Evolve Facilitation and Coaching NSW Australia

EVOLVE NEWS – OCTOBER 2006

THE DOORS OF EVOLVE’S SHOP ARE NOW OPEN, ALSO A BUMPER LINE UP OF VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS WITH OUR‘LEADING LIGHTS’ SERIES

In this October issue of EVOLVE NEWS you will find:

EVOLVE COACHING: HELP! I have 200 people turning up for a meeting next week, and beyond a venue and agenda, I don’t have much of a plan!

EVOLVE FACILITATION: How do I choose the best approach/process for a meeting/workshop?

EVOLVE iForum: Are you getting tired of the same old meeting approaches? Run innovative and imaginative meetings with the iForum Toolkit.

EVOLVE EVENTS: iForum and Leading Lights Series Virtual Workshop ALSO How to become a ‘Certified Professional Facilitator’ through the IAF.

EVOLVE SHOP: Our doors are open, come in and explore musings on improv, passions, from Roger Schwarz, Izzy Gessel and more……….

EVOLVE COMMUNITY: Links to resources, networks, and information.

If you would like a PDF version of this newsletter please click here

Happy facilitating and thank you for being part of EVOLVE,

Principal - EVOLVE FACILITATION AND COACHING

EVOLVE COACHING: HELP! I have 200 people turning up for a meeting next week, and beyond a venue and agenda, I don’t have much of a plan!

If you have participated in any EVOLVE training, or read our materials, you will know that we are BIG on preparation, from when you know an event is happening right up until the moment where you walk in. Of course, on many occasions, you will be required to throw your meticulous plan out the window, to ‘go with the flow’ and alter your course of action. This ability is as much a characteristic of an effective facilitator as is being prepared. Irrespective of how a meeting proceeds, your planning and preparation is never wasted time. What it provides at minimum is clarity of purpose and often more than anything else, confidence in your own ability as facilitator.

There are also those other occasions where you have had very little advance notice of a meeting, from a week to a minute, and you are wearing the facilitator’s shoes. EVOLVE coaching works with people who find themselves in these situations. Questions that I, as your meeting coach, would ask you to contemplate initially are:

Agenda: What is fixed, what is negotiable?

How would I like for participants to feel at the end of the meeting (Top 3 things)

How would I like to feel at the end of the meeting (Top 3)

What messages would I like for participants to take home (Top 3)

For the workshop to be a success, what 3 things/outcomes must happen?

How much time can I put into workshop preparation?

What resource/assistance do I have available (in terms of facilitation)?

What challenges am I likely to face in achieving above (Top 3)?

What is one dream/hope that I have for this workshop/meeting?

Based on your responses to the above, through coaching we develop a workshop/meeting approach and plan that is most likely to achieve your objectives, that is practical and that you feel confident with. People frequently comment that the two most useful things that this coaching provides is:

Time: In 1 hour of coaching we cover what can take an individual a day, a week or more. This is partly possible as we provide access to Evolve’s extensive wealth of resources, case studies, networks and tools – we have spent the hours of sorting and searching that you benefit from.

Clarity and Confidence: About the purpose of the meeting, your expectations and a practical plan to achieve your outcomes.

Interested in setting up a ‘Just in Time’ Meeting/Workshop Coaching Session – email carla@evolves.com.au

EVOLVE FACILITATION: How do I choose the best approach/process for a meeting? One size does not fit all…………..

I have observed some ‘facilitation’ or participation ‘fatigue’, when facilitators get locked into one particular approach/meeting style and in fact I have experienced it myself as a participant - “Oh not another such and such a meeting”…….

There are hundreds of techniques and approaches that you can choose from to run your meeting. Sometimes this choice itself can be overwhelming, along with the level of experience and familiarity with a certain approach that may be required to confidently facilitate it. I would encourage you to gain as much exposure as possible into different meeting approaches and styles, and fortunately professional networks and conferences provide many free opportunities to do such (that is, it is not necessary to attend a multitude of expensive training programs). Once you have this exposure, you may choose to learn more about a number of selected approaches and a good place to do this is with resources on the Internet (for example web sites dedicated to approach, or EVOLVE offers free virtual workshops on different facilitation approaches) and through published texts.

At EVOLVE we rarely use the same meeting approach twice and we specialize in developing and applying approaches that suit the particular circumstances, client and participant. In fact, the iForum is a meeting approach that was designed to do just this – to offer a clear framework that enables you to integrate a variety of approaches to SUIT a variety of participants (in terms of age, culture, literacy, preferred communication and learning styles etc) for larger meetings (more than 20 people). Variety is the spice of life after all! While an iForum will follow the same basic format, each iForum design and the approaches used within the iForum are always different.

Irrespective of if we are conducting an iForum (which is not always the most suitable meeting approach) or another type of meeting, in choosing and designing a facilitation approach at EVOLVE, we ask the following questions. Will the approach:

Align with core values and principles of both facilitation and public participation as defined by the International Association of Facilitators (www.iaf-world.org) and the International Association of Public Participation (www.iap2.org)?

generate useful data and outcomes relevant to the purpose?

encourage maximum participation (considering the type of people that you wish to attract to the meeting)?

fit within available resources?

cater to maximum number of expected participants?

From this we will design and select a tailored meeting approach for each circumstance. One that celebrates in the rich variety and diversity of the human race!

EVOLVE iForum: Are you getting tired of the same old meeting approaches? Run innovative and imaginative meetings with the iForum Toolkit.

The iForum™ Toolkit

18 time-tested strategies for running innovative and imaginative meetings that work!

Has the following thought ever crossed your mind?

"Large meetings are inefficient and ineffective, they waste precious time and resources, create false expectations, are elitist (you only hear the voice of the powerful and well connected) and they fail to tap into the wealth of information, knowledge and resources within a room".

? Would you like to know how to increase your impact as a host and/or participant of large meetings?

? Would you like to have the necessary tools and resources on hand to run meetings that achieve a solution that is better than expected, has support, can be implemented and is successful?

? Would you also like to develop long term and sustained relationships of integrity and credibility between your organisation and community/stakeholders?

? What would it mean to you if you not only enjoyed these meetings, but participants did also?

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then the iForum Toolkit has been designed for you!

The iForum Toolkit provides comprehensive tips, examples, templates, a virtual tour and FAQ to not only help you run your own iForum and large meetings with confidence but provides you with a practical and comprehensive approach for any large meeting, public or organisational participation program. The steps and principles outlined are not restricted to the iForum technique. They have a broad application and are grounded in values and principles of effective public participation and group facilitation.

Don’t take my word for it. Instantly sample the Toolkit Introduction and 1 of the 18 Time-Tested Strategies for conducting innovative and imaginative meetings. Click here to get your FREE Toolkit Introduction and Tip now!or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/guides.htm

Evolve is offering one final virtual tour of an iForum for 2006. Click here for more details.

EVOLVE EVENTS: iForum and Leading Lights Series Virtual Workshop ALSO How to become a ‘Certified Professional Facilitator’ through the IAF

All you need to participate in EVOLVE's exciting events program is a telephone and 2006 events are FREE. Don’t miss out! What reason do you have NOT to spend 60-90 minutes interacting with international leaders in the coaching and facilitation fields? EVOLVE's 'LEADING LIGHT' SERIES, is a series of virtual workshops and interviews with leaders in both the facilitation and coaching professions and is presented in affiliation with the International Association of Facilitators.

**THE iForum - How to Run Large Meetings in an Innovative and Imaginative way**

OCTOBER: Tuesday 31st October, 12pm - 1pm Sydney Time (2pm Auckland, 9am Perth, 9am Singapore, 9pm Monday 30th October US Eastern Time/ New York )

**How to Unleash Your Passions – The Secrets of Passion Mapping with Peter Wallman**

Monday 23rd October , 10am – 11:00am Sydney Time (1pm Auckland, 8am Perth, 8am Singapore, 8pm New York Time – Sunday 22nd October)

**How to Talk to Almost Anyone about Anything - Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations with Dr. Joseph Grenny and Keith Ryall**

Wednesday 1st November , 10am – 11:00am Sydney Time (12pm Auckland, 7am Perth, 7am Singapore, 6pm New York Time – Tuesday 31st October)

Our 'Leading Lights' are presented in affiliation with the International Association of Facilitators. The mission of the International Association of Facilitators is to promote, support and advance the art and practice of professional facilitation. To learn more visit www.iaf-world. org

What people say about Evolve's Virtual Workshop Series

“Thanks for the virtual workshop on iForums. I found it worked very well. Your presentation was clear and insightful. My impression is that iForum is an exciting way forward. Your depth of knowledge and experience was particularly evident. The Q & A opportunities valuable. Thanks again”

Linda Greenwood, email: lgreenwood@parks.vic.gov.au

" I loved the introduction re passion mapping - very informative and helpful introduction to this topic. Thank you for this chance to hear Peter and yourself today. It was an honour to listen and ask questions".

Best Wishes, Hans Lang, email: hanslang@sctelco.net.au

“Carla, it was a pleasure to be a part of the call and hear Peter and yourself in conversation. Your Leading Lights program is thought provoking and of great value. Keep up the good work”.

Warmest regards, Helene Strawbridge email: helenest@bigpond.net.au

ALSO DON”T MISS OUT ON THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN FACIITATOR CERTIFICATION EVENT Sydney Jan 11-13th 2007. The IAF CPF (International Association of Facilitators - Certified Professional Facilitator) program and process provides a Wide-Wide facilitator competence assessment and recognition mechanism. The assessment process is based on rigorous peer review of knowledge, experience and demonstration of skills. The professional facilitator designation offers clients an assurance that those who are certified are qualified to design and provide basic group facilitation services. More detail is available from the IAF web-site - http://www.iaf-world.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3672 and contact Peggy Bushee now so you do not miss the November 1 registration cutoff (peggy@pbushee.com)

EVOLVE SHOP: Our doors are open, come in and explore musings on improv, passions, from Roger Schwarz, Izzy Gessel and more……….

Click here to enter the Evolve Shop or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/shop.htm. You will find:

The iForum™ Toolkit - 18 time-tested strategies for running innovative and imaginative meetings that work!

For professionals who run large community and organisational meetings, or for participants of these meetings.

30 Day Introductory Offer $195 AuD.

Recording of an interview with Roger Schwarz, author of "The Skilled Facilitator – an approach that could transform the way you work”. 90 Minute Presentation and Interview (Audio)

Download for just $39 AuD.

"How to Unleash Your Passions – The Secrets of Passion Mapping with Peter Wallman"

60 Minute Facilitated Interview (Audio). Download for just $19 AuD.

‘“Change your story Change your world: How story telling and Improv Theatre skills can help you honour your past, understand your present and shape your future.” with Izzy Gesell CSP and Dr. Andrew Rixon. 90 Minute Facilitated Interview (Audio). Download for just $29 AuD.

Come on in and browse. To find out more or purchase now click here

EVOLVE COMMUNITY: Key links to resources, networks, and information.

International Association of Facilitators (IAF) http://www.iaf-world.org

IAF Methods Database: http://www.iaf-methods.org/

International Association of Public Participation http://www.iap2.org/

Winston Churchill Memorial Trust http://www.churchilltrust.org.au/

International Coach Federation http://www.coachfederation.org/eweb/

The iForum: http://www.iforum.com.au/

Australasian Facilitators Network email list (AFN-L): http://lists.scu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/afn-l

The World Café http://www.theworldcafe.com/

Action Learning Research (ALARPM) http://www.alarpm.org.au/

Open Space Technology http://www.openspaceworld.org

Satyananda Yoga http://www.satyananda.net/

Roger Schwarz and the Skilled Facilitator Approach http://www.schwarzassociates.com/

Peter Wallman and Passion Mapping http://www.passionmaps.com/

Izzy Gessel and Improvisational Theatre http://www.izzyg.com/

Andrew Rixon and Anecdote http://www.anecdote.com.au

Carla Rogers
EVOLVE Facilitation and Coaching
www.evolves.com.au
P: (612) 8214 8488 M: 0428 628190
Level 25, Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square, SYDNEY NSW 2000






	EVOLVE NEWS – OCTOBER 2006 THE DOORS OF EVOLVE’S SHOP ARE NOW OPEN, ALSO A BUMPER LINE UP OF VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS WITH OUR‘LEADING LIGHTS’ SERIES In this October issue of EVOLVE NEWS you will find: EVOLVE COACHING: HELP! I have 200 people turning up for a meeting next week, and beyond a venue and agenda, I don’t have much of a plan! EVOLVE FACILITATION: How do I choose the best approach/process for a meeting/workshop? EVOLVE iForum: Are you getting tired of the same old meeting approaches? Run innovative and imaginative meetings with the iForum Toolkit. EVOLVE EVENTS: iForum and Leading Lights Series Virtual Workshop ALSO How to become a ‘Certified Professional Facilitator’ through the IAF. EVOLVE SHOP: Our doors are open, come in and explore musings on improv, passions, from Roger Schwarz, Izzy Gessel and more………. EVOLVE COMMUNITY: Links to resources, networks, and information. If you would like a PDF version of this newsletter please click here Happy facilitating and thank you for being part of EVOLVE, Carla Rogers Principal - EVOLVE FACILITATION AND COACHING EVOLVE COACHING: HELP! I have 200 people turning up for a meeting next week, and beyond a venue and agenda, I don’t have much of a plan! If you have participated in any EVOLVE training, or read our materials, you will know that we are BIG on preparation, from when you know an event is happening right up until the moment where you walk in. Of course, on many occasions, you will be required to throw your meticulous plan out the window, to ‘go with the flow’ and alter your course of action. This ability is as much a characteristic of an effective facilitator as is being prepared. Irrespective of how a meeting proceeds, your planning and preparation is never wasted time. What it provides at minimum is clarity of purpose and often more than anything else, confidence in your own ability as facilitator. There are also those other occasions where you have had very little advance notice of a meeting, from a week to a minute, and you are wearing the facilitator’s shoes. EVOLVE coaching works with people who find themselves in these situations. Questions that I, as your meeting coach, would ask you to contemplate initially are: Agenda: What is fixed, what is negotiable? How would I like for participants to feel at the end of the meeting (Top 3 things) How would I like to feel at the end of the meeting (Top 3) What messages would I like for participants to take home (Top 3) For the workshop to be a success, what 3 things/outcomes must happen? How much time can I put into workshop preparation? What resource/assistance do I have available (in terms of facilitation)? What challenges am I likely to face in achieving above (Top 3)? What is one dream/hope that I have for this workshop/meeting? Based on your responses to the above, through coaching we develop a workshop/meeting approach and plan that is most likely to achieve your objectives, that is practical and that you feel confident with. People frequently comment that the two most useful things that this coaching provides is: Time: In 1 hour of coaching we cover what can take an individual a day, a week or more. This is partly possible as we provide access to Evolve’s extensive wealth of resources, case studies, networks and tools – we have spent the hours of sorting and searching that you benefit from. Clarity and Confidence: About the purpose of the meeting, your expectations and a practical plan to achieve your outcomes. Interested in setting up a ‘Just in Time’ Meeting/Workshop Coaching Session – email carla@evolves.com.au BACK TO TOP EVOLVE FACILITATION: How do I choose the best approach/process for a meeting? One size does not fit all………….. I have observed some ‘facilitation’ or participation ‘fatigue’, when facilitators get locked into one particular approach/meeting style and in fact I have experienced it myself as a participant - “Oh not another such and such a meeting”……. There are hundreds of techniques and approaches that you can choose from to run your meeting. Sometimes this choice itself can be overwhelming, along with the level of experience and familiarity with a certain approach that may be required to confidently facilitate it. I would encourage you to gain as much exposure as possible into different meeting approaches and styles, and fortunately professional networks and conferences provide many free opportunities to do such (that is, it is not necessary to attend a multitude of expensive training programs). Once you have this exposure, you may choose to learn more about a number of selected approaches and a good place to do this is with resources on the Internet (for example web sites dedicated to approach, or EVOLVE offers free virtual workshops on different facilitation approaches) and through published texts. At EVOLVE we rarely use the same meeting approach twice and we specialize in developing and applying approaches that suit the particular circumstances, client and participant. In fact, the iForum is a meeting approach that was designed to do just this – to offer a clear framework that enables you to integrate a variety of approaches to SUIT a variety of participants (in terms of age, culture, literacy, preferred communication and learning styles etc) for larger meetings (more than 20 people). Variety is the spice of life after all! While an iForum will follow the same basic format, each iForum design and the approaches used within the iForum are always different. Irrespective of if we are conducting an iForum (which is not always the most suitable meeting approach) or another type of meeting, in choosing and designing a facilitation approach at EVOLVE, we ask the following questions. Will the approach: Align with core values and principles of both facilitation and public participation as defined by the International Association of Facilitators (www.iaf-world.org) and the International Association of Public Participation (www.iap2.org)? generate useful data and outcomes relevant to the purpose? encourage maximum participation (considering the type of people that you wish to attract to the meeting)? fit within available resources? cater to maximum number of expected participants? From this we will design and select a tailored meeting approach for each circumstance. One that celebrates in the rich variety and diversity of the human race! BACK TO TOP EVOLVE iForum: Are you getting tired of the same old meeting approaches? Run innovative and imaginative meetings with the iForum Toolkit. The iForum™ Toolkit 18 time-tested strategies for running innovative and imaginative meetings that work! Has the following thought ever crossed your mind? "Large meetings are inefficient and ineffective, they waste precious time and resources, create false expectations, are elitist (you only hear the voice of the powerful and well connected) and they fail to tap into the wealth of information, knowledge and resources within a room". ? Would you like to know how to increase your impact as a host and/or participant of large meetings? ? Would you like to have the necessary tools and resources on hand to run meetings that achieve a solution that is better than expected, has support, can be implemented and is successful? ? Would you also like to develop long term and sustained relationships of integrity and credibility between your organisation and community/stakeholders? ? What would it mean to you if you not only enjoyed these meetings, but participants did also? If you have answered yes to any of the above, then the iForum Toolkit has been designed for you! The iForum Toolkit provides comprehensive tips, examples, templates, a virtual tour and FAQ to not only help you run your own iForum and large meetings with confidence but provides you with a practical and comprehensive approach for any large meeting, public or organisational participation program. The steps and principles outlined are not restricted to the iForum technique. They have a broad application and are grounded in values and principles of effective public participation and group facilitation. Don’t take my word for it. Instantly sample the Toolkit Introduction and 1 of the 18 Time-Tested Strategies for conducting innovative and imaginative meetings. Click here to get your FREE Toolkit Introduction and Tip now!or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/guides.htm Evolve is offering one final virtual tour of an iForum for 2006. Click here for more details. BACK TO TOP EVOLVE EVENTS: iForum and Leading Lights Series Virtual Workshop ALSO How to become a ‘Certified Professional Facilitator’ through the IAF All you need to participate in EVOLVE's exciting events program is a telephone and 2006 events are FREE. Don’t miss out! What reason do you have NOT to spend 60-90 minutes interacting with international leaders in the coaching and facilitation fields? EVOLVE's 'LEADING LIGHT' SERIES, is a series of virtual workshops and interviews with leaders in both the facilitation and coaching professions and is presented in affiliation with the International Association of Facilitators. THE iForum - How to Run Large Meetings in an Innovative and Imaginative way OCTOBER: Tuesday 31st October, 12pm - 1pm Sydney Time (2pm Auckland, 9am Perth, 9am Singapore, 9pm Monday 30th October US Eastern Time/ New York ) Click here to register or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/events.htm How to Unleash Your Passions – The Secrets of Passion Mapping with Peter Wallman Monday 23rd October , 10am – 11:00am Sydney Time (1pm Auckland, 8am Perth, 8am Singapore, 8pm New York Time – Sunday 22nd October) Click here to register or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/events.htm How to Talk to Almost Anyone about Anything - Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations with Dr. Joseph Grenny and Keith Ryall Wednesday 1st November , 10am – 11:00am Sydney Time (12pm Auckland, 7am Perth, 7am Singapore, 6pm New York Time – Tuesday 31st October) Click here to register or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/events.htm Our 'Leading Lights' are presented in affiliation with the International Association of Facilitators. The mission of the International Association of Facilitators is to promote, support and advance the art and practice of professional facilitation. To learn more visit www.iaf-world. org What people say about Evolve's Virtual Workshop Series “Thanks for the virtual workshop on iForums. I found it worked very well. Your presentation was clear and insightful. My impression is that iForum is an exciting way forward. Your depth of knowledge and experience was particularly evident. The Q & A opportunities valuable. Thanks again” Linda Greenwood, email: lgreenwood@parks.vic.gov.au " I loved the introduction re passion mapping - very informative and helpful introduction to this topic. Thank you for this chance to hear Peter and yourself today. It was an honour to listen and ask questions". Best Wishes, Hans Lang, email: hanslang@sctelco.net.au “Carla, it was a pleasure to be a part of the call and hear Peter and yourself in conversation. Your Leading Lights program is thought provoking and of great value. Keep up the good work”. Warmest regards, Helene Strawbridge email: helenest@bigpond.net.au ALSO DON”T MISS OUT ON THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN FACIITATOR CERTIFICATION EVENT Sydney Jan 11-13th 2007. The IAF CPF (International Association of Facilitators - Certified Professional Facilitator) program and process provides a Wide-Wide facilitator competence assessment and recognition mechanism. The assessment process is based on rigorous peer review of knowledge, experience and demonstration of skills. The professional facilitator designation offers clients an assurance that those who are certified are qualified to design and provide basic group facilitation services. More detail is available from the IAF web-site - http://www.iaf-world.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3672 and contact Peggy Bushee now so you do not miss the November 1 registration cutoff (peggy@pbushee.com) BACK TO TOP EVOLVE SHOP: Our doors are open, come in and explore musings on improv, passions, from Roger Schwarz, Izzy Gessel and more………. Click here to enter the Evolve Shop or go to http://www.evolves.com.au/shop.htm. You will find: The iForum™ Toolkit - 18 time-tested strategies for running innovative and imaginative meetings that work! For professionals who run large community and organisational meetings, or for participants of these meetings. 30 Day Introductory Offer $195 AuD. Recording of an interview with Roger Schwarz, author of "The Skilled Facilitator – an approach that could transform the way you work”. 90 Minute Presentation and Interview (Audio) Download for just $39 AuD. "How to Unleash Your Passions – The Secrets of Passion Mapping with Peter Wallman" 60 Minute Facilitated Interview (Audio). Download for just $19 AuD. ‘“Change your story Change your world: How story telling and Improv Theatre skills can help you honour your past, understand your present and shape your future.” with Izzy Gesell CSP and Dr. Andrew Rixon. 90 Minute Facilitated Interview (Audio). Download for just $29 AuD. Come on in and browse. To find out more or purchase now click here BACK TO TOP EVOLVE COMMUNITY: Key links to resources, networks, and information. International Association of Facilitators (IAF) http://www.iaf-world.org IAF Methods Database: http://www.iaf-methods.org/ International Association of Public Participation http://www.iap2.org/ Winston Churchill Memorial Trust http://www.churchilltrust.org.au/ International Coach Federation http://www.coachfederation.org/eweb/ The iForum: http://www.iforum.com.au/ Australasian Facilitators Network email list (AFN-L): http://lists.scu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/afn-l The World Café http://www.theworldcafe.com/ Action Learning Research (ALARPM) http://www.alarpm.org.au/ Open Space Technology http://www.openspaceworld.org Satyananda Yoga http://www.satyananda.net/ Roger Schwarz and the Skilled Facilitator Approach http://www.schwarzassociates.com/ Peter Wallman and Passion Mapping http://www.passionmaps.com/ Izzy Gessel and Improvisational Theatre http://www.izzyg.com/ Andrew Rixon and Anecdote http://www.anecdote.com.au BACK TO TOP Carla Rogers EVOLVE Facilitation and Coaching www.evolves.com.au P: (612) 8214 8488 M: 0428 628190 Level 25, Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square, SYDNEY NSW 2000