Facilitator Preparation Program

Is it possible to become more intentional about creating spaces—in relationship, in community—where our fearful shadows can emerge into the light to be seen for what they are, where the truth and love within us can appear and make a claim on our lives?

We obviously are expert at creating spaces of other sorts. We know, for example, how to create spaces that invite the intellect to show up, analyzing reality, parsing logic, and arguing its case. We know how to invite the emotions into play, reacting to injury, expressing anger, and celebrating joy. We know how to invite the will to emerge, consolidating energy and effort on behalf of a common task. We know beyond doubt how to invite the ego to put in an appearance, polishing its image, protecting its turf, and demanding its rights! But we seem to know very little about creating spaces that invite the soul to make itself known.

Parker Palmer

The Courage & Renewal Facilitator Preparation Program is a leadership and mentoring program for preparing facilitators to lead circle of trust retreats and to assist them in establishing personal and professional renewal programs in their professions or communities. Skilled facilitators are at the heart of creating a safe and trustworthy space for participants in Courage & Renewal retreats. Well-qualified retreat facilitators are key to quality control, and preparing them is one of the Center for Courage & Renewal’s most important functions.

In addition to planning and facilitating retreats, the facilitator plays a crucial role in introducing and establishing these personal and professional renewal retreats in a community. Once prepared, facilitators find ways to create institutional and/or community partnerships from which to “grow” this work (i.e. they do not “work” for CCR). Thus, being a Courage & Renewal facilitator combines leadership and facilitation with responsibility for program development in the facilitator’s community or profession.

Steps to Becoming a Courage & Renewal Facilitator*

  1. Participation in Courage to Teach, Courage to Lead retreats OR one or more Circle of Trust retreat(s).
  2. Attendance at the Gateway Retreat for potential facilitators (involves application and selection process).
  3. Application for Facilitator Preparation Program — applications are due August 15, 2008, and selections are made by September 15.
  4. If selected, participate in three facilitator preparation retreats (November 20-23; Feb 12-15 2009; June 4-7 2009) and an ongoing mentoring relationship with an experienced Courage & Renewal Facilitator.

Download full program description and application.

 

* This is not a "train the trainer" model, and since there is a high degree of subtlety and sophistication to this type of leadership, we have found that the more personal experience with this approach that a person has, the stronger foundation they bring into preparation as a facilitator.