The Wisdom Circle/Advisory Board met several times during 2007 to plan the first "coach approach" trainings. Summaries of the 2007-2008 trainings are listed below:

1. October, 2007: A group of 28 business owners and managers in Montgomery County, Maryland participated in a highly successful two-day training on the Coach Approach. They learned specific, practical ways to integrate the skills they learned into their daily routines with their staff and each other. The training was designed to bring an international cross-section of participants together in a small group to maximize interactive learning and collaborative efforts. The feedback and comments were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Many received 4 sessions of coaching from certified life coaches following the training. There will be a 3 hour follow-up training in March, 2008. Sydney Frymire, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
   
   March 12, 2008 Followup Training: The participants used the circle process to reconnect and reflect on the progress they've made in the last 4 months since the training in 2007. They participated enthusiastically in two exercies to practice their listening skills and ask powerful questions. In closing, they used the circle process to create a plan to continue meeting as a group to coach each other. The group consensus is that the Coach Approach training was the most effective training they've had in their careers. Sydney Frymire, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

2. January 28 - 29, 2008: The Board of AmeriCorps in Lansing, Michigan. AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the nation’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
   
   A two-day Coaching the Global Village training helped build a network of Michigan nonprofit professionals who use the coach approach to support and help others as they work toward their goals. The 22 participants, who were directors of Michigan's AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve - Michigan programs, were introduced to coaching philosophies and developed basic coaching skills such as listening, asking powerful questions, motivating, and offering accountability. The training was sponsored by the Michigan Community Service Commission (www.michigan.gov/mcsc).
   
   
3. The Third of our pilot trainings was completed in Glenwood springs Colorado on February 20th and 21st of 2008. We trained 20 staff of Youth Zone, a youth services nonprofit that works with "at choice" Youth.

From the Youthzone website:

Youth Zone helps families raise responsible kids! 75% Success Rate. Independent evaluations prove statistically significant improvement in the following six areas.

1. Decreased underage drinking
2. Decreased use of illegal drugs and delinquency.
3. Increased school involvement.
4. Increased resiliency.
5. Increased social support.
6. Increased resiliency to sexual/emotional/physical abuse.

Youth Zone evaluation further shows that 75% of all youth who participate in the business’ court programming will not commit another offense as a juvenile.

Youth Zone is a Colorado non-profit dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to be responsible, contributing members of society and working with their families and the community toward this end. Through prevention, advocacy, parent education and direct services, Youth Zone strives to enhance the quality of life in our communities. Raising more responsible kids.

The Coach Approach training by CGV was very well received. The staff made some tremendous applications and are excited to carry this training further into their work. We may be invited back to train the Youth in the future.

We will have pictures and staff comments on this website soon