Closure is an important part of any group program, even though it may be the first thing that is cut out when programs are running a little long. Effective closure activities can serve many purposes including, creating:

A framework for participants to identify:

• What they have learned from the program
• What they will take away in terms of learning, new perspectives/insights etc
• How they will apply their new learning into their daily lives (work/home)

What type of closure activities do you use in your programs? Is this the first thing that gets cut off when time is running short?

Here a couple of ideas for your next program:

1. Develop an action plan handout (which can also be included at the end of a participants notebook/manual). An action plan handout should include space for participants to indicate the specific action steps they will take, the resources needed and the timelines involved.

2. Learning Partners - Have participants pair up with another/or two other participants to discuss their major learning throughout the program. Provide each group with two or three structured questions they can discuss. have them contact each other by email/phone/in person one month after the program to discusss how their learning has impacted their work/life. Get each group to contact you with a summary of the results. Allot sufficient time for each group to meet, get to know each other and design how and when they will reconnect.

3. Closure Circle - Have each participant share with the group the one most important learning point for them and how they are going to integrate this in their daily life and work.

4. Nature Walk and Closure - To add a creative twist, allow participants 5 - 10 minutes to do a silent walk in the surrounding environment (if venue permits) and have them select a piece of nature which they bring back into the program (i.e. stone/flower/leaf). Participants can close with a discussion of what they have chosen in the closure circle format. A neat thing about it is that participants can take this object home with them as a reminder of their learning and commitments.

I hope that you will try some of these out in your upcoming programs. If you do, I'd love to hear how it goes and which one is your favorite.

This month's resource is based on the presentation I gave at the ICF Toronto Chapter Fall Conference in September. Entitled, 7 Success Strategies for Your Group Programs, the presentation covers 7 Essential Strategies to take your group programs from good to great.

Strategies include:

• Get Clear on Your Vision for Group programs
• Know your audience
• Participant Centered Adult Learning Principles
• Powerful Program Design
• Marketing Leverage
• Add Value and Keep it Simple
• Use Engaging Exercises

I will be speaking at the Annual Canadian Society for Training and Development 2006 Conference on November 7th here in Toronto, on Retreats that Engage and Stay!. For more info click here.

The next Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar program starts on Thursday November 9th, and will meet on November 9, 16, 30 and December 7, Thursdays from 10:45 - 12 noon (EST).

The program is designed for coaches who are looking for tools, resources, best practices and information on developing and marketing their own group coaching programs. This interactive, intensive teleseminar is limited to 8 coaches, and covers topics including:

• Best practices of Group Coaching
• Exercises for Group Coaching
• Background on Adult and Experiential Education
• Marketing Your Group Coaching Program
• Program Design (tools, templates and other creative resources)

If you are looking to launch new group coaching programs in January, the timing is perfect. The program includes 5 x 75 minute teleseminars, a 70 page manual, pre- and post-course one-on-one discussions with me, as well as individualized support with me as needed throughout the program. The program costs $225 USD.

To reserve your seat, email me at jennifer@potentialsrealized.com or call (416) 491- 9680 (toll free: 1-866-217-1960). I look forward to having you join us in November!

Our flagship program - Training Essentials for Coaches - now commonly known as Workshop and Retreat Essentials - last session for the year will also be starting in mid-November. If you are interested in launching your own Workshop or Retreat program in the New Year, consider joining us for the last TEC program of the year. We will be meeting on Wednesdays from 7-8:15 pm (EST) on November 15, 29, December 6 and 13, plus a group follow up call in early 2007. Newsletter subscribers will receive a reduced tuition amount of $195 (regularly $225) for the November program..