The Renewed Value Of Icebreakers
I was invited to facilitate a series of workshops for a statewide, high-school leadership program. The participants included teachers, advisors, staff members, community volunteers, and students.
Optimism And A Bit Of Hope
In March, the Buckeye Leadership Workshop (BLW) reconvened for its first real-world, in-person gathering at the Recreation Unlimited facility in Ashley, Ohio. Like many organizations, BLW has had to pivot and adapt its annual program to the ever-evolving requirements of a global pandemic.
Combatting The Trauma Of These Times
A few years ago, camping psychologist Bob Ditter and I co-facilitated several conference workshops. Bob would share a critical element in the health-and-wellness realm of camp staff members, and I would share an activity that explored that topic.
101 Fun Things To Do
There are plenty of activities that lend themselves to real-world, in-person gatherings and events while maintaining appropriate physical distance. I’m sure if you put your mind to it, you can probably create a similar list of possibilities, just from the many activities you already know.
What’s Next?
“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” -Sir Winston Churchill
Predicting the future isn’t in my job description, but then neither was converting everything I knew about real-world facilitation and transferring it to virtual space.
Exploring The Stages Of Group Development
Throughout the season, camp staff members progress through various levels of group development. These stages are both necessary and normal:
Reacting, Adapting, Creating
“We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this century. During this period, we may be tempted to abandon some of the time-honored principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations
What Should I Be Doing Right Now?
“There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about.”
Jane Seabrook, Furry Logic Wild Wisdom
Get Out Of Your Seat And On Your Feet
For decades, parents have been concerned about the amount of time their children spend in front of the television, but now it is the parents who are watching a screen for hours each day as they work from home, visit with family, and adapt to life during a global pandemic.
So Far, So Good
If I had been invited to facilitate a virtual event just a few months ago, I probably would have referred the client to someone more experienced or passed on the opportunity completely. To be perfectly honest, I was neither ready nor competent in such an enterprise.
No Props—No Problem
For those moments when you have plenty of time and space, but absolutely no equipment, here are four activities to help create something wonderful.
Now Hear This
Facilitator—noun; a person who makes an action or process easier. To make lemonade, I take a fresh lemon, cut it in half, and then squeeze it. I take the lemon juice, add sugar, and make lemonade.