PATH
and Community-Building:
a
hands-on course to practice PATH,
Solution Circles,
and strategies for community-building
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At
the heart of helping people move toward lives of
self-determination, connection, companionship and contribution are effective skills in person centered planning,
the development of personal support networks, and strategies that define vision, invite
collaboration, and build the energy and commitment necessary to work
together on complex problems.
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PATH
and Creative Facilitation
is an intensive practice-based training event based on the internationally recognized
work of
Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest and John O'Brien, John McKnight, John McGee,
and Joseph Schaeffer.
PATH
is simply the most powerful individual, team and organizational planning
tool we've ever encountered.
All
participants leave having done their own PATH, and having co-facilitated
PATHs for two other participants. They
leave inspired, energized and
with actual tools to start using immediately at work and personal
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PATH is a
systematic seven step process to define strategies for aligning and increasing the energy
available to make progress on complex problems. It is a way for a person and members
of their personal network to:
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affirm the values that guide them
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vividly depict their vision
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feel the tension between their vision and their current reality
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identify the people to enroll in making progress
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specify how they will build the skills, knowledge and stamina necessary for the
work
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sketch strategies that will move them toward their vision
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and define exactly who will take responsibility for which immediate next steps
- John O'Brien, A little book on Personal Futures
Planning
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Who Should Attend
The
best workshops involve diverse training groups – professionals, parents,
extended family members, people who receive
supports, circle members, and ideally a number of 'civilians' – people who come
from other walks of life: business people, artists, architects, leaders in civic
associations, church members and clergy, elected representatives,
etc.
PATH
and the related facilitation and team-building tools are being forged
in the disability field, but they have been shown to have real value in other
areas including child protection, mental health and corrections.
Since the tools are not 'disability-specific', they are a gift to the larger
civic community as well.
Participants from human service agencies,
schools, businesses, congregational, cultural, economic development and community action groups will:
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Learn
tools for dealing with complex problems in turbulent environments
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Develop and
communicate a compelling vision of the future
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Learn
effective, proven methods for moving from dreams to action
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Facilitate
goal-setting, action planning, and problem-solving
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Help
teams move towards consensus, commitment and conflict resolution
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Explore
community-building, capacity-finding, and strategies for finding the 'places' where
individual gifts can be welcomed
When Times are Tough
This workshop emphasizes
practical solutions for 'what to do 'til the doctor comes'. PATH, Solution
Circles, the Stone Game and strategies for community-building are all designed
to work while the budget deficit is still looming and the 'system' isn't fixed.
It offers a new pattern language for re-energizing professionals,
families, and engaging the broader community
The Presenters
David and Faye Wetherow
are parents, seasoned facilitators and service innovators. They created
the first Microboards, inclusive housing and service cooperatives, and some of
Canada's first individualized residential, employment and personal support
services.
"Wonderful, gentle,
wise souls. I felt safe and respected. I was totally engaged the
entire time, and that doesn't happen to me very often in a workshop context."
"You were an
integral, energizing force in my efforts to recover from chronic sadness and
rage at the ways in which my son had been marginalized over the past few years."
"PATH training
was a multi-faceted gift -- not only did I come away more excited about a
planning process than I had been in ages, but I also had the opportunity to
experience a tiny slice of the renowned Wetherow magic -- and I'd been
pining for that for a long time."
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Contact
us about organizing a PATH / Creative Facilitation training event in your
area.
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