SUMMER 2007 Civic Engagement Training Schedule

Each workshop will take place at the Resource Center (located on the 2nd floor of the Red Cross building) at 1401 S. Grand Traverse St.

Civic engagement tool:  Study Circles
Date: Thursday, August 2, 2007
Workshop description: This workshop begins with a comprehensive overview of Community Challenge followed by training in Study Circle techniques.  A Study Circle is made up of 5 to 20 people who agree to meet together several times to learn about a social or political issue in a democratic and collaborative way. Complex issues are broken down into manageable subdivisions, and controversial topics are dealt with in depth.  Learn more about Study Circles and how to facilitate Study Circle sessions with your friends, neighbors, and fellow community members.

Civic engagement tool: Facilitation 101
Date:  Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Workshop description: When facilitating a group there are many tools that will enhance the group process.  When you finish this workshop you will have an understanding of the importance of pre-planning, the importance of the meeting environment, tools to facilitate the meeting process, the importance of tools to help reach consensus, and how to go about establishing a plan of action.  The workshop will be interactive with opportunities to work with the tools presented.

Civic engagement tool: Facilitation 102
Date:  Thursday, August 9, 2007
Workshop description: A workshop specifically geared for the more seasoned facilitator.  This will include pointers for you to facilitate workshops and presentations.  Opportunities for impromptu facilitation to the training group are included in this session.

Civic engagement tool: Dynamic Planning Charette
Date:  Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Workshop description: A multi-day process consisting of a series of feedback loops between public workshops and a design team.  A multi-disciplinary design team develops alternative plans based on public feedback and presents those plans back to the public at workshops.  Over the course of at least four consecutive days, the plans are refined and developed further.  Generally used for urban and regional planning.

Civic engagement tool: Harwood
Date:  Thursday, August 16, 2007
Workshop description: A comprehensive tool that is used to assist community members in identifying the community they live in and begin to envision their idea of “utopia” or the ideal community.  Generally used as a step to begin the action planning process.

REGISTER HERE