NCDD Community News Blog » Discounts for Dues-Paying Members

Discounts for Dues-Paying Members

Dues-paying NCDD members are eligible for all of the discounts we’ve negotiated on the following educational programs offered by some of the most respected organizations in our field. NCDD organizational members can send up to three people to any of these programs at the discounted rate. Learn more about joining NCDD, upgrade to dues-paying membership, or learn how to add your trainings, programs and courses to this impressive list. Programs must help people build skills, capacity or knowledge in group process work.

Recently added or updated discounts…

The following organizations and trainers are currently providing discounts for specific programs and upcoming trainings to dues-paying NCDD members. Click the program names to learn more.

Even more discounts…

The following groups agreed to provide ongoing discounts to NCDD members for the programs listed. We recently asked all of these groups to verify the discounts are still being offered and to send us updated listings. Mention your NCDD membership when contacting these groups, as we expect most (if not all) of these discounts will still be honored.

Please note: The fees listed on this page may not be up-to-date, but they will give you a general idea of costs.

Community at Work’s Group Facilitation Skills Training

Image of Facilitator's Guide This is Community At Work‘s renowned 3-day workshop based on the international best-seller, Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. Sarah Fisk, Ph.D. and Sam Kaner, Ph.D., co-authors of the Facilitator’s Guide, take turns leading these workshops focused on “putting participatory values into practice.” Most trainings take place at Community At Work in San Francisco, California.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 25% discount off of the $1495 – $795 sliding scale. (The best discounted adjusted fee for those who are self-employed or working for a community-based nonprofit is thus $596.25.) Please indicate that you are a member of NCDD at the time of registration. For more information and registration email duane@CommunityAtWork.com or phone Duane Berger at 415-641-9773. Both Sarah’s and Sam’s workshops typically sell out early, so be sure and contact Duane ahead of time.

Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement Master Class

Are you involved in community engagement work? Perhaps you’d like to develop toward mastery in dialogue, deliberation & public engagement (DDPE) in the company of others who are similarly inclined? Jan Elliott and Lyn Carson have led the DDPE award-winning program in North America and Australasia respectively for many years. Their latest three-day Master Class as held in Sydney on March, 11-13, 2012. Future information on this course can be found on Lyn Carson’s website at www.activedemocracy.net. Also feel free to contact Carson at l.carson@uws.edu.au.

The original five-month program has been modularized for the benefit of busy practitioners. You can now choose the components that best suit your needs. The Master Class in Sydney focused on the challenges that confront public participation practitioners, community development workers, and policy makers (including elected representatives) in this exciting and growing field of endeavor.

This workshop is a stimulating combination of practical experience and scholarly learning. After the workshop, participants also have opportunities to pursue a directed reading module and/or coaching for a work-based project, though there is no obligation to do so. Each module can be taken on its own. See the brochure at www.activedemocracy.net/DDPE2012.pdf for more information, including registration details.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive 10% off their workshop tuition. Mention NCDD when you pay online (via UWS iPay).

EngagingPlans Online Engagement Websites

Note from NCDD: Okay – this one may not be a training or educational program, but we thought this discount was an important enough member benefit to list on the discounts page!

EngagingPlans from Urban Interactive Studio (UIS) is an online engagement solution tailored to your needs, something that’s rare in today’s world of one-size-fits-all web applications. EngagingPlans solves the dilemma that many organizations face as communication moves increasingly online and more citizens expect the convenience of having information available on the web.

Agencies are recognizing the value of online communication among stakeholders, citizens, and decision-makers, but often can’t afford the financial or administrative output required to maintain an effective web presence dedicated to a specific project. EngagingPlans enables the rapid launch of a robust website and engagement management system, with minimal effort and no special technical skills required.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 15% discount off the monthly subscription fee for our EngagingPlans Pro package – you only pay $75.65 per month. This micro site delivers a comprehensive suite of features that allow you to quickly and efficiently facilitate communication with the public. Go to http://EngagingPlans.com/NCDD for more details, or email us at info@urbaninteractivestudio.com.

Urban Interactive Studio (UIS) LLC is a full-service technology consulting firm specializing in Web and mobile solutions for communities, non-profit organizations, and government institutions. We take a truly unique approach to our projects, combining a variety of cutting-edge online and mobile tools, as well as social media strategies, to facilitate communication and spark interaction in innovative new ways.

Future Search Network Workshops

Future Search is an innovative, highly participatory planning process that allows people to discover a set of shared values or themes (common ground) and build new dynamics such as inclusion and collaboration into their organization or community. Future search is not owned by anyone and all are encouraged to use the process and experiment with it.

“Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There!” – An Advanced Facilitation Workshop
This facilitation workshop is based on the best-selling meeting management book, DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING, STAND THERE! Ten Principles for Leading Meetings That Matter, and is presented by the authors – internationally-known facilitators and Future Search co-creators Sandra Janoff and Marvin Weisbord. Janoff and Wesibord are also the 2011 WINNERS of the – Outstanding Global Work Award presented by the OD Network.

The workshop presents a philosophy, theory and method for transforming diverse work groups of all kinds. This seminar, integrating system change and personal growth theories, is for new to experienced leaders who want to increase their capacity to help large, diverse groups stay task-focused and accomplish ambitious goals. Future search experience is not necessary for this workshop. This workshop runs one afternoon, one full day and one morning.

The regular registration rate for the 2012 training is $1195. Dues-paying NCDD members are eligible for a 25% discount (only $896.25!!) Learn more or register at www.futuresearch.net/method/workshops/descriptions-63071.cfm or call Jennifer Neumer at 215-951-0328 or 800-951-6333 (or email: fsn@futuresearch.net).

What Would You Do If….? – A Master Class for Professionals in Organization, Group and Personal Development with Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff
At the start of the ‘What Would You Do If…?’ Master Class, you can raise whatever questions you have about real issues when organizing or supervising meetings: What would you do if…? You will learn from yourself, from each other, and from Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff, while discovering new possibilities, alternative strategies and new ways to support groups effectively. A unique 1.5-day first-hand experience of the power of being able to put your trust in the collective intelligence of the group.

Dues-paying NCDD members are eligible for a 20% discount off registration for both the 2012 ‘What Would You Do If…?’ Master Class sessions. The regular registration rate for the training is $695 (only $556 with NCDD discount!) Learn more at www.futuresearch.net/method/workshops/index.cfm or call Jennifer Neumer at the Future Search Network at 215-951-0328 or 800-951-6333 (or email: fsn@futuresearch.net).

Managing a Future Search – A Learning Workshop
This workshop is for facilitators, managers, students, community leaders, or anyone who wants to learn how applying Future Search principles enables a community or organization to transform its capability for action. Participants will acquire the tools needed to organize and manage Future Search conferences with integrity in any sector or culture.

The workshop is built around a simulated Future Search. The simulation is planned by the participants as part of the learning design. The whole group then has a basis for a shared experience with the techniques for building community, developing a mutual world view, creating desired futures, finding common ground, expanding the range of choices, and moving into action. Included are interactive sessions on theory, history, planning, facilitation and follow-up.

People have applied Future Search in every sector in many cultures. Examples include affordable housing in Santa Cruz, CA, economic development among the Inuit people of North America, AIDS in Bangladesh, more effective business planning in Brazil, business mergers in Germany, sustainable communities in England, strengthening democratic practices in South Africa, regional planning in Indonesia, and education reform across the United States. Future Search Network (www.futuresearchnet) has hundreds of examples worldwide.

The regular registration rate for the 2012 training is $1695. Dues-paying NCDD members are eligible for a 25% discount (only $1271.25!!) Learn more or register at www.futuresearch.net/method/workshops/descriptions-63071.cfm or call Jennifer at 215-951-0328 or 800-951-6333 (or email: fsn@futuresearch.net).

League of Extraordinary Trainers’ Courses

The League of Extraordinary Trainers are eight highly seasoned practitioners who have designed and presented some of the most powerful and recognized training in public participation, collaboration, consensus, high stakes communication, and facilitation. Extraordinary Trainers (a national sponsor of NCDD’s 2010 events as US Trainers Consortium, LLC) are among the practice leaders, developers, and founders of the the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) and its spectrum, principles and ethics.

Our training centerpiece earns you a Certificate in Public Participation from The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). These courses allow public participation professionals to master the basics of how to design and deliver a public participation program and enhance their existing skills. IAP2 is the world-wide standard in comprehensive public participation training. This certificate program consists of a series of three courses over five days:

PLANNING for Effective Public Participation is a 2-day course (a pre-requisite to “Communications and/or Techniques”)
COMMUNICATIONS for Effective Public Participation is a 1-day course; and
TECHNIQUES for Effective Public Participation is a 2-day course

Our newest training course is Emotion, Outrage and Public Participation – Moving from Rage to Reason (EOP2). This practical, hands-on workshop is a fresh 2-day mix of lecture, video, small and large group discussion and authentic, real world exercises that give you the tools and ability to manage the tough public issues that you face and move your projects forward.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 10% discount ($315 per training day) on all trainings — and a 20% ($280 per training day) discount if you register by the Early Bird date. Visit www.extraordinarytrainers.com for more details on the trainings (including info on customized trainings for your organization), and for early bird registration deadlines. You may also view the training calendar on www.iap2.org/calendar.cfm. To take advantage of the NCDD Member Discounts contact us directly at info@extraordinarytrainers.com or 720-237-9175.

National Charrette Institute Trainings and Certificates

Charrettes are typically a potent combination of modern design studio and town meeting, with a dash of the teamwork from an old-fashioned barnraising mixed in. Most start with a hands-on session for citizens and continue in an around-the-clock, energetic push until a plan is finished about a week later. A charrette can be a breakthrough event that helps overcome inertia and creates a meaningful master plan. More about charrettes.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 10% discount on all NCI trainings. Visit www.charretteinstitute.org/programs.html for details on the upcoming trainings NCI is offering.

NCI Charrette Planner® Certificate
This certificate is geared toward public and private planning staff, development managers and advocacy group staff. This information is invaluable both for those who hire others to conduct charrettes and for those who will be conducting charrettes themselves. By the end of the program you will have practiced the complete process for planning a charrette.

NCI Complete Charrette Manager™ Certificate
Charrettes are dynamic with unique challenges. Charrette managers must be quick on their feet and have a large toolbox of processes and skills. The NCI Charrette Management training equips professionals with the necessary tools for managing large charrettes. This 1.5-day training is an in-depth study of the most challenging aspects of the multiple-day charrette.

NCI Public Meeting Facilitator™ Certificate
The comprehensive charrette manager must know how to handle the most volatile public meetings. In just two days you will gain the lessons learned from some of the toughest charrettes and learn how so many potential problems can be defused by knowing how to properly set up and facilitate public meetings. You will finally be able to relax while conducting a large meeting, knowing that you have the most effective tools and preventions in place. Today, the range of abilities of people who are running charrettes varies as much as the definition of the charrette process itself. Adding an NCI certificate to your credentials distinguishes you as someone with the most advanced process tools and puts you ahead of the competition for high profile jobs that require substantial public involvement.

Public Conversations Project Trainings

PCP logo

The Public Conversations Project offers some of the best dialogue trainings out there. Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 15% discount on most PCP trainings. Learn more at www.publicconversations.org/workshops, or register by contacting Program Coordinator Seth Karamage at 617-923-1216 x24 or skaramage@publicconversations.org.

The Power of Dialogue: Constructive Conversations on Divisive Issues (three days)
PCP’s signature workshop offers a deep exploration of Reflective Structured Dialogue, an intentional communication process marked by its unique capacity to reduce threat and foster mutual understanding across lines of deep difference. Through immersion in an extensive case simulation, participants will learn about the dynamics of polarization and conflict, and explore modes of communication that increase trust, re-humanize opponents and shift relationships. Learn how to:

Create conversational structures that prevent destructive debate and foster constructive dialogue
Prepare a forum for new ways of speaking and listening through pre-dialogue contacts between facilitator and participants
Partner with participants in the planning of the dialogue to insure their commitment to and investment in the process
Facilitate from a collaborative stance
Foster reflection between participants and facilitators on the events of a dialogue to shape what happens next

Early registration fee: $375. Regular registration fee: $450 ($382 for NCDD dues-paying members). Learn more.

Transforming Divisive Conversation: A Workshop for Clergy and Lay Leaders (one day)
Like all communities, faith communities are characterized as much by their diversity as by their shared identity, beliefs and values. Conflict can arise around differences in theology, worship, identity, and transition. Transforming Divisive Conversation will explore ways that congregational leaders can approach conflict, prevent corrosive interactions and help their members engage each other in constructive ways. Early registration fee: $125 . Regular registration fee: $150 ($127 for NCDD dues-paying members). Learn more.

Inquiry as Intervention: Crafting Questions with Purpose and Impact (one day)
Questions are powerful. Once asked, they can either invite or inhibit understanding between the asker and the asked. In this workshop, participants will experience the effects that different questions have on them and on others. In addition, they will learn how to craft questions that open up new possibilities for conversations across deep differences. After Inquiry as Intervention, you may never hear–or ask–a question in the same way again! Early registration fee: $125 . Regular registration fee: $150 ($127 for NCDD dues-paying members). Learn more.

Staying Grounded When on the Spot: A Facilitation Workshop (two days)
Anyone who facilitates meetings can be thrown off balance when difficult moments arise. Staying Grounded will help you deepen your self-awareness as a facilitator and develop constructive, purposeful responses to common challenges: violations of ground rules, opposition to the process or purpose of the meeting, or resistance to your own role and credibility. This workshop will help you improve your ability to adapt a meeting to a group’s shifting needs and interests while maintaining your own balance. Early registration fee: $250. Regular registration fee: $300 ($255 for NCDD dues-paying members). Learn more.

Principles and Practices of Meeting Design: An Interactive Workshop (one day)
Most of us have spent thousands of hours in meetings, as leaders and participants. Some of those meetings have been time well spent; others have been frustrating and unconstructive. In this workshop you will learn design and facilitation principles and techniques that create more engaging and satisfying meetings in small or large groups, in communities, organizations, or in the workplace. Early registration fee: $125. Regular registration fee: $150 ($127 for NCDD dues-paying members). Learn more.

The Center for Strategic Facilitation Trainings

The Center for Strategic Facilitation is a partnership of consultants in the San Francisco Bay Area experienced in training, facilitation and organizational development. The CSF Senior Partners are Marti Roach and Jane Stallman. Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 20% discount on CSF trainings. To register, email Marti Roach at martiroach@sbcglobal.net and indicate the course you are interested in. Marti will mail you the registration form. Be sure to write “NCDD member” on the top of your registration form before you mail it in. You can also call Marti at 925-376-3853 with questions.

CSF is committed to expanding the use of participatory approaches and methods by individuals, organizations and communities. It is affiliated with The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), a leader over the past four decades in promoting lasting change in communities, nonprofits and businesses. We utilize a distinct and proven approach developed by the ICA, called the Technology of Participation.

Hidden in Plain Sight: A Workshop on Unpacking Multiple Dimensions of Privilege and Facilitation
One of the ways institutional privilege operates is that when we have it, we’re often the last ones to see it. We have inherited a system of inequity that hurts us all. Some of us have more access to structural privilege than others, depending our age, body size, class background, physical/mental/emotional abilities, gender and gender-identity, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, citizenship status, native language… These forms of privilege shape our experiences and perspectives and therefore influence our facilitation. Join us for an opportunity to reflect on:

What are some of the ways privilege impacts my facilitation, including in ways I may not be aware?
How could increasing my awareness help me be in better service of the groups with whom I work?

ToP® Facilitation Methods Course
This 2-day intensive course presents the fundamentals of the Technology of Participation (ToP®) methods, with hands-on training to increase effectiveness, consensus and creativity in meetings. If you take one course to learn more about facilitation, this is it! $645 (only $516 for dues-paying NCDD members).

Facilitation Fundamentals Course
Participate in an information-filled introduction to the core concepts and practices of facilitation, including the role of the facilitator, agenda planning, key facilitative behaviors. This day-long introductory course is designed for those new to facilitation or those seeking to brush up on fundamental best practices. $295 (only $236 for dues-paying NCDD members).

Effective Meetings Toolkit
One day course. Stop meeting madness! Learn how to have great meetings that people really want to go to. Get pay backs of increased efficiency, decreased conflict, better decision making and greater group cohesiveness. $295 (only $236 for dues-paying NCDD members).

Other discounts… Please note that some of the following programs may have been discontinued. We do encourage NCDD members to contact the trainers directly since many of these discounts may still be applicable for current programs. We also encourage trainers to contact us (sandy@ncdd.org) with updated information about their trainings.

Heartland’s Art of Convening TeleTraining

Convening is a leadership capacity that has the power to integrate and magnify the individual and collective, or group, team, whole organization, to enhance business and organizational performance, or individual relationships. How we gather, communicate and deliver the desired outcomes through our meetings is critical to the long-term vitality and success of our organizations and communities and the people within.

Using The Convening Wheel, Heartland‘s The Art of Convening Training is a practical map that anyone can navigate and activate as a core leadership competency. We travel the inner and outer path of the reflective leader, from getting to “The Heart of the Matter” to a “Commitment to Action” and all the territory in-between.

Training Format
Each 2-hour Session builds upon the last, combining guided teaching based on session themes and collaborative learning. The format, based on Heartland Inc.’s work with the Thought Leader Gatherings and various convening designs, utilizes ancient forms as well as modern systems for group effectiveness. All sessions are a blend of group interaction and engagement. Between sessions participants continue learning via experiential exercises, individual reading and reflection, and are supported by an online learning platform.

You will learn new practices and processes including:

Coaching Council Process
Stringing the Beads
Design Elements Checklist
Working with Transitions
Working with the Principles of Convening

Learn more at http://heartlandcircle.com/aoc-main.htm. Heartland offers a permanent $75 discount for any Art of Convening Training to all NCDD Members. To receive $75 off any training, use this discount code when registering: DSC-HeartCom.

Dalar International Consultancy Workshops

Dalar logo Birgitt Williams and Ward Williams of Dalar International Consultancy are the co-founders of the Genuine Contact™ Program. This program is a highly adaptive and powerful series of processes that are simple to use and yet allow for handling complex issues and for working with your people that taps into the collective wisdom to solve the issues.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 25% discount off the regular price for any of Dalar’s upcoming events. Simply note your NCDD membership on the registration form and the discount will be applied to your invoice.

Train the Trainer in the Genuine Contact Program
Learn how to use the Medicine Wheel Tool© as a framework for business success and become authorized to teach all of the components of Genuine Contact Program. Pre-requisites include Sessions 1 through 4 of the Genuine Contact Program. 2009 rate: $1,500 ($1125 for NCDD members). Learn more or register today at www.dalarinternational.com/trainings-events.

Leadership Strategies’ The Effective Facilitator Course

Learn the techniques our facilitators use to achieve amazing results through groups! How do you get groups to develop workable, realistic solutions? Our flagship course delivers the tools and techniques you can use immediately! We show you how to motivate a group, build consensus, manage dysfunction, maintain focus, generate ownership and inspire to action.

LSI offers this training dozens of times throughout the year throughout the U.S. and internationally. As of January 2009, there are upcoming trainings listed for Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Toronto, Denver, and Sydney. Directed by Michael Wilkinson, Leadership Strategies, Inc. is well-known for their high-quality facilitation trainings and certificate program. No Facilitation Class Offers You More:
logo

300-page workbook
10 principles, over 90 techniques
10 detailed agendas
6 practice sessions
Videotaping
Spring Forward – we encourage you to implement your learning by providing a 60-day check-in to confirm your progress
We reinforce your learning by sending you The Maximizer, a monthly refresher on one of the course techniques
You also receive an autographed copy of The Secrets to Masterful Meetings, written by our CEO

NCDD members receive a 10% discount on all public or private classes. As of early 2009, public 4-day classes were $2095 ($1885.50 for paid NCDD members). 3-day training courses are $1695 ($1525.50 for NCDD members). Contact Sandra Liburd at 800-824-2850 x20 or register at www.leadstrat.com/public-register.html. You can also learn more about The Effective Facilitator at www.leadstrat.com/training-facil-effective-facilitator.html.

PublicDecisions.com Online Trainings

PublicDecisions logo

PublicDecisions.com offers practical online trainings for people who work with stakeholders and the public to solve problems, craft policies/programs or achieve social change. Their multi-audience website serves differing skill levels and learning needs around the practice of public involvement. Various trainings are tailored for public participation practitioners, for elected and appointed officials, and for nonprofit leaders.

Classes are conducted live, and quality is ensured by limiting class sizes to a small number of participants. All you need is high-speed internet and a phone (or Skype). Dues-paying NCDD members save 20% on all PublicDecisions classes, which are typically $95 for 60-minute courses (discount may not be combined with other coupons or offers). Contact Paul Coelus at Paul@PublicDecisions.com for details on registering at the discounted rate. Learn more about PublicDecisions.com’s trainings.

Courses cover topics like:

Working With Native American Communities
Top Ten Reasons Not to Involve the Public in Your Decisions
Graphic Design for Enlightened Communication
Community Planning Events: Why and How to Organize Them
Integrate the Public’s Values into Facility Siting Decisions: Turn NIMBY into GUMBY
Become an Active Listener: Communicate Effectively with Angry and Upset People

Masterful Facilitation Institute / Breakthroughs UNLIMITED Trainings

The Masterful Facilitation Institute with Myriam Laberge, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, and Brenda Chaddock, builds confidence and skill at designing and facilitating successful meetings, retreats, and sessions. These highly experiential programs enhance facilitation performance and produce extraordinary group results.

For more details, download visit the Masterful Facilitation Institute website at www.masterfulfacilitation.ca, send Myriam Laberge an email to myriam@myriamlaberge.ca, or call her at 604-943-9133. Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 10% discount on all Masterful Facilitation Institute and Breakthroughs UNLIMITED trainings.

Integral Visions Consulting Workshops

Integral Visions Consulting offers training in the Genuine Contact™ Program in both public forums and in-house workshops. The Genuine Contact Program builds skill and capacity within individuals and the organization for working with change. It is the vehicle through which the organization becomes an interconnected learning organization, a Genuine Contact Organization. Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 25% discount on the regular price for all of Integral Visions Consulting’s upcoming events. Simply note your NCDD Membership on the registration form and the discount will be applied to your invoice. Learn more and register at www.integralvisions.com/registration.html.

Dialogue Partners’ Trainings

DP Logo Dialogue Partners Inc. offers specialized trainings in public involvement. Most DPI programs are delivered by Stephani Roy McCallum. Stephani is past President of IAP2, Senior Consultant and Owner of Dialogue Partners Inc., and certified trainer with IAP2. She boasts an impressive expanse of consultation and facilitation experience in a variety of diverse settings, on a wide range of controversial subjects. Stephani is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and holds certificates in public policy moderation, community development, and facilitated planning.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 15% discount off the regular registration rate for DPI trainings. More info about the trainings can be found at www.dialoguepartners.ca/training.

Calming Conflict and Controversy in Public Involvement Course
Dialogue Partners’ one-day “Calming Conflict and Controversy in Public Involvement” course helps identify and develop communication skills, engagement skills and behaviors that will assist in creating positive and productive engagements, diffusing conflict and eliminating defensiveness in public participation exchanges. Often, a lack of knowing where to begin or how to undertake public participation initiatives results in confusion and conflict between the organization and its stakeholders. Conflict resolution and communication skills can go a long way in diffusing the degree of its intensity, especially if these tools are used before the public involvement forums are conducted.

Dialogue Partners’ Group Facilitation Skills for Public Involvement Course
Dialogue Partners’ 2-day “Group Facilitation Skills for Public Involvement” course provides the guidance, skills and knowledge necessary to learn the basics of group facilitation – with a focus on facilitating public and stakeholder involvement. Participants will learn facilitation skills to calm controversy, expand positive participation, build consensus and move discussion forward.

The Center for Wise Democracy’s Dynamic Facilitation Trainings

The Center for Wise Democracy assists communities in creating Wisdom Councils – randomly-selected, facilitated ‘juries’ reflecting the larger diversity of the community – which engage in dialogue about the larger system and arrive at creative consensus on shared visions. These visions in turn serve to increase the quality of the dialogue among the larger community. “Dynamic facilitation“ is used to facilitate Wisdom Councils, and the Center provides trainings in dynamic facilitation regularly.

Dynamic Facilitation is a unique form of facilitation that feels like dialogue in that people share deeply from the heart about has meaning to them and generates group decisions and unanimous outcomes similar to deliberation. Its large-scale applications, known as the Creative Insight Council and the Wisdom Council, are being used to transform democracy in the public and private sphere, helping diverse groups address systemic and complex issues creatively and collaboratively and reached shared outcomes. In this introductory seminar, you’ll learn how to use these skills to help groups and large systems think together creatively and collaboratively to achieve self-organizing, win/win outcomes at home and in workplaces, schools, government agencies, and community settings.

Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 20% discount on DF trainings which, for nonprofits, are regularly $995 for the 3-day training ($796 for dues-paying NCDD members). Visit www.tobe.net for more information and to register. The regular government rate is $1,195 and the corporate rate is $1,395. To register, please contact DeAnna Martin at deanna@dynamicfacilitation.com or 206-965-8498.

Alchemy’s Graphic Recording Classes

Alchemy Logo Graphic Recording is a powerful tool that enables groups of people to work together in highly effective, collaborative and satisfying ways. It’s a visual system that captures information, ideas and documents and interactively supports group process. To the casual observer, the essence of recording is the ability to listen, take quick accurate notes and draw. Beneath the surface exist overall process consulting, filtering/synthesis skills and graphic architecture skills. Alchemy’s exciting six-hour training will give you a solid introduction to:

The WHAT of Graphic Recording:

Roles of a graphic recorder; before, during and after a meeting
Dynamics and process experienced by a group and you as the recorder

HOW to Graphic Record:

Core Recording Skills
Process Skills
Information Skills

Alchemy is a respected graphic recording consultancy based in Denver, Colorado. Dues-paying NCDD members receive a 20% discount off the $500 registration rate, so they pay $400. Go to www.link2alchemy.com/learning_00.html for more details, or email Kathleen Clevenger at kathleen@link2alchemy.com with questions or to register.

Bay Area Nonviolent Communication’s Living Peace Intensive Residential Retreats

Come and stretch your heart muscles and explore the practice of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) at one of the Living Peace retreats led by Bay NVC’s senior trainers. The retreats feature tasty (mostly organic) food, beautiful settings, and dedicated support of individual and small group learning.

Increase your ability to:

Build relationships based on compassion and understanding
Accurately understand other people’s feelings and needs
Be assertive and negotiable at the same time
Break patterns of thinking that lead to anger and depression

At BayNVC, we have a deep joy in and commitment to making NVC available to all people regardless of their financial means. We would also like to extend a special welcome to NCDD members to honor our shared appreciation of dialogue and deliberation. Thus, we ask NCDD members to pay the most they could for the retreats, minus 20 percent. Learn more about our philosophy of money at www.baynvc.org/nvc_money.php. Register for any of these retreats at www.baynvc.org/retreats.php.

Harwood Public Innovators Lab

The Harwood Public Innovators Lab is an intensive, four day experience that will help you create new pathways to accelerate change and engender authentic hope in your communities – finding ways to get past the negative conditions in public life that stand in the way of progress. During the Lab you will examine how you can see, think about, and engage in your work from three important perspectives – how you engage communities; how you think about your organization’s role in change; and what you need to do as an individual to be effective and stay true to your own values.

Rich Harwood founded the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation to help people imagine and act for the public good. For almost 20 years, he and his colleagues have been evolving both the ideas and the practical approaches for changing the negative conditions in society that too often divide people and keep them from making progress in their neighborhoods, communities, and the nation as a whole. At The Harwood Institute, we seek nothing less than to spark fundamental change in American public life – so that people can tap their own potential to make a difference and join together to build a common future.

We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works within a long tradition of small, catalytic, and public-spirited organizations in American history that have sought to improve public life and politics. Our current work is focused on bringing to scale our innovations so that people and organizations across the nation can gain affordable access to this content and make it their own. Central to these efforts is our work to cultivate new public innovators and build new boundary spanning organizations that will serve as catalysts for change and hope in communities across the nation.

Registration for the 2009 Lab was $995 ($895.50 for dues-paying NCDD members). For the 10% discount, enter “NCDD” into the special code field when registering. Visit www.theharwoodinstitute.org/landing/pub_innov_lab2.html to learn more, or by email Cindy Page at cpage@theharwoodinstitute.org or call (301) 656-3669 if you have questions.