The Practice Group Option
Attend or Host a Practice Group
Practice Groups
Although the Compassion Course is designed as an individual course, many people find that joining a practice group helps them understand and practice the content of the course and stay more engaged, inspired and connected.
Participants have access to our Practice Group Community that provides information for them to find a group that works best.
Compassion Course Practice Groups are led by currently registered Organizer/Facilitators who receive guidance and training throughout the course.
The Organizer/Facilitator Track - Grassroots Leadership Opportunites
Compassion Course alumni who would like to organize and/or facilitate a group of Compassion Course Participants, can get guidance and support through the Organizer/Facilitator (O/F) Track.
The core of the O/F track includes monthly O/F community meetings where we address subjects like:
-Working with Agreements
-Planning for group sessions - Check-ins, review practice group progress and preview upcoming concepts and exercises
-Troubleshooting and support
-Q&A time for questions about your group or course content
-How to adapt exercises for groups
Additionally, as a vital means of support, Organizer/Facilitators can list their group in our Practice Group directory; available to Compassion Course participants.
To keep the community connected 24/7, Organizer/Facilitators also have access to our secure and private O/F forum.
The Organizer/Facilitator track is a wonderful way to provide an important service to the community, experience personal and professional growth, and even make some money.
Practice Group Facilitation experience is not necessary for this track. However previous completion the Compassion Course and an O/F agreement are required.
Tuition for the O/F Track is $200 for the year and includes tuition for the Compassion Course.
FAQ (video above can also answer many questions)
Q: How can people find practice groups?
A: There will be a practice group community within our forum which will list all groups. You can invite friends, family and colleagues to join the course and be part of your group.
You can also find people on any NVC or compassion oriented group. For a list of Facebook NVC Groups click here.
Q: Do you have rules on how to form a group? Are there things my group needs to attend?
A: There are no rules on how to do your own group. You can organize your group however you want. For example maybe you meet every week, every other week, once a month. It depends on how you want to structure it. This could be something to discuss and review with your group participants.
Q: What does the group do when they meet?
A: The intention of this track is that you can host your group whenever you want. Ideas of what to do in the group include: reviewing the previous weeks materials, practicing exercises together, discussing challenges and celebrations regarding each person’s practice. The Organizer/Facilitator can bring group questions to the conference.
Q: Does every member of my group need to register for the course?
A: Yes, we ask that every participant of your group register for the course. There are many different pricing levels so that everyone can register. The reason we ask every participant in your group to register is so that they have access to the all of the features that the course offers such as weekly messages, forum access, conference recordings, course resources and more.
Q: Does the group attend these monthly Organizer/Facilitator conferences?
A: No, the Organizer/Facilitator is the only person who will attend these conferences. Participants of your group can either join or listen to the monthly compassion course conference which take place every second Monday of the month at 12pm noon (New York time).
Q: Can I charge people to attend my group?
A: We are happy to see people get some energy exchange for their work such as a fee or donation. A range of $15 to $25 per session is often requested in our groups here in NY and no one complains.
We do ask that everyone in your group registers for the course. We have different levels and options regarding pricing.
Practice Group Organizer / Facilitator (O/F) Agreement
1) The Organizer/Facilitator (O/F) agrees they have previously completed the Compassion Course Online.
2) The O/F agrees that groups will consist of people currently registered in the course. Why? If people "pirate" or "resell" the course on their own, without requiring registration, it excludes participation in vital community features and undermines the economic model and sustainability of the course. It could turn our expansion into a collapse. Everyone loses.
3) We all agree it's OK to charge something for organizing or hosting a group. Why? We are happy to see people get some energy exchange for their work. A fee or donation in the range of $15 to $25 per session is often requested in our groups here in NY and no one complains :)
4) O/F agrees to follow the curriculum and content of The Compassion Course in the order it is delivered. Why? The Course was written based on decades of experience, living and teaching the work in the course. Adding other ideas or taking the course out of order degrades the integrity and effectiveness of the course - so we ask that you work with us on this so we keep the quality in the course.
5) The O/F agrees to organize and facilitate the work of The Compassion Course exclusively. For example, the Week 5 practices are the exclusive practices for the group that week. Why? People are coming to the course and the practice groups with an agreement that they will be participating in the Compassion Course exclusively. This also contributes to keeping the community cohesive.
Organizing and facilitating are different than "training" or "teaching" where the leader takes responsibility for the curriculum and content. In the Compassion Course, that comes from Thom Bond through the weekly messages and monthly conferences. The purpose of the group is to clarify and practice the content and exercises.
6) The Compassion Course agrees to:
• Provide a monthly leadership conference for both O/F's and Mentors. These conferences will be peer-led by experienced and highly skilled O/F's and Mentors.
• Provide a 24/7 connection to the O/F community via our private and secure forum. Based on previous experience with the O/F community, we understand the importance of this group as a source of wisdom and support.
Organizer/Facilitator tuition (which also includes your tuition for the Compassion Course) - $200
If you are in need of financial support for the track please email us: coursecoordinator@nycnvc.org