This post was submitted by NCDD supporting member Michael Culliton of Global Learning Partners via the Add-to-Blog form. NCDD folks, please Join us in Baltimore, MD, October 24-27, 2013, for the 2013 International Dialogue Education Institute! The Institute is an intensive and engaging conference for educators, facilitators, coaches, consultants, trainers, and others from around the world who are interested in Learning & Change, and in Dialogue Education. Highlights of the conference will include: Plenary keynote session on the biology of learning with Dr. Jane Vella Variety of […] (continue)

This announcement was submitted by NCDD supporting member Amy Lenzo of The World Cafe & weDialogue via the Add-to-Blog form. A World Cafe Signature Learning Program, “Hosting World Cafe: The Fundamentals” is offered in association with Fielding Graduate University. Providing a fundamental understanding of The World Café theory and method, this course applies the World Café design principles to bring forth the creative power of conversation and engage questions that matter. Participants will develop the capacity to use the World Café in their own lives and work, and […] (continue)

The Community at Work course, “Group Facilitation Skills: Putting Participatory Values into Practice” is being offered both October 1-3 and December 10-12, 2013. The course is taught by Sarah Fisk, PhD, and will be administered at Community At Work in San Francisco. NCDD members receive a 25% discount. COURSE SYNOPSIS This course teaches participants how to put participatory values into practice. Skill building is emphasized, with practice sessions in the following areas: stand-up skills; group-oriented listening skills; brainstorming technique; tools for prioritizing long lists; facilitating […] (continue)

This post was submitted by Jason Gershowitz of Kearns & West, and NCDD organizational members, via out Add-to-Blog form. Kearns & West is pleased to announce Integrating Collaborative Technologies into Public Participation: a one-day training on September 22 in collaboration with the International Association for Public Participation’s 2013 North America Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. Participants will learn approaches for integrating collaborative technologies into public participation initiatives. Technologies will be applied in a hands-on format to varying levels of public engagement: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and […] (continue)

This post was submitted by NCDD supporting member Tuesday Ryan Heart of Confluence Unlimited via the Add-to-Blog form. Join us in Chicago, Sept 30-Oct 2 for an Art of Hosting on developing strategy and methods for designing and hosting meaningful engagement. The tools and know how for meaningful and productive engagement are now available in the fields of dialogue, social media and design. The combination of these disciplines and tools enable us to genuinely integrate those who are most affected in the design and delivery of […] (continue)

Facilitate your meetings through the rough spots. Engage conflict constructively in your community or organization. Gain the skills and tools you need with one of the Public Conversations Project’s upcoming trainings. Discounts for early bird registrants, NCDD members, and folks who bring a friend. Continuing Education credits available through NBCC and MAMFT. Facilitating with Purpose and Poise—Even When Things Get Hot October 8-9, 2013, Watertown, MA Anyone who leads meetings can be thrown off balance when difficult moments arise. The difficulty might be an unexpected […] (continue)

We are pleased (and somewhat saddened) to announce the last conference call in the three-part capacity building series being hosted by our partners at CommunityMatters and the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design. This final call, titled “Secrets of Successful Communities”, is coming up on Thursday, August 22nd from 3-4pm EST and will feature CIRD’s own Ed McMahon: Last year Barbara Walters asked four billionaires for their Top 20 Secrets of Success. The #2 secret? “Always be True to Yourself.” It turns out that applies to communities, too. Join national […] (continue)

Please join the Future Search Network this December 9-11, 2013 and take advantage of your NCDD 25% discount! Managing A Future Search Workshop with Sandra Janoff is for facilitators, leaders, managers or anyone who wants to learn how applying Future Search principles enables a community, group, company, unit 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. […] (continue)

It’s time to sign up for the next cycle of the award winning Dialogue, Deliberation, and Public Engagement Certificate Program. Kansas State University’s DDPE program is a transformative professional development program focused on making wise choices for engagement. NCDD is a ‘Collaborator’ of the program, and NCDD supporting members enjoy a 10% discount on program fees. Please note that information calls on the program are scheduled for today at 6pm Central, August 8 at 10am Central, August 22 at 6pm Central, September 4 at 10am Central and September […] (continue)

We are excited to once again invite you all to join us for a free conference call being hosted by our partners at CommunityMatters and the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design this Thursday, July 25th from 3:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern Time.  This second call in the three-part capacity building series will feature David Hohenschau of the Orton Family Foundation and Peter Flinker of Dodson & Flinker Landscape Architecture and Planning who will share their knowledge and experience around the call’s theme, “Designing for the Vision and Values of Your Community.” If you want your […] (continue)