Foundations of Facilitation
IN PERSON OR ONLINE TRAINING
Foundations of Facilitation provides you with the skills to create powerful, transformative workshops. Whether you are new to running events for groups, or have been facilitating for years, this interactive, hands-on or online training will create new depth to your presentations, improve your ability to create relatedness with just about anyone, and enhance your confidence. This training is a required first step if you desire to become a Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator. It is also an excellent way to sharpen your facilitation skills overall.
Online At Your Own Pace/
In-Person Four Day Workshop
Foundations of Facilitation includes two parts: An online program that gets you up and running right away, and a four-day in-person workshop to refine and hone your skills in real-time. If you can get there in person, you will benefit from interacting directly with the trainers and other students, and it’s more fun!
UPCOMING IN-PERSON DATES. CLICK HERE.
For many people, getting to a live training is prohibitive, and in that case, the virtual training on its own works well. Both are included in your tuition!
You Will Learn How To:
- Create safe, non-sexual space to allow connection between your participants
- Lead workshops that leave your participants feeling touched, open, valued and nurtured
- Generate an environment where everyone communicates more authentically
- Listen profoundly
- Create a powerful relatedness with strangers quickly and easily
- Be more open to others and able to give and receive comfortably
- Create strong boundaries for yourself without shutting others down
- Tools for building a strong, intimate community
- Advanced tools for handling rejection
- Communication techniques that open people up to discuss intimacy, desires, fears and needs
You’ll Receive:
Lifetime Access
Access to online materials, covering the entire curriculum. You have this access permanently.
Group Membership
Access to an ongoing series of group coaching calls via video conference
Event Access
Attendance at a live, in-person training, which is offered regularly around the world
Who Takes the Training?
Caretakers, teachers, workshop instructors, group facilitators, community builders, dance and drama instructors, coaches, massage therapists, healers, social workers and the like will find much of value to their fields in this training, though the training is by no means limited to professionals in these fields. Previous participants have come from backgrounds as diverse as computer administration, art history, and even acting. The skills gained in this training will benefit anyone who leads groups, whether in the boardroom, on the nature trail, or in a studio.
UPCOMING IN-PERSON DATES. CLICK HERE.
What To Expect
In Person Training Option
Four days, comfortable location
10-25 people
Online Training Option
Series of 10 group calls (1 hour each) via video conference. Join at any time.
Investment
The fee for FoF is $695 US. This includes the online material, which is available to you permanently, attendance at the groups calls, and attendance at one live training.
A student rate of $495 is available to qualified applicants.
Ask about work-study and student discounts, and payment plans at hello@cuddleparty.com
The In-Person Curriculum
Our time together will include lots of opportunities to practice and hone your facilitation skills. We also will dive deeper on the material covered in the online training:
Day 1
5:30 pm – 10 pm The first night of training we experience an actual Cuddle Party event to see what it’s all about and get to know our fellow participants in a fun, relaxing environment.
Day 2
10 am – 6 pm You’ll learn how to set the tone for your participants, who you are as a facilitator, what “creating safety” means (and doesn’t mean), and how to expand your quality of listening.
Day 3
10 am – 6 pm We’ll explore deeper listening, how to address participants’ concerns, your self-care, limits and boundaries as a facilitator, and concrete skills to create a trustworthy container for your event.
Day 4
10 am – 6 pm We’ll dive into managing expectations, using clear intentions as a tool for powerful experiences, how to facilitate through the unexpected and aftercare for yourself and your participants.
The Online Curriculum
The Virtual Training is an online course that consists of learning modules, video lectures and video conference calls.
The calls are ongoing. You can get started right away.
Currently meeting:
Wednesday 8-9 PM CDT
Tuesday 3-4 PM CDT
Alternative times may be possible. Upon enrollment, provide your request and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
- About this course: How the course works. Creating your profile.
- What is Facilitation? What facilitation is, what you are responsible and what you are not responsible for.
- Creating a sense of safety: What safety is (and isn’t), why your participants need it and how to create a sense of safety
- Self Care: About your own boundaries and limits, and what to do with your expectations and intentions
- Facilitation in practice: Setting up your space, powerful openings, facilitating through challenges and obstacles, and effective closings
- Integrity and accountability: What integrity is and how accountability works
- Planning a workshop: Where to hold your events and how to promote them
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foundations of Facilitation Training?
The live, in-person version of Foundations of Facilitation Training is a three and a half day program designed to provide you with the skills you need to create powerful, transformative workshops, including official Cuddle Party Workshops.
Whether you are new to running events for groups, or have been facilitating for years, this interactive, hands-on training will provide you with skills that will enhance your confidence, create new depth to your presentations, and improve your ability to create relatedness with just about anyone.
The training is a prerequisite for certification as a Cuddle Party facilitator, though anyone with an interest in and passion for working with groups of people is encouraged to apply.
If you would like a live, in-person FOF training in your area, please request one by emailing us here. We will ask if you have eight or more paid commitments and are willing to host at a suitable location. Any place suitable for a Cuddle Party would work as a training space as well. Once your training date and location are settled, we can promote it here to enrich participation.
The online training option of Foundations of Facilitation is a go at your own pace training. (Please read FAQ below for more info.)
Who should be trained?
Anyone who has a passion for working with groups of people can benefit from this training.
Caretakers, teachers, workshop instructors, group facilitators, community builders, dance, yoga instructors, drama instructors, coaches, massage therapists, healers, social workers and the like will find much of value to their fields in this training, though the training is by no means limited to professionals in these fields.
Previous participants have come from backgrounds as diverse as computer administration, art history, and acting. The skills gained in this training will benefit anyone who leads groups, whether in the boardroom, on the nature trail, or in a studio.
In addition, anyone who wants to run Cuddle Party events must take this training. It is the first step in the process of becoming a Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator. This training provides the background for conveying what a Cuddle Party is about, as well as skills, techniques and information for creating a successful Cuddle Party event, whether as a hobby or as an add-on to participants’ existing work.
Why should I be trained?
Foundations of Facilitation Training is designed to provide you with the skills you need to create powerful, transformative events. During this training, you will learn how to:
- Create safe, non-sexual space to explore intimacy both on a personal and professional level.
- Lead workshops that leave your participants feeling touched, open, valued and nurtured.
- Generate an environment where people can communicate more authentically.
- listen profoundly.
- Create a powerful relatedness with strangers quickly and easily.
- Be more open to others and able to give and receive comfortably.
- Create strong boundaries for yourself without shutting others down.
You will also learn:
- Tools for building a strong, intimate community.
- Advanced tools for handling rejection.
- Communication techniques that open people up to discuss intimacy, desires, fears and needs.
Regardless of whether you want to lead Cuddle Party events or not, the material covered in this training can be beneficial on the job, in your relationships, and even in your interactions with complete strangers.
What is the virtual Training Option?
We offer an Online Training Option that goes at your own pace. This option is accomplished by online course videos and live weekly video sessions for question and answer.
Participants of the online training option have some flexibility to self-pace through the training modules and can complete within two to five months.
The online training offers Facilitator Certification in parallel for those eager to begin producing Cuddle Party Workshops in the shortest possible time with a bit more effort.
What is the difference between the training and certification?
Training is the first step in becoming certified as a Cuddle Party facilitator. Training (Foundations of Facilitation) is open to people from all walks of life and provides participants with an opportunity to learn the skills offered during the training intensive. Certification is required only for those who wish to facilitate Cuddle Party events. Our certification is specific to that workshop.
(Online Training allows participants who are interested to accomplish training and certification in parallel to support the most efficient and effective short path to Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator status. It is self-paced and fully supported to maximize your opportunity for success.)
What is included in the training weekend?
- Participation in a Cuddle Party event.
- Three and a half days of intensive training, covering communication techniques, touch exercises, facilitation training, in-depth listening, boundary setting, and more.
- Workbook including facilitation concepts, tip sheets, worksheets, and more
- Snacks
- Opportunities to connect with your fellow participants
How much does training cost?
When is my payment due?
What if I can’t afford the training fee?
We respect the financial situations that people may be in. Our FOF and Facilitator Certification offers an opportunity for participants to create an additional revenue stream for themselves. Most Cuddle Party facilitators can recoup the cost of the training during the first three to four events they hold.
In addition, the skills you will learn in this training will carry over into other areas of your life, both personal and professional, creating new perspectives and new ways of being with and interacting with others.
Scholarships may be awarded for FOF Training, please contact us via email training@cuddleparty.com or call (858) 260-6187.
What should I wear?
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes throughout the training weekend.
Pajamas, yoga or running pants, and t-shirts are all acceptable, and pajamas are strongly recommended on Day One of training. A changing area will be available.
What should I bring?
Bring a notebook, a pen, your calendar, and your smiling face. Covered water bottles are also a good idea. Some like to bring pajamas to change into for the first night (see what should I wear?)
What is the cancellation policy for the FoF Training?
Registration for Foundations of Facilitation Training requires a non-refundable registration fee of $100.
In order to provide quality training and personalized attention, attendance is limited to the first 20-30 applicants who register and submit full payment for the training.
If your requested training is full, your application will be valid for participation in future training.
Complete payment is due no later than ten days before training begins.
Cancellations more than two weeks prior to the event will receive a refund of money paid, minus the registration fee.
If a paid participant wishes to postpone and reschedule for a later date, the participant will be charged a $50 service fee, and placed into the date of their choice.
The participant may choose either to receive a refund (minus the application fee) for the original event or to postpone and reschedule for a future event.
Cancellations less than two weeks before the event will be allowed to reschedule (with $50 service fee), but cannot be refunded.
Ongoing Online Training is available continuously and works on the mutual agreements you make before beginning training. Please communicate effectively and promptly to advise CP HQ of any changes needed in your participation or payment schedules. All efforts will be made to ensure mutual support throughout your training process.
How do I register for Foundations of Facilitation?
About the Cuddle Party Certification Program:
Do I have to enter into the Cuddle Party Certification program?
To take Foundations of Facilitation – No, you don’t. Not at all.
To certify as a Cuddle Party Facilitator and use the Cuddle Party format, name, logo and be listed on the Cuddle Party website (and be part of a world wide community of CP facilitators) – Yes, you do.
Many people want to take the Foundations of Facilitation Training to complement the work they already do. We have had people from many different backgrounds take our training, including artists, computer programmers, workshop facilitators, seminary students, teachers, chefs and yoga instructors. The skills and techniques taught in this intensive are applicable in many areas of life, both personally and professionally.
If you would like a live FOF training in your area request one if you have eight or more paid commitments and are willing to host at a suitable location. Anyplace suitable for a Cuddle Party would work as a training space as well. Once your training date and location are settled, we can promote it here to enrich participation.
Ongoing Virtual Training is continuously available online. The online version offers Certification Training in parallel for those eager to begin producing Cuddle Parties.
What is required for certification?
In addition to taking the Foundations of Facilitation Training, those who wish to become Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators must participate in the Cuddle Party Certification program. Included in this program is
- Extensive coaching and support
- Ten video calls with certification coaches. You must attend at least one video calls before scheduling a review party and at least one video calls after each review party
In order to successfully complete the Certification program, participants must complete a minimum of 10 video calls, do all homework assignments to the satisfaction of their certification leader, get certified in CPR and First Aid, and lead three provisional Cuddle Party events with feedback.
Benefits to certification include:
- License to use Cuddle Party materials for your own Cuddle Party events
- Listing on the official Cuddle Party website
- Access to the Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators discussion board
- Access to monthly Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators support call
Please be aware that while most training participants will be allowed to move directly into the certification program if they so choose, in some cases we will postpone participation in order to prepare participants as powerfully as possible to take on the certification program. Participation in training does not automatically guarantee participation in the certification program.