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Training Schedule: Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry

No Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry workshops are scheduled at this time.

Please see training schedule for a complete listing of all training programs.

Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry

This is our foundational appreciative inquiry program that introduces people not only to Appreciative Inquiry but also to the Appreciative Way. All of our other programs are built on the philosophy and practice of appreciative inquiry.

Because this program is a foundational program it is often presented in conjunction with other 2 1/2 day programs such as:

• Introduction to Appreciative Coach Training
• Introduction to Appreciative Transitional Ministry (AIM I)
• Congregational Development
• Clergy Search Process
• From Conflict Management to Growing Collaboration

Teacher

Rob Voyle, Psy.D. Director of the Appreciative Way and Clergy Leadership Institute. Rob is an international leader in the use of Appreciative Inquiry in Church settings and Executive and Personal Coaching.

Course Description

The overal objective is to introduce people to a synthesis of three bodies of knowledge:

• The theory and research that under girds Appreciative Inquiry
• The change work of Milton Erickson, MD. and his students.
• Contemplative Spirituality as distinct from religion and how spirituality can be used as an agent of transformation.

This synthesis which we call the Appreciative Way, a way of seeing, being and doing in the world.

From this synthesized body of knowledge participants wil be able to:

• Implement an Appreciative Inquiry process with themselves, others, congregations and organizations, to enable innovative, creative personal and organizational change.
• Identifying appreciative processes in contrast to problem or pathology driven models of intervention and to use these appreciative processes to enhance personal and organizational effectiveness.
• Use both who they are and what they do as an appreciative agent of transformation in the world

Learning Objectives

Because this is a multi-day program specific learning objectives are provided for each day.

Specific Leaning Objectives Day 1: (full-day, 6.5 hrs.)

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe the basic theory and practice of Appreciative Inquiry (AI);
2. Explain the application of AI and its understanding of change dynamics which has been used to fuel innovation in organizations as diverse as GTE and Habitat for Humanity;
3. Describe AI as it forms the basis as the emerging "cutting edge" approach in the organization development and coaching fields;
4. Discover and use an individual client's or an organization's core strengths, passion, and purpose to create resourceful motivated states;
5. Transform negative goals and problem orientations into positive goals and preferred future orientations;
6. Utilize resistance to increase motivation and create sustainable outcomes;
7. Develop the strategies to design powerful AI questions and conduct AI interviews to discover people at their best and most resourceful states;

Specific Leaning Objectives Day 2: (full-day, 6.5 hrs.)

Participants will be able to:

8. Describe the differences between linear incremental change and transformational change;
9. Create and utilize confusion to provide opportunities for transformation with individuals and organizations;
10. Use the three faces of compassion: tenderness, fierceness, and mischievousness as an agent of transformation in the world;
11. Identify the external environmental, internal skills, and motivational resources and strengths individuals and groups possess to achieve desired outcomes;
12. Use the power of an individual or group's imagination to create dreams and stretch goals that are also reality based and resourced;
13. Help individuals and organization discover and articulate their core purpose and organize their goals and activities around manifesting that purpose in the world;
14. Transform failure states into learning opportunities;

Specific Leaning Objectives Day 3: (half-day, 3 hrs.)

Participants will be able to:

15. Design and implement an Appreciative Inquiry Summit for large scale strategic planning and organization development;
16. Design and implement a small group Appreciative Inquiry process to review past performance and empower future performance to help client's achieve their dreams;
17. Shift their personal way of being and seeing to an appreciative approach, to focus on and grow what's right in the organization and their world, rather than on what's wrong;

Continuing Education Credit

This program qualifies for 16 hours of continuing education credit.

Partial continuing education credit is not provided. You must attend all 16 hours to receive continuing education credit.

American Psychological Association

The Appreciative Way is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Appreciative Way maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program qualifies for 16 hours of continuing education credit.

Who Should Attend This Program: Not Just for Clergy

Although this program is designed with clergy in mind, it would also be appropriate for anyone who can articulate and reflect psychologically and theologically on their ministry or vocation. It is especially relevant for:

• Clergy
• Non-ordained persons engaged in ministry and church leadership
• Psychologists, Consultants and Counselors who are also clergy or who work with clergy and churches
• People who want to reflect theologically and psychologically on the work they do

Workshop Format

The workshop will typically be conducted in a retreat setting with:

• Didactic presentations
• Experiential learning of specific approaches and strategies
• Personal practice and experience of appreciative process
• Time for personal reflection and meditation
• Corporate prayer
• Opportunity for creative reflection on the past and anticipation of the future

Typical Workshop Schedule:

The following is a typical workshop schedule. The exact schedule may vary depending on location.

For each specific program a flyer with dates, schedule times, and continuing education hours can be found on the training schedule page.

Day 1: and Day 2:
9:00-12:00        Morning Session with brief mid-morning break.
12:00-1:30 pm   Lunch
1:30-3:15 pm     First Afternoon Session
3:15-3:45 pm     Walking Meditation and Reflection, (opportunity for synthesis and to manage energy);
3:45-5:30 pm     Second Afternoon Session

No evening events are scheduled. Residential participants may gather after supper for socializing and informal conversations about the material that is being presented.

Day 3:
9:00-12:00        Morning Session with brief mid-morning break
Some programs may have an additional afternoon session.

Check the program flyers on the training schedule page for specific program details.

Program Materials and Pre-Reading

No pre-reading or backgound in Appreciative Inquiry is required for this program.

You will be provided an extensive 70 page handout and folder and participants will be able to access additional online resources after the completion of the program.

For those interested in pre-reading we recommend the following:

• Core Elements of the Appreciative Way by Rob and Kim Voyle which is available at our Bookstore.
• Another brief alternative is the Thinbook of Appreciative Inquiry available from the Thin Book publishing Company
• For those interested more specifically in Organizational Development written for the secular world we recommend Change at the Speed of Imagination by Watkins and Mohr. It is available at most major book stores.

Costs for 2025

In addition to the above 2.5 day program we occasionally offer a 3 and 4 day programs which includes opportunity for participants to create specific interventions or programs based on appreciative inquiry theory. Prices will depend on the nature of the program.

Specific times and costs of all programs may vary depending on the hosting organization. Please check the schedule and registration page for additional workshop specific information.

Accommodation

Accommodation and facility use fees are extra and are dependent on the training locations and will be specified on the registration forms. Meals between sessions are typically provided for commuters.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Tuition Refunds

The tuition portion of your registration is completely refundable, minus a 5% service fee, up to the day of starting the program. Tuition fees can be transferred to an alternative program without penalty.

Accommodation Refunds

Any commuter or accommodation fees will be assessed within one month of a program if the reservation is cancelled. Commuter or residential accommodation fees can not be transferred to other programs.

For more information please see our Cancellation Policies.

 View Training Schedule and Register for Coach Training 

What Participants Say

"I have been fully engaged emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Thank you for touching me at the core of my being."
M.E. Member of the UCC Church.

"Of all the training I have been to, your notes are the ones I keep coming back to time and again for practical resources."
P.W. Conference Pastor.

Rob's training is full of heart, wit, and passion.
E.R. Executive Coach

Rob's educational model brings body, mind and spirit together. I have been challenged intellectually, transformed spiritually, touched emotionally, gathering in communally. He came into my life at just the right time.

Jean Holmes, Presbyterian Pastor

Rob's appreciative coach training helped me to rethink the way I approach and provide therapy; Thanks!
Dr. George Moses, Pastoral Counselor

After 45 years in the pastoral ministry and attending three events led by Rob Voyle, I have finally learned a better way to help church leaders help themselves and the people they serve.
John Wilkerson, Director: Church Leadership Coaching & Consulting

Rob's combination of organizational savvy, teaching skills, theological & spiritual integration, and ability to rapidly build supportive, learning communities is quite simply the best in any of the churches today.
Gray Temple, Episcopal Priest, Author & Coach

Rob will enhance your ability to delight in yourself, your neighbor and God through his insightful, practical, loving, professionally grounded, appreciative and often mischievous coaching and teaching skills; and that will make you a better leader and citizen in God's creation.
Ed Leidel, Episcopal Bishop and Congregational Coach serving North America

 Read Evaluation Summaries