In partnership with MCLS and the Library of Michigan, presenters from We Can Work It Out, LLC came to Michigan during Spring 2018 to lead trainings on facilitation. The four workshops were intended to help library staff increase skills and knowledge necessary to ensure successful community engagement projects in their local communities. The days included learning theory, as well as practice of skills and peer feedback.
The workshop broke down the facilitator’s role into specific learnable skills, then gave opportunities for practice of those skills, peer feedback, and more practice. This process encouraged the integration of new skills and behaviors and built confidence in, and awareness of, each person’s own style and strengths.
The trainings were open to staff of Michigan libraries, with a particular focus on those who had previously gone through The Harwood Institute Public Innovators labs.
We Can Work It Out, LLC’s principal partners, Sarah Ross and Mary King, specialize in facilitating large group discussions and decision-making processes. Their facilitator training curricula draws upon 25 years of shared experience working with groups in public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and is grounded in a hands-on, practice-centered approach. Together, they bring a vibrant, dynamic approach to group decision-making processes with a relentless focus on finding agreement.
Southfield Public Library
March 8, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm Eastern
Herrick District Library, Holland
April 3, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm Eastern
Public Libraries of Saginaw, Hoyt Library
April 5, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm Eastern
Traverse Area District Library
May 7, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm Eastern
These trainings were subsidized by the Library of Michigan, so the registration fee was just $40 per person and included lunch.
