Facilitation Training

Oregon Humanities' facilitation training prepares people to plan and facilitate conversations about vital issues and questions across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds. These conversations help build strong relationships within organizations and among communities. We will host this three-part training on Zoom, and we’ll focus on both online and in-person facilitation techniques and skills.  

Reflective conversations get people talking with each other about a question or topic that people may think about differently depending on their personal beliefs and experiences. This training will provide you with tools to plan and facilitate these conversations both at work and within the broader community. During the training, you will participate in reflective conversations in large and small groups and deepen your understanding of techniques for leading them. All participants will be asked to facilitate a conversation during the break between the second and third training days and bring their experiences and questions back to the full group.

During the training you will

• learn about facilitation and reflective conversation. 
• have an opportunity to practice new skills and techniques.
• reflect on and share your own beliefs and assumptions and listen to beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences different than your own.
• participate in 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 a conversation that allows people and groups to learn more deeply about themselves and each other. 
• use our framework and tools to facilitate a reflective conversation at your workplace or in your community work. 

Each training is limited to the first twenty people to sign up so that each attendee can receive the best hands-on facilitation experience.

Our trainings cost $450. By paying this amount, you cover the cost of your participation and allow us to offer the option for individuals and organizations with fewer resources to pay what they are able. On the registration form you will have the opportunity to let us know what you can pay for the training. Your answer does not affect your registration. 

Upcoming Trainings

Please note that these trainings will take place on Zoom. There will be plenty of screen breaks during the first two training days, and lunch will be off-screen for at least an hour on both days. We hope that you will have a chance to take a break on the first day, as well as work on your ideas for a conversation plan on a Google document. Each training will take place over three days at the following dates and times (PDT):

• October Session with Adam Davis and Jason Graham. Click here to register.

  • Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• January Session with Rachel Bernstein and Eliot Feenstra. Click here to register.

  • Thursday, January 21, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, January 22, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, January 29, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
     

Oregon Humanities Facilitation Training is made possible in part thanks to the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Oregon Community Foundation.