Oregon Humanities’ reflective conversation training will prepare you to plan and facilitate open-ended discussions in your community, workplace, or wherever people gather. This training is available to the public and offered in different formats (in person or online via Zoom) throughout the year. In-person trainings are held at different locations throughout Oregon (and, when invited by organizations outside Oregon, throughout the country).

During the training, you will:

• learn about and practice facilitation and reflective conversation techniques
• reflect on and share your own beliefs and assumptions and listen to beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences different than your own
• design and participate in reflective conversations and debriefs that analyze facilitation tools and choices

You will leave feeling more confident and equipped to:

• observe and respond to group dynamics
• design and facilitate conversations that allow people and groups to learn more about themselves and one another
• use our framework and tools to facilitate reflective conversations at your workplace or in your community

Over the course of two days, we’ll spend our time together talking in large and small groups. These trainings are highly interactive and experiential. Plan to be engaged the entire time—this isn’t a passive slide-show training! We limit the size of our trainings to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in multiple conversations as well as co-lead a conversation and receive specific feedback.

We recognize dedicating two full days to attending a training can be hard. Due to the scaffolded and experiential nature of the training, we ask you to connect with us if you have a conflict for any part of the training so we can advise whether you’ll still benefit from the parts of the training you can attend.

Cost

• In-Person Trainings: $600 or pay what you are able (includes 4 meals and a book)
• Virtual Trainings: $500 or pay what you are able

Our trainings are offered on a pay-what-you-are-able basis. When you register, you can choose to pay less than the full price of the training. Paying the full price covers the cost of your participation and allows us to offer the option for individuals and organizations with fewer resources to pay what they are able. Payment is due at the time of registration. Please contact our programs team at programs@oregonhumanities.org with any questions about payments.

"I learned the difference between reflective conversations and other types of conversations—which was a really helpful delineation in my mind. I learned different tactics that will help achieve different goals in the conversation. Probably the biggest thing I'm taking away is the concept of 'choice'—there is no 'right way' to lead these conversations and each design decision is a choice. Somehow that felt liberating for me!"

—Past training participant

Upcoming Trainings

In-person trainings

We provide a light breakfast and lunch both days. We have scheduled breaks throughout as well as a lunch break away from the training.

Upcoming training dates TBD

Virtual trainings

Please note that these trainings will take place on Zoom, and we’ll ask participants to turn their video on and keep it on as much as possible during the training so it feels as much like being in-person as possible. There will be plenty of screen breaks and a lunch break off screen for at least an hour on both days.

November 6–7

This virtual training will take place online via Zoom over the following sessions:

• Day 1: Thursday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (PST)
• Day 2: Friday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (PST)

To register for this virtual training, click here.

"I learned so much about reflective conversations—how to pick a topic and narrow down the focus, great tips on things to do and not do in facilitating, the importance of remaining neutral and not trying to steer the conversation, the impact of just allowing people to share and be heard!"

If you'd like to receive updates about upcoming training dates and information about other Oregon Humanities programming, you can sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.

Oregon Humanities facilitation trainings are made possible in part thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Oregon Community Foundation.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Oregon Humanities.