Prosocial Facilitator Training Workshop #24

This course is now in progress and is closed for registration. Please check back in November for course dates for next year.

Americas/ Aust Cohort (Sundays 5pm-8pm in US Eastern Time; Mondays 8am-11am AEST)

Download ICS File 		Europe/ Aust Cohort (Mondays 8am-11am in UK Time; Mondays 6-9pm AEST)

Download ICS File 		Americas/ Europe Cohort (Wednesdays 3-6pm in UK Time, 10-1pm US Eastern Time)
Workshop 1 Oct 10 Oct 11 Oct 13
Workshop 2 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 27
Workshop 3 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 10
Workshop 4 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 24
Workshop 5 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 15

Note that the 5th session is 3 weeks after the 4th session. All other sessions are 2 weeks apart.

Click here for information about the course. Note this course is closed for registrations.
Hands in shape of globe

Join us for the Prosocial Introductory Facilitator Training. At the end of this 12 week course, you will be able to:

  • Create Change

    Use a simple but highly effective set of tools for mobilizing deep change with individuals and groups

  • Help Groups

    Help groups become more purposeful, equitable, inclusive, accountable and harmonious, even if they have experienced conflict or disengagement

  • Measure

    Evaluate the effectiveness of any group

Course Information

In this highly interactive course, you will be supported in your learning in four main ways:

  • Weekly consultation sessions where you can engage with new techniques being demonstrated, and share your challenges and insights with others with loads of experience bringing about change in groups and organisations.

  • Regular team meetings with others doing the course working in a similar sector and/or region and supported by a personal coach dedicated to working with your team.

  • An online discussion forum where you can share resources, ask questions and explore the Prosocial framework in more depth with your facilitator and colleagues on the course.

  • Access to an online learning management system that contains videos, readings, exercises and a sequence of four main assignments to support you in your learning.

Course Assignments

The assignments are the backbone of the course, giving you a chance to practice each element of the Prosocial ARC process in a safe and satisfying way. Each step of the way you will be given all the tools and tips you need to complete these assignments. You will get to:

  • Run the personal ACT matrix with someone

  • Run a collective ACT matrix with a group

  • Investigate how one or more of the Core Design Principles applies to your own situation and industry, and

  • Write a draft plan for how you will implement Prosocial following the training.

Course curriculum

Course Components

Workshop 1: Introducing the Prosocial ARC Process and Using the ACT Matrix

This is our introductory module. We will do an overview of Prosocial as an idea, a community, a research effort and a process. We will do introductions to one another and explore what is in the course including meeting your team coaches.  We will also be starting to work with the ACT Matrix and introducing psychological flexibility.  The ACT Matrix is a fantastic tool for helping people clarify what really matters to them personally about participating in the group. 

Assignment 1 Due: Conducting a personal ACT matrix with someone

Session 2: The Core Design Principles & The Collective Matrix 

At the heart of Prosocial is the 8 Core Design Principles originally developed by Elinor Ostrom and then modified by the Prosocial team.  This week we introduce the principles and their role in Prosocial.   We then show you how to facilitate the collective ACT matrix with a group. The ACT Matrix tool is so useful for the Prosocial process because it can be used at any level. Just as an individual has things that really matter to them, so too do groups.  

Assignment 2 Due: Exploring a Core Design Principle 

Session 3: Setting Collective Goals, Measuring Change and Designing Your Whole ARC Process

So far in the course you have learned 3 out of the five main elements of the Prosocial ARC process. This week we finish the last two: setting collective goals and evaluation tools you can use to measure progress in your group.  We then step back and look at some real examples of how Prosocial has been used in practice, so that you can get a sense of the whole and be better placed to design your own interventions that will work for the groups you care about.

Assignment 3 Due: Conducting a collective ACT matrix with a small group 

Session 4: Prosocial for Groups of Groups. Applying the Process to Your Own Context

One of the unique features of the Prosocial ARC Process is its capacity to be applied at any scale. In this class we use the work of Prof. Robert Styles and others to review how Prosocial can be scaled to networks of groups. This session will also be an opportunity for you to present and discuss what you have learned about the core design principles in relation to your own group.

Assignment 4: Planning how you will implement Prosocial

Session 5: Sharing Your Plans, Getting Support and Celebrating Success

Marketing is not a dirty word! If you are going to do Prosocial with groups you are going to need to get good at talking about Prosocial and pitching the benefits to funders and decision makers. In this session, we explore how you might engage groups to do Prosocial with you.  We will also have a chance to share our plans about how we plan to use Prosocial after the course. We will address any challenges you are experiencing and help you get set up to hit the ground running after the course!

FAQ

  • How much time does the course take?

    While we endeavour to present only that which is most important for understanding and doing Prosocial, this is a professional level training. It will involve a total time commitment of approximately 50-80 hours, although you can spend more on it if you wish to go more deeply. Your learning will be supported by: 1) Online videos, readings and exercises (approximately 1.5-3 hours per week); 2) Five 3-hour workshops conducted over 12 weeks (every two weeks initially and then a slighter longer period before the final workshop); and 3) Reading and contributing to online discussions (approximately 30 minutes a week)

  • Are the workshops video recorded and do I need to attend every workshop?

    The course includes five 3-hour online workshops conducted online but with a skilled facilitator. These sessions will be recorded so if you have to miss one, you can review what was done later. Please note that the workshops are an important part of the learning, and it is best to choose an offering of the course where you can attend all the workshops.

  • What pricing options are there?

    We offer a range of payment options to make the course as accessible as possible for everyone. We have rates for those who wish to support others, students, not-for profits and even scholarships available for those with little or no income.

Pricing options

Our aim is to make the course accessible for everyone. We offer split payment schedules and discounted options for students and others. We also offer group discounts for 2 or more people (2 people: 10% off, 3-5: 20% off, 6+ 30% off the standard rates). To learn more please contact paul.atkins@prosocial.world