Facilitating by Heart: A five-part training series

A series to teach team leaders, committee chairs, supervisors, and other group leaders the facilitation skills/tools to support groups in working productively and collaboratively while honoring the voices of all group members.

Facilitating by Heart: A series of five workshops

"Facilitating by Heart is the best integrated series of workshops that I have attended. The facilitators have unique styles that bring together people from diverse backgrounds into an uncommon learning and growing community. I recommend this experience to anyone who helps a group of people move together toward a mutual outcome. ”
—Deborah Thies, Program Coordinator, Birth to Three Connections, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County (See other participant comments)

Facilitating by heart implies that one has all the tools and skills that are needed to facilitate with comfort and proficiency, from memory or “by heart.” It also means that the facilitator brings a strong sense of integrity and authenticity to the situation; paying mindful attention to the work of the heart. Someone who facilitates by heart not only cares about getting the task accomplished, s/he also cares about how the work gets done. A facilitator by heart is able to “read the pulse” of the group to sense what individuals need and what the group needs as a whole in order to work productively and collaboratively.

The series will support you in learning how to:

• Create inclusive environments that encourage multiple perspectives and full participation of all group members.
• Understand and capitalize on group members’ learning patterns.
• Use centering to find the mental/emotional clarity to respond
  effectively to group process.
• Listen without judgment to understand others’ perspectives.
• Ask questions that foster shared understanding.
• Work successfully with conflict to achieve more innovative, sustainable solutions.
• Use practical tools for effective agenda-setting, decision-making, and
  managing data.

Our approach to training is to create a safe, collaborative learning community where you can bring your full self to the learning experience. We use process-oriented, interactive facilitation methods that address all learning styles. Our teaching methods include dialogue, self-reflection, experiential activities, theory, case studies, modeling, coaching, practice using the skills and tools, and fun. Attendance in the series is limited to 25 participants so we can create a learning environment where you feel comfortable participating and where we can attend specifically to your needs by offering individual feedback and support.

Please note: attendance is required at all sessions. The series is sequential, with each session building on the skills and tools taught in the previous session. It is not an option to pick and choose which sessions to attend-you must attend them all.

For a more informal description of the Facilitating by Heart series and how participants benefit, read this article (pdf) originally printed in Sustainable Times. It provides insights and reflections from 10 years of Facilitating by Heart workshops.  

 

Session descriptions

Session 1: Building the Learning Community - April 16-17, 2013

How a group begins can set the tone for how well it functions together. We will model how to lay the groundwork for creating an effective work group. We’ll take the time to discover your goals and honor what you need to do your best learning. We’ll share our approach to facilitation and outline the processes we’ll be using to support you in and between sessions.

You will learn how to:

• Build the foundations for successful work groups.
• Develop and apply group guidelines to create safe, inclusive meetings.
• Apply a model of the stages of group development when facilitating a group.
• Design agendas that foster effective task accomplishment and that honor multiple
  learning styles.

Session 2: Utilizing Different Learning Patterns - May 14-15, 2013

The Perceptual Thinking Patterns PTP™ model is a concrete tool that teaches how people learn, process and communicate. We use visual, kinesthetic and auditory methods to accomplish the tasks of organizing, integrating and creating information. In order to support effective group processes, facilitators need to understand how people with the different patterns approach each of these tasks.

You will learn how to:

• Understand the components of the PTP™ model.
• Identify your own and others’ patterns.
• Discover your pattern’s biases in facilitation.
• Use PTP™ principles to create inclusive and effective group experiences.

Session 3: Centering, Listening and Questioning - July 23-24, 2013

Centering, the ability to remain grounded, reflective, and attentive to what is happening in the moment, is a foundation skill that can strengthen one’s ability as a facilitator. When we facilitate from center, we are better equipped to perceive group process and take actions that will support the members’ needs.

The ability to listen intently with one’s whole self is another essential skill. Effective facilitators recognize when people are operating from assumptions and use non-judgmental questions to help clarify perspectives and foster shared understanding of the issues.

You will learn how to:

• Use the skill of centering to enhance your abilities to guide group process.
• Support group members in checking out assumptions that may be influencing their thinking.
• Use encouraging responses and inquiry- based questions to elicit and understand multiple perspectives.
  

Session 4: Transforming Conflict - September 10-11, 2013

Many of us may want to avoid conflict, yet it is a natural aspect of group dynamics. When handled with integrity, the energy of conflict can be used to improve trust and communication among group members. When all group members’ perspectives are honored and common ground is achieved, then work relationships can be enhanced and more innovative, lasting solutions can be found. In this session, you will have an opportunity to reflect on your attitudes and behaviors in conflict and increase your comfort in working effectively through interpersonal and group conflicts.

You will learn how to:

• Distinguish between positions and needs.
• Find common ground and achieve win-win solutions.
• Apply PTP™, centering and deep listening in a conflict situation.
• Apply conflict transformation skills and tools with work groups.

Session 5: Decision-Making, Facilitation Feedback - October 8-9, 2013

One of the biggest challenges work groups face is in making effective decisions. In day one, you’ll learn how to address the tension between closure and further exploration, create shared understanding of the problem, and facilitate lasting solutions. Day two will be an opportunity to synthesize and practice everything you’ve learned. You’ll receive concrete, practical feedback on your facilitation skills. You’ll explore how to address resistance in the workplace and how to build support for ongoing application of your new skills/tools.

You will learn how to:

• Examine the implications of different decision-making approaches in low and high stakes decisions.
• Intervene when a group struggles with decision-making.
• Use a model for participatory decision-making.
• Improve your facilitation skills.
• Address challenges to applying these skills/tools.

Your instructors

Kathy Germann has facilitated trainings on a broad range of human relations issues since 1982. She’s taught on three college campuses, been a manager in two nonprofits, and served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Extension for twenty years. Kathy brings a deep sense of passion and a healthy sense of humor to her work.

Vida Groman has worked as a teacher, consultant and therapist for over 25 years. She has been studying and teaching Perceptual Thinking Patterns since 1984. Vida uses an eclectic approach, which invites participants to learn through their bodies as well as their minds.

Denise Jess has facilitated trainings on a wide range of human relations issues since the mid-1980’s. She taught in a learner-centered classroom for eleven years and has authored published curricula. Denise is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments where the voices of all members are respected.

Comments

General information

Location: All sessions will take place at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison. The workshops are from 8:30 am–4:30 pm with registration at 8:00 am. Parking information will be sent with your registration confirmation. The Pyle Center is accessible to people with disabilities.

Fees: Cost for the 5-part series is $1,250. This fee includes extensive handouts and the book, The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. Some scholarships may be available. (Please contact Chris Dunleavy, 608-265-4267 or cdunleavy@dcs.wisc.edu for scholarship information.) A down payment of $600 is required when you register. You will be billed for the remainder of the fee by the first session. Please note: attendance is required at all sessions. The series is sequential, with each session building on the skills and tools taught in the previous session. It is not an option to choose which sessions to attend—you must attend them all.

Registration deadlines: Attendance is limited to 25 participants. Please register early to secure your place in the series.

Cancellation policy: If you must cancel and do so up to ten business days prior to the program, you will receive a full refund minus $250. If you cancel less than ten business days prior to the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee.

Accommodations: Please make your own travel and lodging arrangements. Maps and information on lodging and parking are sent with your registration confirmation. Information about overnight accommodations can also be found on our information page.

Parking: You receive parking information with your enrollment confirmation. Day-long parking permits are available for enrollees on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking ramps and surface lots are located within a few blocks of the Pyle Center.

Additional parking and transportation information (including parking maps) can be found on the Getting Around page from UW-Madison Visitor Information. Visit: http://www.visit.wisc.edu/gettingAround.php

Approved credits: Credits will be awarded upon full day participation in these workshops. This program falls within the subject matter identified by the following organizations for continuing education credits.

Social Workers: The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development and Applied Studies, (PDAS), (provider number #1042) is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), (800-225-6880) through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. PDAS maintains responsibility for the program.
WI, IA, MI and MN Boards of Social Work recognize ACE programs.
IL Registered Social Worker Continuing Education Sponsor #159.000243.
Counselors: PDAS is recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education for National Certified Counselors. PDAS adheres to NBCC continuing education guidelines (Provider #5990).
WI Psychologists, and Marriage and Family Therapists: Qualifies as an accredited university continuing education course relevant to professional practice.
WI Substance Abuse Counselors: Qualifies as a continuing education course consisting of relevant subject matter taught by qualified presenters.
Educators: This program may qualify towards your Professional Development Plans (PDPs).
Other professions: Completion of each program qualifies for continuing education hours. Contact your own board or organization for specific continuing education requirements.

For more information contact: Barry Orton, call 608-262-2394; e-mail: bmorton@wisc.edu

If you have a disability and desire accommodations, please advise us ahead of time. Requests are confidential. University of Wisconsin provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title IX requirements.

 

Registration options

By phone: Call 608-262-7942 or 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.