What Others Say
If you have a comment about our work, we'd like to hear it. Please send us an email.
Below are some comments published with permission.
Click here for comments about the Group Decision Tips that Craig has published.
Dee deHaas, Associate Director, Maine Quality Counts, 2012
"To Good Group Decisions: We so appreciate all of your hard work, professionalism and talent! It was great to have Ellen, Kerri, and other members of your team part of our quality improvement event! The sessions went beautifully and the reports you provided to summarize the sessions were outstanding and will be extremely useful to us in planning our next steps. We hope to work with you again before too long!"
Mike Foley, METRO Greater Portland Transit District Chairman of the Board and Councilor At-Large, Westbrook City Council 2012
"Thank you again for your tremendous work on this! Our group appreciated it greatly...Hopefully we can use your services again soon!"
"Thanks so much for the evening you facilitated. The experience clearly demonstrated that our diverse group closely shares so many values and attitudes. You gave us a warm, inspiring reminder of why we are doing the work. Now we know why you are so well regarded and your work in such demand!"
Jenny Peters, Information Technology Coordinator, Maine Sea Grant College Program, 2011
"The quality was unimpeachable; the only improvement I can think of would be another round, with different topics, maybe in a year or two…Nothing we were asked to do seemed inauthentic or forced. Thank you so much for your expert facilitation."
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Seniors Plus Board Strategic Planning Retreat, 2011
- "Great, great facilitation—you lead well! You helped us stretch…"
- "The SWOT ‘postettes’ were valuable, confirming common issues, and generating good discussion"
Quote from anonymous evaluations of a Strategic Action Task Force meeting for Accelerating Behavioral Health Information Sharing, 2011
"As usual, well organized and facilitated—wonderful to see the results of all our efforts; coming away with a ‘next step’ plan."
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a meeting of the Maine Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Collaborative led by Craig, 2011
- "Craig is like a magician who can make an agreeable plan out of a lot of different thoughts and opinions."
- "I like how the facilitation team creates real-time results with the sticky board and with the computer/projector."
- "Craig is an excellent facilitator and does a nice job of naming issues without making people feel belittled or adversarial."
"I wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your website and resources. I appreciate your generosity in sharing your insights and expertise with the rest of us.”
Janet Henry, President, Maine Philanthropy Center, 2011
"I just want to reiterate what we all agreed - you did a masterful job at facilitating the meeting, capturing the nuanced communication and helping us look ahead. Thanks again for a creative and productive use of time yesterday."
- " I always learn something with Craig!"
- "The best MANP training I’ve attended (there were 5 others). Great presenter!"
- " I enjoyed the flexibility and flow of conversation."
- "Great because it gave me some skills I can use every day."
- "Great because I learned a lot about myself and about dealing with particular staff in my workplace."
Lynne Seeley, Chair, Environmental Funders Network, 2010
"Many thanks Craig for a great session. I am always amazed by how quickly you grasp a situation and are able to summarize it on the spot to help us move forward!”
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a "Facilitative Leadership" workshop led by Craig, 2011
- "Very clear and good at engaging participants."
- "Great – had a wealth of knowledge, personally. Also recognized that participants have lots of experience as well."
- "He has good exercises, makes people comfortable."
- "Excellent overview plus hands-on. Great combo!"
Dennis Skinner, President, MANY-TO-ONE: The Facilitation Practice, 2011
"…yes, these are powerful and practical tips for the would-be collaborator. But, honestly, it is as much a manifesto on kindness and living well in community as it is a how-to book for facilitators. As my twin daughters prepare to enter university, it strikes me that your book should be required reading for college students…your faith, good-heartedness, and commitment to a better world shine through in the words and I will highly recommend the book to others in my network.”
Mary Sylvester, Special Assistant to the President for Community and Economic Development, University of Maine at Farmington, 2010
"It is impressive to see Craig work with a group. Yes, good group decisions were well facilitated by Craig this morning. Lovely to observe him in action.”
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Meeting Facilitation Techniques workshop led by Craig, 2010
- "So grounded in experience and he walks the walk."
- "Excellent! Ability to think on his feet was amazing."
- "Respectful, responsive, experienced, practical."
- "Great because he was very good at drawing out participation; good energy."
Lee Karker, Executive Director, MCH, Coastal Trans, Inc., 2010
"We at MCH have always been more than satisfied with the meetings you have led for us. Our recent staff retreat is a good example...The evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Our work with you over the past couple of years has been an important ingredient in a process of moving the organization forward that is already bearing fruit."
"Yesterday's session was immensely productive – I think you need to spend some time with our leaders in Washington D.C."
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Conflict Management workshop led by Craig, 2010
- "Very engaging with the entire group."
- "Great because it got right to the point on how we can resolve conflict. Thank you!"
- "Terrific way of letting participants learn - very natural flow!"
- "Great because he was open and inclusive of everyone at the table."
Bart Beattie, State Executive Director, Providence Service Corporation of Maine, 2009
"Thanks for your help on Friday. Everyone I've spoken to agreed that your facilitation was extremely effective and allowed us to be highly productive regarding a challenging project. Thanks again!"
Reverend Robert Carlson, President, Penobscot Community Health Care, 2008
"Our CEO and I were talking about the strategic planning process and how pleased we are with our decision to ask you to be our consultant. Your work is unique and to be able to accomplish the task at hand in three hours and fifty-one minutes, including time for introductions, lunch and wrap up statements was nothing short of incredible."
Chris Fogg, Executive Director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 2008
"Craig is energetic and really does a great job at getting the most out of our participants by keeping them engaged in the discussion. Our meetings cover a lot of ground and Craig keeps us focused so we can maximize our time."
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Meeting Facilitation Techniques workshop led by Craig, 2008
- "Really a master of his craft - watching Craig work is just as instuctive as listening to him."
- "I sometimes dread trainings like this, but Craig was engaging and enthusiastic and really knew his stuff!"
- "Clear, easy to follow."
- "Love the green wall."
Quote from anonymous evaluation of a meeting of RH Foster Energy, 2008
"I liked the links between the team building exercises and what we do on a daily basis - very valuable."
"We found Craig and his associates to be consistently clear, patient, and keeping us on track. This was the most productive and meaningful strategic planning process any of us have experienced. We look forward to future opportunities to work with Craig."
Quote from anonymous evaluations of meeting of the Maine Downtown Center, 2008
"Fantastic job, Craig. My expectations were exceeded by far!"
Judith Marden, Board Member, Androscoggin Land Trust, 2008
"I've experienced (and sometimes 'endured') countless facilitated strategic planning sessions over the years. This one was absolutely the best!"
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Meeting Facilitation Workshop led by Craig, 2007
- "Thank You! I would recommend Craig to anyone and everyone."
- "Craig did a great job of incorporating lots of information into a limited amount of time. He has great energy, great command of the information, inclusive teaching style."
- "He really knows his subject and is an excellent facilitator."
Stacy Benjamin, Director, Land Use Team, Maine State Planning Office. 2007
"Thank you Craig for your excellent work with us during the past year. We are all very impressed with your calm and thoughtful manner, and your professionalism."
Marilynne Rodgers, Senior Project Management Consultant, TEK Systems, Inc., 2007
"I'm enjoying the book [Tips to make Good Group Decisions] immensely – it's delightful to pick up, read a bit, think about it, then read some more. Perfect format!"
Chris McCabe, Maine Association of Nonprofits, 2007
"During board and staff meetings, I am using the skills I learned in Craig's workshop. I have seen vast improvements in productivity and energy. Thanks, Craig!"
Martha O'Connor, Development and Community Relations Specialist, 2007
"I think Craig did an awesome job of truly facilitating our work together. Most times that I have been involved with similar activities as this, the facilitator did not step in as often to assist the group, and I think Craig did so with respect, insight and in such a way that was not invasive or disruptive to the work/process that was taking place."
Leah Wright, Supervisor of Clinical Support Services, VNA Home Health Care, 2007
"I found Craig's insight very helpful and he really helped to keep this group (which can easily go astray) stay on task."
Rick Mageles, Facilities and Materials Specialist, VNA Home Health Care, 2007
"I really enjoyed the leadership retreat. Craig has a unique gift in that he could take all our comments and put them into a format that was clear, understandable and not just 'fluff' statements."
Jane McGillicuddy, Director of Human Resources, VNA Home Health Care, 2007
"Thank you all for the wonderful retreat VNA had this past week. We all came back recharged and with a renewed sense of purpose and you really helped us accomplish a very aggressive agenda and made it interesting to boot!"
Colleen Myers, Principal, Next Steps Consulting, 2007
"I'm so glad I purchased the Tips book, Craig. In beautiful short statements you make plain how any group – from a family to a community to a large or small organization – can benefit from becoming aware of its process. You've applied the Quaker principle of non-violence to produce practical hints about taking responsibility for oneself and for the group's dynamic. The Tips book deserves a wide audience, and already has a beloved place on our bookshelf."
David Steven Rappoport, MS, MA, Senior Program Officer, Maine Health Access Foundation, 2006
"Thank you for your excellent work yesterday. Please extend my thanks to your staff as well - everybody was terrific. I can see why you're rapidly becoming the standard for meeting facilitation in Maine ."
Brett Doney, President & CEO, Enterprise Maine, 2006
"Thanks Craig. Your help this morning was again priceless."
Quotes from anonymous evaluations of a Communications Workshop led by Craig, 2006
"Craig was very well informed of content. Great workshop. I would have loved more time."
- "A+++ Great session! I learned a lot and will take what I learned back with me in my workplace and personal life."
- "Was great because he was personable and had good suggestions."
- "Presenter was excellent at encouraging dialogue."
- "He was fabulous! He kept the topic flowing - it was lively and interesting!"
Vicki Purgavie, Executive Director, HomeCare Alliance of Maine, 2006
"Thanks Craig. Terrific job today. You have made my work so much easier and manageable."
Rick Dieffenbach , Partner and Technical Director, Allure Creative, 2005 [Referring to Good Group Decision Tips – click here to learn about them.]
"I like your tips. It's probably one of the few e-newsletters I actually open and read. I especially like that it's so concise and easy to digest. Others might write two pages of accurate yet unread information - what you are able to say in a paragraph or two."
William Hart, Ph.D., Principal, Leominster High School, 2005
"Craig, the report you prepared from our meeting was wonderful. We all appreciated working with you in Maine. The document will be the glue that keeps the team on track for the next several years. Thank you again for your assistance with this very important work. I hope we get a chance to work again in the future."
Dr. Erik Steele, Co-Chair, Maine Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, Health and Wellness; Family Physician; Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, 2005
"Craig Freshley was a delicate but dedicated power tool to the success of our orgainzation's crucial strategic planning retreat. He helped us cut through issues that had been binding us up for months, issues which if unresolved, threatened our ability to stay together. He was warm, friendly, but task-oriented and goal-directed, and as a result we had a great strategic planning process. If you have organizational cats to herd in planning or other retreat processes, this is your guy, and he is proof that money spent on leadership of organizational change strategizing is worth every penny."
Glen Cyr, Vice President of Finance, North Country Associates, Inc., 2005
"Thanks for everything. It was a great experience. Craig made us think of our organization in a whole new light. He was a pleasure to work with and we would not hesitate to hire him again."
Suse Wicks, Camp Director, Wavus Camps, 2005
"It has been truly a gift to work together as 'one.' All of our personalities and spirit were beautifully woven. Creating good decisions today that create a positive, viable, valued future is very exciting work! Thank you!"
Susan Russell, Board Member, Kieve Affective Education, Inc., 2005
"Thank you for the documents, perfectly done as usual.....But thank you even more for so effectively facilitating our journey to get to this point. Your even-handed, practiced, sensitive, and patient guidance throughout all these months led us to a great achievement. Thank you, thank you."
Silke Poes , Family Services Coordinator, Asset Management Advisors, Atlanta, Georgia, 2005 [Referring to Good Group Decision Tips – click here to learn about them.]
"Craig, just wanted to let you know how right on I think these tips are. I so enjoy them when they hit my inbox."
Valerie Landry, Commissioner, Maine Department of Labor; Chair, DHS/BDS Unification Council, 2003.
"Craig, your handling of the meeting was flawless. I've not seen better."
Robert Woodbury, Ph.D., Chair, Governor King's Year 2000 Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care, 2001.
"Craig was lead staff to a blue ribbon commission that I chaired. He organized the research, managed the consultants, arranged the meetings, handled all the public input, and guided publication of our final report. From start to finish, he did an absolutely outstanding job."
Brenda Gallant , member of the Elder Issues Partnership and Director of the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, 2004.
"Craig's skilled facilitation of a diverse group of organizations has enabled us to forge a strong and unified voice representing the interests of Maine 's elderly. Not only does he facilitate the meetings, he and Amy also prepare minutes, maintain a website for the group, and manage our e-mail List Serve. Their package of meeting facilitation and secretariat services is really great!"
Bruce Fitzgerald , Maine Emergency Management Agency, 2004.
"I have seen Craig facilitate several regional meetings.....where the goal was to achieve consensus among town managers, fire chiefs, and police chiefs. Craig did a great job with the very difficult task of moving the groups toward spending homeland security funds in the best interest of their region. I would recommend him for facilitating multi-stakeholder groups, even those historically unaccustomed to collaboration."
Philip Harriman, Maine State Senator, 2002.
"As a Republican member of the Maine Senate and the Maine Economic Growth Council, I often found myself in a vocal, yet minority position. As non-partisan staff Craig handled that very well, always making sure my views were heard and considered.
Martha Kirkpatrick, Esq., Commissioner, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, 2002.
"I have worked with Craig on sustainable development, smart production, the downtown initiative, and other issues over the past few years. In my experience, Craig is a highly creative and thoughtful individual who brings terrific experience, enthusiasm and new ideas to issues that are critical to the future of Maine. I'm sure that whoever hires him will find him to be quite an asset and I would recommend him without hesitation."
Laurie Lachance, Maine State Economist, 2002.
"For most of the nine years that the Maine Economic Growth Council has existed, Craig has served as its lead staff. He's done a great job. He is a stickler for reporting data with integrity and maintaining a neutral, non-partisan posture. He is technically proficient and he's a creative, innovative thinker."
Hank Schmelzer, President, Maine Community Foundation, 2002
"Having served on a board of directors staffed by Craig, I know him to be extremely organized, diligent, and professional. He's ambitious and delivers on expectations."
Evan Richert, Director, Maine State Planning Office, 2002
"I have worked with Craig on several projects, most recently in his role as coordinator of the Maine Downtown Center. Craig researched downtown programs in other states and crafted a program for Maine that has proved very successful. He did the initial program planning, fundraising, and recruited a great board. Craig is results-oriented, practical, and easy to work with."
Heather O'Bryan, Executive Director, Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce, 2003
Craig, thank you for all the work you have done on our downtown plan. We have really learned a great deal……I think that the work you did was extremely professional and insightful."
Cheryl Rust, Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Integrated Services for Children and Families, 2003
"Craig undertook a significant challenge when he was asked to begin facilitating our group. A diverse group, we were developing recommendations on how Maine should best serve its children and families. An aggressive and tight meeting schedule necessitated strong organization and preparation. Maintaining momentum required excellent summarizing skills. Craig did an outstanding job of identifying and providing a flexible plan with which to navigate this project. The avowed satisfaction of the many participants is testimony to the success of his efforts."
Nelson Madore, Mayor, City of Waterville, 2001
"Craig served as lead staff on organizing a regional economic development plan among four municipalities. What a challenge! He facilitated a series of meetings and teased out our issues and aspirations. He brought us together on a plan we could all agree to. We were fortunate to have him on the project.
Karen Boykin Peterson, American Agri-Women Leadership Chairman, 2002.
"AAW members gained a better vision of our organization through the guidance and leadership of Craig Freshley.
Janet Yancey-Wrona, Ph.D., Director, Maine Technology Institute, 2001.
"As a brand new organization, we hired Craig to facilitate the opening full-day retreat of our board of directors. Craig worked with us to plan the agenda and then did a great job working us through it. At the end of the day we knew each other well and had made several decisions. For our second retreat two years later, we hired him again."
John Melrose, Commissioner, Maine Department of Transportation, 2002.
"A couple of years ago, Craig helped the Department research and publish an indicators report – a comprehensive overview of how transportation contributes to the Maine economy portrayed with simple graphs and brief paragraphs of text. Craig led the effort that realized an agreement on portraying 22 specific indicators. He made the graphs, wrote the text, and worked with the printer to publish a very useful report. I would recommend him for this type of work."
Debbie Burd, Executive Director, Western Mountains Alliance, 2002.
"Craig is a friend of communities."
Peter Morelli, Director of Planning and Development, City of Saco, 2002.
"As coordinator of the Maine Downtown Center, Craig has helped us a great deal in Saco. He has understood our needs and worked to bring us useful, on-target expertise and resources. Craig has organizational savvy and is a pleasure to work with."
Pamela Plumb, Member, Governor King's Year 2000 Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care, 2001.
"I was one of five people serving on a blue ribbon commission and Craig was the staff. I found him to be a hard worker with high standards. I know he is passionate about group process based on solid data and good staff support."