ToP facilitation masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change - Birmingham

Introducing ICA's Technology of Participation (ToP) - transformational tools for dialogue, learning, consensus & change – 1 day

“As a trainer Martin created good atmosphere in an international group. His presentations were crispy clear, illustrated by carefully chosen, practical examples from his rich facilitator experience.” Marzena Dębska-Matuszak, Experienced Trainer, Facilitator and Coach.

This course is scheduled in partnership with ICA:UK (https://ica-uk.org.uk/), the participation & development charity.

The course is scheduled in Birmingham as a pre-conference training option for attendees at the April 25-26 IAF England & Wales (https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales) annual conference Facilitate2025 (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399), however it is open to all.

Who this course is for

This one-day master-class is suitable for all those who want to be able to involve people more effectively in dialogue, learning, consensus & change, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. The course has no pre-requisite.

IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount - see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members (https://www.iaf-world.org/site/pages/exclusive-offers-iaf-members).

Attendees at the April 25-26 IAF England & Wales (https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales) annual conference Facilitate2025 (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399) enjoy a 25% discount (IAF members and non-members).

Questions this course answers

"How can I enable more purposeful & productive conversations, bring out the wisdom of a group and reach shared awareness and new insight in meetings? How can I help a group take a comprehensive and long-term strategic view - to learn from the past, appreciate the present and anticipate the future? How can I enable a group to come to a common vision, a deeper understanding of its current reality and a real sense of ownership and commitment to a shared way forward - so that for once their plans actually deliver the change that they are seeking?”

What you will gain

This course will introduce two foundational methods of ICA's 'Technology of Participation' (ToP) (https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/) methodology, and two that adapt and apply these foundations to strategic review, planning and change:

ToP Focused Conversation (https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/focused-conversation/) provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate

ToP Consensus Workshop (https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/group-facilitation-methods/) is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus

ToP Historical Scan (https://martingilbraith.com/2017/03/28/adapt-%e2%80%a2-invent-%e2%80%a2-evolve-reviewing-the-past-to-prepare-for-the-future-at-eurocomm17/) (or ‘Wall of Wonder) is a powerful tool to enable a group to share and learn from their varied perspectives of a journey through history, and in context, to review the past in order to prepare for the future

ToP Participatory Strategic Planning (https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/participatory-strategic-planning/) is a structured long-range planning process which incorporates ToP Consensus Workshop for building consensus, ToP Focused Conversation for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments.

More experienced facilitators may be ready to apply the first three tools effectively in their own situations, and key principles of the fourth. For others the course will serve as a powerful, experiential introduction to ICA’s ToP methodology.

These methods have been featured in publications including:

Brian Stanfield’s ‘Art of Focused Conversation (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Second-Organization-dp-1774060124/dp/1774060124/): 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in the Workplace‘,

Jo Nelson’s ‘The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Schools-Thinking/dp/0865714355): Over 100 Ways to Guide Clear Thinking and Promote Learning‘, and

Brian Stanfield’s ‘The Workshop Book (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Workshop-Book-Individual-Creativity-Action/dp/0865714703): From Individual Creativity to Group Action’

Bill Staples’ ‘Transformational Strategy (https://martingilbraith.com/2013/06/12/two-books-and-three-methods-for-facilitating-social-transformation/): Facilitation of ToP Participatory Strategic Planning’,

Bunker & Alban’s ‘Large

Description supplied by the event organiser.