My new book – FoCuSeD Facilitation Games. I’ve been working on this since April. Millie has finished editing it and I’ve received comments from Izzy Gesell and Sivasailam “Thiagi” Thiagarajan – thank you all very much. I’m using this book for our FoCuSeD Advanced Class later this month.
I’m excited about this book. I like the name I’ve chosen for group facilitation exercises – Participant Engagement Tools (PETs). It resonates and captures what these truly are about. I have included every PET that I’ve used and found useful. In addition, I’ve thought through how to modify the PETs for different sized groups, face-to-face, teleconferences, mixed face-to-face and teleconference workshops, and others. I’ve also provided templates so that you can design your own PET. This book will make a difference for Facilitators – I’ve found no other book like it.
The best way to get the book is to attend the FoCuSeD Advanced Class on September 27th and 28th (contact me to register).
Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’
Facilitation Games – new book
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 by Gary Rush, CPFWinter Fun
Monday, January 17th, 2011 by Gary Rush, CPFHi Y’all,
It’s a New Year – I wish all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
I had the opportunity to teach The FoCuSeD Facilitator Academy at a client in Hartford, CT last week. The class went well, but I managed to schedule the class during the week when a record snow fall hit Hartford – the heaviest snow fall in over 100 years! I’m used to snow, living in Chicago, but because of the amount – over 2 feet – businesses were closed – including the client. Rather than lose a day, a Live Meeting was scheduled for the day. The students dialed in from their homes. I dialed in from the hotel. I was able to display the class slides over Live Meeting and we were able to conduct the class covering everything as if we were face-to-face, including exercises.
I prefer face-to-face – it’s easier to present when you have people reacting – but in a pinch, teaching the class over the Internet worked. Using an Internet meeting tool, such as Live Meeting or WebEx, makes a big difference. I could capture ideas on the shared notes, enabling everyone to view them. We were even able to develop workshop agendas for the client with everyone participating. As more and more companies embrace Work From Home and telecommuting concepts, we are all going to have to adjust. This class gave me an opportunity to try something new and learn from it.
FoCuSeD in Nigeria
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFI traveled to Lagos, Nigeria on September 4th to teach two FoCuSeD Facilitator Academy classes back-to-back to the people at Chevron Nigeria. It was quite an experience.
The news media doesn’t do any justice to Nigeria. When I met my contact from Nigeria – Ephraim – I knew that it was going to be a pleasant visit. The company bus drove me the 21 miles from the airport to the hotel (taking 2 1/2 hours due to the traffic in Lagos). I arrived at my hotel late Sunday evening, rested, then got up on Monday to get ready for the class.
I had no idea what the students might expect of me. When the students arrived, I knew this was going to be an excellent class, and it was. The students from Chevron were outstanding. They were hard working, curious, and eager to learn. They read every page of the FoCuSeD Guide. Needless to say, all did a great job.
Here is the first group of FoCuSeD alumni (left to right): Ephraim, Funmi, Moses, Ikhuoria, Yemi, Heather, Uzo, Agun, Christy, Dami, me, Onyia, Ben, Rolake, and Nathan
Chevron Nigeria Class 1
Here is the second group of FoCuSeD alumni (left to right): Obinna, Daniel, Bunmi, Mimi, Tunji, Donatus, Ifeoma, Yomi, me, Bukky, and Wilson
Chevron Nigeria Class 2
They were kind enough to take me to a conservatory sponsored by Chevron that protects the plants and animals. No human interference is allowed. The animals are allowed to live in the wild and the jungle is allowed to remain natural. It’s quite amazing and a wonderful way to protect the wild life. Next time, I’ll wear the appropriate attire. Wearing a suit in the jungle was not a good idea 
.
Gary in the Jungle Tree House
All in all, this was a great experience. Traveling was long – 3 1/2 hours to drive the 21 miles back to the airport and 14 hours flying time with a 5-hour layover in Frankfurt, but worth it. I wish to thank everyone and I look forward to my return visit.
Ciao,
Gary
Meeting People from the Past
Thursday, March 18th, 2010 by Gary Rush, CPFHi,
I just finished a Business Analyst panel discussion. It went very well and I enjoyed it. What was really fun, though, was meeting up with people from the past. I saw Bruce Woerner who I trained while he was at AC Nielsen in 1997. It’s great to see people take what they have learned and continue to grow. Bruce told me that he still has his facilitation book and still uses it in his work.
I also ran into Steve Waller. I hired Steve when I was a manager at CNA in 1983. I hired him into the Development Center to be a Facilitator. I haven’t seen Steve since I left in 1984, so this was a great reunion. He’s doing well and I was able to catch up on the others from the group. Thanks, Steve.
I have to share a photo. I was on the panel with Brett Champlin. He knew me when I had a pony tail (long ago). He mentioned that I look more “professional” now. He was kind enough to share his photo from long ago – when he had long hair like I did (Brett is in the upper right). Thanks, Brett.
Brett and the Devil's Kitchen Band