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Foundations of Facilitation Training FAQ

About the Cuddle Party Certification Program:

What is Foundations of Facilitation Training?

Foundations of Facilitation Training is a weekend-long intensive program designed to provide you with the skills you need to create powerful, transformative workshops, including official Cuddle Party events. Whether you are new to running events for groups, or have been facilitating for years, this interactive, hands-on training will provide you with skills that will enhance your confidence, create new depth to your presentations, and improve your ability to create relatedness with just about anyone.

The training is a prerequisite for certification as a Cuddle Party facilitator, though anyone with an interest in and passion for working with groups of people is welcome to apply.

Who should be trained?

Anyone who has a passion for working with groups of people can benefit from this training. Caretakers, teachers, workshop instructors, group facilitators, community builders, dance and drama instructors, coaches, massage therapists, healers, social workers and the like will find much of value to their fields in this training, though the training is by no means limited to professionals in these fields. Previous participants have come from backgrounds as diverse as computer administration, art history, and even acting. The skills gained in this training will benefit anyone who leads groups, whether in the boardroom, on the nature trail, or in a studio.

In addition, anyone who wants to run Cuddle Party events must take this training. It is the first step in the Certification process and it provides a solid background for conveying what the Cuddle Party is about, and skills, techniques and information for creating a successful Cuddle Party event, whether as a hobby or as an add-on to participants' existing work.

Why should I be trained?

Foundations of Facilitation Training is designed to provide you with the skills you need to create powerful, transformative events. During this training, you will learn how to

• create safe, non-sexual space to explore intimacy on both on a personal and professional level
• lead workshops that leave your participants feeling touched, open, valued and nurtured
• generate an environment where women and men communicate more authentically
• listen profoundly
• create a powerful relatedness with strangers quickly and easily
• be more open to others and able to give and receive comfortably
• create strong boundaries for yourself without shutting others down

You will also learn:

• tools for building a strong, intimate community
• advanced tools for handling rejection
• communication techniques that open people up to discuss intimacy, desires, fears and needs

Regardless of whether you want to lead Cuddle Party events or not, the material covered in this intensive can be beneficial on the job, in your relationships, and even in your interactions with complete strangers.

What will be covered?

Please see the Training Schedule for information about topics covered.

What is the difference between the training and certification?

Training is the first step in becoming certified as a Cuddle Party facilitator. Training is open to people from all walks of life and provides particpants with an opportunity to learn the skills offered during the training intensive. Certification is required only for those who wish to facilitate Cuddle Party events.

Please note: Acceptance into the training program does not guarantee acceptance into the certification program.

What is included in the training weekend?

• Participation in a Cuddle Party event

• Two full days of intensive training, covering communication techniques, touch exercises, facilitation training, in-depth listening, boundary setting, and more (See training schedule for more information.)
• Workbook including facilitation concepts, tip sheets, worksheets and more
• Lunch and snacks daily
• Goodie bag with fun gifts
• Opportunities to connect with your fellow participants

How much does training cost?

Training fees are $495. This includes a non-refundable application fee of $100, all training and materials fees, and lunch and snacks for all training days.

When is my payment due?

A 50% deposit is due upon your application to the Cuddle Party Facilitator Training Program. The balance is due 10 days before training begins.

What should I wear?

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes throughout the training weekend. Pajamas, yoga or running pants and t-shirts are all acceptable, and pajamas are strongly recommended on Day One of training. A changing area will be available.

What should I bring?

Bring your pajamas, a notebook, a pen, your calendar and your smiling face. Lunch is provided during both full days of training. Particpants are responsible for their own dinner on Day Two.

What is the cancellation policy for the FoF Training?

Registration for Foundations of Facilitation Training requires a non-refundable registration fee of $100. In order to provide quality training and personalized attention, attendance is limited to the first 30 applicants who register and submit full payment for the training for each training session. If your requested training is full, your application will be valid for participation in a future training. Complete payment is due no later than ten days before training begins.

Cancellations more than two weeks prior to the event will receive a refund of moneys paid, minus the registration fee. If a paid participant wishes to postpone and reschedule for a later date, the participant will be charged a $50 service fee, and placed into the date of their choice. The participant may choose either to receive a refund (minus the application fee) for the original event or to postpone and reschedule for a future event. Cancellations less than two weeks before the event will be allowed to reschedule (with $50 service fee), but cannot be refunded.

How do I register for Foundations of Facilitation?

Fill out the registration form and submit your registration fee. Once we receive both, we will contact you to address any questions you or we have.

About the Cuddle Party Certification Program:

Do I have to enter into the Cuddle Party Certification program?

No, you do not have to enter into certification to take the facilitator training. Many people want to take the Foundations of Facilitation Training to complement the work they already do. We have had people from many different backgrounds take our training, including artists, computer programmers, workshop facilitators, seminary students, teachers, chefs and yoga instructors. The skills and techniques taught in this intensive are applicable in many areas of life, both personally and professionally.

Those wishing to facilitate Cuddle Party events, however, must complete the certification program.

What is required for certification?

In addition to taking the Foundations of Facilitation Training, those who wish to become Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators must participate in the six-month Cuddle Party Certification program. Included in this program is

• Six months of coaching and support
• Bi-weekly tele-classes with certifcation coaches
• A training workbook with over 50 pages of material
• Audio CDs for learning

In order to successfully complete the Certification program, participants must complete at least eight of the 10 tele-classes, do all homework assignments to the satisfaction of their certification leader, get certification in CPR and First Aid, and lead three provisional Cuddle Party events with feedback.

Benefits to certification include:

• License to use Cuddle Party materials for your own Cuddle Party events
• Listing on the official Cuddle Party website
• Discounts on Cuddle Gear T-shirts, PJs, mugs, party supplies and more
• Discounts on other Atlas Spooned workshops, classes and training programs
• Access to the Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators discussion board
• Access to monthly Certified Cuddle Party Facilitators support call

Please be aware that while most training participants will be allowed to move directly into the certification program if they so choose, in some cases we will postpone participation in order to prepare participants as powerfully as possible to take on the certification program. Participation in training does not automatically guarantee participation in the certification program.

How much does certification cost?

Participation in the Certifcation program is $995. Payment is due prior to the first tele-class of each session. Payment plans are available when necessary.

The annual certification fee for Cuddle Party facilitators is $195. This helps us maintain the support we provide for facilitators as they run their events. Certified facilitators are also entitled to ongoing discounts on Atlas Spooned products, services and events. The first year's fees are included in the cost of your training.

What is the cancellation policy for the Cuddle Party Certification Program?

Registration for the Cuddle Party Certification Program. Participation in each certification class is limited to the first 16 applicants who register and submit full payment for each certification session. If you've been approved for certification and certification is full, your application will be valid for participation in a future certification class. Complete payment is due prior to the first tele-class of your certification class unless otherwise specified.

Cancellations less than two weeks into a certification class will receive a refund of moneys paid, minus $100. Cancellation more than two weeks into the program will receive no refund.

If a paid participant wishes to postpone and reschedule for a later date, the participant will be charged a $50 service fee, and placed into the date of their choice. The participant may choose either to receive a refund (minus the application fee) for the original event or to postpone and reschedule for a future event. Cancellations less than two weeks before the event will be allowed to reschedule (with $50 service fee), but cannot be refunded.

Our first group of trainees in New York, ready for action!

Licensed to spoon... our Los Angeles trainees have what it takes.

Cuddling is hard work. Alabama facilitator Len Daley takes a break during the LA training.

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