The objectives of the CFHE are to support individuals and their institutions in their own formation. To that end, we help build awareness about formation and our programs through presentations at professional meetings and, upon request, at colleges. To deepen the learning about formation we prepare teams of facilitators who are supported by their institutions in bringing the practices of formation to the college. This preparation begins with a week-long retreat and continues with mentoring through at least the first retreat series. Sustaining the growth of formation is for those actively engaged in facilitation, and occurs primarily through an Annual Gathering of facilitators sponsored by the CFHE.
In 2007, formation facilitators from colleges around the country and CFHE staff will be making presentations at the following professional meetings:
Uncovering the Heart of Higher Education: Integrative Learning for Compassionate Action in an Interconnected World, February 22-25, Hotel Nikko, San Francisco. We're participating in a pre-conference session all day on Wednesday, February 22 and making a ninety-minute presentation about the CFHE on Thursday, February 23 from 3:45 to 5:15 P.M. http://www.heartofeducation.org/
Innovations, a Conference Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College, will include several formation-related workshops and sessions. New Orleans, March 4-7, 2007. http://www.league.org/i2007/
Teaching for a Change, June 18-20, Park Cities, Utah. A pre-conference retreat on The Heart of the Teacher will be offered June 15 - 17, 2007. Steve Mittelstet, President of the Baldrige-Award winning Richland College will be a keynoter, speaking on "Row with Baldrige and Palmer Gently and Merrily to Your Organizational Dream." http://www.teachingforachange.com/
The CFHE staff will be happy to work with individual colleges or with regional groups of colleges to plan a retreat to introduce formation to those in the area.
A college's formation movement can best be served by preparing team members (e.g., champions, advocates, meeting planners, implementers) to provide formation experiences for their faculty and, in many instances, their administrators, staff, and students. Some colleges start by preparing one or two individuals to lead their formation effort, while others immediately form a three or four-person team. If you have questions about the best approach for your college, please contact the Center.
The initial preparation of facilitators and other team members occurs in retreats. Ongoing preparation occurs through close work with a mentor provided by the Center. Mentoring begins at the conclusion of the preparation retreats and continues through the first year of formation facilitation.
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT FORMATION TEAM MEMBERS
ONE-WEEK FACILITATION TEAM PREPARATION RETREAT: MAY 20-26, 2007 IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO
A gathering of formation facilitation team members is held in the Dallas area to offer those engaged in the work of formation facilitation a chance to deepen their own work and to exchange ideas with colleagues from other colleges across the country. Typically this event takes place in late September or early October.
Local formation teams design their own sustaining activities, including retreats, with the support of the formation mentor.
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CFHE is a partner of the
Dallas County Community College District and a project of the the League for Innovation.
