The Joy of Meetings: Recipes for Success

As a facilitator do you feel like you’re in a pressure cooker managing everything, while some group members stir the pot and others just feel fried? Effective meetings begin with a tried-and-true recipe.

The Joy of Meetings: Recipes for Success

Is your diet full of too many meetings that are flat as a pancake? As a facilitator do you feel like you’re in a pressure cooker managing everything, while some group members stir the pot and others just feel fried?

Many meetings lack focus. There is confusion about what the decision is and/or who is making it, and follow-through is lackluster. Effective meetings begin with a tried-and-true recipe. Outcome-based agendas with multi-modal processes use people’s time well, focus energy, and support group members working in more productive and creative ways before, during, and after meetings.

Many of us have experienced the “Groan Zone”—the tension between closure and further exploration and/or the different understandings of what consensus is and how to use it. Establishing a decision-making rule can address that tension. You can then assess the gradients of agreement, and facilitate decisions that last like a favorite recipe passed down over the generations.

Transform your meetings from a food fight to a culinary delight

• Develop and apply group agreements to create safe, inclusive meetings.
• Design outcome-based agendas that foster effective task accomplishment and honor multiple learning styles.
• Assess the pros/cons of different decision-making rules.
• Learn a tool to clarify the degree of agreement in a group.
• Use meeting evaluations to help maintain effective group process

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 Madison of Continuing Studies for 15 years. Kathy brings a deep sense of passion and a healthy sense of humor to her work.

Denise Jess has facilitated trainings on a wide range of human relations issues since the mid-1980s. She taught in a learner-centered classroom for 11 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.

General information

Schedule: Check-in begins at 8 am; 8:30 am-4:30 pm (workshop)

Location: The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison. Parking information will be sent with your registration confirmation. The Pyle Center is accessible to people with disabilities.
Fee: $175 includes instruction, materials, "The Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making" book, refreshment breaks, CEUs, and a non refundable administrative fee of $20. Lunch is on your own.
Registration deadlines: Attendance is limited to 25 participants to create a learning environment where you feel comfortable participating and your specific needs can be met. We ask that you register no later than one week before the program.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

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

Credit:

Approved Hours/Continuing Education Credits:
.7 CEU = 7 hours of professional continuing education for the program.

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.

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.

• April 30, 2013