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May 20 at 9:00 am to May 23 at 4:30 pm EDT - Watson College of Education Building at UNCW, Wilmington, NC, 28403
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an energizing and inclusive process that fosters creativity through the art of positive inquiry. It builds new skills in individuals and groups, develops new leaders, encourages a culture of inquiry, and helps create shared vision and purpose by building on an organization’s core values and strengths.
HYBRID IN-PERSON AIFT PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) is a foundational program designed to teach you how to facilitate the type of transformative change made possible through Appreciative Inquiry. In addition to introducing the basic tenets of Appreciative Inquiry (e.g., principles, 5-Ds, and theory), the AIFT delves deeper by providing experiential exercises that will teach you how to work with core teams, define a topic of inquiry, craft generative questions, field test interview protocols, establish action items, and more.
This hybrid AIFT certification program is comprised of synchronous and asynchronous learning. We will be using a learning management system (LMS) called LearnDash for the asynchronous portion and in-person synchronous sessions.
“This training has allowed me to reconnect with the facilitator, partner and guide I want to be for my clients. I am leaving armed with new skills and an important reminder that how I “show up” in any given moment significantly influences the destiny of my work, and that of my clients.”
– C. Brown
AIFT DATES AND TIMES:
The Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) will be delivered over the course of 4 days. Each day begins with a 30-minute networking opportunity, followed immediately by the training which begins promptly at 9am. Training days include two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch.
DAY 1 MAY 20, 2024 | DAY 2 MAY 21, 2024 | DAY 3 MAY 22, 2024 | DAY 4 MAY 23, 2024 |
Networking: 8:30am - 9:00am EDT | Networking: 8:30am - 9:00am EDT | Networking: 8:30am - 9:00am EDT | Networking: 8:30am - 9:00am EDT |
Training: 9:00am - 4:30pm EDT | Training: 9:00am - 4:30pm EDT | Training: 9:00am - 4:30pm EDT | Training: 9:00am - 4:30pm EDT |
ORIENTATION
To ensure that all participants are off to a strong start, your AIFT trainers will host a live orientation session via Zoom – Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 10:30 Pacific Time / 1:30pm Eastern Time. Your trainers will provide an overview of the course timelines and learning outcomes and ensure you have access to the LMS which contains your materials and readings.
Your interaction with your cohort and trainers within the LMS will enhance your learning and prepare you to begin your practicum. You will have time to become familiar with the LMS, read assignments and engage with trainers and other participants prior to the first synchronous (live) session on the campus of UNCW on May 20, 2024.
The Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training provided me with an essential framework and useful tools that I use on a regular basis. We are so pleased to bring this opportunity to UNCW.
– Carol McNulty, Interim Dean, UNCW Watson College of Education
TRAINING SEGMENTS:
The AIFT consists of eight (8) modules organized within four segments, with a new segment to be delivered each day. Each segment consists of exercises, readings, and discussions designed to guide you through the full range and depth of what it means to be an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator.
DEFINE AI AND BUILD COMMUNITY
Learning Outcomes:
- Build community collaboratively in order to function in a strong learning community.
- Reflect on how you will build community in the future as an AI facilitator.
- Define appreciative inquiry.
- Develop a common understanding what appreciative inquiry is and how it is applied.
EXPERIENCE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
Learning Outcomes:
- Experience the five generic processes of appreciative inquiry as they apply to designing your learning within the AIFT.
UNCOVER THE POWER OF APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and ingrate key theory components of appreciative inquiry to support your foundations as an AI facilitator.
CREATE TOPICS OF INQUIRY AND INTERVIEW GUIDES
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify an affirmative topic for an inquiry and modify the generic interview guide.
- Reflect on facilitator considerations.
KEY AI FACILITATION CONSIDERATIONS
Learning Outcomes:
- Assess and integrate key appreciative inquiry facilitation considerations.
- Learn about Core Teams and their role in the AI Process.
- Learn various forms of AI engagement.
GROUND APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY IN EVIDENCE
Learning Outcomes:
- Discover the research and evidence that underpins the work of appreciative inquiry and integrate these ideas into your facilitation toolkit.
LIVE AND FACILITATE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate facilitator skills and knowledge and seek to clarify how you will process as an AI facilitator.
- Learn about the four clusters of competencies in developing emotional and social intelligence.
- Create a personal action plan around the topic of “being your best as a facilitator”.
CELEBRATE AND PRACTICUM INFORMATION
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the requirements needed to earn your Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Certification from The Center for Appreciative Inquiry.
- Utilize a checklist for designing and facilitating systems change.
TRAINING DESIGNED FOR:
Leaders in businesses and corporations, community development, educational organizations, governmental organizations, and nonprofit organizations–in short, anyone who wants to learn how to facilitate Appreciative Inquiry.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION:
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
The Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (person, virtual, or hybrid) utilizes the textbook, Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination (2nd Edition) by Jane Magruder Watkins, Bernard Mohr, and Ralph Kelly.
Your trainers will assign readings from this book throughout your training. You will need to purchase this textbook prior to the start of this course. This book is available in electronic or paperback versions. Please select the version that is in alignment with your learning style and preference. Click on the ‘Buy Textbook’ button located to the right to learn more about the book and order your copy.
LETTER OF COMPLETION
To obtain a letter of completion (and to be eligible for consideration for AI Facilitator Certification) each participant must actively participate and complete the AIFT (equating to 26 training hours). Letters of completion include your name, date of your training, and number of classroom hours earned and will be presented to participants after the training.
CERTIFICATION PROCESS:
What is Appreciative Inquiry Certification? Appreciative Inquiry certification indicates that you have met specific requirements designed to advance and deepen your knowledge and skills in theory, processes, and application of Appreciative Inquiry. It demonstrates to others that you use industry-respected best practices and possess the knowledge, experience and education to effectively help individuals, teams, organizations, and communities achieve their success.
AI FACILITATOR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for certification as an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator with The Center for Appreciative Inquiry, each participant must:
- Actively participate in an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT).
- Design and facilitate an appreciative inquiry engagement for a team, organization, group, or community using the 5-D Appreciative Inquiry process. Your AIFT trainers serve as an advisor to you during your practicum – at no extra cost.
- Complete and submit a practicum (narrative) for review. Practicums demonstrate your understanding and application of Appreciative Inquiry by sharing your facilitation experience, learnings, insights, and outcomes.
PRACTICUM REVIEW
All submitted practicums are reviewed by a panel of seasoned appreciative inquiry practitioners. At least one trainer from your AIFT will also be part of the panel that reviews your practicum. The Review Panel may contact you to engage in a conversation about your work once you have submitted your practicum. Typically, they will respond with questions, to deepen their and your shared understanding of AI. The practicum review is therefore a dialogical and interactive process.
CERTIFICATION BENEFITS & WHAT’S INCLUDED
Once certified, your Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Certification lasts for 2 years and includes:
- An Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Certification document for your records;
- Permission to use of the Center for Appreciative Inquiry Certification logo to embed on your website or include in your email signature;
- Exclusive access to content and events reserved only for certified AI Community Members.
- A free profile listing on our Appreciative Inquiry Directory for the duration of your certification. Learn more about the benefits of our AI Directory here.
VENUE & TRAVEL RESOURCES:
TRAINING VENUE
Watson College of Education Building, Room 232
University of North Carolina Wilmington
970 Reynolds Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
PARKING INFORMATION
Participants are encouraged to park in the East Parking Deck. Parking permits will be provided to participants prior to the start of the training.
THIS CERTIFICATION COURSE OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
QUESTIONS?
Do you have questions about this training? Please email your questions to Kathy Becker at Kathy@CenterForAppreciativeInquiry.net.
WANT TO TRAIN YOUR TEAM?
Private AIFT sessions are available for groups and organizations who wish to train a large number of individuals in the art of appreciative inquiry facilitation. We encourage a minimum of eight (8) members from any organization, group, or community participate. Please complete the CONTACT US form to receive more information about hosting a private AI Facilitator Training for your group.
AI Practitioners
Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair Co-President of Cockell McArthur-Blair Consulting is an inspirational writer, speaker and facilitator. She believes positive leadership matters in the world and all of her work is around enabling and fostering that generative possibility. Joan specializes in the use of appreciative inquiry and appreciative resilience to foster leadership development, strategic planning and innovative strategies for organizational and team development. She also provides short term leadership through executive-to-go services. Read More>>
Dr. Denise Henning (Cherokee/Choctaw) Director, UNCW/3C Collaborative and Professor, Education Leadership with 20 years in higher education with 13 of those years as executive leadership. She is focused on fostering shared leadership using an appreciative framework at its core. Dr. Henning has earned a reputation for cultivating and sustaining positive relationships, building collaborative teams, and energizing people in ways that foster their innovative spirit and believes in asking the right questions and being part of the solution. Read More>>