Facilitator Training
The AIR Institute provides three day trainings for facilitators for the Shift Workshop and the Evolve Program.
The trainings focus on mastering:
- Presentation of AIR materials
- Facilitation of collaborative teams
- Coaching individuals for future success
AIR programs were designed using adult learning best practices so the workshops are very interactive and focused on doing skill building, rather than listening to talking heads. Facilitators help ensure that the participants practice and gain self efficacy in collaboration, listening, design thinking, and business planning.
The AIR programs use facilitation skills that empower workshop participants to learn by doing with a team. AIR facilitators are trained to not “give the answer” to the teams they are facilitating. Instead, they empower the participants to discover the answer together. Excellent facilitators learn to balance their desire to help others, with the knowledge that people learn best when they discover the answers themselves.
Facilitators are also trained to provide a fifteen minute coaching session for the participants on their team. Facilitators learn to help participants identify what they are trying to change in their lives and careers and some next steps that will lead them toward those goals.
Facilitator Role and Responsibilities
Facilitators must know the Shift curriculum inside and out, be friendly but firm, open and engaging. Facilitator roles and responsibilities:
- Attend AIR Shift Facilitator training.
- Participate in pre-workshop orientation for each Shift workshop contracted to facilitate.
- Attend entire Shift workshop.
- Serve as facilitator for a group of up to 9 participants.
- Present sections of the workshop curriculum to the full participant group.
- Provide 15 minute one on one coaching sessions for up to 9 participants.
- Participate in workshop debriefs for each Shift workshop contracted to facilitate.
- Engage in the curriculum refinement process
- Attend required training.
Certified facilitators receive updates and refresher trainings throughout the year as required and needed. Due to the rigor of our ongoing training we may require facilitators to commit to facilitating a minimum number of workshops each year.
Application Process
Prospective Facilitators should reach out to your state contact. Each state has their own process and timing for selecting facilitators, but the questions that you can expect are very similar. You will submit materials like this to your state contact:
- Resume
- 150 word narrative that shares your qualifications and biography or story (for marketing purposes)
- Answers to the following questions (200 word maximum for each question):
- Why do you want to be an AIR facilitator or instructor?
- What makes you a great candidate?
- What has shifted in your thinking or philosophy about art and business and community in your life? Did you once think you were not creative, only to discover you are non-traditionally creative? Have you made career decisions because you felt you couldn’t make a living as an artist, creative, or maker? Do you wish you could run your business differently because you value community as much as or more than your financial goals?
AIR facilitators will be paid a fee determined by each State. Travel expenses will be covered by when necessary (everything will be explicitly contracted). You will receive notification of acceptance into the training program from your state leaders. Facilitators must attend all three days of the AIR Facilitator Training before being certified to facilitate a Shift Workshop.
