Civic reflection is a learned skill. To plan and facilitate a successful civic reflection requires understanding the purposes and processes of group reflection, the particular needs of your group, and knowing where to find appropriate resources. The Center for Civic Reflection is here to help.

We offer a variety of training options, and are always excited to talk about new options that might better fit your needs. In general, our trainings fall into two categories:

Facilitation Trainings

8-hour facilitation trainings help participants learn how to facilitate civic reflection discussions, which use reflective reading and conversation to open up important questions for communities, expand imagination about future action, and build bridges of understanding in the midst of differences. The ability to facilitate such conversations is a key leadership skill for those who want to work well with others to serve the common good. Through CCR, certified trainers are available to train students, faculty and staff on your campus.

Once trained, participants will be ready and resourced to lead civic dialogue with any group or organization.

Train-the-Trainer Workshops

16-hour train-the-trainer workshops prepare participants to train future civic reflection facilitators. Center trainers provide a deep review of and opportunities for guided practice with the “building blocks” of a Facilitation Workshop. The ability to train future facilitators in civic reflection discussions allows institutions outside CCR to create, sustain, or expand a civic reflection effort by generating a new corps of trainers and facilitators. Through CCR and our alumni network, certified trainers are available to train any members of your campus or organization. Once trained, participants will be ready and resourced to teach others how to coordinate civic reflections with groups in your organization or in the broader community. Train-the-Trainer workshops require a commitment of at least two partial days for work across two primary modules.

Module 1

Substantial theoretical exploration in identifying effective facilitation techniques, both in orientation and disposition. This will re-acquaint trained facilitators with the principles of civic reflection and provide assignments for Module Two.

Module 2

Praxis in civic reflection techniques. We recommend using Module Two as a Facilitation Training. This allows hands-on experience for Practice Trainers and provides training for new facilitators. You can both install trainers for civic reflection training programs at your institution and create a sustainable corps of new facilitators.

Trainings can be arranged in various formats, including fully online. All trainings blend brief overviews of key facilitation elements with model group discussion and hands-on facilitation practice. Participants take turns leading discussions, learn about different types of guiding questions, receive guidance on handling the responsibilities and challenges that arise during the course of facilitation, and get help planning to make civic reflection happen in their communities.

Costs

The cost of a Civic Reflection Training will vary according to training length, the number of participants, and the seniority of the trainers you request. For in-person trainings, we recommend one trainer per eight participants. For distance trainings, we recommend one senior trainer per 24 participants.