Training for Trainers & Group Facilitators
Sue Walden is a specialist in effectively involving program participants in their own learning, and uses the same methodology to engage trainers/facilitators in building these skills.
We offer both generic programs (Facilitating: Walking the Talk, An Improv Approach to Workshop Design, Tips & Tools for Facilitators, The Dynamics of Co-Leading...with Anyone, Mixers, Energizers & Focus Activities) where you can work with your own material, as well as content-focused certification programs (current offering: Living Life Lightly - 7 Simple Tools to Wipe Out Stress).
Sourcing the core skills in the training of improvisers (being present, open and flexible) with the addition of variations on some traditional tools and techniques, the seminars below are dynamic, highly interactive, challenging, immediately applicable and fun.
And, true to the spirit of being open and flexible, Sue can customize a trainer training to meet the needs of a particular group.
Train the Trainer - Skills for Leaders of Interactive Learning Programs
These powerhouse programs are for you if you facilitate, manage, teach, mediate, coach, counsel, direct, (or intend to) any group where you want them to participate in the learning process. All sessions facilitated by Sue Walden.
The overall goal of Train The Trainer is to provide a multi-dimensional approach in helping you build the skills to create an environment for participative learning; one that encourages openness and risk-taking for you and groups.
Sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 can be taken independently. Section 4 requires Section 1 or equivalent training beforehand.
Sections range from 1 to 3 days in length; all 9:00am-4:30pm. We can schedule one or more in your area. Contact us.
COMING SOON:
Section 1 (Facilitation): October 1-3 in Madrid, Spain
Section 1 (Facilitation): November 5-7 in New York, NY
Section 3 (Design): November 10-11 in New York, NY
Section 5 (Activities): November 13 in New York, NY
Ask about special discounted fees for sponsors/organizers; and notice the SPECIAL "ECONOMIC STIMULUS DISCOUNT" listed below.
Contact Danielle White to register: 917-414-0422 dw@daniellewhite.org
Section 1: FACILITATING: WALKING YOUR TALK
Three Days
- A learning environment that invites participation is created (or destroyed) by the attitudes, words and behaviors of the facilitator(s). This 3-day workshop is an experiential exploration of the facilitation skills, behaviors and attitudes that encourage participants to get actively involved in the self-reflection that inspires new learning.
- Crucial core skills for working with groups of any size.
- Environmental dynamics that set the stage for interactive learning.
- Verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Giving and receiving objective, constructive and encouraging feedback.
- Video-feedback of facilitating group exercises.
- Extensive resources for energizers and interactive exercises
Section 2: TIPS & TOOLS FOR FACILITATING
Three Days
Preparing participants for an interactive learning experience
-
Strong beginnings
- Setting up exercises
- Anchoring the learning through an effective debrief
- Smooth transitions
- Reinforcing/reviewing
- Managing the timing of activities
- Staying on track; bringing it back on track
- Learning-reinforcing closures
Section 3: AN IMPROV APPROACH TO DESIGN
2 Days
- Identifying the crucial ingredients that inspire an interactive learning experience
- Designing to Objectives and Outcomes
- The five stages of designing
- Preparing for the unexpected
- Redesigning on the spot
- Helpful templates and checklists
Section 4: THE DYNAMICS OF CO-LEADING... WITH ANYONE - pre-req: Section 1/equivalent
Two Days
- Advantages, benefits and challenges of Co-Leading
- Pre-program preparation
- Being totally present with each other and the room
- Accessing the resource of differences
- The fine art of give and take (sharing the focus)
- Making each other look good
- Video feedback to observe your unconscious competencies
Section 5: MIXERS, ENERGIZERS, FOCUSING EXERCISES
One Day
- An activity-packed day to expand your tool kit
- Processes appropriate for existing teams as well as new groups
- Quick solutions to flagging energy or distractions
-
A model for creating impactful exercises / experiences that fit your particular group
REGISTRATION
Contact Sue Walden at 415-885-5678 or Sue@improvworks.org to discuss your goals, your objectives.
Limited space; non-refundable deposit required to hold your place.
Three Day Sections: $1250. Deposit $250
Two Day Sections: $850. Deposit $150
One Day Section: $425. Deposit $75
Discounts available for early registration (SPECIAL "ECONOMIC STIMULUS DISCOUNT" 15% if register 2 weeks in advance; 10% 1 week in advance); significant others, referrals, and subsequent sessions.
Certification Train the Trainer: Living Life Lightly
Purpose: To train participants in key aspects of the Living Life Lightly - 7 Simple Tools to Wipe Out Stress (LLL) course so that upon completion, participants can apply for a license to deliver LLL as part of their individual practice.
Duration: The course will be held over 5 days. Each day will run from 9am to 16:30 (4:30pm) with a lunch break.
Day 1: General presentation/facilitation skills training/review
- Stance, posture, gestures
- Movement
- Eye communication
- Listening
- Vocal and physical warm ups
- Verbal expressiveness
- Tips for using flip chart
- Creating an open environment that invites and encourages participation
- Group management techniques
(Note: will use video feedback)
Day 2: Demonstration, explanation and discussion of
- The big picture
- Program objectives
- Concepts underlying program
- Experience of the whole program
Day 3 & 4: Learning the program
- Practice leading (with video feedback)
- context setting
- instructions / set up of exercises, activities, games
- debrief discussions
- transitions between exercises, activities, games
- program closure
- Time management practice
- Feedback, side-coaching and fine-tuning from Sue Walden
Afternoon of Day 4: Participants present entire program to an invited group. Competency assessment made during this presentation.
Day 5: Feedback from above presentation
- Fine tuning
- More practice
As part of the Train the Trainer: Living Life Lightly course, you will receive a comprehensive training manual with written descriptions, instructions and suggestions for
- Facilitator warm up exercises
- Program context setting,
- Descriptions of and instructions for all exercises, activities, games
- Debrief discussions
- Transitions between exercises, activities, games
- Program closure guide
The course fee will include the following:
- “Continental Breakfast”
- Lunch
- Beverages during day
- Afternoon snack
- TTT support materials
- LLL course manual
- One year of follow-up support by Sue
* Depending on specific market needs, the Living Life Lightly course may be run under different names, as agreed between Sue Walden and the course trainer.
US contact/registration information:
Sue Walden: sue@improvworks.org / +1 415-885-5678
London contact/registration information:
Belina Raffy at connect@maffick.com / +44 (0) 208 123 6749.
London Venue: The Resource Center: 354 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA, England www.theresourcecentre.org.uk
Registration
The workshop investment is...
UK: £1750 / Early Bird discount: £1500 if deposit is received on or before one month in advance. The minimum deposit to reserve your place is £500, and is not refundable for cancellations after 2 weeks in advance.
In UK: No VAT will be charged, since ImprovWorks is a US-based not-for-profit organization.
US: $1750. $350.00 non-refundable deposit to hold your place. Limited space. Discounts available for early registration (10% 3 wks in advance; 5% 2 weeks in advance); significant others, referrals, and subsequent sessions.
TESTIMONIALS
"I want to thank you for being present, open and flexible with my participation in your incredible program. I feel I got exactly what I came for: a new mindset for facilitating; to make my facilitation fresh and organic each time I'm in front of a group. The video practices, the exercises, and the discussions all were impactful and very relevant for me."
Meribeth Germino, Senior Manager, Learning & Development
Genentech
germino.meribeth@gene.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"This wonderful, insightful seminar helped me become even more aware of my impact. Using videotape and group feedback, I was able to see where I accomplished my desired impact and when I'd get in my own way. It was fun, delightful and very beneficial. This class helped me be more aware of when I show up in my strength."
"Sue provided lots of materials from her extensive experience in improv work and I walked away feeling it was well worth my time. Sue is a Pro and a bright light in the industry."
Marti Bolton
(503) 694-6165
martib@centurytel.net
"T3 gave me an invaluable opportunity to try out leading some exercises, get immediate feedback from Sue and the other participants on my impact, and see myself improving everyday (on video!) That was well worth the price of admission!"
Marj Plumb
(415) 492-8692
marjplumb@aol.com
"If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area (and even if you're not) you might want to call or e-mail Sue about her Train the Trainer program. I took the first of the three sections and my skills in leading grew exponentially, as well as increasing the number of icebreakers and other exercises available to me. The class got my creative juices going and I even created some of my own exercises."
"Sue has been traveling around to teach the T3 program. I bet if you got 10 of your local coaching/training colleagues together, she'd come to your town."
Chris Pepper-Wong
(702) 562-0886
coachchris@aol.com
