SERVICES
Facilitator
One of my colleagues called me a bridge builder. I like that. As a facilitator, I help my clients build a bridge to where they want to go, and then I help them cross it. We work on improving relationships, look at best practices, solve problems, and measure success.
I like the process of helping groups grow, reach consensus, resolve issues, and make plans for the future. Contact me if you need help conducting:
Focus Groups
Staff Retreats
Teleconferences
Board Planning Sessions
Process Improvement Workshops
The process generally goes like this:
- Meet with the client to clarify their needs and objectives.
- Interview in person, in focus groups or by telephone, key players in the organization, to determine the issues.
- Structure the process. Determine what questions the group needs to answer, what resources they need, and develop a process to get there.
- Facilitate the process, either during workshops or meetings, or on the job.
- Work with client to determine the next steps.
- Follow up to help keep the process moving forward.
The North American Association of Central Cancer Registries is a major client. NAACCR is a professional organization that develops and promotes uniform data standards for cancer registration; provides education and training; certifies population-based registries; aggregates and publishes data from central cancer registries; and promotes the use of cancer surveillance data and systems for cancer control and epidemiologic research, public health programs, and patient care to reduce the burden of cancer in North America.
I have worked on many NAACCR projects including:
- Developed and facilitated workshops on various issues, from confidentiality to case ascertainment
- Conducted Process Improvement Workshops in 13 states and the District of Columbia
- Led NAACCR Board/Committee Chair Leadership Workshops in Laguna Beach, Boston, Detroit, San Antonio and Philadelphia
- Facilitated the research and workshop for the Canadian Cancer Registry Data Quality Framework Advisory Work Group
- Created and facilitated a two-day Specialized Training for Trainers for central registry trainers
- Facilitated NAACCR staff retreat in Illinois
Trainer
I worked at the Illinois Department of Public Health as a trainer and facilitator. As a new training unit, we developed and then presented all our own training. The training and coaching we offered were excellent and changed the organization's culture. Many years as a teacher and public speaker prepared me for this role.
I develop training on a wide variety of topics. Most recently, I created:
- Training for trainers
- Facilitating Skills for trainers
- Leadership Communication for emerging leaders and managers
- Various business writing and communication classes for employees
I can present, using training modules that your organization already has, or I can develop customized training for your staff. I have developed training sessions for clients for their own trainers to use as well.
Project Manager
Effective project management requires many skills: communicating, writing, coalition- building, facilitating and following up to get things done. I work with the client to organize the project-to understand the project's scope and to set goals and develop strategies to meet them. I involve the stakeholders by meeting one-on-one, by hosting meetings and by exploring the opportunities with them. I develop promotional materials and develop a communications plan to distribute them.
Sometimes I conduct the activities or I shepherd them through the process, involving as many stakeholders as possible. In September, 2008, I completed a three-year contract with the Workforce Investment Boards of Central Illinois. Check out the Status Report and the CSSI Fact Sheet from that project, the Critical Skills Shortage Initiative, to see the scope of the project.
Writer
Writing has been a big part of my entire career. If you need a writer, contact me for a bid.
Reports
Articles
Brochures
My narrative non-fiction essay, In Good Company, was published recently in the anthology A Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers.
I am excited about the creative new business my partner and I launched last year. SpaceLift is a home redesign and real estate staging business. Check out my blog at www.SpaceLiftColorado.blogspot.com.
