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• MAFN Salon (March): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    03/03/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  This month, we’re diving into the topic of building and maintaining credibility in the field of facilitation. During this organic and unstructured conversation, we’ll explore topics such as:

  • Strategies you’ve used to stand out and build trust in a competitive field.

  • Ways to strengthen your reputation and grow your professional presence.

  • Tips for breaking into new industries.

  Whether you’re a seasoned facilitator or just starting out, this discussion will provide fresh perspectives and practical ideas for enhancing your credibility in a crowded marketplace.

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN March 14th Online Workshop: Networking using Cozy Juicy Real

  • When
    03/14/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration:  90 minutes

  
  

  About the workshop: 

  At this event, you'll get to network and connect in a way you've never done before. 

  
  

  Come to experience Cozy Juicy Real, a simple, effective board game that’s been played at Google, Adobe and the UN to create psychological safety and stronger team bonds.

  
  

  “You will connect. Cozy Juicy Real is the best way to foster connection online.”  – Marcia Goddard, Chief Culture Officer, The Contentment Foundation

  
  

  Cozy Juicy Real is a fun, engaging and interactive event.   The event is split into three simple sections:

  
  

  • Welcome and a brief check in

  • Game time!

  • Debrief and checkout

  
  

  All three portions are highly interactive, using either our online gaming platform or a Miro board. 

  
  

  Watch this video for a preview of the Cozy Juicy Real experience: https://vimeo.com/765044964

  
  

  
  

  Learning Objectives 

  
  

  In this session, participants will:

  
  

  • Connect meaningfully with others in the MAFN community

  • Create lasting professional relationships

  • Explore how you might use this with organizations YOU work with

  
  

  NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms where the actual game will be played will not be recorded).

  
  

  This is a 90-minute workshop. It will take place starting at 12pm EDT.

  
  

  Speakers:

  Jed Lazar is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, first founding SoupCycle - an organic soup company that delivered 160,000 soups by bicycle - and now cofounder of Cozy Juicy Real - a board game experience that kindles fun, authentic and connecting interactions. He’s hosted events for companies such as TEDx, Adobe and Nike, and is on a mission to help create a more playful and trusting world.

  
  

  Sophia Lazar has lived many different lives – as a group facilitator, life coach, visual effects artist, yoga practitioner, registered nurse and now cofounder of Cozy Juicy Real. Today she helps bring together thousands of people from across the globe for connecting experiences - from global conference attendees, to start-ups and teams at some of the world’s most successful companies. Her vision is to design experiences where everybody gets to be just who they are and invite people into a community of authenticity, meaning and play.

  Show details
• March 2025 MAFN Salon: Vienna

  • When
    03/17/2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    “Bear Cage” room at Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  Come join us Monday, March 17th, 2025 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM with optional lunch afterward, for our monthly Vienna MAFN Salon!

  Each month, we will have a topic or theme as well as open time for networking and sharing challenges and best practices in our facilitation. 

  Afterwards, those who are available are invited to stay and share community over lunch. 

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Coaching Community of Practice (CoP) (Members Only)

  • Start
    03/18/2025
  •  
  • End
    06/17/2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Online using Zoom
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  Duration: 60-minutes

  About the CoP

  MAFN is pleased to announce and launch its first Coaching CoP to support the many coaches of MAFN. Its leaders, Holly Martinson and Dawn McAvoy, seek to build a community that is based on safety, collaboration, learning, and feedback. We will meet on the third Tuesday of each month 12:00 – 1:00 pm EDT. 

  NOTE: This workshop will not be recorded.

  This is a monthly Community of Practice workshop. It will take place starting at 12:00pm EDT the third Tuesday of each month.

  Dawn McAvoy with McAvoy Consulting

  Dawn McAvoy has over 25 years of professional experience (nonprofits, corporations, small businesses, higher education, and early education). In her coaching practice, she brings empathy, curiosity, and support to each client experience. While building a collaborative partnership, and incorporating action planning and accountability measures, she sets her clients up for sustainable success.

  Dawn earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in English. Her professional certifications are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, EQ-i 2.0/360, and Certified Professional Career Coach (with PARWCC). As a certified FranklinCovey facilitator, she has facilitated leadership development courses, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Project Management Essentials, and The 6 Critical Practices for Leading Teams, in the Federal government.

  She is a member of the Project Management Institute and Mid-Atlantic Facilitator’s Network, where she currently serves on the Board. She is also especially passionate about supporting organizations that elevate women and girls, the environment, and education.

  ONLINE CoP Discussion REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.

  • MAFN CoP discussions will not be recorded in order to support space for learning.

  For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

  Show details
• MAFN March 21st In-Person Workshop: Embrace a Humor Mindset to Create a Positive Learning Environment

  • When
    03/21/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Silver Spring Civic Center Fenton Room 1 Veteran’s Plaza Silver Spring, MD 20910

  Register

  Duration:  3 hours - in-person

  
  

  About the workshop: 

  
  

  Join us for a dynamic workshop designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of humor effectively and intentionally. In this interactive session, you'll delve into various styles of humor, uncovering the profound benefits it can bring to your professional toolkit. 

  
  

  Participants will gain valuable insights and practical guidelines for incorporating intentional humor into their methods, enhancing both their communication and facilitation skills. Discover innovative strategies to seamlessly integrate humor into your training and facilitation plans, transforming your sessions into more engaging, positive, and impactful experiences.

  
  

  COVID Protocols for in-person attendance:

  
  

  • We ask that each person attending in-person be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

  • Participants are asked to stay home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, including runny nose, fever, cough, breathing issues, or gastrointestinal issues.

  • Please also stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or any variant thereof, or if you have had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 in the past 7 days.

  
  

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  
  

  • Contrast and compare the differences between humor, laughter, mirth, and wit 

  • Recognize the different styles of humor and identify your comfort zone

  • Explain the benefit of using appropriate and intentional humor in teaching

  • Understand the guidelines for using humor 

  This is a 3-hour in-person workshop. It will take place starting at 9:00am EDT.

  
  
  

  Speakers: 

  
  

  Mary Jo Neil began Drawn Dialogue out of her passion of drawing, laughing and playing. The purpose of Drawn Dialogue is to use creative means to spark collaboration, communication, critical thinking and connection through levity and visuals.  

  
  

  Mary Jo has a masters degree in art therapy and is a Certified Humor Professional (CHP). She developed an interest in using improv in daily life and enjoys playing with others to transform their skills.  You might even want to ask her about her Ducky award which she received on her husband’s company business trip.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN In-Person Social (Members & Non-Members welcome)

  • When
    03/21/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Locavino - 8519 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910

  Register

  MAFN members, do you miss seeing your fellow facilitator friends in person? Are there members you’ve only met online? Potential members, would you like to meet some of our members and get a feel for MAFN’s friendliness and collegiality? Come to our free in-person Social at Locavino in downtown Silver Spring! Friday March 21, 12pm-2pm.

  
  

  Duration:  2 hours

  It’s been a while since MAFN members have had the chance to meet in person just to catch up with each other and make new friends. Take this opportunity to gather right after the March in-person workshop, at Locavino in downtown Silver Spring, adjacent to the workshop location. Don’t worry, if you can’t attend the workshop, you’re still welcome to attend the social!

  We’ll have informal time to mingle and catch up, plus a few fun activities led by fellow members Dawn Rhine and Andrea Dunathan to help you make some new connections and get to know one another. If you’re hungry or thirsty, try Locavino’s delicious food, wine, and beer. (We’ll cover your non-alcoholic beverage of choice, thanks to the member sponsoring the event.)

  Transit: a few blocks from Silver Spring Metro station; or bus stop on Fenton St & Ellsworth Dr.

  Parking: surface lot accessible from Wayne Ave or Pershing Dr (strict 2 hour limit, crowded); Wayne Avenue garage; Town Square garage.

  Please be sure to register so we know how many people are coming!

  COVID Protocols for in-person attendance:

  • We ask that each person attending in-person be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

  • Participants are asked to stay home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, including runny nose, fever, cough, breathing issues, or gastrointestinal issues.

  • Please also stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or any variant thereof, or if you have had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 in the past 7 days.

  Show details
• (Members Only) MAFN Community of Practice: Conversations about Facilitation in Training

  • Start
    03/25/2025
  •  
  • End
    11/25/2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration: Each session is 1 hour (60-minutes)

  
  

  • March 25th, 2025
  • May 27th, 2025
  • July 22nd, 2025
  • September 23rd, 2025
  • November 25th, 2025

  
  

  Core facilitation skills and values inform not only facilitation practice but aligned professions such as training (where trainers often describe themselves as “facilitators!”). In this bi-monthly peer-led COP, we discuss how facilitation expertise enhances training delivery, sharing best practices from our experience as facilitators and/or trainers. These online facilitated conversations are standalone topic-based forums, with discussion groups limited to encourage maximum participation from all attendees. Topic suggestions and volunteer leaders are always welcome. Come with curiosity; participate with passion; leave with new learning.

  
  

  You are welcome to attend as many meetings in the series as your schedule allows. They will not build on each other. Once you register for the series, you will receive a notification for each meeting.

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only. These sessions will NOT be recorded.

  
  

  
  

  Recipient of the inaugural 2024 NYS Justice Peer Initiative Impact Award in Training & Development, Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/f, is a coach and trainer with a specialization in addiction recovery and a 20-year practice at Sobriety Together.  She is co-founder and program manager of the New York Certification Board Trainer Registry, an organization of professional trainers enhancing standards in non-clinical role training.  As a curriculum developer, she has contributed to role training for Veteran Supported Recovery, CRPA-Family and CRPA-Youth trainings for professional certifications.  She serves on the Board of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals.  She has been widely honored for her work.

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Come open to learning

  • Bring your questions, share your expertise

  • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

  
  

  ONLINE CoP Discussion REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight the day before the discussion group.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.

  • MAFN CoP discussions will not be recorded in order to support space for learning.

  • For registration or membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  Show details
• (Members Only) MAFN Racial Justice Community of Practice: Staying Grounded in Challenging Times - A Gathering for Facilitators

  • When
    03/25/2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom
  • Spaces left
    41

  Register

  Duration: 90-Minutes

  
  Tuesday, March 25th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDT

  
  

  February’s gathering of MAFN's Racial Justice CoP (featuring the book It's Never Been a Level Playing Field by Steve Brigham) surfaced deep emotions in discussions on ways to navigate relentless attacks on democracy. At the core is the disproportionate harm rapid political changes are having on marginalized communities. As facilitators, how do we hold space for others while also sustaining ourselves?  

  Join us as we take time to explore strategies for balance, resilience, and well-being. We’ll discuss coping mechanisms, wellness practices, and opportunities to collaborate with groups leading efforts to protect our democracy and communities. This is a space for reflection, support, and collective renewal.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Come open to learning

  • Bring your questions, share your expertise

  • Don’t expect closure - our shared learning is a process!

  
  

  ONLINE CoP Discussion REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight the day before the discussion group.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.

  • MAFN CoP discussions will not be recorded in order to support space for learning.

  • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

  Show details
• NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION: Jumpstart Your MAFN Journey

  • When
    03/31/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration: 90 minutes

  
  

  About the event: 

  
  

  Join us for our March New Member Orientation!! It will be held Monday, March 31st, from 12:00PM - 1:30PM Eastern. This New Member Orientation allows members to quickly get up to speed with all things MAFN. These sessions are designed to:

  
  

  • Introduce MAFN's benefits and resources, ensuring you know how to access and use them.

  • Connect you with fellow new members and MAFN leaders, building your professional network.

  • Engage you with interactive discussions about effective facilitation and navigating our community.

  
  

  Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills or connect with like-minded professionals, our orientation is the perfect start. And even if you have been part of MAFN for a while yet are not totally sure you know about all the organization has to offer - please join us! 

  
  
  NOTE: This meeting will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (April): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    04/07/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN's April 11th Online Workshop - Solving Sticky Issues in Strategic Planning Facilitation Design

  • When
    04/11/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration:  2 hours

  About the workshop: 

  Drawing on 27 years of experience facilitating strategic planning across nonprofit, public and private sectors, Dr. Rebecca Sutherns will wade right into the most difficult facilitation decisions in those processes and invite participants to navigate them skillfully together. 

  Using a composite case study approach, we’ll identify moments that frequently cause facilitation stress in strategic planning and attempt to co-create a “prevention plan” that each participant can adapt to suit their context. 

  Participants can expect process design insights, practical advice and large doses of candour and humour as we engage in real talk about the pleasures and pitfalls of collaborative planning.

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  • Learn anticipation skills 
  • Explore techniques for more nimble facilitation
  • Gain insights into preventative design, grounded specifically in the facilitation of strategic planning

  
  

  NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

  This is a 2-hour workshop. It will take place starting at 12pm EDT.

  
  

  Speaker:

  

  Dr. Rebecca Sutherns is an insightful collaborative strategist and world class facilitator who has served as a trusted advisor to hundreds of mission-driven organizations.

  Rebecca brings intellect, warm energy and varied experience to her speaking, writing and facilitating. She is a skilled communicator, with a particular gift for helping leaders and organizations reimagine their next chapter. 

  Rebecca is a Certified Professional Facilitator, frequent keynote speaker, and bestselling author of three books: Nimble: Off Script but Still On Track. A coaching guide for responsive facilitation, Sightline: Strategic plans that gather momentum not dust, and ELASTIC: Stretch without snapping or snapping back. She currently serves as the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Facilitators.

  
  

  ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS
  

  • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    
  • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
  • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
  • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

  Show details
• MAFN's April 2025 Online Workshop Series: Playful Work Design for Enhanced Facilitation: Unlocking Creativity, Flow, and Engagement

  • Start
    04/15/2025
  •  
  • End
    04/29/2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration:  3 Session Series – 90 minutes each session (4.5 hours total)

  
  

  About the workshop: 

  
  

  Discover how to transform your facilitation practices through the power of play and flow. This multi-session series will equip you with innovative tools and techniques to foster creativity, enhance engagement, and achieve peak performance in any facilitation setting. Learn to apply playful work design principles, understand the flow cycle, and create environments that encourage active participation and meaningful interaction. Perfect for facilitators at all levels seeking to elevate their skills and drive impactful change in their organizations.

  
  

  The "Playful Work Design for Enhanced Facilitation" series is designed to delve deep into the intersection of play, flow, and effective facilitation. Over three sessions, participants will explore how to harness the power of playful culture and the flow state to enhance their facilitation practices, boost creativity, and foster a more engaging and interactive environment.

  
  

  Why Use Play and Flow:

  
  

  Studies have shown that incorporating play into work can increase creativity by up to 20% and improve problem-solving skills by 14% (Statista, 2022). Flow, a concept popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, has been linked to a 500% increase in productivity (McKinsey, 2013). By understanding and utilizing these principles, facilitators can create more dynamic and effective sessions.

  
  

  Session 1: Introduction to Playful Work Design and Flow (90 minutes)

  • Overview of playful work design and its benefits

  • Introduction to the flow state and its significance in facilitation

  • Detailed exploration of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s and Stephen Kotler’s flow cycle (Struggle, Release, Flow, Recovery)

  • Case studies demonstrating successful application in various industries

  • Interactive exercises to identify personal play styles and preferences

  • Techniques to help facilitators and participants achieve and maintain flow

  
  

  Session 2: Creating Playful and Interactive Sessions (90 minutes)

  • Strategies to incorporate play into facilitation to enhance engagement

  • Tools and techniques for designing interactive, participant-driven sessions

  • Practical applications and role-playing scenarios to practice new skills

  • Long-term strategies for embedding playful work design into facilitation practices

  • Evaluating the impact of playful work design on participant outcomes

  • Developing a facilitation style that is flexible, creative, and adaptive

  
  

  Session 3: Overcoming Burnout Through Play and Flow (90 minutes)

  • Recognizing signs of burnout and understanding its impact on facilitation

  • Techniques to use play and flow for stress reduction and resilience

  • Creating a personal action plan for maintaining well-being and peak performance

  
  

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  
  

  • Understand and apply the principles of playful work design to enhance facilitation practices.

  • Achieve and sustain flow states to boost creativity and engagement.

  • Develop strategies to create interactive, participant-driven sessions that foster active participation and meaningful dialogue.

  
  

  NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register.

  
  

  This is a 3-part 90-minute Series. Each session will take place starting at 2:00pm EDT.

  
  
  

  Speakers: 

  Acey Holmes is a seasoned expert in workplace dynamics and corporate training, specializing in the transformative power of play and flow. With a robust background in facilitating engaging workshops, Acey has worked with diverse clients, including tech startups and educational institutions. Her focus is on enhancing employee well-being, creativity, and performance. 

  Acey’s recent TEDx talk on overcoming burnout through play and flow has solidified her reputation as an engaging and insightful presenter. She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to her workshops, aiming to inspire and drive meaningful change in professional environments.

  Show details
• April 2025 MAFN Salon: Vienna

  • When
    04/21/2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    “Bear Cage” room at Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  Come join us Monday, April 21st, 2025 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM with optional lunch afterward, for our monthly Vienna MAFN Salon!

  Each month, we will have a topic or theme as well as open time for networking and sharing challenges and best practices in our facilitation. 

  Afterwards, those who are available are invited to stay and share community over lunch. 

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (May): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    05/05/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN's May 9th Online Workshop - Introduction to Applied Improv in Meeting Facilitation

  • When
    05/09/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration:  90 minutes

  About the workshop: 

  As a facilitator, you design your meetings to be interactive, agile, and engaging. Improv games can make your sessions more creative, memorable, and playful while still enabling you to accomplish your learning and discussion objectives. 

  This workshop will introduce you to several games you can use online or in-person to generate and deepen the conversation, stimulate planning and visioning, safely explore areas of concern and disagreement, and much more. 

  Session leaders will select volunteers to demonstrate the games, and create opportunities for participants to explore ways in which to use them. 

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  • Explore the concept of Applied Improv and how it can be used in group facilitation. 
  • Experience a sample of games to assess their potential and impact
  • Expand their own facilitator’s toolkit

  NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

  This is a 90-minute workshop. It will take place starting at 12pm EDT.

  
  

  Speakers:

  

  Claudia Lach (Principal, Lach Training & Consulting) is passionate about partnering with clients to identify the change they need to achieve their desired outcomes. She is an OD consultant, facilitator, and leadership coach who founded her private practice in 2000. Her practice focuses on leadership development, strategic planning, inclusive and equitable workplaces, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Claudia works with various nonprofit, public, and private organizations.  Her clients work in education, legal services, social services, worker rights, civil rights, municipal services, community organizing, community development, affordable housing, philanthropy, health care, and consulting services. Claudia has an MS in Management from Lesley University.

  
  

  
  

  Sheree Galpert (Principal, Dramatic Results) is a trainer, actor, writer, and educator with over three decades of experience delivering highly engaging, interactive, and playful learning experiences.  One of her favorite areas of expertise is Applied Improv - using improvisation as a jumping-off point for team building, data gathering, and management training. Clients include Harvard University, Merck, Nestle, Xerox, Partners Healthcare, Microsoft, and Simmons Leadership Institute. Sheree did her graduate studies in Organization Development at American University/NTL, and earned her BFA in Theater. 

  
  

  
  

  ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS
  

  • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    
  • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
  • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
  • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

  Show details
• MAFN's May 16th In-Person Workshop: The Grove's Visual Model for Teaming

  • When
    05/16/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    COPT Training Room, Suite 850 at 1753 Pinnacle Drive, McLean, VA

  Register

  Duration:  3 hours

  
  

  About the workshop: 

  
  

  In this webinar, Brian will teach the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance® Model, a visual tool which is the foundation for The Grove's team development practice.

  
  

  The Team Performance Model is a comprehensive tool for understanding the stages of team development. Allan Drexler and David Sibbet spent 10 years refining a comprehensive model of team performance that shows the predictable stages involved in both creating and sustaining teams. 

  
  

  This powerful tool for developing and sustaining teams can be used as a framework and common language for supporting a team-based culture.

  
  

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  
  

  • Explore the Grove's Team Performance Model with a lens towards applying it to facilitation

  
  

  • Gain a new tool to plan the flow of group processes, diagnose stallers and stoppers, and prescribe methods and remedies to get groups unstuck.

  
  

  This is a 3-hour IN-PERSON workshop. It will take place starting at 9:00am EDT.

  
  

  
  

  Speakers: 

  Brian Tarallo is the managing director of Lizard Brain.  He is a facilitator who specializes in visual methods and virtual meetings.  He facilitates clients through illustrating their visions, seeing their strategies, and mapping their futures.  
  

  Brian brings facilitation to federal agencies, national associations, and companies in the healthcare, defense, engineering, and consulting industries.
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• May 2025 MAFN Salon: Vienna

  • When
    05/19/2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    “Bear Cage” room at Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  Come join us Monday, May 19th, 2025 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM with optional lunch afterward, for our monthly Vienna MAFN Salon!

  Each month, we will have a topic or theme as well as open time for networking and sharing challenges and best practices in our facilitation. 

  Afterwards, those who are available are invited to stay and share community over lunch. 

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (June): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    06/02/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN's June 13th Online Workshop - Power of the Debrief: Fueling Innovation Through Reflection

  • When
    06/13/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online using Zoom

  Register

  Duration:  90 minutes

  About the workshop: 

  Join Tes Cohen from Transformative Gatherings for a dynamic, participatory workshop where we will explore the often overlooked power of the debrief. Discover how creating space for post-gathering/engagement discussion, to reflect on successes and lessons learned, can pave the way for continuous improvement and innovation.

  Learning Objectives 

  In this session, participants will:

  • Explore the importance and tremendous value of debriefing
  • Gain a deeper understanding of potential debrief components
  • Be inspired to debrief more often and with more intention, ultimately resulting in increased impact

  NOTE: This workshop will be recorded for distribution to all who register (breakout rooms will not be recorded).

  This is a 90-minute workshop. It will take place starting at 12pm EDT.

  
  

  Speakers: 
  

  Tes Cohen’s life purpose is to create meaningful opportunities that foster curiosity and community in order to cultivate interconnectedness and continuous learning. She delights in doing that in her consulting practice by co-creating transformative workplace gatherings. Her career began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica and includes nonprofit program management and CSR at Gap Inc. Tes is also cofounder of Radical Reset, creating a movement of rested leaders and a world in which rest is normalized, democratized, and celebrated.

  
  

  ONLINE WORKSHOP REMINDERS
  

  • No refunds or credits for registration cancellations.
  • Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the live session and any additional details 1 day in advance and the morning of the event. Please be sure to look for the link in your email.
    
  • Workshops begin promptly at 12:00PM Eastern.  Please log on at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure your internet connections, audio and other settings are functioning properly.
  • MAFN Members have access to all online workshop recordings via the MAFN website.
  • For registration or membership questions contact info@mafn.org.

  Show details
• June 2025 MAFN Salon: Vienna

  • When
    06/16/2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    “Bear Cage” room at Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  Come join us Monday, June 16th, 2025 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM with optional lunch afterward, for our monthly Vienna MAFN Salon!

  Each month, we will have a topic or theme as well as open time for networking and sharing challenges and best practices in our facilitation. 

  Afterwards, those who are available are invited to stay and share community over lunch. 

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (July): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    07/07/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (August): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    08/04/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (September): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    09/08/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (October): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    10/06/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (November): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    11/03/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details
• MAFN Salon (December): Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington

  • When
    12/01/2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Java Nation 11120 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Join fellow MAFN members in a lively, casual discussion on all things facilitation.

  
  

  Please note that this is for MAFN members only and there is limited space, so please register early. 

  
  

  Our guiding principles are:

  • Connection + Conversation + Community = Salon

  • Come open to listening and sharing

  
  

  Salon REMINDERS

  • If you register and cannot attend, please cancel to allow someone else to come. 

  • Registration closes at midnight 2 days before the event.

  • Registered participants will receive instructions with any additional details 5 day in advance of the event. Please be sure to check your email.

  • Salon discussions are live events and are not recorded.

  • For membership questions contact manager@mafn.org.

  
  

  Show details