Facilitator Community of Practice
Facilitator Community of Practice
Hutchinson Community Foundation invites applications to the Facilitator Community of Practice.
The purpose of this year-long program is to cultivate a capable and connected network of local facilitators in Reno County, Kansas, who will foster meaningful change and resilience in our communities.
With the vision of a vibrant and resilient Reno County where every person has the opportunity to thrive, Hutch CF is constantly seeking ways to strengthen the work and impact of our community partners who are regularly convening and mobilizing residents to make progress on community priorities and challenges. We believe that facilitators—those who are convening and leading boards, committees, and coalitions—are a leverage point.
As we have listened to our partners in recent years, we have heard a recurring desire for facilitator training, facilitation practice, tools to design and execute facilitation plans, and opportunities to shadow or observe other facilitators. And we know through feedback on past initiatives that the best kind of learning happens through doing and experiencing facilitation in situations and rooms with people who care about helping each other get better. That’s why we have co-created and funded this program with Matherly Leadership Solutions. The integration of training, coaching, practice labs, and a supportive network as part of the experience will ensure facilitators are well-prepared to inspire and guide community initiatives.
Applications are due via the form below by Friday, February 28, 2025. Please contact Kari Mailloux, kari@hutchcf.org, with any questions.
Desired Outcomes
- Build individual, organizational, and community capacity to facilitate local committees, coalitions, boards, and initiatives
- Strengthen relationships among individuals and organizations in paid or volunteer facilitation positions
- Mobilize progress on local adaptive challenges toward a vibrant and resilient Reno County where everyone has the opportunity to thrive
Who should apply?
We are looking for 12 diverse individuals who, by nature of their paid or volunteer positions in Reno County, are asked to facilitate local meetings, coalitions, committees, and/or boards and mobilize them to make progress on adaptive or complex challenges facing Hutchinson and Reno County. We are especially looking for individuals with deep community commitment, openness to experimentation and learning, and interest in continued leadership development and resident empowerment. We aim for the cohort to represent multiple different organizations, sectors, initiatives, and target populations and demographics.
The Facilitator Community of Practice Experience
- Facilitation Training (6 modules):
- Foundations of Facilitation: Overview of facilitation, roles, and responsibilities; facilitation versus teaching and presentation.
- Communication and Active Listening: Techniques for effective communication, active listening, and empathetic engagement.
- Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Strategies for managing group dynamics, handling conflicts constructively, and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Decision-Making and Consensus-Building: Training on guiding groups toward consensus and inclusive decision-making.
- Inclusive Facilitation: Emphasis on inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and ensuring all voices are heard.
- Leadership Development: Basic leadership principles, focusing on empowerment, delegation, and resilience.
- Virtual Check-ins: Zoom sessions between in-person trainings to explore questions, assist with application of the skills, and provide opportunities to review materials.
- Practice Labs: Participants lead mock facilitation sessions with live feedback, allowing for hands-on application and skill refinement, as well as practice providing feedback, mentoring peers, and encouraging self-reflection among participants.
- Coaching: 6 sessions of monthly one-on-one coaching to offer personalized guidance, feedback, and encouragement following Practice Labs.
- Peer Groups: Bi-monthly small peer groups that meet to discuss experiences, exchange solutions for common challenges, and provide mutual support
- Network Development: Forums for continued connection and shared learning, networking events to expand participants’ visibility, and development of collaborative projects
The Timeline and Time Commitment
- April 22, May 20, and June 24, 2025: 3 full days of in-person facilitation training (9am-4pm) and 3 2-hour Zoom sessions (date and time TBD)
- July 29, August 12, August 29, and September 19, 2025: 4 full day in-person Practice Labs (9am-4pm)
- July 2025 – March 2026: Peer groups, coaching, networking, and project development – 1-2 consecutive hours monthly
- April 2026 – In-person whole group debrief and celebration – up to 2 hours
- Some non-meeting homework – up to 1 hour per month
- Participants will be expected to apply what they are learning in real-time to the groups they are actively facilitating
Participant Agreement
As a member of the Facilitator Community of Practice, participants will agree to the following:
- To be an engaged part of the process
- To keep an open mind
- To be fully present at times of interactions with fellow cohort members, coaches, and facilitators
- To be authentic about my confusion, hesitations, and misgivings, as well as my learnings and discoveries
- To keep confidences among my Community of Practice peers
- To make attendance at trainings, labs, coaching, and peer groups a priority
- To complete all surveys and feedback forms, as provided, to offer insights on program effectiveness
Dale Matherly
This program will be led by William Dale Matherly. For over three decades, Dale has led faith communities of all sizes in building community, clarifying purpose, retiring debt, reorganizing governance structures, and developing leaders who transform their communities. Additionally, he has facilitated work with Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Westfield Washington School District, Circles of Greater Topeka, Morningside University, local service organizations, and numerous congregations. Currently, Dale serves as the Interim Executive Regional Minister for the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
As a Leadership Coach, Dale holds certificates in Teach Leadership from the Kansas Leadership Center and as an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator from the Center for Appreciative Inquiry. He is committed to helping institutions, organizations, and individuals thrive as they work to achieve their purpose and fulfill their aspirations.
The Facilitator Community of Practice was co-created by William Dale Matherly, Matherly Leadership Solutions, and Kari Mailloux, Hutchinson Community Foundation. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Hutchinson Community Foundation – Fund for Reno County.