Audience

This course is designed for each of the following facilitators:

  • CEO facilitator
  • Primary staff facilitator
  • Occasional staff facilitator
  • Aspiring facilitator
  • Board facilitator
  • Committee facilitator


We intend to develop a cohort of no more than 15-20 participants with similar role/experience level, as available, to ensure a more productive and safe learning environment. 

Pain Points

Think about the meetings you’re most often called to lead:

  • One-on-one meetings
  • Team meetings
  • Staff meetings
  • Committee meetings
  • Board meetings
  • Project/initiative meetings
  • Strategic planning/strategy meetings

Do you find that these meetings:

  • Are productive? 
  • Recognize and honor contributions from all group members? 
  • Utilize equitable and anti-oppressive facilitation practices? 
  • Establish a safer space to share and discuss? 
  • Create buy-in and achieve consensus? 
  • Result in action plans with ownership and accountability?


If you believe there is some opportunity for improvement, this course is for you!

Rational Aims

1. To break down the art and science of facilitation into eight (8) digestible domains 

2. To empower the participant with new tools/approaches in each domain for improved facilitation outcomes

3. To support participants with the application of new facilitation tools to their own meetings

4. To help participants evaluate on an ongoing basis their facilitation journey

5. To support a participant’s organization through greater facilitation capacity impacting mission 

6. To grow the participant’s facilitation network

Experiential Aims

1. To experience these new facilitation tools in a supportive and collaborative environment

2. To be motivated to “try on” new facilitation techniques both during and post-course

3. To feel some balance between self-directed and cohort learning opportunities 

4. To feel accountability to yourself and to the cohort to complete the coursework, lessons, etc.

5. To develop a connection to a greater community of facilitators for reference and support beyond the course                                                                                                                                        

What You Get

During this 12-week course, you can expect to receive the following:

  • Facilitator self-assessment

  • 8 pre-recorded modules (with associated knowledge checks) breaking down the fundamental domains of association facilitation

  • 4 live, virtual sessions to review the asynchronous session takeaways, answer questions, and deliver new content examining the timeline before, during, and after a facilitation

  • An optional, in-person capstone experience where you get to practice a facilitation technique and receive live feedback (additional fee applies)

  • Up to XX CAE credits

  • Printable slides/handouts to support the learning/retention process

  • A learning journal in which to take notes/support implementation

  • A private space for posting facilitation questions and sharing resources

  • At the conclusion of the course, a certificate indicating your successful completion

  • Digital badge from Badgr

Instructors

Your guides for this course will be Aaron Wolowiec and Lowell Aplebaum.

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Lowell has gained a deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges faced by associations. His expertise lies in facilitating productive and engaging discussions, building consensus, and fostering collaboration among diverse groups. Lowell's ability to create a supportive learning environment allows participants to develop essential skills and strategies for effective association facilitation.

As an instructor, Lowell combines his practical experience with a dynamic teaching style that encourages active participation and critical thinking. He believes in the power of interactive and experiential learning, providing participants with real-world scenarios and case studies to enhance their understanding and application of facilitation techniques.

Lowell is also a strong advocate for ongoing professional development and staying abreast of industry trends. He has earned numerous certifications and accreditations in facilitation and association management, making him a trusted resource in the field. His commitment to continuous learning ensures that participants receive the most up-to-date and relevant information during the course.

Lowell Aplebaum

Instructors

Your guides for this course will be Aaron Wolowiec and Lowell Aplebaum.

Aaron is a learning/meetings strategist, certified ToP facilitator/mentor trainer, and author, coach, and speaker. He designs engaging, multisensory learning experiences, resulting in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, forging of new relationships, and applied learning and perspective in the workplace.

Aaron is also a serial learner and entrepreneur who is nationally recognized for his professional development and facilitation work with boards, learners, staff, and volunteers.

Aaron Wolowiec