ToP Facilitation Methods Workshop – 2 Day Workshop

Dates:  February 4-5, 2025
Lee County Department of Health,  83 Pondella Road, North Ft. Myers, Fl 33903
Nearest Hotel:  Best Western Waterfront.  Reservations:  239-997-5511

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Description: Demonstrates proven ways to achieve group participation including effective conversations, gaining consensus and motivating action.  Teaches the three ToP Facilitation Methodologies that are the basis for all other ToP Courses.

1. The ToP® Focused Conversation: provides a context for meaningful communication. It is used to facilitate group discussions, which allow members to share diverse perspectives in a productive and non-confrontational way.

2. The ToP® Consensus Workshop: facilitates group consensus-based decisions that respect the diversity of perspectives within the group inspire individual action and move the group toward joint resolve and action.

3. The ToP® Action Planning Process: is used to plan an event or project.  This process clarifies and delineates the task and aligns the creativity, capabilities, interests, and resources of the group.  The group decides necessary actions, roles, and responsibilities.  The process builds trust, support enthusiasm, and consensus.

Outcomes:

• Learn a structured process to lead a meaningful exchange of ideas and make crucial decisions together.
• Learn proven methods to shape and ask questions that stimulate candid feedback and discussion.
• Obtain a framework for any group process, from a small workshop to a multi-day conference.
• Obtain problem-solving techniques to bring many diverse ideas into a consensus.
• Develop action plans and strategies in a fraction of the time needed by traditional methods.
• See the three methods demonstrated.
• Volunteers receive coaching in applying the methodologies through hands-on practice.

Agenda Day One

Morning

• Introductions/Overview on Facilitative Leadership
• Introduction of the Focused Conversation Method
• Demonstration of the Focused Conversation Method
• Walk-Through of the Theory of the Focused Conversation Method
• Preparation of Focused Conversations for Practice

Afternoon

• Practice of the Focused Conversation Method
• Introduction of the Consensus Workshop Method
• Demonstration of the Consensus Workshop Method
• Walk-Through of the Consensus Workshop Method
• Application of the Consensus Workshop Method

Agenda Day Two

Morning

• Review of the Methods and Applications
• Introduction of the Action Planning Method
• Demonstration of the Action Planning Method
• Walk-through of the Action Planning Method

Afternoon

• Applications of the Action Planning Method
• Preparation for Practice of Consensus Workshop Method
• Small group practice sessions with debrief
• Applications of Methods in a real situation

Benefits:

• Engage and motivate groups for action.
• Save time and money with increased productivity.
• Increase confidence in facilitating team meetings.
• Heighten effectiveness in leading team communications and input sessions.
• Gain higher engagement, motivation and greater results from teams or community groups.

Who Should Take This Course:  

• Facilitators, trainers and consultants
• Those beginning their facilitation journey
• Those who lead or attend many meetings
• Organizational leaders and managers responsible for strategic and operational planning
• Project managers responsible for organizational operations and project action campaigns
• Local, state and federal leaders responsible for program development, project implementation, and policy formation.

Prerequisite:  None
Length of Workshop:  2 days  8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Course Length: Two days

ToP® Facilitation Methods is eligible for continuing education credit by National Commission for Health Education Certification (13.5 CECH) and American Institute for Certified Planners (14.5 CM).

Any State of Florida employee may be invoiced after the event with approved registration.  All others should be paid prior to the event.  Cancellations must be made 30 days prior to event but substitutions are allowed for the complete 2 day training.

Trainers:   Laurie Dougherty, CTF

Qualifies for CHES and MCHES Credits.
Qualifies for 14.5 CAE credits
Qualifies for 14.5 CM – Certified Planning Credits – American Planning Association