The 2026 Alliance Facilitation Conference

Engage, Lead, Inspire: The 2026 Alliance Facilitation Conference

Mark your calendar for the inaugural Alliance Facilitation Conference! “Engage, Lead, Inspire” is coming Oct. 19 and 20. This virtual event will help you build and strengthen skills across facilitation tools, group dynamics and reaching meaningful outcomes. Registration information coming soon!

Conference Agenda

Monday, Oct. 19

9-9:15 a.m.: Welcome
In this session, the Alliance will welcome participants and provide an overview of the conference.

9:15-10:15 a.m.: Starting Strong: Early Interactions that Boost Engagement
This session introduces practical facilitation fundamentals participants can immediately apply in meetings, trainings, retreats, classes, and conference sessions. The emphasis is on small design choices can have large effects. The structures presented will help groups feel oriented, safe enough to participate, clear about expectations, and able to make good use of shared time.
Deb Ausema, MA Ed.

10:15-10:30 a.m.: Break

10:30-11:30 a.m.: True Story!: Narratives as an Engagement Tool
People are naturally drawn to stories, and learning happens when people connect to the facilitator and concepts. When you set the tone through relevant stories, you invite learners to personally engage with the concepts, anchor the ideas to their lived experiences, and see things through diverse perspectives. This session will introduce you to using narratives as an engagement tool and give you a practical foundation for using stories in facilitation.
Francis Cacalda
Shana R. Burres, PhD, MA Ed.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Who Are You in the Training Space? Finding Your Facilitation Style
Facilitating other people’s learning is a skill; some would claim it is an art. Facilitation is a set of talents that are used to meet the needs of learners. Each learner has a unique way of understanding and grasping information. As a facilitator, we generally have a style that is comfortable for us, but does it take into consideration all the different people you will encounter in the classroom space? In this course, you will learn about 4 different styles of facilitation and determine which style you lean most into. You will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each style and identify where the roles of a good facilitator fit in. You will work with others to determine how you might explore and enhance integrating new skills to nurture and guide those you are tasked to work with in learning spaces.
Cory Bryant, MSW

1:30-1:45 p.m.: Break

1:45-2:45 p.m.: Creating a Trauma-Informed Space
This session shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” and explores how to apply the principles of trauma-informed care and healing-centered engagement to daily work life. You will learn how to identify common stress responses, use empathetic language, and apply practical strategies to foster a more compassionate, resilient, and supportive office environment for themselves and others.
Charina Carothers, DSW, LICSW

2:45-3 p.m.: Break

3-4 p.m.: Presence and Intention: Creating the Conditions for Brave Conversations
Learning is about growth and growth requires vulnerability. None of that can happen without bravery. However, these conditions don’t just happen. They must be demonstrated and upheld. In this session, we will explore some elements that enable facilitators to foster transformative settings where learners feel supported in sharing their own ideas and being trusted with the ideas of others. We will discuss facilitator characteristics that build trust and regulating practices for presence and intention.
Holly Bond, MS, RYT

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Customize your conference experience!

Are you looking to learn more about one specific subject? We invite you to follow one of our three tracks:

Guiding to Outcomes
Group Dynamics
Tools

You are not required to stay on one track for the duration of the conference.

9-10:30 a.m. Breakout Session #1:
Choose one of the following breakout sessions:

Motivational Interviewing Skills for Group Facilitation
Track: #1 – Guiding to Outcomes
Motivational Interviewing strategies can be adapted for group settings to foster collaboration, engagement, and shared problem-solving. In this session, you will practice using open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summaries to support inclusive discussion, navigate group dynamics, and guide conversations toward meaningful action.
Lynn Robinson, MSW, LSWAIC
Maribel Welch, MSW

Balancing Power in the Room
Track: #2 – Group Dynamics
Sometimes we’re excited about an upcoming training or meeting, because we know that it will be structured so that a variety of voices will be heard and valued. Sometimes we feel uneasy in a meeting or training because we see power dynamics playing out, and wonder if it’s our role to manage those dynamics. This workshop will offer doable ways to prepare in advance to manage power dynamics, to create a container and respond during the session, and how to approach next steps in ways that continue to share power.
Adreanna Riley
Charina Carothers, DSW, LICSW

Multimedia Design Principles
Track: #3 – Tools
This session will be diving into Mayer’s 12 Multimedia Principles. While typically focused on designing and developing eLearning material, these multimedia principles apply to all types of training when multimedia is used. During the session you will be introduced to evidence-based principles and how to use them as you design and facilitate training. You will learn about how to reduce extraneous processing, manage essential processing, and foster generative processing using evidence-based multimedia design principles.
Aaron Jacobsen

10:30-11 a.m.: Break

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Session #2:
Choose one of the following breakout sessions:

Building Brainstorms and Finding Consensus
Track: #1 – Guiding to Outcomes
Speaker TBD

When Tensions Rise: Facilitation Strategies for Conflict
Track: #2 – Group Dynamics
Conflict is a natural part of group work, but it doesn’t have to derail meaningful dialogue. In this interactive session, you will explore strategies for recognizing, addressing, and working through tension in facilitated groups. Through discussion, reflection, and practical tools, you’ll build confidence in navigating difficult moments while fostering engagement, trust, and productive outcomes.
Mike Yates

Tools and Tech for Virtual Facilitation
Track: #3 – Tools
Virtual facilitation is more than knowing how to use Zoom; it’s about creating meaningful learning experiences. In this interactive session, you will explore practical facilitation tools and learn how to intentionally select technology that aligns with learning objectives and learner needs in a virtual environment.
Shelby Russell-Hays
Stephanie Rodrigues, MSW

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

1:30-3 p.m. Breakout Session #3:
Choose one of the following breakout sessions:

Activity with Intention: Choosing and Designing Meaningful Learning Experiences
Track: #1 – Guiding to Outcomes
Activities should do more than fill time or make training “interactive” they should move learning forward. What makes an activity more than just an activity? Effective learning activities are intentionally chosen and designed to support the learning objectives, engage adult learners, and provide meaningful opportunities to practice, apply, reflect, and build skills. In this workshop participants will explore the why behind the activity, how to determine when an activity is appropriate, what type of activity best supports the intended learning outcome, and how to ensure the activity has a clear purpose and connection to the curriculum. Participants will then explore practical strategies doe building and designing activities that promote meaningful learning and skill development. Finally, participants will learn ways to adapt activities to meet the needs of different class dynamics, including group size, learner experience, participation levels, time constraints, and virtual or in-person environments. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies they can use to intentionally choose, design, and adapt activities for their own training and curriculum.
Amanda Meyer, MSW

It’s Personal: Centering Cultural Relevance
Track: #2 – Group Dynamics
Most people are familiar with learning materials such as slide decks, activities, and handouts, but the most important component for effective learning is the participants. Every learner brings with them a set of experiences, knowledge, skills, and expectations. When you make it personal by creating a culturally relevant environment, you invite everyone to engage and to expand the learning by sharing their insights. This session will give you a framework for creating and maintaining a culturally relevant learning environment.
Charina Carothers, DSW, LICSW
Shana R. Burres, PhD, MA Ed.

Accessibility in Facilitation
Track: #3 – Tools
Brooke Chester
Taylor Thomas

3-3:30 p.m.: Break

3:30-5 p.m. Breakout Session #4:
Choose one of the following breakout sessions:

Meaningful Meetings
Track: #1 – Guiding to Outcomes
Would you like to contribute to more focused meetings, that speed up and slow down when needed, and that end with clear next steps? This workshop will offer you practical tools for creating agendas; pacing of topics; preparation with leaders; ways to make space for creative and focused brainstorming and decision-making; and options for solidifying next steps, including a tool that can be used for project management. We’ll have an opportunity to for a short practice with each of these skills!
Adreanna Riley

Course Correction: Giving Feedback while Facilitating
Track: #2 – Group Dynamics
This interactive 90-minute session explores practical ways to give corrective feedback in trainings, meetings, webinars, and practice activities without embarrassing people or shutting down participation. Participants will learn to thoughtfully respond to misunderstandings, inaccurate answers, skill gaps, and disruptive behavior with curiosity and clarity. We will explore strategies for deciding when to correct, question, invite peer input, or redirect privately while preserving dignity and keeping people engaged in learning.
Deb Ausema, MA Ed.

Using Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation
Track: #3 – Tools
This session introduces participants to Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation. Kirkpatrick’s four levels is a widely used framework for measuring the effectiveness of training and learning programs. Participants will explore each level, build practical skills for crafting evaluation questions, and examine real-world examples to see the framework in action.
Lori Vanderwill, PhD, MSW

After the Conference

Continue learning with the Alliance

The Alliance offers training opportunities for social service professionals statewide. Find training recommendations at RiseWithTheAlliance.org/Programs. To take one of our free courses, create an account and register through Alliance.ExceedLMS.com.

Connect with the Alliance

Be the first to know about upcoming training opportunities by joining our email list.

Conference Details