as a participant! Follow protocol, put yourself on the Speaker list if there is one, lead by example and keep it short and to the point.
If there is 'high-energy' and quieter people can't speak, consider the reasons for it. Is it frustration? Excitement? Anger? Consider reflecting your impression to the group. Consider using a Speaker list, Silent hand signals or a Talking object.
Keep an eye on the time.
1. Set an alarm for 5 minutes before the end.
2. Politely interrupt and go through outcomes.
3. Ask if people want meeting to go on.

Ending

Having a feedback round can reveal useful information. Asking people to give just one word, three words or a sentence ensures you can always have a round.
Leave the room to indicate the meeting is over.

Morning round

A favorite at WuppDays, sometimes the only place that everyone can be together. The following is a template for how someone might facilitate a morning round incorporating the learning and wisdom of many morning rounds: how to let everyone speak, small-talk avoidance, separation of personal sharing and work organization, etc

Good morning! *Big smile*
The weather is (great/tornado/flood), perfect for (finally getting out the house/playing board games/doing manual work).
How did everyone sleep? (One word shout-out/mime/etc)
This morning round provides everyone the possibility to express themselves and think about their day.
First we will go round in turn, each person able to say how their feeling or what they're thinking and after everyone has spoken people can make announcements.
Take as much time as you need but remember that everyone has the same right to talk. You don't even have to say anything: you can pass or have a silent meditation.
If you like, you can give a small nod when you're finished talking to give an easy way for the next person to know they can start.
Would someone like to start? Don't be shy. (Look around, is anyone smiling? You can invite them to start.)
...
(If people start trying to make announcements, remind them this is about their feeling and thoughts and that there is space for that afterwards)
...
Thank you all for sharing. (Pause.) Now we have time to share any announcements for the group. Meetings, lost items, personal requests, workshops, etc, etc...
...
(If people start a dialogue which doesn't involve whole group, inform them of this and ask them to continue afterwards)
...
(When it's starting to slow down) OK, are there any more announcements that everyone needs to hear?
Thank you all for being here, have a great day! (move/dance/leave the circle)

Words for encouragement and to reflect on

As a facilitator, you are a servant leader. You really are serving people with something they want and need.
Everything is OK, right now, just as it is.
The right thing will happen.
If you like Jesus, he apparently said: "... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be servant of all." (Mark 10:43-44)
"Speaking of wasting other people’s time, some activists will tend to take meetings a little too seriously. It is important that you maintain (planning/doing) meetings as a necessary evil, because people who are eager to be part of the swarm can easily see meetings as the purpose of the swarm — they will tend to see meetings as work itself, rather than the short time frame where you report and synchronize the actual work that you do between the meetings." - Rick Falkvinge in Swarmwise