The Joy of Meetings: Recipes for Success

At a glance:

Dates: November 18, 2008
Location: Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. Madison, WI
Time: 8:15 am (registration); 8:30 am-4:30 pm (workshop)
Fee: $145 (includes instruction, materials, refreshment breaks, CEUs, and a non-refundable administration fee of $20). Lunch is on your own.
Instructors: Kathy Germann and Denise Jess
Contact: Krist Obmascher 608-262-8971; e-mail kobmascher@dcs.wisc.edu
To register: See registration options. (Program #8706)
Brochure: Download the 2008 Spring brochure.

 

Description

Is your diet full of too many meetings that are flat as a pancake? As a facilitator do you feel like you’re in a pressure cooker managing everything, while some group members stir the pot and others just feel fried?

Many meetings lack focus. There is confusion about what the decision is and/or who is making it, and follow-through is lackluster. Effective meetings begin with a tried-and-true recipe. Outcome-based agendas with multi-modal processes use people’s time well, focus energy, and support group members working in more productive and creative ways before, during, and after meetings.

Many of us have experienced the “Groan Zone”—the tension between closure and further exploration and/or the different understandings of what consensus is and how to use it. Establishing a decision-making rule can address that tension. You can then assess the gradients of agreement, and facilitate decisions that last like a favorite recipe passed down over the generations.

Transform your meetings from a food fight to a culinary delight

• Develop and apply group agreements to create safe, inclusive meetings.
• Design outcome-based agendas that foster effective task accomplishment and honor multiple learning styles.
• Assess the pros/cons of different decision-making rules.
• Learn a tool to clarify the degree of agreement in a group.
• Use meeting evaluations to help maintain effective group process

 

Instructors

Kathy Germann has facilitated trainings on a broad range of human relations issues since 1982. She’s taught on three college campuses, been a manager in two nonprofits, and served as an ad hoc instructor for UW-Division of Continuing Studies for 15 years. Kathy brings a deep sense of passion and a healthy sense of humor to her work.

Denise Jess has facilitated trainings on a wide range of human relations issues since the mid-1980s. She taught in a learner-centered classroom for 11 years and has authored published curricula. Denise is deeply committed to supporting learners in creating inclusive environments where the voices of all members are respected.

 

General information

Schedule: 8:15 am(registration) 8:30 am-4:30 pm (workshop)

Location: The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison. Parking information will be sent with your registration confirmation. The Pyle Center is wheelchair accessible.

Fee: $145 includes instruction, materials, refreshment breaks, CEUs, and a nonrefundable administrative fee of $20. Lunch is on your own.

Registration deadlines: Attendance is limited to 25 participants to create a learning environment where you feel comfortable participating and your specific needs can be met. We ask that you register no later than one week before the program.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least three business days before the program. If you cancel three business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

Accommodations: Please make your own travel and lodging arrangements. Maps and parking information will be sent with your registration confirmation. Information about overnight accomodations can also be found on our information page.

Approved credits: 0.7 continuing education units (CEU) will be awarded for full participation in this workshop. The program falls within the subject matter identified by the following organizations for continuing education credits.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development and Applied Studies, (Provider #1042) is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (800-225-6880) through the Approved Continuing Education program. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, PDAS, maintains responsibility for the program.

• 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Illinois Department of Professional Regulation/Social Workers (#159-000243)
• Iowa Department of Public Health/Social Workers (provider #35)
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Professional Development Plan
• National Board of certified Counselors (NBCC)

For program information contact: Kristi Obmascher 608-262-8971; e-mail kobmascher@dcs.wisc.edu

 

Registration options

By phone: Call 608-262-7942 or toll-free 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

By fax: Print, complete and fax the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration will be available for this program.