| Hi everyone, |
| We’re getting ready to begin the September Cuddle Party Facilitator Training Cohort, and it’s time to confirm who will be joining us. |
| The cohort begins Tuesday, September 8 and runs through Tuesday, January 19. We’ll meet on Zoom from 4:00–6:00PM Pacific Time/7:00-9:00PM Eastern time on Tuesdays. |
| Cohort dates: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 20, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8, 15 January 5, 12, 19 |
| We will not meet November 24, December 22, or December 29. |
| Ready to join the cohort? |
| If you have not yet registered and paid in Ruzuku for the 2026 classes, you can do that here: |
| Once you’ve completed those two steps and are confirmed as a student in Ruzuku, please register for the Zoom meeting here: |
| **Registering for the Zoom meeting is your final confirmation that you’ll be joining the cohort.** |
| Once the cohort roster is finalized, Autumn will be in touch directly with everyone who has confirmed with additional information before your first meeting. |
| ————————– |
| Join the September Facilitation Cohort |
| This cohort is designed to give you an opportunity to complete the Cuddle Party Facilitator Certification in community rather than working through the material entirely on your own. |
| Each week you’ll meet for teaching, discussion, experiential exercises, and real-world practice. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, explore challenging scenarios, receive feedback, and learn alongside others who are on the same journey. |
| Reading and study provide an important foundation, but some of the most powerful learning happens through practice, reflection, observation, and community. The cohort brings those pieces together and gives you a place to integrate what you’re learning through shared experience. |
| What You’ll Gain |
| Over the course of the cohort, you’ll have the opportunity to: |
| Explore the material through conversation and discussion, not just reading.Practice new skills through experiential exercises and group activities.Apply what you’re learning in real time and receive thoughtful feedback.Experience the kinds of group dynamics you’ll eventually be facilitating.Observe facilitation from the participant’s perspective, including pacing, structure, boundaries, group process, and the countless small choices that shape an experience.Build relationships with fellow facilitators who can continue to be part of your community long after the training ends. |
| Throughout your time together, Autumn will intentionally cultivate a learning environment grounded in accessibility, inclusion, curiosity, and meaningful participation. Creating spaces where people with different identities, communication styles, learning styles, access needs, and lived experiences can engage fully is a core facilitation skill, and one you’ll have the opportunity to experience firsthand throughout the cohort. |
| What to Expect |
| This cohort is interactive and collaborative rather than lecture-based. To get the most from the experience, participants are encouraged to: |
| Attend each weekly cohort meeting.Spend up to two hours between sessions on reading, reflection, and responding to discussion questions.Arrive prepared to participate in discussions and experiential exercises.Practice the skills you’re developing both inside and outside of class.Contribute to a learning environment rooted in respect, confidentiality, curiosity, and mutual support. |
| The more you invest in the process, the more you’re likely to gain from both the curriculum and the collective wisdom of the group. At the same time, life happens. If you’re navigating a particularly full week, unexpected challenges, limited capacity, or circumstances that make it difficult to complete the reading and reflection between sessions, please don’t let that keep you from attending. The conversations, connections, and community you build together are valuable in their own right. You are welcome to show up with whatever capacity you have that week. |
| Your Cohort Facilitator |
| Autumn Vandiver is a facilitator, educator, and community builder who will be leading the cohort and learning alongside you throughout the process. Once you’ve confirmed your participation, you’ll hear directly from Autumn with everything you need to prepare for our first gathering. |
| We’re looking forward to learning together this fall. |
| Mary Sorensen, Executive Director Cuddle Party, Inc. |