At the end of each class, the cohort is asked to write a letter to the next “class”. Here are a sampling of some of the letters that have been written.
Dear future facilitation course group,
You’ve got a great several weeks ahead of you. I am so glad that I took on this course, and I think that you will be as well! Although a good deal of time and effort are involved, everything you put into it will be worth it.
Throughout this course, my mind was opened further than it had been in the past. I learned many tactics for encouraging, controlling, and managing input during meetings and classes. I also learned how to make each experience more whole-group involved, as well as more interesting and interactive for each participant. I mainly teach and coach groups of all sizes, rather than facilitate meetings, but almost everything I learned in this class was applicable to teaching and coaching people. The course expanded my toolbox for reaching others and guiding them through experience learning.
I felt challenged throughout this course. At first I felt apprehensive to volunteer to try tactics before completely understanding them, but the “baptism by fire” and “on the spot” learning experience was valuable. I learned to jump in and try without hesitation. I felt supported by the instructors and my classmates each time I tried a facilitation method or provided input. I learned to better neutralize myself when facilitating a group meeting where a decision or plan is the goal. I also learned to truly examine myself and determine if I have a tendency to do anything in a group that is distracting or irritating to others. That’s a tough thing to assess, but valuable! I think my favorite gain from this class are the various tactics for recruiting input from individuals, and the Zoom functions that I did not formerly know how to use. These tactics have greatly improved my classes! I also will always remember the Ted Talk recording we watched as part of our homework at the start of the course about respecting differing perspectives.
I encourage you to make sure you have everything else set aside when it’s time to participate in your weekly class, and to do the homework for each week before you meet rather than after. That was very helpful for me. I encourage you to go all in, and truly challenge your current knowledge and beliefs!
Dear next cohort,
Congratulations on enrolling in this course! As you embark on this new adventure, I am excited to see how you will grow and develop your skills. No matter your level of experience in group facilitation, this course will provide you with valuable tools and techniques to hone your abilities, develop effective meeting agendas, and tackle the challenges that arise when facilitating group meetings. The sessions are designed to be engaging, and there will be many readings and assignments to complete.
To make the most of this course, I encourage you to utilize your time management skills to stay on top of your workload and participate actively in class discussions. I can assure you that the instructors are very responsive, welcoming, and encouraging, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them whenever you need assistance.
Best of luck in your studies!
Dear Future Participants,
You will find great value in this class. You will learn not just how to be a better facilitator but a better meeting participant who engages more fully (without their phone in their hand, or their email open in another window). You will cringe at meetings that aren’t facilitated well (I see you – charts written in tiny font and red marker!).
To be successful in this course, I recommend you do the reading and the homework – for every class – even if you are not seeking continuing education credits. it is the best way to be prepared and fully engaged, and really, to get the most out of the course. If you can, treat the homework as pre-work, as it really helps when it comes time for the live weekly class.
I have learned so much in terms of how to write notes, summarize, manage difficult participants, engage quiet participants and facilitate meetings that are a more enjoyable experience. I hope you enjoy this class as much as I did!
Dear Future Facilitators,
You’re about to embark on a journey that’s as much about self-awareness as it is about group dynamics.
When I started this course, I thought facilitation was mostly about managing meetings and keeping things on track. What I’ve learned is that it’s so much deeper. Facilitation is about creating space for ideas, emotions, and voices that often go unheard. It’s about listening with intention, noticing what’s beneath the surface, and guiding a group not just toward outcomes but toward connection.
What surprised me most was how much facilitation asks of you—not just your skills, but your presence. You’ll learn to read the room, respond to tension, and hold space for discomfort. And you’ll grow in ways you didn’t expect.
What helped me grow was leaning into the tools and frameworks, yes, but also the reflection. The moments where I paused and asked, “What’s really happening here?” or “What does this group need from me right now?” Those questions became my compass.
My advice to you?
- Don’t be afraid to pause. Silence can be powerful.
- Trust the group; they often have the answers.
- And trust yourself, you’re learning to lead with empathy and clarity.
I wish someone had told me that facilitation isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.
You’ve got this. And you’re not alone.
Warmly,
A fellow facilitator-in-progress
Congratulations on taking the next step in your learning journey!
As you embark on this facilitation development course, remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, connect, and inspire. Your curiosity and commitment will shape the experience—not only for yourself, but for those you’ll lead. Throughout this course, you will feel supported, encouraged to grow and excited to gain practical skills that that you can apply immediately. Stay open, authentic, support each other, and embrace the process.
Great things await!
Dear future participants of this course:
You are about to embark on a journey of reflection and discovery. You will come away from this course with a backpack of tools to use in your future as a facilitator.
Read the book and soak in all of the ideas. Read the discussion boards to learn from your peers. Practice any chance you get during the live meetings. This is a very practical course, and the more you practice, the better you get.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Dear Future Facilitator,
Welcome to the journey!
One of the biggest things I learned in this course is that facilitation is not just about planning or leading, but it’s about listening, noticing the energy in the room, and helping people feel seen. I used to think being a facilitator meant staying neutral and organized (and that is part of it), but I now realize it also means knowing when to pause, when to step out of the content and talk about the process, and how to include voices that might otherwise go unheard.
Here’s some advice: trust the process, use the tools, be present, ask questions, and be prepared to be actively engaged. Oh, and one more thing! During your practices, it’s okay if you are not perfect in your delivery. The facilitators are some of the most welcoming and encouraging folks I’ve met, and they really created a safe space to make mistakes.
You’ve got this!
Dear future facilitators:
I’m so glad you are here! You will grow and enjoy this course immensely! The instructors are warm and caring with great ideas and encouragement!
My best advice is to keep up no matter what! I’ve gotten behind but Ms. Dougherty is very understanding and very willing to work with me and support my journey in a future session if needed.
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions and put yourself out there during group meetings. This is what you’re looking for participants to do when you are facilitating so I encourage you to be the participant you’d like to have someday!
Thanks for taking this course and I hope you enjoy!
Sincerely,
Dear future students,
I hope you all enjoy the class as much as my cohort did. You are in great hands with Michelle and Laurie. You will learn so much about facilitation but also be prepared to learn about yourself! I highly advise that you go into a growth mindset, even for the modules you think won’t be as applicable to your work. One of the best ways to get the most out of this class is to volunteer during the weekly gatherings. Do not feel hesitant about asking questions, everyone is there to help and learn from each other!
Sincerely,
(Content generated using Copilot)
I asked copilot for a poem, and it came up with the poem below which reflects what instructors have guided us through these past weeks. I find it really nice and appropriate to share here:
The Facilitator’s Art
A Poetic Tribute
The Facilitator’s Art
With gentle hands that guide unseen,
And words that bridge the space between,
A facilitator shapes the flow—
Where minds may meet and ideas grow.
They listen deeply, sense the room,
Invite shy voices out of gloom,
Draw quiet sparks to open air,
So wisdom finds its place to share.
In circles formed with common aim,
They seed respect, let purpose frame
The path ahead, where all belong,
A chorus built from many songs.
They hold the space, not with control,
But care that makes each spirit whole.
Questions bloom and viewpoints blend,
Conflicts soften, wounds may mend.
When silence falls or tensions rise,
The facilitator’s keen, kind eyes
Find ways to lift, connect, restore—
So groups achieve, aspire, explore.
A subtle art, an open heart,
A steady hand from end to start.
Through them, the best in us takes flight—
The guide who helps us reach new heights.
Facilitation is a complex skill,
getting better takes courage and will.
Practicing in class may bring you nerves,
but go for it, there’s immeasurable worth.
The number of strategies is surprisingly big,
use the ones that suit your style and gig.
Don’t limit yourself to what you’ve seen before,
Mix it up with creativity galore.
Plan each detail before you meet,
and face the challenges without feeling defeat.
Tackle the problems when you sense a disconnect,
the group with thank you for being direct.
Embrace your style with confidence and poise,
and hope your group is willing to make some noise.