2 · Groups, Teams, Leadership, Facilitation, and Training Eight Types of Teams Teams go by many names-this can be confusing! One way to determine which type of team you are a part of is to ask the following questions. Then look at the definitions that follow. · · · · · Does the team have an ongoing or short-term life? Who sponsors and leads the team? Is the team empowered to make decisions or only to make recommendations? Is the team empowered to act on its own recommendations? Are members directly affected by the proposed solutions? A Council A Council is a traditional group that only recently started to be called a team. It is ongoing and long term. Members have decision-making authority within the organization. It might be a top-level group making decisions for the whole organization, or a regional or divisional group. A Council has a defined leader whose role is sometimes rotated among the members. A facilitator is involved only when a neutral person is needed to help the team improve relationships or procedures. Council · Longterm. · Sponsored by organizational leaders. · Meetings are led by team leader and this role may be rotated. · Is empowered to make recommendations. · Some members will be empowered to act on recommendations. · All members are affected by decisions made. 9