POD 25 Pre-Work #1: Facilitation Must Haves by Tolu Noah

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drtnoahCSULB — 2025-11-09 22:51:58 UTC

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In the body, answer this question: What is one physical or digital item that you can't do without when facilitating workshops?
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Rachel Rogers

rachel1134 — 2025-11-10 14:47:10 UTC

I must have my drinks! If the workshop is before lunch, I tend to have coffee, but also always water.

Bonni Stachowiak

bstachowiak — 2025-11-10 14:52:47 UTC

For me, it has got to be my Apple Watch. I can lose track of time when I’m teaching/facilitating (probably because I’m experiencing a state of flow most of the time). I set a gazillion timers on my watch to ensure that I have these micro interruptions as I’m going. I use each opportunity to take a deep breath, look at my one-page set of thumbnails with the associated times indicated, and see if I’m on track, or any adjustments need to be made in real time.

I just got back from doing a keynote in Michigan and was so happy to look at my watch as I concluded, with one minute to spare. Apple Watch for the win.

Todd Stanislav

stanist — 2025-11-10 15:09:40 UTC

Here’s a nod to vanity: Clothes and shoes in which I feel comfortable. I have those clothes in my closet that on some days I think, “Yeah, I should wear these today…ugh.” And then I have those clothes for which I think, “YES! My favorites! I get to wear these today!” So, yeah, it’s the latter that I want to wear on those workshop-facilitation days!

Lori Mumpower

2025-11-11 14:07:04 UTC

I am almost always forgetting to check my bag to see if my clicker is there, but it's a must have for presenting across campus!

David Rhoads

2025-11-11 16:53:10 UTC

I usually facilitate most of my workshops from a stool to help me get in the mindset of it being an interactive conversation rather than a fire hose of information. I am 6'6" and can also make others feel that I am literally talking down to them :) I also have a shoe collection that I really love rotating through, usually along with a coordinated outfit and hat. These all really make me feel comfortable and hopefully helps others feel the same.

Waleed Helweh

whelweh — 2025-11-11 17:00:43 UTC

I like having a bracelet or other item on me that I can fidget with without being too distracting. I use my hands a lot when I am facilitating and for the moments that I am not talking, or just listening, I like to have something to fidget with. The bracelet I currently have on was made by my friend and is a representation of my identity.

Heidi Normandin

2025-11-16 04:08:34 UTC

Because I facilitate workshops remotely, I can't do without a sticky note on my monitor that says, Record Workshop!

Katie Palacios

2025-11-18 20:20:44 UTC

A whiteboard marker! Assuming that I'm facilitating in person... 100% of the time I will be writing (maybe drawing?) on the whiteboard.

Mary Johannesen-Schmidt

2025-11-19 04:04:28 UTC

I definitely need to stay hydrated, as I am always moving in workshops, and so I need my water bottle handy!

Charity Adams

cadams314 — 2025-11-19 04:57:20 UTC

I always have a fidget of some sort or my ring. Most of my sessions are facilitated via zoom and I tend to talk with my hands if I don't have something to fidget with.

Kristy A. Embrack

kristyembrack — 2025-11-19 07:10:51 UTC

In my own practice, I engage groups through self-reflective visual prompts that they can take home and continue to unpack in ways that make sense to their own learning and development.

Kym Bauer

2025-11-19 16:09:11 UTC

I need beverages handy. Depending on the time of day that could be coffee or hot tea, but always water. Hydrate or die-drate!

Susanmarie Harrington

2025-11-19 17:44:44 UTC

My big purple notebook! I love note taking by han.