Name: ToP facilitation masterclass - Birmingham
Uploaded: 2026-09-23T13:23:21Z
Description: ToP facilitation masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change - Birmingham

ToP facilitation masterclass - Birmingham

Certified Professional Facilitator | Master, Trainer & Consultant.Register here now for my free facilitation webinars and ToP facilitation training - for additional ToP facilitation training, elsewhere and online, seeICA:UK.

Martin Gilbraith

ToP facilitation masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change - Birmingham

The Priory Roooms

Introducing ICA's Technology of Participation (ToP) - transformational tools for dialogue, learning, consensus &amp; change – 1 day

<blockquote>“As a trainer Martin created good atmosphere in an international group. His presentations were crispy clear, illustrated by carefully chosen, practical examples from his rich facilitator experience.” </blockquote>Marzena Dębska-Matuszak, Experienced Trainer, Facilitator and Coach.

This course is scheduled in partnership with <a href="https://ica-uk.org.uk/" title="https://ica-uk.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ICA:UK</a>, the participation &amp; development charity.The course is scheduled in Birmingham as a pre-conference training option for attendees at the April 25-26 <a href="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales" title="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">IAF England &amp; Wales</a> annual conference <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399" title="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facilitate2025</a>, however it is open to all.

Who this course is forThis one-day master-class is suitable for all those who want to be able to involve people more effectively in dialogue, learning, consensus &amp; change, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. The course has no pre-requisite.IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount - see <a href="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/pages/exclusive-offers-iaf-members" title="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/pages/exclusive-offers-iaf-members" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Exclusive Offers for IAF Members</a>.Attendees at the April 25-26 <a href="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales" title="https://www.iaf-world.org/site/chapters/england-wales" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">IAF England &amp; Wales</a> annual conference <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399" title="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/facilitate2025-when-how-who-why-tickets-1089640276399" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facilitate2025</a> enjoy a 25% discount (IAF members and non-members).

Questions this course answers<blockquote>"How can I enable more purposeful &amp; productive conversations, bring out the wisdom of a group and reach shared awareness and new insight in meetings? How can I help a group take a comprehensive and long-term strategic view - to learn from the past, appreciate the present and anticipate the future? How can I enable a group to come to a common vision, a deeper understanding of its current reality and a real sense of ownership and commitment to a shared way forward - so that for once their plans actually deliver the change that they are seeking?”</blockquote>

What you will gainThis course will introduce two foundational methods of <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ICA's 'Technology of Participation' (ToP)</a> methodology, and two that adapt and apply these foundations to strategic review, planning and change:<ul><li>ToP <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/focused-conversation/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/focused-conversation/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Focused Conversation</a> provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate</li><li>ToP <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/group-facilitation-methods/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/group-facilitation-methods/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Consensus Workshop</a> is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus</li><li>ToP <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/03/28/adapt-%e2%80%a2-invent-%e2%80%a2-evolve-reviewing-the-past-to-prepare-for-the-future-at-eurocomm17/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/03/28/adapt-%e2%80%a2-invent-%e2%80%a2-evolve-reviewing-the-past-to-prepare-for-the-future-at-eurocomm17/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Historical Scan</a> (or ‘Wall of Wonder) is a powerful tool to enable a group to share and learn from their varied perspectives of a journey through history, and in context, to review the past in order to prepare for the future</li><li>ToP <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/participatory-strategic-planning/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/participatory-strategic-planning/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Participatory Strategic Planning</a> is a structured long-range planning process which incorporates ToP Consensus Workshop for building consensus, ToP Focused Conversation for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments.</li></ul>More experienced facilitators may be ready to apply the first three tools effectively in their own situations, and key principles of the fourth. For others the course will serve as a powerful, experiential introduction to ICA’s ToP methodology.These methods have been featured in publications including:<ul><li>Brian Stanfield’s ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Second-Organization-dp-1774060124/dp/1774060124/" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Access-Workplace/dp/0865714169" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Art of Focused Conversation</a>: 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in the Workplace‘,</li><li>Jo Nelson’s ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Schools-Thinking/dp/0865714355" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Focused-Conversation-Schools-Thinking/dp/0865714355" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools</a>: Over 100 Ways to Guide Clear Thinking and Promote Learning‘, and</li><li>Brian Stanfield’s ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Workshop-Book-Individual-Creativity-Action/dp/0865714703" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Workshop-Book-Individual-Creativity-Action/dp/0865714703" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Workshop Book</a>: From Individual Creativity to Group Action’</li><li>Bill Staples’ ‘<a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2013/06/12/two-books-and-three-methods-for-facilitating-social-transformation/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/2013/06/12/two-books-and-three-methods-for-facilitating-social-transformation/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Transformational Strategy</a>: Facilitation of ToP Participatory Strategic Planning’,</li><li>Bunker &amp; Alban’s ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Large-Group-Interventions-Jossey-Bass-Management/dp/0787903248" title="https://www.amazon.com/Large-Group-Interventions-Jossey-Bass-Management/dp/0787903248" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Large Group Interventions</a>: Engaging the Whole System for Rapid Change’,</li><li>Holman &amp; Devane’s ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-Handbook-Peggy-Holman/dp/1576753794" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-Handbook-Peggy-Holman/dp/1576753794" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Change Handbook</a>: the definitive resource on today’s best methods for engaging whole systems’,</li></ul>See also my own blog posts on the four methods:<ul><li><a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2014/02/25/four-steps-to-a-universal-principle-of-facilitation-and-learning/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/2014/02/25/four-steps-to-a-universal-principle-of-facilitation-and-learning/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Four steps to a universal principle of facilitation and learning</a></li><li><a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/09/11/responding-to-changing-situations-and-needs-with-top-consensus-workshop-facweek-5/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/09/11/responding-to-changing-situations-and-needs-with-top-consensus-workshop-facweek-5/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Responding to changing situations and needs with ToP Consensus Workshop</a></li><li><a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/03/28/adapt-%e2%80%a2-invent-%e2%80%a2-evolve-reviewing-the-past-to-prepare-for-the-future-at-eurocomm17/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/2017/03/28/adapt-%e2%80%a2-invent-%e2%80%a2-evolve-reviewing-the-past-to-prepare-for-the-future-at-eurocomm17/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Adapt • Invent • Evolve: reviewing the past to prepare for the future at #EuroComm17</a></li><li><a href="http://martingilbraith.com/2014/04/04/transformational-strategy-from-trepidation-to-unlocked/" title="http://martingilbraith.com/2014/04/04/transformational-strategy-from-trepidation-to-unlocked/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Transformational Strategy: from trepidation to ‘unlocked’</a></li></ul>

Learning styleThe methods will be presented in a practical and participatory way. Three methods will be demonstrated in turn in practice, each followed by an explanation of the method and an exploration of how it may be applied in participants’ own situations. Participatory Strategic Planning will be introduced by means of <a href="http://martingilbraith.com/2014/04/04/transformational-strategy-from-trepidation-to-unlocked/" title="http://martingilbraith.com/2014/04/04/transformational-strategy-from-trepidation-to-unlocked/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">a case study</a> with an international humanitarian NGO in Geneva, in which it and the other three methods all are applied.This course is adapted from elements of ICA:UK ‘ToP’ courses including <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/group-facilitation-methods/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/group-facilitation-methods/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Group Facilitation Methods</a> and <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/participatory-strategic-planning/" title="https://martingilbraith.com/top-facilitation-training/participatory-strategic-planning/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Participatory Strategic Planning</a>. Excerpts from ICA:UK course workbooks will be provided as a resource, and links to further online resources.

What your fee includesYour fee includes a PDF of presentation slides and course outputs, and one hour's free telephone coaching after the course. Also included are refreshments and lunches during the course, but not accommodation.

For further detailsPlease <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/contact-me/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">contact me</a> with any questions or for further details. For in-house and tailored training, see <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/2013/11/18/top-facilitation-training-at-your-place-and-free-places-for-you/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ToP facilitation training at your place – and free places for you!</a> and please <a href="https://martingilbraith.com/contact-me/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">contact me</a>.

Transfers and Cancellations policyCourse cancellation – with 10 days’ notice. Please note, we reserve the right to cancel any course with no less than 10 working days’ notice, without liability for any consequential or indirect loss. In this case, we will let you know by email and refund your booking with no charge.Booking cancellation – with over 30 days’ notice. If you let us know by email more than 30 days before your course, then we can refund your booking less an administration charge of 10% of the course fee.Booking cancellation – with 30 days’ notice or less. Unless you let us know by email more than 30 days before your course, we regret that we cannot cancel your booking. In this case the full fee for the course will remain payable and no refund will be made.  Also if for any reason you fail to attend a course that you have booked, the full fee for the course will remain payable and no refund will be made. We are, however, happy to transfer your booking to an alternative participant to attend the course that you have booked in your place. Please let us know as early as you can if you will be unable to attend, and if another delegate will attend instead.Full payment must be received more than 10 working days before a course to guarantee your place.

ToP facilitation masterclass - Birmingham

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ToP facilitation masterclass - Birmingham

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The Priory Roooms

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