Diversity and Inclusion
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- April 20, 2021

- Leadership, Management & Workplace Skills
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Facilitating By Heart Series
Facilitating By Heart Series
Summary
This class will be offered online until Covid-19 conditions are safe enough to transition to in-person face-to-face. Tentatively, that will be in July 2021.
This five-part, 10-day transformative series teaches team leaders, committee chairs, supervisors, and other group leaders the facilitation skills and tools to support groups in working productively and collaboratively while honoring all the voices of the group. Learn to communicate flexibly, transform conflict, and make decisions more effectively.
Your instructors
Kathy Germann (MA, The Ohio State Univ.) has more than 35 years of experience teaching, consulting, facilitating, and coaching with more than 350 client groups across the country. She has served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Madison for 28 years. Germann has taught on three college campuses and was an executive director in the nonprofit sector. She is known for her sense of humor and highly participatory teaching style.
Denise Jess (BS, UW-Madison) is the CEO/executive director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. She also operated a consulting and coaching practice that facilitated training on human relations issues. Jess taught elementary-aged children and has authored published curricula for all ages. She is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments.
Details
Summary
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 supports 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.
You learn in a safe, collaborative learning community where you can bring your full self to the learning experience. Your instructors use interactive facilitation methods that address all learning styles. You experience teaching methods such as dialogue, self-reflection, experiential activities, theory, case studies, modeling, coaching, practice using the skills and tools, and fun.
The series is limited to 24 participants so you feel comfortable participating and your specific needs are met by individual feedback and support.
Please note: your 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.
Who you’ll be working with
Your instructors have more than 50 years of combined experience teaching, facilitating, and consulting with educational, human service, healthcare, governmental, and business organizations. They specialize in communication skills, team development, conflict transformation, diversity issues, and perceptual thinking patterns.
Series details and general information
Location: All sessions will take place online. The workshops are from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Fees: The fee includes lunches, extensive handouts, and the book, The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. Some scholarships may be available. (Please contact Masha Bubela, 608-263-5130 or masha.bubela@wisc.edu for scholarship information.) Payment in full is required 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 23 participants. Please register early to secure your place in the series.
Travel and lodging: Please make your own travel and lodging arrangements. Maps and information on lodging and parking are sent with your registration confirmation.
Special accommodations: 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.
Approved continuing education credits
Credits will be awarded upon full day participation in these workshops. This program falls within the subject matter identified by the certain organizations for continuing education credits. Click here for details»
Outline
Session descriptions
Session 1: Building the Learning Community, Facilitation Model, Agenda-Setting
April 20-21
We model how to create an effective work group as we establish a learning community. Discover the importance of maintaining balance between the dynamics of task and process, as well as their implications for group development stages and agenda design. You also have the opportunity to prepare a meeting agenda to use in your organization.
Learn how to:
- Create group agreements to establish a productive work climate.
- Apply a model for the stages of group development.
- Design outcome-based agendas with clearly defined purposes.
- Select multi-modal processes to enhance participation and achieve agenda outcomes.
Session 2: Utilizing Different Learning Patterns
May 18-19
The Perceptual Thinking Patterns PTP™ model is a concrete tool that teaches how people learn, process, and communicate. Learn how to 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 6 different patterns approach these tasks.
Learn how to:
- Learn how our minds use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities to organize, process, and create.
- Discover which of the 6 patterns matches the way your mind learns and communicates.
- Explore the biases, gifts, and challenges of each of the 6 patterns.
- Discover ways to create mutual adaptations between different thinking patterns and the benefits of diverse perspectives.
Session 3: Centering, Deep Listening, and Skillful Questioning
July 13-14
Centering, the ability to remain grounded, reflective, and attentive to what is happening in the moment, is a foundation skill that can strengthen your ability as a facilitator. When you facilitate from center, you are better equipped to perceive group process and take actions that will support the members’ needs.
The ability to listen intently with your 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.
Learn how to:
- Use a tool for checking out assumptions before they escalate into conflict.
- Discern between observable data vs. “spin.”
- Center to access your best thinking and engage with integrity.
- Use encouraging responses and questions of inquiry to elicit and understand different perspectives.
Session 4: Transforming Conflict
September 14-15
Many people 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, work relationships can be enhanced and more innovative, lasting solutions can be found.
In this session, you have an opportunity to reflect on your attitudes and behaviors in conflict and increase your comfort in working effectively with conflict.
Learn how to:
- Examine the impact of your history with conflict on your current responses to it.
- Distinguish among the 4 basic responses to conflict.
- Excavate beyond positions to identify and express underlying needs.
- Find common ground and generate win-win solutions.
Session 5: Decision-Making, Facilitation Feedback
October 19-20
One of the biggest challenges work groups face is in making effective decisions. In day 1, you’ll learn how to address the tension between closure and further exploration, create shared understanding of the problem, and facilitate lasting solutions.
Day 2 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.
Learn how to:
- Understand the benefits of an explicit decision-making rule.
- Assess the pros and cons of different decision-making rules.
- Use a tool to discern the level of agreement.
- Apply your learning to designing and facilitating a group meeting.
This class will be offered online until Covid-19 conditions are safe enough to transition to in-person face-to-face. Tentatively, that will be in July 2021.
This five-part, 10-day transformative series teaches team leaders, committee chairs, supervisors, and other group leaders the facilitation skills and tools to support groups in working productively and collaboratively while honoring all the voices of the group. Learn to communicate flexibly, transform conflict, and make decisions more effectively.
Your instructors
Kathy Germann (MA, The Ohio State Univ.) has more than 35 years of experience teaching, consulting, facilitating, and coaching with more than 350 client groups across the country. She has served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Madison for 28 years. Germann has taught on three college campuses and was an executive director in the nonprofit sector. She is known for her sense of humor and highly participatory teaching style.
Denise Jess (BS, UW-Madison) is the CEO/executive director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. She also operated a consulting and coaching practice that facilitated training on human relations issues. Jess taught elementary-aged children and has authored published curricula for all ages. She is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments.
Details
Details
Summary
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 supports 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.
You learn in a safe, collaborative learning community where you can bring your full self to the learning experience. Your instructors use interactive facilitation methods that address all learning styles. You experience teaching methods such as dialogue, self-reflection, experiential activities, theory, case studies, modeling, coaching, practice using the skills and tools, and fun.
The series is limited to 24 participants so you feel comfortable participating and your specific needs are met by individual feedback and support.
Please note: your 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.
Who you’ll be working with
Your instructors have more than 50 years of combined experience teaching, facilitating, and consulting with educational, human service, healthcare, governmental, and business organizations. They specialize in communication skills, team development, conflict transformation, diversity issues, and perceptual thinking patterns.
Series details and general information
Location: All sessions will take place online. The workshops are from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Fees: The fee includes lunches, extensive handouts, and the book, The Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. Some scholarships may be available. (Please contact Masha Bubela, 608-263-5130 or masha.bubela@wisc.edu for scholarship information.) Payment in full is required 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 23 participants. Please register early to secure your place in the series.
Travel and lodging: Please make your own travel and lodging arrangements. Maps and information on lodging and parking are sent with your registration confirmation.
Special accommodations: 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.
Approved continuing education credits
Credits will be awarded upon full day participation in these workshops. This program falls within the subject matter identified by the certain organizations for continuing education credits. Click here for details»
Outline
Session descriptions
Session 1: Building the Learning Community, Facilitation Model, Agenda-Setting
April 20-21
We model how to create an effective work group as we establish a learning community. Discover the importance of maintaining balance between the dynamics of task and process, as well as their implications for group development stages and agenda design. You also have the opportunity to prepare a meeting agenda to use in your organization.
Learn how to:
- Create group agreements to establish a productive work climate.
- Apply a model for the stages of group development.
- Design outcome-based agendas with clearly defined purposes.
- Select multi-modal processes to enhance participation and achieve agenda outcomes.
Session 2: Utilizing Different Learning Patterns
May 18-19
The Perceptual Thinking Patterns PTP™ model is a concrete tool that teaches how people learn, process, and communicate. Learn how to 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 6 different patterns approach these tasks.
Learn how to:
- Learn how our minds use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities to organize, process, and create.
- Discover which of the 6 patterns matches the way your mind learns and communicates.
- Explore the biases, gifts, and challenges of each of the 6 patterns.
- Discover ways to create mutual adaptations between different thinking patterns and the benefits of diverse perspectives.
Session 3: Centering, Deep Listening, and Skillful Questioning
July 13-14
Centering, the ability to remain grounded, reflective, and attentive to what is happening in the moment, is a foundation skill that can strengthen your ability as a facilitator. When you facilitate from center, you are better equipped to perceive group process and take actions that will support the members’ needs.
The ability to listen intently with your 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.
Learn how to:
- Use a tool for checking out assumptions before they escalate into conflict.
- Discern between observable data vs. “spin.”
- Center to access your best thinking and engage with integrity.
- Use encouraging responses and questions of inquiry to elicit and understand different perspectives.
Session 4: Transforming Conflict
September 14-15
Many people 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, work relationships can be enhanced and more innovative, lasting solutions can be found.
In this session, you have an opportunity to reflect on your attitudes and behaviors in conflict and increase your comfort in working effectively with conflict.
Learn how to:
- Examine the impact of your history with conflict on your current responses to it.
- Distinguish among the 4 basic responses to conflict.
- Excavate beyond positions to identify and express underlying needs.
- Find common ground and generate win-win solutions.
Session 5: Decision-Making, Facilitation Feedback
October 19-20
One of the biggest challenges work groups face is in making effective decisions. In day 1, you’ll learn how to address the tension between closure and further exploration, create shared understanding of the problem, and facilitate lasting solutions.
Day 2 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.
Learn how to:
- Understand the benefits of an explicit decision-making rule.
- Assess the pros and cons of different decision-making rules.
- Use a tool to discern the level of agreement.
- Apply your learning to designing and facilitating a group meeting.
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Continuing Education Hours
60
Continuing Education Units, CEU
6
American Psychological Association, APA
60
National Board for Certified Counselors, NBCC
60
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Marriage and Family Therapists, WIDSPS-MFT
60
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Substance Abuse Counselors, WIDSPS-SAC
60
What Attendees Are Saying:
“I can’t express in words what this series has done for me both personally and professionally. Kathy and Denise, you are making the world a better place 25 people at a time.”
– Eric Bangerter, VP of E-Commerce, UW Credit Union
Upcoming Dates
All times shown are central time.
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Register by mail: printable registration form
Schedule
5 sessions; Tue-Wed, Apr 20-21, May 18-19, Jul 13-14, Sep 14-15, Oct 19-20, 2021, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Instructor(s)
Fee
$2,575; gov't/nonprofit* $1,975
Location
Complete online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Questions?
Registration:Questions about this program:
- Laura V. Page
- laura.page@wisc.edu
- 608-890-3627
Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel and do so up to 10 business days prior to the program, you will receive a full refund minus $250. If you cancel less than 10 business days prior to the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. Please visit here for our full cancellation policy.
Accessibility Accommodations:
Please email the contact person listed above at least 2-3 weeks prior to the start of class if you require an accessibility accommodation.
What Attendees Are Saying:
“I can’t express in words what this series has done for me both personally and professionally. Kathy and Denise, you are making the world a better place 25 people at a time.”
– Eric Bangerter, VP of E-Commerce, UW Credit Union
KATHY GERMANN

KATHY GERMANN (MA, The Ohio State Univ.) has more than 35 years of experience teaching, consulting, facilitating, and coaching with more than 350 client groups across the country. She has served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Madison for 28 years. Germann has taught on three college campuses and was an executive director in the nonprofit sector. She is known for her sense of humor and highly participatory teaching style.
DENISE JESS

DENISE JESS (BS, UW-Madison) is the CEO/executive director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. She also operated a consulting and coaching practice that facilitated training on human relations issues. Jess taught elementary-aged children and has authored published curricula for all ages. She is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments.
Stay In Touch
Keep up to date about Diversity and Inclusion offerings at Continuing Studies. You'll receive upcoming announcements and information related to Leadership, Management & Workplace Skills.
Upcoming Dates
All times shown are central time.
Available online
April 20 - October 20, 2021
0880-22-PDAS
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Register by mail: printable registration form
Schedule
5 sessions; Tue-Wed, Apr 20-21, May 18-19, Jul 13-14, Sep 14-15, Oct 19-20, 2021, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Add to CalendarInstructor(s)
KATHY GERMANN

KATHY GERMANN (MA, The Ohio State Univ.) has more than 35 years of experience teaching, consulting, facilitating, and coaching with more than 350 client groups across the country. She has served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Madison for 28 years. Germann has taught on three college campuses and was an executive director in the nonprofit sector. She is known for her sense of humor and highly participatory teaching style.
DENISE JESS

DENISE JESS (BS, UW-Madison) is the CEO/executive director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. She also operated a consulting and coaching practice that facilitated training on human relations issues. Jess taught elementary-aged children and has authored published curricula for all ages. She is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments.
Fee
$2,575; gov't/nonprofit* $1,975
Location
Complete online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Continuing Education Hours
60
Continuing Education Units, CEU
6
American Psychological Association, APA
60
National Board for Certified Counselors, NBCC
60
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Marriage and Family Therapists, WIDSPS-MFT
60
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Substance Abuse Counselors, WIDSPS-SAC
60
Questions?
Registration:Questions about this program:
- Laura V. Page
- laura.page@wisc.edu
- 608-890-3627
Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel and do so up to 10 business days prior to the program, you will receive a full refund minus $250. If you cancel less than 10 business days prior to the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. Please visit here for our full cancellation policy.
Accessibility Accommodations:
Please email the contact person listed above at least 2-3 weeks prior to the start of class if you require an accessibility accommodation.
More Diversity and Inclusion Offerings
//=gettype($subsegment_course)?>Honoring Our Common Differences: Reflective Actions for Inclusivity
//=gettype($subsegment_course)?>Leading for Racial Equity Session 1: Becoming an Anti-Racist Organization
//=gettype($subsegment_course)?>Leading for Racial Equity Session 2: Using Racial Equity Decision and Policy Tools
//=gettype($subsegment_course)?>What Attendees Are Saying:
“I can’t express in words what this series has done for me both personally and professionally. Kathy and Denise, you are making the world a better place 25 people at a time.”
– Eric Bangerter, VP of E-Commerce, UW Credit Union
- Laura V. Page
- laura.page@wisc.edu
- 608-890-3627
Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel and do so up to 10 business days prior to the program, you will receive a full refund minus $250. If you cancel less than 10 business days prior to the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. Please visit here for our full cancellation policy.
Have Questions?
We have collected answers to common questions in our
FAQs.
You can also contact Customer Service at or
608-262-1156.
Continuing Studies FAQs
Previous Class
0880-21-PDAS
Schedule
5 sessions; Tue-Wed, May 12-13, Jul 21-22, Aug 20-21, Sep 15-16, Oct 13-14, 2020
Instructor(s)
KATHY GERMANN
DENISE JESS
Location
Online