Resources for Co-Facilitators
Co-facilitators bring their unique gifts and experience to the role of Local Facilitator. The challenge for Local Facilitators is to seek a balance between, on the one hand, being present to the Associates: offering support and challenges, sharing examples from experience and resources; and on the other hand providing enough space, listening, and trust for them to take initiative, make decisions, find their own way and find growth as individuals and as a community.
The following are excerpts from "The Co-Facilitators Handbook." It offers both incite as to what being a co-facilitator entails and concrete ideas about what that means in the context of the Associate Community. The full Handbook is available in PDF Format at the end of this document.
Description of Local Facilitators role with the Associates Program
The Local Facilitators of the Associates in a site are generally a team of two. They are resource persons, facilitators, mentors, who support and challenge young men and women in a lay formation program. The team of two is usually composed of a Holy Cross religious from the local community and a lay person who is a former Holy Cross Associate or has had other relevant experience.
Responsibilities
1) Presence at the Orientation at designated site -- usually the first week in August.; presence at the in-service training days, usually one day prior to August orientation.
2) Team building with each other, i.e., develop working relationship.
a) Discussing schedules and responsibilities, availability for community
nights/retreats, times to meet individually with HCAs.
b) Discussing styles of facilitating, perspectives on role within community,
and ways to assist in community development/discernment.
c) building in regular communication regarding thoughts on how community
and individuals are doing; any concerns that may arise.
d) Working out a means of accountability with the program staff, local and
in South Bend.
3) Facilitation of Associates' formation in the local site by:
a) Setting up an orientation for the Associates to the local site and their placements.
b) Putting the Associates in touch with the local Holy Cross community and acting as liaison between the Associates and the local community.
c) Introducing the present Associates to former Associates in the area.
d) Planning with the Associates topics of reflection during the year.
e) Meeting with each Associate on a regular basis for check-in at least once during each half of the year.
f) Visiting the Associate placements during the year.
g) Being present, celebrating and praying with the Associates at weekly gathering as well as other times.
h) Assisting the Associates in planning retreats and finding places for retreating.
i) Facilitating the process of introduction to spiritual direction and potential spiritual directors.
j) Assisting in community and individual discernment regarding travel, simple living, community relationships and conflicts.
Length
of term
Ideally a Local Facilitator for the program would
serve for more than one year -- possibly three would be ideal. Realistically,
we are looking for individuals to serve for a year and to recommit themselves
on the basis of an informal assessment done between themselves, the Associates,
their local Holy Cross community if they are CSCs, and the staff in South
Bend. The appointments are always made with the concurrence of the home
office and the local CSC community.
Remuneration
Presently we are offering a stipend of $300 to each Co-Facilitator to be used for expenses incurred in their interaction with the Associates. The travel expenses for the Local Facilitators to and from the Orientation are paid through the Program. All expenses during the time in August are covered by the program. If more funding is needed for the Facilitators to meet expenses with the Associates, a request is made of the office and we will supply the needed amount.
All in all, we are grateful to the co-facilitators for their presence and commitment to the Associate program, its communities, and their individuals. Often times our ability to be present to the each community is hindered by distance and it is the co-facilitators whose impact is most felt and appreciated!
Co-Facilitator Handbook (PDF Format)