In training course in preparation for the ALA 170 classes, peer facilitators dive deeper into improving facilitation and leadership skills. Through group activities such as sessions for\u00a0development and feedback in addition to bonding over snacks before class, our group of peer facilitators grow closer into a more effective team for the 2018 winter semester. For first time\u00a0facilitators, it is essential that we learn from our peers and set goals to provide the best support\u00a0we can to the incoming Leadership Lab students. For returning facilitators, this course provides\u00a0an outlet to reflect on previous experiences and target specific areas of improvement. In the\u00a0process of developing new skills, areas of weakness like public speaking are improved upon\u00a0resulting in a chance to enhance professional development skills that will translate into other\u00a0roles we may pursue in the future.<\/p>\n
However, peer facilitator trainings are late in the evenings and for some of our peer\u00a0facilitators, immediately follow class. This makes it difficult for facilitators to remain engaged.\u00a0Providing facilitators with food during our meetings would help us stay focused and on task. Not\u00a0only would it allow time to go by faster, but it would allow for team-building opportunities in a\u00a0non-classroom format. Food would allow for informal bonding among facilitators and strengthen\u00a0our ability to communicate and work with one another. Thus, to develop a stronger team\u00a0dynamic, develop and fine-tune our skills, and to better lead the ALA 170 Leadership Lab\u00a0course, we applied for the small grant in order to gain necessary funds to provide food for our\u00a0trainings. With the use of this grant, we better developed bonds as a team over food, and better\u00a0our skills to serve the BLI community.<\/p>\n
Several BLI Habits were exercised during these training classes. Start where you are<\/strong><\/span>: One challenge we did not expect was the need to filter for different kinds of snacks to\u00a0accommodate to food allergies from the original snacks we planned for in our budget. However,\u00a0after doing thorough research of nutritional facts and ingredients for our originally planned\u00a0snacks, we were able to find food considering these allergies so that everyone got fed. Yet, it was\u00a0rewarding when peer facilitators came into the trainings to find food waiting for them. It showed\u00a0that everyone appreciated having a treat to enjoy during training.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Jessica Selzer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In training course in preparation for the ALA 170 classes, peer facilitators dive deeper into improving facilitation and leadership skills. Through group activities such as sessions for\u00a0development and feedback in addition to bonding over snacks before class, our group of peer facilitators grow closer into a more effective team for the 2018 winter semester. 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\nWithin the ALA 170 Peer Facilitator trainings, each peer facilitator takes his or her different skill set to build up their facilitation skills. Although this is individually-focused, work within\u00a0the trainings are group-based as well. Leadership seen personally and through teams optimizes\u00a0building on each other\u2019s strengths but also allows to challenge one another. Pause & Reflect<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0While practicing our facilitation skills, it is important for everyone to reflect privately on their\u00a0progress of facilitation skills as well as checking in with their peer facilitator team to ensure that\u00a0everyone is doing well to contribute to the team. Pause and reflect does not stop at the peer\u00a0facilitator training though. This BLI habit is critical during the Leadership Labs as well since\u00a0reflection is important to do throughout the course. Work to Learn<\/strong><\/span>: Working together as a team\u00a0will really spark creativity throughout the peer facilitator team. It is a critical habit especially for peer facilitators as our input into our trainings reflect on the output we get in individual\u00a0leadership development. The process of action, thought, and reflection would lead to an effective way to constantly check in on one\u2019s strengths and things to be improved.<\/p>\n