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Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network

Events & Learning Opportunities

MAFN offers a wide range of learning opportunities to develop new skills and master new techniques and approaches. For almost 20 years, MAFN has been the leader in professional development opportunities in facilitation across the Mid-Atlantic region. Catering to all levels of facilitation experience, MAFN's workshops receive rave reviews from participants!

MAFN workshops feature a variety of topics related to deepening and broadening the skills of facilitators. Our workshops are designed to be interactive and provide experiential learning for all participants as they learn from the expertise of others. 

Each month MAFN hosts two workshops: a 90 minute workshop and a three hour workshop.

Our 90 minute workshops offer grounding and resources on the focus topic and are included in MAFN membership.  Our three hour workshops offer more time for discussion and practice during the session.

Both types of workshops will begin at 12:00pm Eastern and are being offered online through June of 2022. 

Occasionally MAFN will also host special events or speakers. See details below for upcoming events. 

Upcoming events

    • 03/19/2024
    • 2:00 PM
    • 03/20/2024
    • 4:00 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    Duration: 2-part series - 2-hour sessions

    About the workshop

    This masterclass will provide you with data, advice, and the opportunity to practice an opening statement or short strategy pitch. You will also learn facilitation strategies that get your audience engaged and techniques for encouraging critical thinking discussions that influence others and lead to buy-in for your ideas.  You’ll have the chance to receive valuable  feedback from yourself, and other participants in this class.

    This experience will help you develop greater confidence and competence, so that you can successfully communicate your ideas and strategies, lead discussion dialogue and debate, and engage with people eager to hear what you have to communicate. You will also learn how to lead engaging discussions that invite challenge, diverse perspectives and critical thinking to your topic.

    Watch this message from Tres Jiménez, Facilitator.  

    A Cohort of participants work in a learning community together. You will bring a topic that you want to work on, and through this interactive course, you will learn:

    Session 1: Learning, Building, Creating

    • Background and History of Presentation and Pitching Skills 

    • Learn how Pitching is different from Facilitating, and how to integrate both into your pitching discussions.

    • Strategies that help anticipate and manage emotions and anxieties

    • Communication effectiveness tips

    • Virtual best practices for making the most of the zoom environment

    • Know your audience identities, roles, and preferences as a path to influence

    • Pitch building strategies - 

      • Content (including basic use of AI to help you with language and wording)

      • Flow

      • Influence (know & read your audience)

      • Engagement

    Session 2: Practice and Feedback

    • Learn and commit to practices in listening, giving quality feedback, and strategies for dealing with disruptive behaviors 

    • Practice pitching with a cohort

    • Receive reactions and feedback from the lead facilitator and the cohort

    • Each person creates their improvement action plans

    • Feedback and acknowledgement shared from the cohort

    • Appreciation and sustainability plan shared as a final closing activity

    Learning Objectives 

    In this session, participants will:

    • Learn best practices from a seasoned facilitator who loves her work

    • Learn facilitation strategies that engage and influence others

    • Bring a real presentation topic and practice in a supportive group setting which includes valuable feedback discussions

    NOTE: This series will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

    This is a 2-part series.

    SERIES DATES: 

    • Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 2-4pm EDT

    • Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 2-4pm EDT

    Speaker: 

    Tres Jiménez, CEO of Tres Jiménez Coaching & Consulting, is a seasoned presenter, public speaker and a certified innovation facilitator who supports people and teams in building and delivering successful innovation pitch concepts.  Tres brings energy and optimism to her workshops, and she combines her personal experiences (positive and horrific) along with decades of learned practices and results in pitching numerous “intrapenurial” and entrepreneurial concepts, with many successes (and almost as many failures along the way).  Tres is known for creating supportive and fun learning spaces where everyone is willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn together.

    ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

    • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
    • Registration closes at midnight the day before the workshop.
    • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    • These workshops begin promptly at 2:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
    • Recordings from this series will be sent to all who register for the series. The recordings will not be available on the MAFN website.
    • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.
    • 03/25/2024
    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    • 2
    Register

    Tech Community of Practice hosts a playtime with using whiteboards within Zoom Meeting as Jamboard alternative

    The Tech Community of Practice is a space hosted by peers around tech for people facilitating online.

    Google announced in September 2023 that it will sunset its simple whiteboard app, Google Jamboard, and will offer integration with 3 other whiteboard tools. The last two Tech COPs we have played with two alternatives, FigJam and Google Slide. This month we will play with (improved?) whiteboards within the Zoom Meeting, that don’t need an external browser.

    Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early.

    Our guiding principles are:

    • Come open to learning (growth mindset)

    • Not expert led - will be hosted by peers with space to learn from all

    • Bring your questions, share your expertise

    ONLINE CoP Discussion REMINDERS

    • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

    • Registration closes at midnight the day before the discussion group.

    • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.

    • MAFN CoP discussions will not be recorded in order to support space for learning.

    For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.
    • 03/28/2024
    • 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    Duration: 75-minute Virtual Networking 

    About the workshop:

    Join us for a fun, welcoming, and productive online networking event designed specifically for facilitators and professionals in related fields such as training, strategy, and leadership. 

    This facilitated, casual session offers a comfortable and engaging environment -- even for introverts -- with small group discussions that allow you to drop in and out as your schedule permits. 

    Our goal is to foster helpful, profitable conversations, allowing you to find valuable connections, complementary practitioners, and get real answers to your challenges. While not a training workshop, per se, we'll use techniques like Chat Storm, Pair-Share, Golden Question, Wise Crowds, and Wish Granting.

    (You don't need to be a MAFN member.) 

    NOTE the Special time for this BONUS Networking event –   4pm - 5:15pm

    NOTE: This session will NOT be recorded.

    Speakers: 

    Lee Gimpel runs Better Meetings in Washington, DC. He is a professional facilitator who specializes in highly participatory methods that bring groups together, building connections and community. Much of his work on meetings and conferences revolves around improving networking, silo-busting, and collaboration. 

    Lee has worked with a variety of clients that include the Department of Energy, Sodexo, and Conservation International. For years, he has run a Community of Practice for Liberating Structures facilitators. He writes for Forbes as their expert on meetings and facilitation and serves on the board of the Association of Meeting Professionals.
    • 04/19/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Silver Spring Civic Center, Fenton Room, 1 Veteran’s Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Register

    Duration: 3-Hour In-Person Workshop

    About the workshop:

    "Humanity-Centered" refers to an approach, perspective, or focus that prioritizes the well-being, needs, values, and experiences of communities. It emphasizes a deep understanding of human emotions, aspirations, and relationships, and seeks to ensure that decisions, actions, and interactions are guided by empathy, compassion, and a genuine concern for the welfare of all and not just the individual.

    In this workshop, we will equip facilitators with a versatile toolkit to navigate challenging situations, resolve conflicts, and foster genuine engagement. Delve into the intricate interplay of emotions, communication, and collaboration to cultivate a facilitation approach that prioritizes empathy and connection.

    Learning Objectives 

    • Deepening presence and authenticity to access deeper human connection healing

    • Trauma-informed practice in transformational and social justice spaces

    • The power of shared humanity as a bridge building tool across diverse groups

    This is a 3-hour in-person workshop. It will take place starting at 9:00am EDT.

    Speakers: 

    Rev. Heather Lynn Wagner, PCC, SHRM-CP, is an influential people leader, entrepreneur, and trauma educator with a passion for fostering positive change in the world. As the Director of People Operations at a non-profit based in Washington DC, Heather is at the forefront of building a trauma-informed culture and changing the way HR is viewed and experienced.  As the founder of Heather Lynn + Co. and Neurodivergent Leader, Heather has spent the last ten years as a business consultant and executive leadership coach pulling from over twenty years of experience in corporate and small business to help organizations and leaders with operational efficiency, talent development, and aligning company culture with business strategy.

    Heather's passion for deep transformational work and cultivating spaces for authentic connection guides her approach to leadership, coaching, and facilitation.  She has spent over two decades creating transformative experiences and designing leadership development programming.  She currently teaches trauma-informed practice to coaches, facilitators, and people managers through her signature program Trauma-Informed Leadership Fundamentals, and is finishing her book Ethical Leader: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Building Humanity-Centered Cultures which is set to be published in early 2024.

    Sean Harvey, MSOD, MSEd, is an organization development consultant, master facilitator and mentor, professor, interfaith minister, TEDx speaker, and men’s guide. He is the Chief Compassion Officer of Sympónia Facilitator Studio and Warrior Compassion Men’s Studio.  He received the Saul A. Silverman 2021 Award for Conflict Resolution and Healing from the International Organization Development Association for his healing work with men in hyper-masculine systems. He is the author of Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of Men. 

    His work in personal, organizational, and societal transformation is inspired by twenty-five years of purpose, talent, and organization development consulting combined with having served on the faculties of Cornell, New York University, and Baruch College CUNY teaching courses in the areas of leadership, management, and organizational behavior and change. Sean is affiliated with George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership in Washington, D.C. As an interfaith minister, he co-founded Project Compassion, a national initiative to deepen compassion in police departments and communities. In 2021, he delivered his TEDx, “Compassion Makes the Warrior.” Learn more about his work at www.warriorcompassion.com.

    If registrant pays for an individual MAFN workshop session and contacts info@mafn.org to cancel one week before the event, MAFN will either credit the full registration fee towards a future workshop or process a refund, less a processing fee of $10. There will be no refunds after April 12th.

    • 04/29/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    Duration: 3 Hour workshop

    About the workshop

    NOTE: This workshop is on a MONDAY, not our typical Friday.

    What is generative artificial intelligence (AI)? How will it change the field of facilitation? How can it help my business, my clients, and save me time? How can I get started and feel confident with AI tools? How can using these various AI tools increase my AI expertise as a facilitator?  

    Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop that delves into the essential questions of generative AI (like ChatGPT) and its potentially transformative impact on facilitation. We’ll explore a range of popular, easy-to-use AI tools including ChatGPT and Google Bard -- as well as some plug-ins to those services and some more facilitator-specific AI tools like Stormz. Through real demonstrations, do-it-yourself activities, and small group interactions, you'll come away with a strong foundation on AI as it relates to facilitation. You'll have actionable ways to improve your work, impress clients, and save hours of your own time.

    Learning Objectives 

    In this session, participants will:

    • Explore easy-to-use AI tools, including ChatGPT and Google Bard

    • Gain hands-on experience using the tools in a safe and supported space

    • Experience actionable ways you can save hours of your time before and after the workshop

    NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

    This is a 3-hour workshop. It will take place starting at 12:00pm EDT

    Speakers:

    Lee Gimpel runs Better Meetings, a meeting facilitation, training and strategy firm. The company works with associations, government agencies, and companies to improve their meetings and events. Lee’s meeting methodology is built on collaboration, engagement, and human-centered design. Much of the firm’s work leverages networking and connection-building, be that at cross-silo strategy sessions, team-building retreats, or large-scale industry conferences. He is the creator of the Conference Organizers Summit and leads a DC-area community of practice for facilitators. Often quoted about group engagement in such publications as The Guardian, USA Today, and HuffPost, he is also the contributing expert on meetings and facilitation for Forbes.

    Erin Nicole Gordon is a certified professional facilitator, integral coach and seasoned strategy consultant with specialties in strategic planning, visualization and creative leadership. As founding facilitator of WAYFIND, she and teaming partners provide professional facilitation, consulting, training and coaching services that leverage creative techniques and visual methods to map futures, navigate uncertainty and chart new ways of working. Learn more about Erin.

    ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

    • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
    • Registration closes at midnight the day before the workshop.
    • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
    • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
    • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.
    • 05/17/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    Duration: 2-hour workshop

    About the workshop

    As interpersonal trust has plummeted and Americans have lost the ability to talk to each other across ideological divides, the effects have been seeping into our workplaces. Learn about the trends that are exacerbating the issue and how you can help organizations respond. We’ll discuss skills that are specifically designed to address these sorts of rifts, as well as the longer-term work that builds a culture where ideas flow freely and many perspectives are welcomed.

    Learning Objectives 

    In this session, participants will:

    • Learn how ideological polarization impacts organizations and their cultures, and squashes diversity of thought

    • Explore the principles behind bridging ideological divides at work and learn to incorporate these ideas within their work

    • Discover norms and practices for cultures that value diverse perspectives and stave off the threat of organizational monoculture   

    NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

    This is a 2-hour workshop. It will take place starting at 12:00pm EDT.

    Speakers:

    Randy Lioz helps organizations of all types develop healthy cultures that foster a sense of belonging for a wide variety of members and employees. He has worked with organizations from a range of sectors to address internal cultural challenges, including businesses, nonprofits, religious organizations and educational institutions.

    At the leading national depolarization group Braver Angels he led the effort to migrate events to the online environment during the pandemic, and has regularly led workshops for regional and national audiences, in addition to spreading the depolarization message through interviews, speeches, writing, and podcast appearances.

    LinkedIn

    ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

    • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
    • Registration closes at midnight the day before the workshop.
    • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
    • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
    • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.
    • 05/31/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • COPT Training Room, Suite 850 at 1753 Pinnacle Drive, McLean, VA
    Register

    Duration: 3-Hour In-Person Workshop

    About the workshop

    Play dynamics radically transform how we behave individually and in groups. When playing, people dedicate more and better resources (time, energy, attention) to solving their challenges. In addition to having a series of emotional benefits, PLAYMOBIL Pro.Play allows you to work on complex situations in a simple way. By “observing” the situation in the third person, participants discover ideas, alternatives, and solutions in a much easier way than when immersed in them.

    Engaging adults in professional play is not only enjoyable but also highly effective for learning, skill development, and personal growth. Play creates a positive and conducive environment for exploring new ideas, fostering creativity, and building stronger professional relationships. Playmobil Pro.Play allows both individuals and groups to tackle complex problems by "observing" the situation from a third-person perspective. Inspired by the principles of play and experiential learning, it promotes creativity, communication, collaboration, and engagement while reducing stress. Its versatility and inclusivity make it a powerful addition to your facilitation toolkit, ensuring that it can cater to diverse audiences and learning styles.

    About Playmobil Pro.Play:

    Playmobil Pro.Play is a specialized product line within the Playmobil brand designed for educational and professional purposes. Playmobil Pro.Play is a versatile and effective tool for educators, trainers, and therapists looking to create engaging and interactive learning experiences that promote skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. It is a valuable resource for hands-on, experiential learning in a wide range of educational and professional settings.

    Learn more: https://www.proplaymethod.com/

    Learning Objectives 

    • Participants will learn about the Playmobil Pro.Play Method while engaging in role-playing to model various challenges, emotions, and solutions.

    • Participants will learn how to use visual and kinesthetic methods to convey ideas and enhance communication and collaboration skills.

    • Participants will explore how engaging in playful activities can reduce stress and anxiety while increasing engagement and motivation in professional settings.

    This is a 3-hour in-person workshop. It will take place starting at 9:00am EDT.

    Speaker: 

    Althea Simpson is the founder of ATS Facilitation & Consulting, a facilitation and consulting business that uses creativity to foster connectivity among individuals and groups in the workplace.  She is a highly skilled professional who expertly guides individuals, groups, and organizations toward achieving their goals. With a robust educational background that includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration in Marketing, and a Master of Social Work with dual expertise in both organizational leadership and development, as well as clinical social work, Althea draws on her extensive experience as a licensed clinical social worker and business psychology consultant to confidently apply creative and innovative strategies to conquer workplace obstacles related to teams, leadership, workplace mental health, and organizational change.

    Location:

    COPT Training Room, Suite 850 at 1753 Pinnacle Drive, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner)

     – 10 minute walk to Greensboro Metro Station

    – Parking is free in the building

    • 06/07/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    Duration: 90-minute workshop

    About the workshop

    Participants will identify elements of an effective meeting and learn how to choose appropriate meeting facilitation formats and consensus building processes (brainstorming, prioritizing, etc.) to lead meetings effectively. They will learn how to identify problem participants and tactics to redirect tangents and derailers. The facilitation skills gained in this session will translate into an increased willingness to take risks, more productive meetings, faster decision-making, and more co-creation.

    Learning Objectives 

    In this session, participants will:

    • Identify elements of an effective meeting

    • Learn how to choose appropriate meeting facilitation formats and consensus building processes

    • Explore how to identify problem participants and tactics to redirect tangents and derailers

    NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

    This is a 90-min workshop. It will take place starting at 12:00pm EDT.

    Speaker:

    Since 2016, Tricia Homer has been coaching executives and teaching at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. In this role she offers workshops, one-on-one sessions and group coaching that address communication skill gaps. Most recently, she was a Senior Program Officer at the US Institute of Peace. In this role, she was a senior expert in training. She led training and supported curriculum design for projects across the U.S., as well as in Rwanda, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, and Uzbekistan.


    ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

    • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
    • Registration closes at midnight the day before the workshop.
    • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
    • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
    • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY

For our online workshops, there are no refunds or credits for registration cancellations. Unless specified, the online workshops are recorded and the recording will be sent to those registered.

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