Hello everyone! Here is the latest news on the Facilitator Mentoring Program of the MidAtlantic Chapter of Cohousing USA.

Purpose: To mentor a cadre of facilitators to be skillful in handling difficult group situations, to be able to facilitate each other's groups as needed, and to teach others dynamic facilitation skills. An important part of this program is the opportunity for one-on-one work between each student and a mentor/trainer during the weekends and in between as needed.

Next weekend: June 23rd to 26th, 2005 at Eastern Village , Silver Spring, MD.

Costs: $300 for individuals from communities that are members of MAC, $350 for non-members. Auditors pay half price ($150 for MAC, $175 for non-MAC). Auditing is free for members of the host community. Add $50 to all costs if registering after June 1st.

Participants may join the program even if they missed the first weekends. We encourage students to attend as may weekends as possible. Consistent participation will allow Laird to provide individual mentoring over a long period.

Registration: Fill out this form and mail it in with a check.

Auditors: Auditors are expected to attend all weekend sessions. They will participate in discussion and evaluation. Auditors will not facilitate groups, nor will they receive individual mentoring from Laird. If not enough beds are available at the host community, auditors will be asked to find their own accommodations.

Schedule: Eight 3-4 day weekends every 3 months over a two year period.

1. Oct 24-27, 2003 - Completed. See pictures from the completed weekends here.
2. Jan 16-18, 2004 - Completed.
3. April 16-18, 2004 - Completed.
4. July 16-18, 2004 - Completed.
5. Nov 12-14, 2004 - Completed.
6. Jan 21-23, 2005 - Completed .
7. April 14-17, 2005 - Completed.
8. NEW DATE: June 23-26 - Eastern Village, Silver Spring MD.

Which Communities Host? Each community that sends two people will be guaranteed to have one of the weekends. The other weekends will be arranged with the other participants.

Composition of Class:
-- 10 to 15 participants
-- From cohousing or intentional communities
-- Communities within a day's drive of one another
-- Participants willing to be facilitators in their own as well as participating communities

Who can sign up? This course is open to people outside this MAC list.

Community Benefits: Click here to see how communities benefit from host the program.

Syllabus:
Weekend 1: Basic tool kit for working content: keeping the conversation flowing, making sure people feel heard, reducing repetition, working to build consensus.

Weekend 2: Conflict: dealing with emotional distress & paying attention to energy.

Weekend 3: Formats: choices for engaging on a topic; practicing what we've learned through role plays.

Weekend 4: Power dynamics: what they are and how to work with them.

Weekend 5: Problem personalities and how to work with them.

Weekend 6: Delegation: what is appropriate to deal with on the meeting floor; how to crisply end a topic.

Weekend 7: Openings and closings: architecture of how to structure a meeting; practicing what we've learned through role plays.

Weekend 8: Integrating energy and content; knowing when to get help; life after "graduation."

Trainers: Laird Schaub has been a professional facilitator and group process consultant for more than 15 years. He has founded intentional communities and has long-term experience living in them, which informs his unique, whole-person approach to meeting dynamics. Laird has worked extensively with cohousing groups, including Liberty Village and Takoma Park in MAC. Resumes available if requested. Click here to see more of Laird Schaub's Background Resume and Work.

Questions? Contact Martie Weatherly
Liberty Village Cohousing and MAC
(301)898-7654
martiew@earthlink.net