We encourage those in faculty and/or staff roles and/or community partners to apply to facilitate a CoP. The deadline to apply is October 6, 2023.
What are the responsibilities of a CoP facilitator?
CoP facilitators prepare for and lead at least four group meetings, starting in January and ending in May, with the support of a Campus Compact team member. Facilitators set their own meeting schedule and participate in an orientation via Zoom video call in early November.
Facilitators will seek to create engaged learning communities where participants learn, grow, and build relationships. This can include:
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- helping participants build relationships and trust
- facilitating discussion of principles, theories, or models and their practice
- using story-telling to derive learning
- guiding participants in completing tasks toward a shared group or individuals goals
- generating and sharing resources within the CoP and beyond
- Some facilitators may decide to have participants do a reading, have pair conversations, prepare a written reflection, bring a resource to share, etc. between sessions. Staff support will be available to all facilitators for planning and execution.
Facilitators will be paired with an IAMNCC staff member to provide technical assistance and support the success of the CoP in other ways as needed.
Co-Facilitation
While we are open to individual facilitators, our preference is for each CoP to be led by two co-facilitators because:
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- it is easier to attend to the range of dynamics at work in the group and develop questions and prompts to advance the group’s work together;
- it presents a more diverse range of thought at the outset of the group and provides access to a larger arena of helpful resources and experiences;
- co-facilitators can provide mutual support as they reflect on what’s working well and strategize about what could be better or what next steps make sense;
- co-facilitators’ behavior towards each other can help model and set the tone for collaborative, power-sharing relationships among group members;
- logistically, having two facilitators decreases the likelihood of needing to reschedule a session in the case of illness, emergencies, etc.
What are the benefits of facilitating a Community of Practice?
CoP facilitators will have the unique experience of collaborating with other change-oriented people from an array of roles and institutions across the region in a collaborative and asset-focused environment. They can expect to learn with participants and gain experience facilitating this type of collaborative learning process, including using remote digital engagement tools and harvesting resources and shared knowledge. In addition, facilitators receive a $500 stipend.
How will facilitators be selected?
Applications must be submitted online no later than October 6, 2023. Campus Compact staff will review applications and select facilitators using the following criteria:
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- demonstrated commitment to leadership on the issue you select or propose; experience facilitating collaborative group processes;
- willingness to commit to the entire CoP program from orientation through evaluation (October – May);
- interest in both developing your own leadership and co-creating resources and learning opportunities for others;
- affiliation with an Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact member for those at higher education institutions.
How do I apply?
Complete the application form by October 6, 2023. Those who have identified a co-facilitator can submit one joint application. Individuals can submit their own and IAMNCC staff will match applicants with one another.