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Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network

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Upcoming events

    • 09/03/2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Cafe Columbia 5550 Sterrett Pl Ste 103 Columbia, MD
    • 3
    Register

    Topic:

    Facilitating Collaboration – A Conversation about Tools and Techniques

    Description:

    Collaboration can be hard. And facilitating collaboration for others can be even harder, especially when they’ve got difficult histories or competing understandings of what “collaboration” actually means. Whether a client needs us to foster collaboration for people who have never worked together before or repair collaboration when it’s broken, we each bring our own strategies to this delicate work. This session is a chance for us to compare notes. Bring your best ideas and leave with new approaches borrowed from your smart colleagues

    Each salon will be shaped by the interests and ideas of those who attend. We'll use feedback from previous gatherings to select future topics, experiment with new formats, and create sessions that are engaging, relevant, and designed to foster meaningful connections within our community.

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

    Our guiding principles are:

    Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

    Come open to listening and sharing

    Salon REMINDERS

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

     Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

     Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

     Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

     For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

    • 09/09/2026
    • 09/11/2026
    • Trajectory Event Center 13665 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 150, Herndon, VA

    September 09-11, 2026 9AM - 5 PM

    Trajectory Event Center 13665 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 150, Herndon, VA

    Click here for more information and to register. 

    If you have ever sat through a meeting where the conversation went in circles, a few voices dominated the room, and everyone left without clear decisions or next steps, you know how frustrating bad meetings can be.

    There is a better way.

    Think With Ink™ is an interactive visual facilitation workshop from Lizard Brain designed to help facilitators, consultants, coaches, team leaders, and visual thinkers make meetings more focused, collaborative, and productive.

    In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to use simple visuals, structured facilitation methods, and participatory tools to help groups see what they mean, organize ideas, make decisions, and move forward with confidence.

    And no, you do not need to be an artist. Drawing skills are not required.

    Over the course of the workshop, you will practice practical techniques for lettering, drawing, using color, organizing information, listening for synthesis, creating visual templates, designing agendas, and leading visual facilitation experiences. You will also walk away with materials and frameworks you can use immediately in workshops, strategy sessions, client meetings, and team conversations.

    The workshop is led by Brian Tarallo, Managing Director of Lizard Brain, author of Surviving the Horror of Online Meetings, Certified Master Facilitator, Certified Master Visual Practitioner, and recipient of an IAF Facilitation Impact Award.

    If you are ready to stop surviving bad meetings and start leading sessions that make ideas visible, engage more people, and help teams make better decisions, this is your opportunity.

    Space is limited to 24 participants, which means you will receive individual feedback, support, and plenty of hands-on practice.

    Register here

    Your next meeting does not have to be another hour of circling the same problem. Learn how to make the work visible, guide the conversation, and help your group move forward.

    • 09/10/2026
    • 10/08/2026
    • 3 sessions
    • Online using Zoom
    Register

    About the workshop

    Have you ever worked with a group that wants a strategic plan (yesterday!) but also wants high participation?

    Have you ever facilitated a strategic planning process, but someone said, “Nobody asked me!”

    If this is true for you, this cohort learning series is for you.

    Inclusive + Participatory Strategic Planning (IPSP) is a 12-step process that centers engagement, transparency, and intentionality from beginning to end.

    Join Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold, Founder & CEO of Gold Enterprises, LLC, as she braids together change management, DEI, and dialogue principles to produce strategic plans that value as many voices as possible.

    Learning Objectives 

    In this session:

    • Participants will become familiar with the IPSP and how it differs from traditional strategic planning processes.

    • Participants will apply dialogue, change management, and IPSP principles to a past or present facilitation opportunity.

    • Participants will build a personal “IPSP Cheat Sheet” for using IPSP in their industry niche, while indirectly creating an informal IPSP networking group.

    Best suited for: Mid-Level Facilitators

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

    Each session is 90 minutes. It will take place at 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT on the following dates:

    • Session 1: Thursday, September 10, 2026
    • Session 2: Thursday, September 24, 2026
    • Session 3: Thursday, October 8, 2026

    Speakers:


    Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold is the CEO of Gold Enterprises, LLC, which helps organizations become better places for everyone to work, learn, grow, play, and thrive. A fourth-generation educator, she has 28 years of experience improving diversity, equity, and inclusion through organizational health audits, designing participatory strategic planning processes, and delivering high-impact professional development and training for nonprofits, higher education, and mid-sized businesses. As a 2025 Trinity NYC Wall Street Fellow, upon completion of her social action project, Dr. Gold will be inducted into the Trinity Society of Fellows – a global network of leaders faithfully serving society. Gold Enterprises is in its 10th year of excellent work.

    ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS:

    • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.

    • 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 11:00AM Eastern. Please log on at least 5 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.

    • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

      • 09/14/2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
      • 6
      Register

      Topic:

      Use AI Smarter: Practical and Ethical Ways Facilitators Can Work Better

      Description:

      AI can be a powerful thought partner for facilitators, helping with agendas, discussion guides, debrief questions, and more. In this conversation, we’ll explore how to use AI in ways that are efficient, thoughtful, and responsible, including where it adds real value and where facilitators still need strong judgment, discretion, and care.

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

      Our guiding principles are:

      Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

      Come open to listening and sharing

      Salon REMINDERS

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

       Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

       Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

       Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

       For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

      • 09/18/2026
      • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration:  60 minutes

      MAFN & NOVA Scribes Partnership Event

      AI Facilitation Design Dialogue

      Join MAFN and our partner, NOVA Scribes, with our guest speaker, Andy Pearson from SessionLab, for an inside look at how the latest AI-powered features are transforming the way facilitators design workshops, meetings, and learning experiences.

      Even if you’re not a SessionLab user, Andy will share how to build agendas faster, generate activity ideas, improve session flow, and incorporate proven facilitation practices with less effort. Andy will demonstrate how AI can support inclusive design, strengthen group dynamics, surface best-practice recommendations, and free facilitators to focus on what matters most.

      Whether you're new to SessionLab or already use it regularly, you'll leave with practical techniques for designing smarter, more effective sessions in less time.

      Free and open to anyone who plans group events and workshops. No prior experience required.

      ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

      • 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. 
      • This workshop will NOT be recorded.
      • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.
      • 09/18/2026
      • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Title: Bring Your Own Topic and Let’s Troika Together!

      Description:

      Got a coaching challenge, personal or client question, business idea, or leadership issue you'd love fresh perspectives on? Bring it to our next Coaching Community of Practice!

      We'll use Troika Consulting, a peer-to-peer coaching method from Liberating Structures, to help one another explore real challenges and uncover new possibilities. In small groups, you'll receive support, share your own wisdom, and experience the power of collective learning. No preparation required. Just bring a topic, your curiosity, and your coaching superpowers (cape optional!). Stay for the community. Leave with new ideas and renewed energy.

      Duration: 2:00-3:00 pm EDT

      About the workshop:

      Bring your own topic for a peer-powered Community of Practice where we'll use Troika Consulting, one of the most popular Liberating Structures methods, to tap into the collective wisdom of our coaching community. In small groups, you'll have the chance to present a real topic, hear fresh perspectives, and offer insights to fellow coaches navigating their own questions and opportunities.

      This session is equal parts support, creativity, and practical problem-solving. No slide deck required. No perfect question needed. Just bring something that's on your mind and a willingness to help others do the same.

      Come curious. Leave with new ideas, actionable next steps, and perhaps the comforting reminder that none of us has to figure it all out alone.

      Learning Objectives

      By the end of this session, participants will:

      • Apply the Troika Consulting method to explore real coaching and professional challenges with peers.
      • Gain fresh perspectives and practical ideas by tapping into the collective wisdom of the coaching community.
      • Strengthen connections and peer support through collaborative problem-solving and shared learning.

      Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will not be recorded.

      ONLINE CoP Discussion REMINDERS

      • 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

      • 09/21/2026
      • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
      • “Bear Cage” room at Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
      • 13
      Register

      TOPIC:

      Beginner’s Guide to Liberating Structures – with guest host Karen Lillard

      DESCRIPTION:

      Come join us Monday, September 21st, 2026 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST with optional lunch afterward, for our monthly Vienna MAFN Salon!

      Each month, we will have a topic or theme as well as open time for networking and sharing challenges and best practices in our facilitation. 

      Curious about Liberating Structures but not sure where to start? In this hands-on introduction, we’ll explore a couple of approachable Liberating Structures that you can begin using right away. We’ll try them out together, talk about what makes them useful, and look at how to choose and adapt structures for different group situations. We’ll also spend some time getting familiar with the Liberating Structures website so you can easily find and explore additional structures on your own. Participants will leave with a few practical structures in their toolkit, along with resources and recommendations for continuing to learn and experiment.

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


      Our guiding principles are:

      • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

      • Come open to listening and sharing


      Salon REMINDERS

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

      • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

      • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

      • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

      • For membership questions contact info@mafn.org

      • 09/25/2026
      • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration:  90 minutes

      About the workshop: 

      This workshop introduces participants to the principles of neuroinclusive team-building, and how to create team-building activities —such as team retreats, staff appreciation events, and group exercises— that are accessible and engaging for neurodivergent individuals.

      Through interactive discussions and small-group exercises, attendees will explore how to adapt common team-building event formats to accommodate neurodiverse team members. Ideal for HR professionals, team leaders, and DEI practitioners, this workshop provides practical tools to create team-building activities that maximize engagement, boost morale, and strengthen team dynamics for all team members.

      Learning Objectives 

      In this session, participants will:

      • Understand foundational concepts of accessibility, neurodiversity, and neuroinclusion

      • Apply design principles to create neuroinclusive team-building experiences.

      • Learn how to increase the engagement of neurodiverse team members in team-building activities

      Best suited for: Beginner / New Facilitators

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

      This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST.

      Speakers: 


      Alysse Rodriguez, SHRM-CP is the founder and principal consultant of Alta FWD Consulting, where she partners with nonprofits to navigate change and build resilient teams. Prior to transitioning to consulting, Alysse led Operations and HR teams for advocacy and member-based nonprofit organizations. Her work is grounded in inclusion, accessibility, and equity so that plans, systems, and processes are human-centered, mission-aligned, and adaptable for sustainable growth and long-term impact.

      ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

      • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
      • 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.
      • 09/29/2026
      • 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration: Each session is 75 minutes 

      Interested in participating in lively conversations with your peers about where our professional practices intersect?  What can we learn from each other's professional experience, knowledge, skills and abilities?  The MAFN Conversations About Facilitation in Training community of practice explores intersections of three separate but compatible practices of MAFN members: facilitation, coaching, training.  In small-group topic-based breakout-room conversations led by rotating volunteer practitioners, we share best practices, challenges and strategies to stimulate new insight and expand our individual practices.  Topic suggestions and volunteers are always welcome. Come with curiosity; participate with passion; leave with new learning.  MAFN CoPs are member-only forums, a benefit of MAFN membership.

      You are welcome to attend as many meetings in the series as your schedule allows. They will not build on each other. 

      Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will not be recorded.

      Recipient of the inaugural 2024 NYS Justice Peer Initiative Impact Award in Training & Development, Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/f, is a coach and trainer with a specialization in addiction recovery and a 20-year practice at Sobriety Together.  She is co-founder and program manager of the New York Certification Board Trainer Registry, an organization of professional trainers enhancing standards in non-clinical role training.  As a curriculum developer, she has contributed to role training for Veteran Supported Recovery, CRPA-Family and CRPA-Youth trainings for professional certifications.  She serves on the Board of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals.  She has been widely honored for her work.

      Our guiding principles are:

      • Come open to learning

      • Bring your questions, share your expertise

      • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

      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

      • 10/05/2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
      • 13
      Register

      Topic:

      Managing the Moment: Navigating Difficult Group Dynamics Without Shutting People Down

      Description:

      Every facilitator eventually faces dominant voices, disengaged participants, tension in the room, or conversations that start to go sideways. In this discussion, we’ll explore how to address challenging dynamics in real time while still preserving trust, dignity, and forward momentum.

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

      Our guiding principles are:

      Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

      Come open to listening and sharing

      Salon REMINDERS

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

       Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

       Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

       Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

       For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

      • 10/07/2026
      • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration:  90 minutes

      About the workshop: 

      Great facilitators don’t just hold space—they own it. Yet even the best need a crew to sharpen their edge. Wins, Woes & Worries™ is a 90-minute virtual power session where we celebrate what’s working, get real about what’s not, and call out what’s coming next. Through Slido, breakout convos, and straight-up peer exchange, you’ll swap battle-tested strategies, build your network, and also walk away with tools you can actually use today.

      Learning Objectives 

      In this session, participants will explore:

      • Build connections by starting peer conversations and exchanging contacts with 2 facilitators

      • Share strategies by contributing 1 experience and identifying 2 actionable approaches.

      • Promote collaboration by sharing a resource and committing to a follow-up action to apply the learning.

      Best suited for:  All Levels

      NOTE: This workshop will be NOT recorded.

      This is a 90-minute online networking session. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT.

      Speakers: 


      Mariama S. Boney, LMSW, CAE, CPEC, SHRM-SCP, is President & CEO of Achieve More LLC and a nationally recognized leadership strategist, executive coach, and facilitator. A former MAFN Board member, donor, and longtime supporter, Mariama is known for creating engaging, psychologically safe spaces where meaningful conversations lead to practical solutions and lasting connections. Having facilitated hundreds of workshops, strategic planning sessions, and leadership experiences across more than 100 industries, she brings energy, authenticity, and a solution-focused approach that helps people learn, connect, and achieve more together.

      ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

      • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
      • 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.
      • This program begins promptly at 12:00pm Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
      • 10/16/2026
      • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration:  90 minutes

      About the workshop: 

      This workshop is for facilitators who have worked on at least one strategic planning project–including folks who feel jaded about strategic planning. Through small group conversations and large group debriefs, we will make use of collective intelligence to explore what makes for a successful strategic planning project and what you might want to avoid.

      This online session combines a networking and a workshop approach, allowing facilitators to connect and learn from each other around the work of facilitating strategic planning. 

      The session is designed around these two thoughts:

      1.  It’s easier to start talking to each other (to network) when there is a task at hand.

      2.  In theory, we think strategic planning is important, but in practice it doesn’t always feel like it’s useful. 

      How can we learn from each other what makes for a successful strategic planning process?

      Learning Objectives 

      In this session, participants will explore:

      • How to design a strategic planning process that results in a useful, actionable plan

      • How to appropriately streamline a strategic planning process

      • How to figure out who should be involved at which steps

      Best suited for:  All Levels

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

      This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST.

      Speakers: 


      Naomi Bénéteau Goldberg is a dialogue facilitator. She brings a decade of experience as an organizer, facilitator and logistical mastermind in social movement organizations, community sector work, and arts and culture.

      ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

      • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
      • 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.
      • This program begins promptly at 12:00pm Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
      • 11/02/2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
      • 15
      Register

      Topic:

      What’s Worth Paying For? Facilitation Tools, Tricks, Platforms, and Tech Stack Favorites

      Description:

      There is no shortage of tools competing for a place in your workflow. This discussion will focus on the platforms, subscriptions, and small tricks that genuinely make facilitation easier, along with honest conversation about what is useful versus what is just noise.

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

      Our guiding principles are:

      Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

      Come open to listening and sharing

      Salon REMINDERS

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

       Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

       Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

       Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

       For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

      • 11/05/2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • Cafe Columbia 5550 Sterrett Pl Ste 103 Columbia, MD
      • 15
      Register

      Topic:

      Columbia MAFN Salon: Coffee, Conversation & Community for Great Facilitators

      Description:

      Join us every other month as we build a thriving community of facilitators centered in Columbia and open to members from across the region. Whether you're a longtime MAFN member or attending your first salon, you'll find a welcoming space to connect with peers, exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another.

      Beginning in September, we'll gather on the first Thursday of every other month—September, November, January, and beyond—from 10:00–11:30 AM at Cafe Columbia in Columbia, MD.

      Each salon will be shaped by the interests and ideas of those who attend. We'll use feedback from previous gatherings to select future topics, experiment with new formats, and create sessions that are engaging, relevant, and designed to foster meaningful connections within our community.

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

      Our guiding principles are:

      Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

      Come open to listening and sharing

      Salon REMINDERS

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

       Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

       Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

       Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

       For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

      • 11/05/2026
      • 11/19/2026
      • 3 sessions
      • Online using Zoom
      Register

      Duration: 90 minutes

      About the workshop

      Exceptional facilitators are shaped through practice, reflection, and continuous learning. In this three-part interactive learning journey, participants will deepen their understanding of facilitator presence, psychological safety, meaningful engagement, and navigating group dynamics.

      Each session builds on the last, combining experiential activities, peer learning, guided reflection, and practical application between sessions.

      Participants will leave with greater self-awareness, increased confidence, and a deeper understanding of how they can intentionally create learning experiences where people feel safe, connected, and inspired to contribute.

      Learning Objectives 

      In this session, participants will:

      • Cultivate greater self-awareness and presence by recognizing how their mindset, emotional regulation, and personal habits influence the groups they facilitate

      • Intentionally design and facilitate experiences that foster psychological safety, meaningful participation, trust, and authentic connection across a variety of group settings.

      • Strengthen their facilitation practice through reflection, peer learning, and real-world application, leaving with greater confidence, practical strategies, and a personalized plan for continued development as a facilitator.

      Best suited for: All levels

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

      Each session is 90 minutes. It will take place at 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT on the following dates:

      • Session 1: Thursday, November 5, 2026
      • Session 2: Thursday, November 12, 2026
      • Session 3: Thursday, November 19, 2026

      Speakers:


      Shiham Mahroof is a facilitator, leadership coach, and founder of HeartCulture Catalyst. He believes meaningful facilitation begins with the presence of the facilitator, not just the process they follow. Shiham designs engaging, experiential learning that helps people connect more deeply, navigate challenging conversations, and build healthier workplace cultures. He has facilitated workshops with corporate teams, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, community groups, newcomers, and youth across Canada. Drawing on more than 15 years of mindfulness and heartfulness practice, Shiham creates interactive learning environments where people feel safe to participate, reflect, and grow together.

      Shiham has spent more than 15 years studying and practicing mindfulness and heartfulness, combined with several years of designing and facilitating interactive workshops, leadership development programs, and team learning experiences for diverse audiences.

      ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS:

      • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.

      • 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.

      • This program begins promptly at 11:00am Eastern. Please log on at least 5 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.

      • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

        • 11/13/2026
        • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
        • Online using Zoom
        Register

        Duration:  90 minutes

        About the workshop: 

        Every team has them — the elephants in the room no one wants to name, the dead fish that quietly stink up the culture, and the hairballs of confusion and frustration that stifle creativity and contribution. In this workshop, you’ll learn a practical, compassionate framework for naming and transforming the toughest conversations. Combining Airbnb’s Elephants, Dead Fish, and Vomit model with Jim Rough’s Dynamic Facilitation, we’ll learn how to move groups from conflict to action.

        Learning Objectives 

        In this session, participants will explore:

        • A repeatable framework for addressing tough topics in teams or cross-functional groups

        • A visual method for separating emotion from information and possibility from blame

        • A practical understanding of how to use tension and conflict as a source of creativity and connection

        Best suited for: Mid-Level Facilitators

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

        This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST.

        Speaker: 


        Joran Oppelt is a Senior Consultant at The Grove Consultants International and has over a decade of experience in visual consulting, graphic facilitation, and executive coaching. He has helped shape strategy with clients in the fields of technology, sport, healthcare, and finance with a passion for leadership development and team alignment.

        Joran holds a deep belief in the power of human potential and in art-making as a tool for healing and community building. Joran uses a strengths-based approach when coaching leaders and sees teams and organizations through a developmental lens. He enjoys creating safe spaces for groups to play with rigorous frameworks. These have included The Grove’s Team Performance and Strategic Visioning models, innovation/design thinking, OKRs, Integral Theory, Spiral Dynamics, Gamestorming, Storybrand, and more.

        Joran is the author of Facilitation: A Human-Centered Guide to the Art of Collaboration; Visionary Leadership; and The Visual Meetings Field Guide

        ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

        • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
        • 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.
        • This program begins promptly at 12:00pm Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
        • 11/24/2026
        • 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
        • Online using Zoom
        Register

        Duration: Each session is 75 minutes 

        Interested in participating in lively conversations with your peers about where our professional practices intersect?  What can we learn from each other's professional experience, knowledge, skills and abilities?  The MAFN Conversations About Facilitation in Training community of practice explores intersections of three separate but compatible practices of MAFN members: facilitation, coaching, training.  In small-group topic-based breakout-room conversations led by rotating volunteer practitioners, we share best practices, challenges and strategies to stimulate new insight and expand our individual practices.  Topic suggestions and volunteers are always welcome. Come with curiosity; participate with passion; leave with new learning.  MAFN CoPs are member-only forums, a benefit of MAFN membership.

        You are welcome to attend as many meetings in the series as your schedule allows. They will not build on each other. 

        Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will not be recorded.

        Recipient of the inaugural 2024 NYS Justice Peer Initiative Impact Award in Training & Development, Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/f, is a coach and trainer with a specialization in addiction recovery and a 20-year practice at Sobriety Together.  She is co-founder and program manager of the New York Certification Board Trainer Registry, an organization of professional trainers enhancing standards in non-clinical role training.  As a curriculum developer, she has contributed to role training for Veteran Supported Recovery, CRPA-Family and CRPA-Youth trainings for professional certifications.  She serves on the Board of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals.  She has been widely honored for her work.

        Our guiding principles are:

        • Come open to learning

        • Bring your questions, share your expertise

        • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

        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

        • 12/07/2026
        • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
        • Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
        • 15
        Register

        Topic:

        When It Bombs: Recovering Gracefully When an Activity Flops

        Description:

        Not every exercise lands the way we hoped, and that does not make you a bad facilitator. This session will focus on how to regroup, adapt in the moment, and recover your credibility and the learning experience when something misses the mark.

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

        Our guiding principles are:

        Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

        Come open to listening and sharing

        Salon REMINDERS

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

         Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

         Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

         Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

         For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

        • 01/07/2027
        • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
        • Cafe Columbia 5550 Sterrett Pl Ste 103 Columbia, MD
        • 15
        Register

        Topic:

        Columbia MAFN Salon: Coffee, Conversation & Community for Great Facilitators

        Description:

        Join us every other month as we build a thriving community of facilitators centered in Columbia and open to members from across the region. Whether you're a longtime MAFN member or attending your first salon, you'll find a welcoming space to connect with peers, exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another.

        Beginning in September, we'll gather on the first Thursday of every other month—September, November, January, and beyond—from 10:00–11:30 AM at Cafe Columbia in Columbia, MD.

        Each salon will be shaped by the interests and ideas of those who attend. We'll use feedback from previous gatherings to select future topics, experiment with new formats, and create sessions that are engaging, relevant, and designed to foster meaningful connections within our community.

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

        Our guiding principles are:

        Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

        Come open to listening and sharing

        Salon REMINDERS

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

         Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

         Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

         Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

         For membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

        • 01/12/2027
        • 01/26/2027
        • 3 sessions
        • Online using Zoom
        Register

        Duration: 90 minutes

        About the workshop

        We've all been in the room when something shifts, a disagreement sharpens, a silence gets heavy, and the group looks to us to do something. This three-part cohort gives facilitators a restorative, justice-grounded toolkit for exactly those moments.

        Across three weeks, we move through facilitating through conflict, designing for belonging, and holding the room when conversations turn toward racial and social justice

        This is a working cohort, not a lecture series: you'll practice live in breakouts, build facilitation moves against real scenarios, and leave each session with a tool you can use the next time you're in front of a group.

        Learning Objectives 

        In this session, participants will:

        • Facilitate through conflict using restorative moves. Participants will gain concrete techniques for working with tension rather than smoothing it over; naming what's happening without taking sides, de-escalating in the moment, and structuring a restorative process to reopen dialogue when a group is stuck.

        • Diagnose group dynamics and design for belonging in real time. Participants will build the ability to read the unspoken dynamics in a room, set and re-set norms mid-session, and design interventions that establish psychological safety and genuine belonging from the first ten minutes..

        • Hold the room when conversations turn toward racial and social justice. Participants will develop the self-awareness and skill to examine their own roles and behaviors as facilitators, respond rather than react when harm surfaces, and hold a group in productive discomfort. Participants will be equipped to move past performative gestures toward honest, structural practice.

        Best suited for: Mid-Level Facilitators

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

        Each session is 90 minutes. It will take place at 1pm - 2:30pm EST on the following dates:

        • Session 1: Tuesday, January 12, 2027
        • Session 2: Tuesday, January 19, 2027
        • Session 3: Tuesday, Januray 26, 2027

        Speakers:


        Stephanie Cuevas is an Organizational Consultant and Leadership Coach and the founder of Cultivating Joy Consulting, a Denver-based practice grounded in restorative justice, equity-centered design, and a "joy as resistance" philosophy. Drawing on 10+ years in higher education and mission-driven organizations, she designs and facilitates conflict-resolution, culture, and equity processes that help groups move from avoidance to action. Her facilitation centers on cultural humility, participation over performance, and the belief that the hardest conversations are where the most growth lives. She brings a deep library of interactive, field-tested facilitation tools and a warm, grounded presence to every room she holds.

        ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS:

        • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.

        • 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.

        • This program begins promptly at 1:00pm Eastern. Please log on at least 5 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.

        • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

          • 01/26/2027
          • 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
          • Online using Zoom
          Register

          Duration: Each session is 75 minutes 

          Interested in participating in lively conversations with your peers about where our professional practices intersect?  What can we learn from each other's professional experience, knowledge, skills and abilities?  The MAFN Conversations About Facilitation in Training community of practice explores intersections of three separate but compatible practices of MAFN members: facilitation, coaching, training.  In small-group topic-based breakout-room conversations led by rotating volunteer practitioners, we share best practices, challenges and strategies to stimulate new insight and expand our individual practices.  Topic suggestions and volunteers are always welcome. Come with curiosity; participate with passion; leave with new learning.  MAFN CoPs are member-only forums, a benefit of MAFN membership.

          You are welcome to attend as many meetings in the series as your schedule allows. They will not build on each other. 

          Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will not be recorded.

          Recipient of the inaugural 2024 NYS Justice Peer Initiative Impact Award in Training & Development, Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/f, is a coach and trainer with a specialization in addiction recovery and a 20-year practice at Sobriety Together.  She is co-founder and program manager of the New York Certification Board Trainer Registry, an organization of professional trainers enhancing standards in non-clinical role training.  As a curriculum developer, she has contributed to role training for Veteran Supported Recovery, CRPA-Family and CRPA-Youth trainings for professional certifications.  She serves on the Board of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals.  She has been widely honored for her work.

          Our guiding principles are:

          • Come open to learning

          • Bring your questions, share your expertise

          • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

          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

          • 02/11/2027
          • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
          • Online using Zoom
          Register

          Duration:  90 minutes

          About the workshop: 

          A fast-paced, structure-driven networking session built around a simple icebreaker: what's your listening habit?

          Using the Four Listening Habits framework, participants rotate through breakout pairs and small groups, each round guided by a different prompt tied to a listening style — so conversations go deeper, faster than typical networking small talk. You'll leave having met 6–8 fellow facilitators, practiced spotting listening habits live, and collected at least one new collaborator or referral contact — all while experiencing a tool you can steal for your own networking events.

          Learning Objectives 

          In this session, participants will explore:

          • Structured, low-awkwardness networking — habit-based prompts replace generic “tell me about yourself” small talk with specific, curiosity-driven questions that produce real conversation fast.

          • A working model for their own events — participants experience a portable networking format (rotating pairs + framework-driven prompts) they can directly reuse in their own facilitation work.

          • At least one new professional connection — every participant exchanges contact info with at least one person whose listening habit complements their own (e.g., a Conceptual pairs with an Analytical for project partnerships).

          Best suited for: All levels

          This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 11:30am - 1:00pm EST.

          Speakers: 


          Eduardo Villavicencio is a bilingual speaker, facilitator, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with more than 20 years of expertise as a senior learning and development professional. His range of talents includes instructional design, training program delivery, and technology integration. He brings a passion for assessing training needs and creating engaging, tailored programs for diverse audiences.

          Eduardo has delivered training for organizations including Salesforce, Philips Electric, Visa, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, FEMA, Ranger Oil Corporation, and numerous schools and nonprofits across the country.

          Known as a conversational choreographer, Eduardo excels at creating psychologically safe learning environments where all participants find genuine value. He has a proven ability to surface and address organizational dynamics, resulting in measurable improvements in team collaboration.

                                       

          Jen Pasquale is a culture consultant, strengths nerd, and energetic facilitator with 25+ years in training and development. As a triple-certified Strengths, Listening Intelligence, and ICF Coach, Jen uses her background in corporate training, change management, and psychology to help teams unlock their potential and build a culture of curiosity, connection, and collaboration.

          ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

          • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
          • 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.
          • This program begins promptly at 11:30am Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
          • 02/19/2027
          • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
          • Online using Zoom
          Registration is closed

          Duration:  90 minutes

          About the workshop: 

          This hands-on workshop helps you design your own AI sparring partner—a customized system prompt you can use in any AI platform to get facilitation support that matches your authentic style and ethical boundaries.

          We'll explore where AI extends (not replaces) facilitator value, draft a working system prompt that includes your approach and boundaries, and see practical examples from enterprise facilitation practice. Leave with a draft system prompt ready to refine, clear personal boundaries for AI use, and confidence articulating your practice to clients. No prior AI experience or special accounts required.

          Learning Objectives 

          In this session, participants will explore:

          • Strategic AI Integration Framework – Identify which tasks AI can enhance (preparation, synthesis, resource generation) versus tasks requiring irreplaceable human judgment (emotional reading, trust-building, conflict navigation, meaning-making)

          • System Prompt Design – Draft a personalized AI system prompt that articulates their facilitation style, values, go-to methods, constraints, and ethical boundaries, using a structured framework they can implement in any free AI platform to receive context-appropriate, values-aligned session design support

          • Authentic Professional Communication – Confidently articulate their AI use practices to clients and stakeholders using the "transparency test," maintaining trust and authentic relationships while adopting intelligent tools in their facilitation practice.

          Best suited for: All levels

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

          This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST.

          Speaker: 


          Mirjana Barovic partners with teams and organizations across automotive, HR tech, and corporate industries to design events and large-scale workshops for strategic planning and team alignment. Passionate about learning, teaching, and facilitating, Mirjana blends Agile frameworks with next-generation learning tools (including AI-powered coaching and facilitating) to meet teams where they are. She is committed to creating space where conversations unfold authentically and thinking becomes visible.

          ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

          • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
          • 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.
          • This program begins promptly at 12:00pm Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
          • 03/12/2027
          • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
          • Online using Zoom
          Register

          Duration:  90 minutes

          About the workshop: 

          Liberating Structures has long provided facilitators with a versatile toolkit for engaging groups. Now, for the first time in many years, ten new structures have been officially added.

          Join this interactive exploration of the newest Liberating Structures and key updates to existing ones. We'll examine when and why to use these methods, discuss practical applications, and consider how they complement other facilitation approaches. Whether you're new to Liberating Structures or a longtime practitioner, you'll leave with fresh ideas for helping groups think, connect, and work together more effectively.

          Learning Objectives 

          In this session, participants will:

          • Explore important updates to several classic Liberating Structures, including new guidance for virtual and hybrid settings.

          • Gain familiarity with the ten newly published Liberating Structures and the purposes they were designed to serve.

          • Discover practical situations where the new structures can help groups connect, learn, make sense of complexity, and work together more effectively.

          Best suited for: Mid-Level Facilitators

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

          This is a 90-minute online workshop. It will take place at 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST.

          Speaker: 


          Lee Gimpel helps organizations design and lead meetings, retreats, and conferences that are more connected and productive. He is the founder of Better Meetings, a DC-based facilitation and training firm that often works on events with a high need for engagement, collaboration, and networking. Clients include the National Association of Realtors, Sodexo, and World Bank. He created the Conference Engagement Cards, leads the DC Liberating Structures community, and serves on the board of the Association of Meeting Professionals.

          ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS

          • MAFN does not offer refunds for events. Anyone who registers for an event will receive a credit that can be applied to any other MAFN event, or to MAFN membership. Credits must be used within 2 years.
          • 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.
          • This program begins promptly at 12:00pm Eastern. Please log on 5 minutes early to ensure your internet connection, audio, and other settings are working properly.
          • 03/30/2027
          • 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
          • Online using Zoom
          Register

          Duration: Each session is 75 minutes 

          Interested in participating in lively conversations with your peers about where our professional practices intersect?  What can we learn from each other's professional experience, knowledge, skills and abilities?  The MAFN Conversations About Facilitation in Training community of practice explores intersections of three separate but compatible practices of MAFN members: facilitation, coaching, training.  In small-group topic-based breakout-room conversations led by rotating volunteer practitioners, we share best practices, challenges and strategies to stimulate new insight and expand our individual practices.  Topic suggestions and volunteers are always welcome. Come with curiosity; participate with passion; leave with new learning.  MAFN CoPs are member-only forums, a benefit of MAFN membership.

          You are welcome to attend as many meetings in the series as your schedule allows. They will not build on each other. 

          Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will not be recorded.

          Recipient of the inaugural 2024 NYS Justice Peer Initiative Impact Award in Training & Development, Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/f, is a coach and trainer with a specialization in addiction recovery and a 20-year practice at Sobriety Together.  She is co-founder and program manager of the New York Certification Board Trainer Registry, an organization of professional trainers enhancing standards in non-clinical role training.  As a curriculum developer, she has contributed to role training for Veteran Supported Recovery, CRPA-Family and CRPA-Youth trainings for professional certifications.  She serves on the Board of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals.  She has been widely honored for her work.

          Our guiding principles are:

          • Come open to learning

          • Bring your questions, share your expertise

          • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

          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

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