Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic - they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor! Gives variety to aged care exercise program.
The workshop ‘worked’ for me as it’s left me feeling like I want to know and do more. I understand this means some self-study but I would love the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve learned, access some of the resources, then come back for another few days focusing on ‘being’ a practitioner of Appreciative Inquiry. Then to keep the learning going by having experienced practitioner workshops to share our stories, build our strengths etc. Thanks for creating the program and for giving of your time, energy and multiple intelligences!
This workshop was, by far, one of the most inspirational, thoughtful, action-provoking workshops I have attended for many years - and I've attended many! Two days were not enough - we could have spent the whole week working on the many aspects that were obviously not covered in the timeframe allowed! As a Community Development Trainer and Facilitator, I have been an AI convert for many years and utilise it in professional development workshops that I deliver throughout Australia and for framing generative questions. But this particular course by Sue and Chris gave me a deeper meaning and understanding of AI as a way of viewing my work, family, colleagues and life through a thoroughly more appreciative lens! I cannot recommend the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry highly enough and I'm sure if I did the 2 days again, I would gain bucket-loads more from each workshop!
Really enjoyed the shared wisdom of the group. The handout & references are great to support further learning. Succinct, clear information. Plenty of time to discuss and share. Thank you for a great two days. It was a great overview into AI. Warm, friendly and welcoming.
I appreciated the interesting differences you brought to the process as co-facilitators. The balance between levity and ‘seriosity’ made the day pass pretty quickly. I think you’re offering a nice easing into AI – many thanks for your generosity … live long and prosper!
Very informative, well presented. Learnt a lot. Really like the framework – feel it provides a great approach to empower people to work to bring out & develop the best in themselves and in their organisations. You could not consult/teach AI without walking the talk. Most definitely would recommend!
Great day of learning an alternative approach that can focus on a positive way of interacting and sharing in an informal way. I will be using some of what I've learned when in need of client input in services that we are providing, as well as with members of my team in times of planning and evaluating.
Really enjoyed today, particularly valuable for me was your explanation of “provocative propositions”. Best ever! Great to have a practitioner speaking of real experiences. Thank you for a great day. I'd recommend this workshop for anybody who is interested in organisational development, working with community or themselves. Great introduction.
I valued finding out more about the theory behind AI, having a chance to have a go, the pace and the Tai Chi energisers. I learned lots. Specifically the principles and the way they link/underpin the approach, the 5D Cycle and the importance of preparation and purpose in setting up protocols.
Fantastic learning session. Thanks for taking us through each step/move of the actions involved in Chair Chi. Appreciated the ability to be able to ask questions and bring up scenarios based on our facilities. Enjoyed the networking part of the day too! Really appreciate the book as a point of reference for practicing in the future!
Really enjoyed the day and learned so much. Can't wait to begin chair chi with our residents. It was good fun, informative, and relevant to aged care lifestyle exercise programme.
Very informative, plenty of involvement for all participants. Different way of learning, in teaching moves to other members in the group.
It was great how everyone, even the instructors got involved. Thumbs up! Participation is a great way of learning and this workshop was all about participation.
Some very useful questions and questions styles to try out and integrate. Some very useful ‘activities’ at the kinaesthetic and AQ end of things. I'd recommend this workshop – it is good to have a distilled ‘essence’ to clarify and dispel misconceptions (about AI). Thanks to you both for your energy and all you gave to the group in the 2 days.
The best thing about the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry workshop was experiencing AI as a way of integrating the concepts prior to embedding it into my practice. I am an experiential learner and had a very helpful learning experience. I found it a very engaging way of working with the concepts of AI. Program is well designed for maximum engagement.
The best thing about the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry workshop was a greater appreciation of the power of AI. The workbook is excellent – it provides a valuable resource. It has been a very worthwhile experience, most stimulating. I commend you and Chris on the way in which you presented the material and enabled us to have such a positive experience. Very well done.
I think that it made me look at where I am in terms of my thinking within the community. The Tai Chi was great. Thank you for a great two days.
I would like to thank you for facilitating the HACC Business Planning Day. There was a great deal of positive feedback about the proceedings and how well you kept things “on Track” which assisted us to achieve more on the day.
Sue used Appreciative Inquiry methods to draw out ideas for the project from a broad stakeholder group. The shared conversation techniques Sue adopted, the open communication and design ideas that came out of the session were a great success. I have found her to be an enthusiastic and professional facilitator who is able to draw out ideas and establish open and positive communication between stakeholders. I look forward to working with Sue in the facilitation of our future design projects.
A number of club members approached me after the meeting and expressed their appreciation. They indicated that the presentation was both personally beneficial, and beneficial to the club. This is an ideal combination to make our meetings enjoyable and encourage attendance. Thank you for the time taken.
Thank you so much, Sue and Chris. Your gracious facilitation and your sensitivity to us has enabled our spirits to look and see beyond our own horizons!
Colleagues shared experiences, refocussed negative energy and explored leadership qualities. It was fun, challenging and informative ... The interaction created was a great way to set the context of the Program at the start and a great way to finish off.
Chris and Sue presented a very well prepared, fun and energising session on a targeted activity developing a Peer Review Performance Model for our college. Their preparedness to listen to our needs in the lead up communication before the activity ensured that the material was relevant and practical. Their work has allowed us to begin our new format with confidence.
The best thing about these sessions was the way you both combined your talents and messages. It tapped into deeper dimensions than many other [professional development sessions] I've attended.
Staff enjoyed the practical and hands on approach that Sue & Chris used. It made staff reflect on their current practices and gave them things to consider for the future. One small thing that made a big difference was that they were able to deliver a presentation created around our needs at the time.
The improvement in staff morale flows on to our client base by improving customer satisfaction. I feel any company considering these services would benefit greatly from the improvement achieved in multiple areas.
New way of thinking, a different perspective on problem solving in everyday life.
The best thing was learning how to deal with suppliers.
One thing I'll use straight away is focus on my business goals and put them on paper rather than leave them on a verbal basis. I'd highly recommend this workshop to others because many business owners are not aware about setting goals and more importantly looking at the values which are the main reason for the existence of their business.
On behalf of the residents of Gardenia and Willow, here at Bupa Donvale, we would like to say how much we enjoy having you visit with us and providing the great Tai Chi classes. Our residents tell us how much they enjoy your sessions and we the staff can see their keen interest and the benefit these classes bring to them. They love the fact that they can remain seated and that is of great benefit to our wheelchair bound residents.
Chair Chi is something everybody can do. Chris is great with the residents, explaining the exercises and the benefits well. The great thing about Chair Chi is it is low impact (exercise) in a chair. It is great for all residents but even those that have mobility problems can participate actively. It has the biggest turnout out of all our exercise classes. They enjoy it and return.
The Chair Chi workshop was well received by all the staff who attended. I think the time went very quickly and the techniques you covered during the hour session were simple to remember and easily applied after the workshop. A few people have told me that they have used the techniques to address stress and to relax. The handout you gave to us was very useful in reminding us of the techniques you shared with us. Thank you for making the session so worthwhile for us. I have only had positive feedback.
Residents are excited to come to Chair Chi and after a session feel relaxed and are smiling. Since it started the group is growing in numbers and they benefit from a session.