FACILIT8me

FACILIT8me is a safe space for facilitators of all knowledge and experience levels, regardless of industry, to learn, network, and transfer their takeaways and lessons learned. Participants are empowered with new resources, meaningful discussions, and advice from trained professionals they can immediately put into practice.

Facilitation 

Facilitation is a craft — and like any craft, it takes more than technique. It takes self-awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Whether you're an internal facilitator leading team discussions, staff retreats, or board sessions, or an external consultant guiding strategic planning and organizational change, the demands on your practice are real and evolving. Association professionals, in particular, face a unique set of challenges — navigating volunteer dynamics, member diversity, and high-stakes decisions in rooms where trust and inclusion aren't optional.

FACILIT8me was built for practitioners like you. Grounded in the Technology of Participation (ToP) methodology and organized around eight core facilitation competency domains, everything we offer is designed to help you grow with intention — building the skills, confidence, and community to show up better in every room you lead.

Mission

The mission of FACILIT8me (pronounced “Facilitate Me”) is to build a supportive, engaging community where facilitators learn, connect, and grow — at every stage of their practice.

We offer a range of learning opportunities to meet you where you are:

  • Association Facilitator Certificate Course - our signature three-month, 31 CAE-credit certificate program
  • ToP Facilitation Methods training - immersive, hands-on in-person skill building
  • Live and on-demand webinars - on trending facilitation topis
  • Voices & Views - peer roundtable discussions by facilitators, for facilitators
  • Book Club - reading and conversation on the ideas shaping how we lead, learn, and facilitate
  • Facilitator Core Competencies Self-Assessment - a free tool to benchmark and grow your practice across eight domains
  • LinkedIn community - free, ongoing peer connection and resource sharing

Join our vibrant online community and take your facilitation skills to the next level!

Certificate Course

Become a more confident, skilled, and credentialed facilitator. The FACILIT8me Association Facilitator Certificate Course is a three-month, cohort-based program designed specifically for association professionals — delivering 31 CAE-eligible hours of focused content across eight core facilitation competency domains.

Co-facilitated by Aaron Wolowiec and Lowell Aplebaum, the course blends instruction, discussion, peer learning, and practice exercises to build both knowledge and confidence. You'll leave with a certificate that signals your commitment to the craft — and a cohort of colleagues who've grown alongside you.

Who it's for: Association professionals at any experience level who facilitate meetings, retreats, strategic planning sessions, or other group processes — and want to do it better.

What you'll walk away with:

  • A recognized Association Facilitator Certificate
  • Practical tools and frameworks you can apply immediately
  • Deeper self-awareness across eight facilitation competency domains
  • A peer network of fellow facilitators in the association community

Fall 2026 enrollment is open. Early registration deadline: August 3.

Download the Syllabus | Learn More & Register

Not ready to commit yet? Complete our interest form and we'll be in touch when future cohorts are scheduled.

In-Person Training

Do your meetings circle without resolution? Do you struggle with conflict, dominant voices, or groups that can't reach agreement? The Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation Methods (TFM) course gives you three simple, universally applicable approaches to move any group from confusion to consensus — the same methodology the Event Garde team uses with clients every day.

Led by certified ToP facilitators and qualified/mentor trainers, this immersive two-day training covers:

You'll leave with a step-by-step manual, hands-on practice, and the confidence to apply these methods immediately, along with 16 CAE credits. 

Interested in attending a public course or hosting a private training for your team? Check our registration site for upcoming dates, or complete our interest form to learn more.

Webinars

Go deeper on the topics that matter most to your facilitation practice. Our live 60–90 minute webinars bring together expert facilitators and curious practitioners for interactive discussion, real-world application, and practical takeaways you can use right away.

Each session includes downloadable resources — slides, handouts, and tools designed to go straight into your facilitation toolbox. And because we know schedules don't always cooperate, every webinar is recorded and available on demand after the live event.

Past sessions have explored topics like co-creating community agreements, navigating difficult conversations, ethical facilitation, unlocking committee potential, and strategic planning methods. New topics are added regularly.

Browse upcoming webinars | Access past sessions

Voices & Views

Ever wish you could sit in on a candid conversation with other facilitators — swapping stories, sharing strategies, and learning from each other's wins and stumbles? That's exactly what Voices & Views is.

Now in Season 3 with nearly 20 episodes, this roundtable video series features 30–40 minute conversations by facilitators, for facilitators. Each one explores a specific topic with practical insights, real-life examples, and honest dialogue you can take straight back to your practice. Past topics have included trauma-informed facilitation, organizational change, participant co-creation, and more.

Watch on your phone, tablet, or laptop — or listen like a podcast on your own time.

View the full series here.

Book Club

Great facilitators never stop learning — and some of the best insights come not from facilitation manuals, but from the books that shape how we think, lead, and connect.

The FACILIT8me Book Club is a bimonthly reading community hosted by Aaron Wolowiec and Lowell Aplebaum. Every other month, we release a new title spanning facilitation, leadership, learning, and association life. Each selection comes with discussion prompts and insights from Aaron and Lowell, plus virtual meetups throughout the year to compare notes and keep the conversation going.

Participation is free. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to engage, and a copy of the book. Sign up here to join the community and be notified when the next title is announced.

Self-Assessment

How intentional are you about your growth as a facilitator? This free self-assessment tool — developed by Aaron Wolowiec and Lowell Aplebaum — invites you to reflect across eight core facilitation domains and 46 competencies, rating yourself on both knowledge and practice in each area.

The results won't judge you. They'll orient you — helping you identify where you're strong, where you're curious, and where your next area of growth might be. And because self-awareness is the foundation of great facilitation, even experienced practitioners often find the process illuminating.

Whether you're just starting out or decades into your practice, this tool meets you where you are. Use it as a starting point, a check-in, or a catalyst for conversation with a mentor or peer. Plan for 15–20 minutes to complete it thoughtfully. Take the self-assessment here.

LinkedIn Community

Looking for a consistent dose of facilitation inspiration? Join our free LinkedIn community — a growing group of practitioners at every experience level who show up to learn, share, and grow together.

Each week you'll find:

  • Weekly Facilitation Challenges - small, actionable prompts to stretch your practice
  • Discussions on trending topics, tools, and real-world scenarios
  • Resources and tips curated by the FACILIT8me team

It's free, low-commitment, and genuinely useful. Join the community here.
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