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Our highly qualified associates throughout North America are helping transform organizations and
communities in all sectors through:
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results-focused strategic planning and implementation
team motivation and skill-building
consensus and conflict transformation
decision-making and problem-solving
program and project evaluation
other organizational, training and development, motivational and human resource needs
Please enjoy exploring our site and contact us using the information below.
Download our latest brochure (pdf format)
About North Star
Adding extraordinary effectiveness to your teams’* missions, projects and events:
• Start up support
• Consensus and conflict transformation
• Planning and implementation
• Commitment
• Motivation and skill-building
* The word teams is used to encompass both ongoing workplace or community teams and
talented people brought together for a one-time event or project
Our Mission (mission.html)
The mission of North Star Facilitators is to be of the highest possible service to teams while
ensuring enjoyable learning and collaborative problem-solving.
We draw on the inherent wisdom of each individual to create overall team success.
We help teams plan, problem solve, refocus, learn, make decisions, reach consensus,
innovate, and resolve tensions.
We do this by:
• Creating a respectful, safe environment for meaningful dialogue
• Promoting and modeling collaborative, participatory methods for synthesizing information
and reaching decisions
• Helping groups build awareness of needs and how to address the gap between current
reality and future needs
• Communicating skillfully and compassionately with groups and individuals in conflict or
contradiction with each other
• Sharing our positive energy, enthusiasm, compassion and humor
• Using music, imagery, play, metaphor and "brain gym" to enhance learning, productivity and
creativity
Our Vision (vision.html)
Our vision is creative, collaborative, and healthy societies, communities, workplaces and
families.
We contribute to this through:
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distinctively artful celebrations of participation
involvement with diverse, multi-faceted and complex events and clients
collaborative interdisciplinary world work
core focus on strategic planning, team-building and conflict transformation
Our Philosophy (philosophy.html)
Adapted from ICA Canada
We believe that:
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Every idea is valuable
There are no wrong or right answers
We need everyone’s wisdom for the greatest results
Everyone will hear and be heard
Learning and productivity are proportional to the positive emotional state of participants
Our Values (values.html)
We value:
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Respectful communication
Productive dialogue
Structured yet flexible learning experiences
Equal and meaningful participation of all participants
Learning from the past to create positive futures
Creativity
Diversity
Clear focused results
Humor and fun
Analysis of facts/trends
Multi-disciplinary approaches to problem solving
Celebration of successes
Our Associates (associates.html)
North Star Associates and Colleagues
Most North Star Facilitators have been trained in the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA*)
facilitation techniques and/or are Certified Professional Facilitators©**. Many also have
extensive training and experience in one or more of:
Accelerated learning/creative training techniques.
Conflict resolution/mediation skills.
Customer service.
Strategic planning tools (ICA, PATH graphic technique (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with
Hope), others.
Speaking/presentation skills.
Human resource management and organizational development concepts and tools. North
Star Facilitators is also able to provide facilitation and training services in French, German or
Spanish joining up with several colleagues from Canada, the USA and Mexico.
All come highly recommended in their areas of specialty. North Star Facilitators is proud to
have worked with these Associates on many occasions in creating stellar events.
*see also www.ica-usa.org or www.icacan.ca
** The IAF is the worldwide professional body established to promote, support and advance
the art and practice of professional facilitation. In pursuit of this, Facilitator Certification is
designed to promote and support professional facilitation and provide clients a clear way to
assess the capability of those who offer facilitation services. See also http://iafworld.org/iafcertinfo.htm
About Barbara MacKay (barbara.html)
Barbara MacKay, MSc., founder and owner of North Star Facilitators, specializes in
facilitation processes, training, and interactive motivational speaking. Barbara has over 20
years work experience as a business owner, socio-economic consultant, federal government
program manager and religious education director.
Barbara combines gentleness and firmness, humor and compassion, fun and productive
learning. She has an energetic style and clear delivery. Barbara is dedicated to her own and
others' continuous professional and personal growth. She has a Master of Science in
Resource Management and is bilingual in English and French and has some knowledge of
Spanish. She has facilitated over 800 workshops to all sectors in Canada, the USA and in
Mexico and worked with 100's of clients. Barbara currently resides in Portland, Oregon
(Northwestern USA).
Barbara has the following qualifications: Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) and only one
of 12 USA certified facilitator assessors with the International Association of Facilitators,
qualified facilitator and trainer with the both the American and Canadian Institute of Cultural
Affairs, trained in Dr. De Bono's thinking techniques, PATH graphic visioning process ;
certified accelerated learning trainer, Behavior styles model "Why Are You Like That?",
Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument , conciliation, "shifting from positions to interests",
conflict resolution, negotiation skills, non-violent communication, anger management, risk
communication, training for trainers, parenting, theatre, and curriculum development.
Services
Facilitated Workshops and Presentations by Barbara MacKay – 2003
(picture of workshop)
"Famous" North Star nerf frisbee workshop energizer - giving participants time to have fun so
creative thinking is enhanced.
(The following pages are linked in the left column of the Services page.)
Facilitated Workshops:
Strategic Planning (splanning.html)
Strategic Planning : (1 - 2.5 days)
Using a combination of the ICA facilitated planning model (Institute of Cultural Affairs)
www.ica-usa.org or icacan.ca and accelerated learning methods, ialearn.org, Barbara
MacKay creates participatory and productive planning events for organizations. She and her
associates have designed planning events for small to very large groups (up to 250 people).
Depending on the group's needs, the planning event can include several or all of the following
activities:
Journey Wall - an activity to reflect on the past and learn what this means for the future
Vision - creating a practical vision chart and graphic/pictorial representations of the vision
Mission - developing a statement of purpose and defining key stakeholders
Obstacles - clearly defining what gets in the way of realizing the vision using play and
metaphors to "uncover" the contradictions
Strategic Directions: Defining the broad directions needed to move forward the vision and
deal with the obstacles
Action Plans: lay out specific goals and action steps to realize the goals
North Star attractively documents all parts of the process for the group.
P.A.T.H.™ (path.html)
P.A.T.H.™; (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) (1/2 day) :
http://www.inclusion.com/PI-PATH.html
This is an eight step graphic Canadian planning process (developed by Jack Pearpoint, John
O'Brien and Marsha Forest) excellent for individuals or groups about to begin a project or a
new life/work direction. It is excellent for team building. It has been used to mediate conflicts
and by people who desire changing the ways they work. The process ideally involves two
facilitators - one to graphically illustrate the group's thinking; the other to draw out the
individual or group on:
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the North Star Hopes and Dreams (3-5 years)
the Positive and Possible Future Goals (12-18 months)
the Current Situation (the Now)
who to Enroll to move forward the dream
what to Strengthen to help the dream move forward
the projects accomplished within 3-4 months form date of process
the projects accomplished within one month of the planning event
the first steps to be undertaken to move the dream forward
At the end of the process, the group or individual receives the PATH™ on a long wide piece
of paper to post for future reference. This process can be followed up with a more thorough
strategic planning process immediately after the PATH™ process or some time later.
Team-building (tbuilding.html)
Team-building (1 - 2 days):
The team-building sessions are custom-designed and include many different activities to help
the "team" work more effectively together. Generally activities focus on fun, positive,
participatory sharing and discovery. The end result is participants who are motivated to work
together more productively with specific tools to help them move towards concrete results.
The emphasis in these sessions is celebrating accomplishments, shifting internal unhelpful
images and learning tools to build a positive workplace culture and outcomes.
Specific team-building and communication tools used in these sessions may include;
The four learning languages - HBDI brain dominance instrument and/or diversity game (see
interactive workshops below for a full description)
www.hbdi.com
Historical Scan or Wall of Wonder: this tool, developed by ICA, is non-judgmental and allows
participants to look at their experiences objectively. They create and then collectively review
objective data from the organization’s past and present. This data reveals both
accomplishments and setbacks over the long term and helps ease participants’ anxieties
about current difficulties. The group then reflects on this data to identify critical lessons that
can be applied to future plans.
The four elements of behaviour - Why Are You Like That? tool (see also interactive
workshops below)
www.learnology.co.nz
Conflict Transformation (cresolution.html)
Conflict Transformation:
Many groups need assistance because several individuals are in conflict with one another or
different groups who must work together have conflicting styles or goals. These sessions are
designed carefully to help groups move from positions to interests and skillfully and
respectfully share:
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What they have observed which is creating tension
What they are feeling about this situation
What are their needs
What actions or strategies they would like to request to remedy the situation.
(based on Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's non -violent communication model).
When the group has safely voiced their feelings and needs, they can begin to brainstorm
strategies to move forward. An in depth consensus building session can be helpful at this
point, followed by the development of specific action plans with commitments and timelines.
Other custom designed facilitated sessions North Star has led
(ocustom.html)
Other custom designed facilitated sessions:
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Program or Project Planning
Matching practices to core beliefs and values
Shifting the Way We Practice Community Development
Multi-Sectoral (and/or Multi-Cultural) Collaboration and Consensus-Building
Strategies for Best Practices in Schools
Working Through "Re-engineeering"
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Redesigning an Employee Classification System (Union/Management Committee)
Matching Local Initiatives to Regional Strategies
Shifting Decision-Making from a Hierachical to a Collabortaive Model
Renewing Local Advisory Committee Involvement
To Merge or Not to Merge?
Roles and Responsibilities
Integrating Service Delivery .
Interactive Training Sessions:
Planning with Pizzazz (pwith.html)
Planning with Pizzazz (1 day)
Effective planning involves many kinds of thinking (factual, visionary, contradictional, strategic
and tactical). Consequently, people who are not trained to think in many different ways often
approach some parts of planning with hesitation and anxiety. Now you can banish your
planning blues! North Star will help you to become more adept at all levels of thinking. You
will practice new skills by creating a powerful and creative personal strategic plan for your
own professional and/or personal life. You will
Experience the power of a seven-step planning process that can be used by individuals,
organizations and communities.
Learn six methods of making your vision come true
Learn how to create well-defined goals and action plans that work.
Work/Life Balance (wlife.html)
Work/Life Balance (1 day)
Experience tools and techniques known to create balance between the ever-increasing
demands of career and home. You will leave this workshop feeling relaxed and ready to
tackle work and life with renewed enthusiasm and proven strategies for managing stress creatively. You will
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Identify your personal sources of stress and understand the impact that stress has on
you
Create a positive and personal vision of work/life balance
Experience five work/life balance techniques known to relax and energize
Design a personal work/life balance action plan.
Facilitating Effective Meetings (feffective.html)
Learn to design and facilitate productive meetings. You will:
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Assess your own and others’ learning styles and understand how this knowledge
may be used to fully engage meeting participants.
Assess your own and others’ thinking styles and understand how this knowledge may
be used to create positive flow leading to productive meeting outcomes
Improve your ability to keep meetings and participants on track.
ICA's Group Facilitation Methods© (fskills.html)
ICA‘s Group Facilitation Skills Methods© (2— 3 days, in the USA only)
Learn three proven processes for activating group participation. Gain hands-on experience
practicing methods and explore ways to apply them to your specific situation.
The Focused Conversation Method
Learn a structured process that helps you plan and facilitate a meaningful exchange of ideas.
Discover ways to involve every member in thinking through difficult issues. This process
heightens your effectiveness in facilitating virtually every form of group communication.
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Conduct purposeful, productive meetings and discussions
Quickly capture a group's best thinking
Surface new ideas and solutions
Ask questions that stimulate candid feedback and discussion The Consensus
Workshop Method
Energize problem-solving with a process that builds active participation and teamwork.
Productively channel diverse ideas into consensus decisions everyone can own and support.
Learn tools to help groups reach new levels of creativity and cooperation.
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Tap both rational and intuitive thought processes
Integrate diverse ideas
Generate practical and creative solutions
Develop group consensus
The Action Planning Method
Master this powerful implementation planning process which enables you to help a group
rapidly pull together an effective plan, organize needed resources and mobilize individuals'
energy into action.
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Visualize a successful result
Analyze the current reality
Create a practical plan
Maximize group commitment and involvement
Who Should Take this Course
People who are actively involved in the leadership and facilitation of groups and teams,
including supervisors, executive directors, managers, professional facilitators, private
consultants, training managers, educators, health practitioners, community specialists,
concerned citizens and team members in high performance environments who need
increased exposure to group participation methods to be effective.
Benefits:
 Reduces time spent on conflict resolution and prevents conflicts
 Allows groups to discover their own motivation
 Gets a deepened personal commitment
 Points to visible results
 Saves time and money through increased productivity
Prerequisite:
Group Facilitation Methods is the prerequisite for many of ICA’s other listed courses.
A Comfort with Conflict (acomfort.html)
A Comfort with Conflict (1/2 — 1 day)
Conflict is a natural part of everyday life, yet few of us have the skills and confidence to
manage it productively and skillfully. This workshop emphasizes the importance of
constructive conflict and teaches us to approach it with courage and resolve. Once we
understand the basic nature of conflict and learn techniques and tools for resolution, we can
create more satisfying and productive professional and personal relationships. In this
workshop, you will:
Understand why conflict can be beneficial and why it is inevitable!
Learn why compromise is not always the best tactic
Learn how to move from positions to interests
Recognize and understand your preferred styles of conflict resolution and when it is
appropriate to change your approach
Learn and practice the language of compassion: non-violent communication®
Dealing Compassionately with Difficult People (dcompassionately.html)
Dealing Compassionately with Difficult People
This is of interest to everyone interested in having more satisfying skillful relationships with
the adults and children in their lives.
Deepen your communication and listening skills through the four step model developed by
Dr. Marshall Rosenberg – Nonviolent Communication. Learn to motivate without using fear,
guilt or shame. Learn to set boundaries and say no respectfully. Learn to treat yourself more
compassionately. Communicate in a way that has the power to transform difficult interactions
with others. This session emphasizes practice with others.
Accessing Our Many Multiple Intelligences (aour.html)
Accessing Our Many Multiple Intelligences (1/2 day)
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Would you like information about your personal interests and aptitudes that will help
you to prepare for a new career or a new role in your job, family or community?
Have you always had a dream, or something important you wanted to do in your life,
but been afraid to "just do it"!
Would you like to motivate people to change and grow as your organization grows?
Would you like to develop your overall intelligence?
Would you like to raise training effectiveness in your organization by 200% - 900%?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, this workshop is for you. Working within
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, and drawing on much of the research
developed since it was introduced in the 1980's, Barbara MacKay clearly shows how and why
you will benefit from the development and use of all eight intelligences (interpersonal, intrapersonal, musical, kinesthetic, visual-spatial, logical -mathematical, and naturalistic).
Maximize Your Potential through Accelerated Learning (myour.html)
Maximize Your Potential through Accelerated Learning (1 day)
Decades ago, it was predicted that modern society would be paperless and filled with time for
leisure and recreation. So far, most of us are finding life anything but! We are overwhelmed
with the number of tasks we must deal with, as well as the endless information we must
process daily. Accelerated learning techniques offer hope. Through the latest brain-body
research, you will learn tools and tips intended to help you accomplish tasks quickly and
easily, and make your life more meaningful. You will:
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Learn a minimum of ten tips known to increase the speed and effectiveness of your
own learning
Discover your preferred "intelligences" and learning styles and learn how they may
help you to do your job even better
Understand how intelligence can grow — even as you age
Learn three tools to help you read more quickly and successfully retain information
Increase your enthusiasm for learning so that when you work, you remain fresh and
invigorated.
Why Are You Like That? (ware.html)
Why Are You Like That? (1/2 to 1 day)
Developed by Yoshimi and Jon Brett of Learnolgy , N.Z. www.lernology.biz
"Why are you like that?" Have you ever wanted to ask someone that question? At times, we
find ourselves judging the behaviour of others, or we assume that another acts in a certain
way simply to be difficult. This workshop will help you to explore a diversity of behaviour
styles in an affirming and positive way. By assessing your own behaviour preferences and
learning the strengths of behaviours that are different from your own, you will become more
appreciative and accepting of others. You will:
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Assess your own behaviour style strengths and challenges
Understand the four elements of behaviour and how they contribute to successful
groups and teams
Recognize and appreciate your strengths and preferences as well as those of others.
Recognize the different elements of behaviour and learn appropriate responses to a
variety of situations
Capitalize on Team Brain Diversity (wis.html)
Capitalize on Team Brain Diversity (1 — 2 days)
www.hdbi.com
The HBDI (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument) has been used successfully with
hundreds of thousands of individuals and organizations around the world since the mid
1970s. Prior to attending this workshop, you will be asked to complete a 120 question
physiological (not psychological) HBDI profile that illustrates and explains your preferred way
to think, learn, communicate and make decisions. Understanding your preferences will
optimize your ability to adapt your thinking, decision-making and communication style to any
given situation. It will also explain why it is easier to communicate with some people than it is
with others, and why certain subjects or hobbies fascinate you while others do not. This
profile does not measure intelligence, skill or competency, but provides you with a better
understanding of your potential development opportunities. It may also prove valuable in
helping you to assess your strengths and the unique role that you can play in your
organization or on your team. Team profiles are also available. In the workshop, you will:
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Learn the theory and importance of understanding brain dominance and "whole brain
organizations"
Learn to interpret your own profile
Understand and appreciate the diversity of thinking styles in any organization
Learn how to successfully communicate with people who have brain dominances
different from your own
Understand the significance of your own profile and that of team members
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Learn how to work skillfully with your most and least preferred brain dominances
Learn how to use brain dominance information to positively change your life or your
organization’s and maximize your career opportunities and satisfaction
Understand how brain dominance information complements other assessment tools
such as Myers Briggs.
Motivational Keynotes or Concurrent Workshops: (1.0 to 3.5 hours)
Live, Love, Learn and Laugh (llove.html)
Live, Love, Learn and Laugh* — "The Four Habits of Highly Happy People"
To be truly happy, learn to honor yourself — your body, your emotions, your mind and spirit.
In this insightful presentation, Barbara explains how to begin the process using the five
languages of love and the four languages of learning. You will reenergize by rediscovering
the absolute joy of a daily dose of laughter. Count on a fascinating journey of self-discovery
that promises to open doors to a fuller, more rewarding and balanced life. You will leave with
practical tools that can be used throughout your lifetime to strengthen and monitor your own
personal sense of wellness, including a satisfying balance between work and life. Barbara’s
story-telling and interactive style is sincere, affirming and entertaining
*This ‘keynote’ can be broken in to shorter parts such as Live and Learn; Love and Laugh;
Live, learn and laugh etc.
A Matter of Laughter (amatter.html)
A Matter of Laughter – Wit, Waggery and Whimsicality in the Workplace
Nothing to laugh about at work? Everyday, every moment offers abundant possibilities for
finding humor. Laughter lets us break through tough times and soar with great moments.
Actively encouraging humor in the workplace increases productivity and creativity. In this
humorous and interactive keynote presentation, Barbara helps you turn up your own laughter
volume and helps you find your own "inner chuckle".
Barbara masters the use of humor in her speeches through dramatization, exaggeration,
story-telling, a play on words and painting clear visual pictures. Her strongest ability is to
inspire and motivate. Her presentation, "Wit, Waggery and Whimsicality" gives us all hope.
A Passion for Play (apassion.html)
A Passion for Play*
Appropriate activities at work, can help to create a positive emotional state — an essential
requirement for successful learning, creative thinking and idea generation. Playful activities
are also known to diffuse tension, increase one’s sense of self-discovery, desire to
participate, and be involved. This workshop outlines the what, when, and how to play —
anywhere, anytime. Play used strategically in your life can relax you, and at other times
energize and stimulate innovative thinking helping you to create break-through results. This
workshop has also been used as a team-building workshop.
*This workshop can also be customized for trainers and facilitators to use play skillfully in
their workshops.
Taming That "Wild Thing" – Time! (tthat.html)
Taming That "Wild Thing" — Time!
Decades ago, it was believed that technology would lead to more time for leisure and
relaxation. Instead, the opposite has occurred as technology pushes us to work harder and
faster than ever before . . making time a "wild untamable thing". The lack or absence of time
has made it increasingly difficult to live lives of balance and harmony. In this creative and
interactive workshop, you will:
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learn how to organize, energize and maximize your time
identify your personal vision for a stress-free, time-rich life
identify and tame your top three time-wasters at work and at home
learn T.I.P.’s (time improvement plans) from the experts and from each other — for
dealing with top time challenges
create your own Time Improvement Plan
learn how to make time every day for fun and play!
Use it or Lose it (uit.html)
Use it or Lose it!
Many believe that aging causes the mind to deteriorate. Not necessarily so! The latest brainrelated research tells us that our minds can remain flexible and intelligent throughout our lives
if we continue to challenge and stretch ourselves by becoming lifelong learners. This
presentation highlights some of the latest information on keeping our mental faculties alive
and well. In a practical and entertaining way, Barbara delivers valuable tips and techniques
for use in both your personal life and career. You will use music, movement, humor, color,
imagery, stories and metaphor to remember and integrate new learning.
Losing the Stress Monkey (lthe.html)
Live, Love, Learn and Laugh* — "The Four Habits of Highly Happy People"
To be truly happy, learn to honor yourself — your body, your emotions, your mind and spirit.
In this insightful presentation, Barbara explains how to begin the process using the five
languages of love and the four languages of learning. You will reenergize by rediscovering
the absolute joy of a daily dose of laughter. Count on a fascinating journey of self-discovery
that promises to open doors to a fuller, more rewarding and balanced life. You will leave with
practical tools that can be used throughout your lifetime to strengthen and monitor your own
personal sense of wellness, including a satisfying balance between work and life. Barbara’s
story-telling and interactive style is sincere, affirming and entertaining
*This ‘keynote’ can be broken in to shorter parts such as Live and Learn; Love and Laugh;
Live, learn and laugh etc.
Projects/Clients
"Barbara MacKay and North Star Facilitators helped Consumer and Corporate Affairs develop its
initial planning process. Barb provided the positive environment and practical exercises that
allowed our executive management group to be comfortable with each other, to take some risks,
to become a team. Barb facilitated some excellent work on our environmental scan and on our
strengths and weaknesses. This was such a good experience that I asked Barb back to provide
similar services to the Legislative Assembly administrative management staff. You won't be
disappointed either."
Fred Bryans
Executive Director
Financial and Administrative Services
Legislative Assembly
Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Province of Manitoba
fbryans@legassembly.mb.ca
"Barbara engages workshop participants with her keen insight, genuine warmth, and a wonderful
sense of humour. Having had Barbara facilitate 3 workshops, the unanimous feedback from
participants has always been to bring her back for an encore! "
James Kopp
james_kopp@manulife.com
Training Leader
Manulife Financial
Representative Projects/Clients:
Facilitation Clients and Projects (fclients.html)
Representative Facilitation Projects/clients
(specific client names protected for confidentiality reasons)
Apprenticeship Branch, Education Department: Teambuilding and planning day for all
staff
Council of School Leaders: facilitated discussions with new organization representing
1000 principals in region to consider a constitutional change from the current governance
model to a circle of leaders collaborative governance model
Family Services and Housing: Team- building and challenge discussion with senior staff;
planning and delivery of major provincial initiative for integrated service delivery of three
divisions
Environmental Resources Tribal Center: team-building and strategic planning for all staff
of national center
IT Company: design and delivery of planning discussions for senior IT managers
Middle Years School: comparing practices with beliefs — year long discussion process
with all staff to articulate core positive beliefs and reflect on how to closely match current
practices with these beliefs
Inner City Fellowship Center: Design, delivery, and documentation of strategic planning
process over 1.5 years for Staff, Board and clients.
City Management /Union: customized process to assist Working Group assigned to
revise and simplify City's classification system of unionized positions
Healthy Child Initiative: Design and delivery of provincial conference to determine ways to
advance cause of early childhood development in region — 300+ participants - six
sectors- Ministerial initiative
Economic/Training and Development Summits 2000/2001: Assistance with design and
delivery of Economic Development Century Summit — (150 participants) and Training
and Development summit (100+ participants).
Provincial Government Department: Needs assessment, design and delivery of strategic
and business planning workshops with Deputy Minister and all Department Directors.
Assistance with re-engineering planning and implementation.
Legislative Assembly: strategic planning for senior staff
Federal Government: Teambuilding sessions including environmental scan, attributes of
a positive learning culture, understanding personality types, experiencing team synergy,
humor in the workplace and visioning. Workshops with two different directorates of 40
and 55 people each.
Center and School for Severely Disabled: Public consultation process with staff, Board,
and parents. Design and delivery of "Journey Wall " process, historical scan, review of
Mission, Philosophy and Objectives, creation of future vision, issues, strategic directions,
strategic objectives and action plans. Assistance with writing strategic plan.
Strategic planning process for University - English as a Second Language Program:
Issue identification and resolution and strategic planning.
Schools/Divisions/Boards: assistance with design and action planning for Medieval Fair,
design and delivery of issue identification workshops, strategic planning, best practices
consultations, role clarification and team-building, decision-making on use of Public
Advisory Committee funds
Municipal Corporation: Design and delivery of strategic planning sessions including an
environmental/historical scan, vision, mission, blocks, strategic directions and action
planning.
Equity and Diversity Committee: delivery of PATH workshop to assist Equity and
Diversity committee establish vision, goals, current assets, areas to strengthen and first
action planning steps. Follow-up complete strategic planning process three years later.
Family Information Center: Needs assessment, design and facilitation of multistakeholder round table discussion addressing parenting issues for new immigrant and
refugee families. Assistance with decision making re: disbursements of community grants
Youth Action Project: Facilitation of youth-adult forums with the objective of developing
action plans to enhance employment possibilities for youth.
Tribal Council: Health Committee training in preparation for take-over of health services
in five northern communities; included team building for committee communication skills
training, development of a work plan and pre- board development.
Mining Corporation: Assisted with design and delivery of two year public participation
program to assist with resolution of controversy around impact of new uranium mining
developments on six remote Saskatchewan communities.
Food Collective: staff and board retreat on conflict resolution and future planning.
Municipal Bridge Project: Interviews and delivery of French language public consultation
program with residents and key stakeholders of neighbourhood (included French
language radio and T.V. media interviews).
International IT Company: strategic planning for senior management team.
Training Clients (tclients.html)
DinamicaAsertiva: delivered accelerated learning training course " A passion for Play" to
hotel HR managers in Cancun, Mexico. Also facilitated PATH visioning process to
several individuals and groups in Mexico.
ICA Group Facilitation Methods course: co-trained with ICA facilitatorsin Alberta,
Manitoba, Washington, and Oregon.
Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program: Designed and facilitated facilitator training for all
regional trainers and facilitators of Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program.
Provincial Health Nurses: Designed and facilitated one-day facilitator training for all
regional public health nurses.
Bristol Aerospace: Designed and delivered two-day facilitator training (running effective
meetings) to technical, supervisory and engineering staff.
Canadian Union of Public Employees: Designed and delivered training on facilitation
skills, and "Creative skills for an Increasingly Complex World" to frontline staff.
University of Winnipeg: Design and deliver on a regular basis: Personal and
organizational strategic planning for management students.
Organization and Staff Development and other clients: Design and delivery of workshops
on the team approach, team collaboration and group dynamics, conflict resolution and
negotiation skills, facilitating effective meetings, interpersonal communication skills,
accelerated learning, work-life balance, stress management, effective oral presentation
skills, clarifying and realizing personal vision, and others.
Public Speaking Clients (pskeakingclients.html)
Public Speaking clients:
Flin Flon Manitoba Women’s conference "Body, Mind and Soul", Huron-Perth Ontario
Hospital Partnership, Northwest Pacific Coaches Association, Rutgers University (N.J.),
Farm Credit Corporation, Industry Canada employee day, Consumer Health
Organization, Society for Training and Development, Manitoba Woman Business
Owners, Chamber of Commerce, PreventNet (serving youth), National Food Science
conference, national conference for Association of Insurance Women, Association of
School Trustees, International Alliance for Learning 1999/2001 conferences, International
Association of Facilitators 2000/2001conference,Seniors Conference, Manulife Financial
annual marketing assistants conferences, Women in Business International conference,
Association of Professional Engineers , and many other events.
Parenting Groups: Design and delivery of parenting presentations on resisting negative
peer pressure, building self-esteem for children and youth, teaching our children values &
ethics, faith and spirituality in the home, and others. Also facilitated "How to Talk" and
S.T. E. P parenting courses.
Recent Testimonials
Participants of:
Developing Principles for Future Action (dprinciples.html)
Medium sized (n=50) conference participants - developing principles for future action
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Today was excellent. Thank you for the fine job of facilitating
Loved the mix of serious and play time, helping me keep focussed
Excellent facilitator
Stayed on track. Met objectives that were set out at beginning
Barb was great; very motivating, positive, amazing time management
Exceeded my expectations!
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Colourful attractive fun props. Beats a lecture for two days good variety of
discussion techniques. I liked how much you made us move around to interact
with other people. On schedule, on time, followed agenda
Wow, very organized, fun, well worth-it, balanced, fulfilling inspirational. Wow! A+
on old report card or 100% met and exceeded expectations. Rises to challenges.
Empowers everyone - run for "office"
Great time management skills.
Excellent facilitation. The two days flew by!!
Really enjoyed the format and how we met our goals.
One comment form a "guest" - she liked coming in and seeing the work we had
accomplished and presented in the most interesting way
Thought-provoking excellent teamwork from all participants
Overall an excellent workshop which was both enlightening and encouraging
Really like the variety of activities - toys, moving small discussion group and
larger groups
Thanks for incorporating fun into the days. It's great to be able to work and enjoy
the work day
You did a great job at mixing the groups so that ideas were reflective of the
individual and the group. We all shared in the process
Developing Strategies (dstrategies.html)
Large ( n= 325) multi-sectoral conference — developing strategies
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It made strategic planning non-threatening and rather enjoyable
Quick summary and feedback - ideal - well done
The skills involved in getting such a large group involved and sharing was
impressive
Well-planned, innovative, active participation, thinking and learning
Valuable forum to stimulate and facilitate intersectional discussion and organize
planning.
I was very impressed with the quality, organization and facilitation process.
Managing such a large group, I can imagine must have been quite a challenge.
Emergent directions that resulted were exciting
Community Foundation Board Strategic Planning Session
(cfoundation.html)
Community Foundation board strategic planning session (n=12)
"Thoroughly enjoyed two days - fun, interesting and informative - and I hate meetings - so
you're pretty good"
"Very strong on team-building and focusing and organization. Exceeded my
expectations... good energy. Pleased that we have action plans to go forward with"
"Well timed, prepared, presented and humour"
"Did a good job of focusing unruly participants"
Rural Multi-Stakeholder Sessions (rmulti.html)
Rural multi-stakeholder sessions (n=40 @ workshop) to optimize learning in schools
The client said:
Our School Division hired North Star Facilitators to help with a series of focus group
sessions, bringing together the partners in education in our jurisdiction. The purpose of
the exercise was to create dialogue and come out with several themes that would help
the School Division check our own perceptions and/or set new direction, depending on
what we learned. The sessions included parents, business, educators, support staff,
seniors from our community, and students. Barbara Mackay was the main facilitator. She
was respectful, professional, organized, and skilled in handling the diverse nature of the
group. The information coming out of the workshops was prepared and presented to us
professionally and clearly.
The participants said:
 You have a positive and calming approach
 The layout and process created a high energy environment
 Well-organized and the facilitators did a fine job of keeping the group on task
 Very interesting to sit with diverse group of people and discuss students and
education
 Knowledgeable and able to take control of situations
 Well-timed, the afternoon went quickly and produced useful results
 Very professional! You knew what you were doing, where you were heading and
kept on track
Senior Government Managers (sgovernment.html)
Senior Government Managers ( n=25)
Eccellent means of facilitating ideas re-development of goals for next two years
Loved the fun playful props. Learned that as a mangement group, we appear to be on the
same page.
Pace was excellent
Felt facilitatior of workshop excellent; certainly appreciated the strategies used in
facilitation
Interactive Keynote Speeches (ikeynote.html)
Testimonials from Interactive Keynote speeches
Excellent presentation - lots of food for thought! Thanks!
Interesting presentation that was very informative, presented in a dynamic fashion useful concepts
Very uplifting and energetic!
Lots of energy and group interaction. Really helped a left brainer get some ideas that I
will go out and try.
For someone who often takes life too seriously, I had fun. Thanks!
Best session yet. Fun, practical, interactive and even background theory. Excellent.
Excellent. I walked away with many activities and new knowledge. I like the action plan
and following up later.
Barbara was wonderful in content, presentation and facilitation. Group members were
fantastic. Mooooooooore!!!! Thanx - it was perfect.
Comments & Suggestions:
Service page – general description of the major service areas, reduce the number of sub-services
pages
Why would your clients choose a Facilitated Workshop versus an Interactive Training session?
(I’m trying to get at the benefits and results of each.)
Instead of focusing so much on what you do, focus more on the results and benefits of going
through the process.
I don’t think assessment detail is useful to potential clients but would it help to have detail about
the assessments in a section for clients?
How is your focus different than when this website was written? You’ve told me you want to
attract non-profits. How can we re-write this to appeal to your non-profit target clients? What are
their needs? What will appeal to them?
I would recommend putting testimonials page under the About page. Who do you know who
might be willing to give you a testimonial? They don’t have to provide their name but job title and
industry is helpful.
What is the purpose of the “Representative Projects/Clients” section? Instead of focusing on
types of clients, I would recommend focusing on case studies.