Participatory Training Methods Course rooted in profound respect and inclusive participation.
ToP® Facilitation Methods
Description
Do you struggle with circular conversation in meetings that don’t seem to go anywhere?
Are you anxious about what to do when conflict arises or someone dominates the conversation?
Do you feel like a used car salesman trying to get people to stay committed and motivated to group projects?
In this engaging course you will learn three simple, universally applicable approaches to help you confidently move any group from conflict or confusion to consensus and commitment.
Focused Conversation
Consensus Workshop
Action Planning
Immersive demonstrations, hands on practice, peer coaching, and real-life application opportunities will ensure you leave with confidence to immediately put your new skills to use.
You’ll receive a step-by-step manual and resource guide + 1 hour of free expert coaching.
Course Applicable To:
- Project and Team Leaders
- Facilitators, Trainers and Consultants
- Project & Change Managers
- Managers and Supervisors
- Executive Directors and Board Members
- Educators and Health Practitioners
- Active Citizens and Community Workers
- Government Employees and Elected Officials
- UX and Product Designers
- Community organizers
- Community Engagement Managers
- Others who lead meetings or collaborate with groups of any kind
Prerequisites
None
Continuing Ed Credits
13.5 NCHEC (CHES & MCHES)
14.5 AICP (APA)
14 PDU (CAPM)
2026 Training Dates and Locations:
ToP® Focused Conversation Method Online
May 19, 2026 7:30-2:00 PT register here
September 22, 2026 7:30- 2:00 PT register here
ToP® Strategic Planning Online
April 20-24, 2026 8:00 -noon PT register here
December 7-11, 2026 8:00-noon PT register here
ToP® Facilitation Methods
April 29-May 1, 2026, Long Beach, CA 8:30-5:00 PT register here
Approaches to Environmental Scanning Online course on Zoom and Miro:
March 24-26, 10:00-1:30 CT, 11:00-2:30 ET, 8:00-11:30 PT register here
November 4-6 10:00-1:30 CT, 11:00-2:30 ET, 8:00-11:30 PT register here
Before planning for the future, groups need to understand their history and the current dilemmas they face, as well as anticipate shifts and trends in their larger environment.
Environmental Scanning provides a way to quickly understand customer, staff or community perceptions and needs, delve into relevant data, and get groups on the same page to launch their work, but one size doesn’t fit all! In this three day course, participants will explore 10 dynamic and creative ways to conduct group assessments, and then engage in hands-on practice to select the right approach for various situations. You’ll go back to this extensive “recipe book” of techniques again and again!
Prerequisite: ToP® Facilitation Methods or Focused Conversation or Focused Conversation Online are required.
ToP® Online Facilitation Methods
Explore the landscape of facilitation and learn three key processes for activating group participation virtually, in our acclaimed flagship course modified for the virtual world.
Training Dates Online via Zoom:
January 27-29, 2026 TWTH 9:00-3:00 CST register here
February 24-26, 2026 TWTH, 9:00-3:00 CST register here
June 23-25, 2026 TWTH, 9:00- 3:00 CST register here
July 28-30, 2026 TWTH, 9:00-3:00 CST register here
August 25-27, 2026, TWTH, 9:00-3:00 CST register here
October 27-29, 2026 TWTH, 9:00-3:00 CST register here
Tiered Pricing
| Corporate Large nonprofits ( budget > $5 million ) | $1,250 |
| Public Government | $1,050 |
| Individual Professional Mid-Sized Non Profit ( budget $1-5 million ) | $950 |
| Small Non Profit ( budget $1-5 million ) Student ( student ID required ) | $650 |
Community of Practice 2026
These are free bi-monthly (for the most part) practice labs on the following Fridays from 10:00-11:30 PT via Zoom.
Join us to work through your facilitation design questions and practice methods with a brave space of fellow facilitators and practitioners.
Topic: Community of Practice
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84507000397
Meeting ID: 845 0700 0397
Time: Pacific Time (US and Canada)
March 20, 2026, 10:00 AM
June 19, 2026, 10:AM
September 18, 2026, 10:00AM
December 4, 2026, 10:00 AM