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What is a Facilitator
A N-O-T facilitator is a person who —
- Leads teens in group discussions and encourages each one to participate in the discussion.
- Is a positive role model for teens, especially teens who smoke.
- Upholds the confidentiality and trust of participants in the N-O-T program.
- Helps teens participating in N-O-T improve their quality of life.
Characteristics of a N-O-T facilitator
A great facilitator is important to having a successful N-O-T program. Years of researching N O T and receiving feedback from participating teens show that effective N-O-T facilitators are genuine, warm, empathic, enthusiastic, dependable, and have a good rapport with teens.
Also, perhaps most importantly of all, they must have a great sense of humor.
In addition to those general characteristics, each N-O-T facilitator —
- Must not have used tobacco in any form for at least 12 months.
- Must have received the N-O-T facilitator training from the American Lung Association.
A facilitator can be a school staff member or a volunteer who likes working with teens.
Who has the time and energy needed to set up and facilitate the N-O-T program?
Usually it is someone who already volunteers for similar projects. Such volunteers often have the personality, discipline, and sense of responsibility needed to take on the extra task of helping others. People who are already involved in health education or health care also make excellent facilitators because of their interest in healthy behaviors and lifestyles.
When working with teens participating in N-O-T, facilitators need to be —
- Sensitive to the perspectives of others.
- Nonjudgmental.
- Comfortable helping teens deal with issues related to self-esteem, relationships, and stress.
- Comfortable in stressful situations.
- Able to relate to others, especially to young smokers.
- Respected, valued, and trusted by the N-O-T participants.
- Assertive and persuasive when leading group discussions and in handling conflicts that arise during group sessions.
In work situations, facilitators —
- Work well with colleagues.
- Are respected and trusted by school administrators.
- Have experience with administrative procedures such as scheduling and getting class release forms for students.
- Are willing to complete and submit evaluation forms.
Why become a facilitator?
- To give teens much needed help.
- To encourage healthy lifestyles among teens.
- To influence teens’ behavior in a positive way.
- To learn to see situations from teens’ perspective.
- To develop trustworthy relationships with teens.
- To increase your own knowledge about the risks of smoking.
