Build Your Own Online Study Group
with Woody and/or Susan
If you have an interest in building your own Online Study Group with Woody and/or Susan, please contact Alison Beck.
Woody and Susan conduct online study groups for mediators and collaborative professionals throughout the world.
Groups are formed in different ways. Some are geographical, others develop from a professional organization, and others are individuals who band together just to meet regularly with us. The group can be interdisciplinary or just from one profession.
Groups can meet regularly (monthly or bi-monthly) or ad hoc. Group members can sign on for a series of groups or just for one session.
Some groups meet for one hour, others for 2, and his LA group meets for 3 hours on a bi-monthly basis. As an example, Woody’s Rising Star Peacemaker Group (under 35) meets for 1.5 hours.
Woody and Susan meet with the group each session—and sometimes will bring in a guest co-facilitator or expert.
The groups also sometimes meets on its own for planning and networking.
Woody and Susan’s fee is $500 per hour (each), allocated pro rata among group members. If there are 10 group members, fee is $50 per member per hour. If there are 5 group members, fee is $100 per member per hour. If Woody or Susan brings in a co-facilitator, her or his fee is paid by Mosten Guthrie at no extra cost to group members. It is recommended that groups not be more than 12 members.
Each group has an organizer who works with Woody or Susan to set topics, dates, and collects payment from group members. Generally, the group organizer’s fees are waived by the other group members.
There are several areas that study groups can explore:
Some groups focus on one area; others integrate two or three areas.
Readings/Deep Dives
Based on preferences of the group, Woody or Susan selects the readings (5-20 pages) or prepare materials from a topic chosen by the group. The readings could be from books, journal articles, research, reports, or blogs. Materials could be checklists, power points, or brief written handouts Woody creates or copies of the work of others.
Case Consultation and Feedback
Group members take turns in presenting challenging cases per a protocol that stimulates group discussion that is safe and productive for the presenter.
Practice Development
The group as a whole serves as business practice consultants for other group members who present current practice development issues.
Online Marketing and Outreach
The group will work with Susan to leverage technology, social media and other current marketing trends to effectively promote, build and grow your marketing practice.
Online Mediation Basics and/or Advanced Issues
For mediation practitioners who wish to establish or expand their skills in the area ofvirtual mediation including general video-conferencing skill through more advanced topics such as enhanced online communication skills, incorporation of visual aids in online practice and streamlining a virtual practice with additional technology.
Custom Consultation Group FAQ’s
Number and Length of Meetings
The minimum commitment to form a custom group is for 18 hours of meeting time with one trainer. This time can be split between Woody and Susan, or all sessions can be with one or the other. Typically, the 18 hours is divided into 12 monthly or bimonthly sessions of 90 minutes each. However, your group can opt for a different meeting length of 1, 2, or 3 hours. Sessions can also be customized to fit your goals including monthly, weekly, or several days in a row (like a retreat).
Cost and Payment
The price for a Custom Consultation Group is $12,000 for 18 hours of meeting time with either Woody or Susan. The fee is payable by check or credit card and must be paid by the group organizer as a single payment. The group organizer can then collect payment from participants by whatever arrangement works best for you. The average cost per 90-minute session for a group of 12-15 participants is $67 to $83 per person.
Participants
You determine the number of people in your group and who you wish to invite. The group members might be colleagues in the same organization, practice in the same community, or simply be a group of friends who share a common interest and wish to form a study group together. Groups can be interdisciplinary and can have a range of experience, or you may choose to focus on participants who are at a similar stage of practice building. The possible range for participants is a small group of 5 to a large group of 20. You may choose to have the same participants at each session or vary the group from meeting to meeting as you wish.
Group Topics
The format and topics for the group is up to you. You may decide to only have case or practice consultations in which Woody or Susan will facilitate solutions to challenges raised in your office or in running your practice. You can decide on a single topic to be explored at each session. Or you can split a session between practice consultations and focused time on a single topic.
Meeting Dates
Once you decide to form a group, you will customize your schedule with Woody or Susan and select dates for meetings, then send out notices to your participants.