We live and work in an environment in which change, and transformation are the norm, not the exception.  The need to grow and flourish requires all human systems (large or small) to learn and adapt.  As Appreciative Inquiry practitioners, we are guides who support individuals, groups, organizations, and communities to examine the possibilities and be the best that they can be.  The Advanced Level Certification will take you on an experiential journey to enhance your practice by building upon your strengths.

To be of service to individuals, groups, organizations, and communities, consultants need to know and develop flexible processes that meet the desired outcomes of their clients. This course is for those who work to give human systems the internal capacity to embrace and profit from inevitable changes in the environment.

COURSE OVERVIEW:

In this highly experiential workshop, participants will become immersed in the practice of facilitating clients in identifying what gives life to their human systems in ways that build agile, adaptive, and innovative organizations.

PART 1 of the course will focus on enhancing foundational Appreciative Inquiry skills which will result in greater breadth and depth of understanding.

PART 2 will advance application skills by including Subject Matter Experts and group discussion.

Together, participants will experience an advanced community of practice where they can identify their personal strengths as AI practitioners, enhance their contracting skills, and expand their capacity to design and lead AI initiatives that result in accelerated, sustainable change with measurable outcomes. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences and participate in dialogues drawn from their actual experiences while in the field.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This advanced course has been developed to enhance the professional careers of individuals who have a grounding in Appreciative Inquiry; who are engaged in implementing AI initiatives in group, business, government, non-profit organizations, and communities; and who are ready to move to the next level.

Because of the advanced nature of this course, participants are expected to have already participated in the Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training © (AIFT) or a course equivalent to it and have experience applying using Appreciative Inquiry in their work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

As a fully engaged participant in the Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner Training (AIPT), you will leave the workshop better able to:

• Master the ability to build relationships and create an environment of trust, respect, and collaboration with the organizations you serve.
• Become familiar with the elements of organizational culture and learn how unleashing the power of culture can facilitate success.
• Deepen your understanding and application of foundational Appreciative Inquiry processes and principles.
• Build your understanding of a stakeholder engagement and enhance your ability to work with your clients to identify key organizational stakeholders.
• Effectively apply Appreciative Inquiry tools to facilitate organizational transformation and participative change.
• Develop your knowledge of organizational systems through systems thinking to assist your clients in reaching their goals.
• Enhance your effectiveness by applying the insight gained from professionally oriented instruments and discussions which impact consulting success.

PROGRAM ADMISSION PREREQUISITES:

To participate in this Advanced Practitioner Workshop it is required that each participant has:

• Successfully completed the Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT), in person or virtually, or equivalent course and received certification;
• Facilitated a minimum of four AI engagements; and
• Committed to attend the entire course (24 weeks). This includes 12 weeks of online learning sessions and 12 weeks of mentoring and community practice.

PROGRAM ADMISSION PROCESS:

Because of the advanced nature of this course, participants are required to apply for admission. Our application process consists of 4 easy steps:

1. Register Online. Our online registration system will require your contact information and include questions about your prior training and AI facilitation experience. Payment will be required at this time.
2. Confirmation Letter. After registering, you will receive two emails: verification of payment and a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter verifies that you have reserved a seat in this training. All participant registrations are listed as pending until the participant has had the opportunity to participate in a short interview with the AIPT review panel.
3. Interview. Upon registration, you will be contacted by a member of the AIPT review panel to schedule a 30 minute interview. This interview is meant to gain better understanding of your work, experience, and application of AI. You may be requested to provide additional information or verification prior to the interview.
4. Admissions Decision. Participants will be notified via email with the AIPT panel’s decision. Individuals accepted into the program will receive additional training information, including a welcome packet. Individuals not accepted into the program will receive training and experience suggestions and will be refunded their registration fee minus $500.00 USD.

Please note: This course includes a nonrefundable $500.00 USD AIPT application review fee. This fee is included in the registration price of this course. Individuals who are not accepted into the program will be refunded their registration fee minus $500.00 USD.

TRAINING SCHEDULE AND HOURS:

The Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner Training (AIPT) is designed to be an advanced blended learning experience.  This means that portions of the course will be delivered synchronously (in real-time through services like Zoom) and asynchronously (you read materials and participate in insight-oriented exercises at a time/pace/place that works best for you to be prepared to fully engage with trainers and colleagues in the class at the synchronous session).

The combination of synchronous and asynchronous work will equate to 33 training hours.  This includes the required Orientation session.  Participants will need to complete the program in its entirety to be eligible to earn the Appreciative Inquiry Advanced Practitioner Certification, including all synchronous sessions.

Please note that the synchronous portions of the AIPT are highly experiential and will not be recorded.  The AIPT Trainers will be utilizing breakout rooms to develop the community and trust among the participants, paired interviews, and small group

AIPT ORIENTATION:

To ensure that all participants are ready for this exciting transformational journey, your AIPT trainers will host a live Orientation via Zoom on March 22, 2022, at 9:00am Pacific Time.  The Orientation begins our community of practice, allowing you to connect with the trainers and participants, engage in the course overview, reading and activities and familiarizing you with the learning management system (LMS).

Part 1 of the workshop consists of seven synchronous sessions.  Asynchronous sessions are delivered live via Zoom on alternate weeks and will not be recorded.

Part 2 of the workshop includes 2 synchronous sessions per month.  These include presentations by Subject Matter Experts and discussions which focus on application of AI tools, as well as Community Practice discussion and support for activities which focus on the successful completion of the Final Project/Practicum.

The first semi-monthly scheduled session will include presentations by Subject Matter Experts which will focus on depth of understanding of specific AI tools.

The second semi-monthly session will include group learning and discussions which will focus on application of specific tools, as well as the development and delivery of the Final Project to be submitted for certification.

Each participant will receive 3 mentoring sessions from one of the AIPT co-trainers during the workshop.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully complete the modules and attend all live sessions and participate in the Community Practice sessions.
• Complete and submit the Final Project Report which is suitable for publication. This final report must demonstrate the participant’s deep understanding of the breadth, depth and application of Appreciative Inquiry work.
• Complete the evaluation.