IAF Worldwide > Oceania > CPF Oceania The CPF is more than an internationally recognised accreditation … it’s also a fabulous learning opportunity.
If you're Interested in taking up this opportunity then you need to get your skates on. Documentation for the CPF event scheduled in Melbourne for March (4 & 5 – just before the IAF Oceania Conference) needs to be submitted by 5 December.

Most people who have done it say it was one of the best things they’ve undertaken as a facilitator. This document will tell you why: CPF - more than a piece of paper final

  

Stories from those who have undertaken the CPF journey

CPF Journey Reflection:  Lee-Ann Adams CPF (Hobart 2010)

(Picture: Sheryl Smail, Lee-Ann Adams, Rhonda Tranks)

 

Welcome to my CPF journey and reflection.

 “Certified Professional Facilitator” - the first time I really thought about these words was during a conversation with Sheryl, my mentor from the IAF ANZ Region, Mentoring Program. Sheryl suggested I should think about undertaking the process.

 Perusing all the documentation about the program was quite a confronting experience. For example, I pondered over thoughts such as: Do I actually do that? How well do I do that? Nevertheless, I finally, decided to embrace the challenge as a personal development opportunity, and to act also on the belief that my mentor had in me.

 So the journey began. With fifteen competencies occupying the conscious portion of my mind for some months, it was inevitable that my facilitation experience provided me with so much more opportunity for growth.  Along with a new found thirst for resources, I believe that the learning opportunities experienced during this period was one of the major benefits for me in undertaking the process.

 Working with a client to scope my workshop for the assessment day, saw me completely out of my comfort zone. Face to face was being replaced by phone and email correspondence. Consciously aware of the credentials held by my assessor/client, I found myself really analysing the conversations, and in hindsight - perhaps over analysing. His trade mark signature words “Go well”, kept guiding my thoughts through the string of emails.

 Finally, November the 22^nd arrived along with an abundance of nerves and an armful of flipcharts. Luckily there were four other people who looked exactly like me. Following initial introductions and a few honest thoughts, we immediately bonded for our assessment day ahead.

The assessment day - wow! What a range of emotions and experiences. The opportunity to participate in four diverse workshop topics and to watch such a range of facilitation techniques provided such a rich learning environment for facilitators.  Waiting outside the assessor’s door at 6pm following my final interview, I remember feeling mentally exhausted but so pleased and proud that I had put myself through the process, whatever the outcome would be!

 Fortunately the confidence placed in me by my mentor, was validated in hearing the words,” you have passed the process”.  

 The CPF process is a unique opportunity to receive valuable individual feedback, from a highly professional international group of assessors. For me as a sole organisational facilitator, it was a daunting but amazing experience.

 Since completing the CPF process, I have gained a deeper self-insight that brings so much more to my purpose as a facilitator and my client’s needs. The CPF experience is a unique process that regardless of the overall outcome (pass or work in progress), it is well worth the personal journey. I thoroughly recommend it!

 

 

More Oceania (formerly ANZ) CPF journey stories

 

My CPF journey - Helen Campbell CPF Jan 2007

Well it starts with a casual glance through the list of competencies. “Do I do that?” “Do I do it consistently?” “Am I being objective?” A browse through the application packs and your pulse quickens. “Can I provide all the evidence they need?”

After a sensible dose of fear and humility (all perfectly normal), you decide to hear from those that have taken the journey before you. I read Tom Schwarz’s IAF CPF certification journey It warned of lots of time consuming work and how hard the process would be … (more fear) but how rewarding too (ahhhh). He was right.
So now you know the story has a happy ending – is it for you?

I’m an independent contractor and don’t often get detailed feedback on my performance. Accreditation against a recognized benchmark is not only reassuring for my clients but provides feedback for me about my strengths and development needs.

Nothing worthwhile was ever accomplished without hard work. The accreditation sets a standard which is not easy to attain … and that’s why it is so valuable. Think of it as a development opportunity not an application form. For me it was a rare chance to look back on my work, reflect on how my style and skills have adapted over time and remind myself of some old tools and techniques.

As part of the application, you’re asked to provide an outline of several events you’ve run. I went back through my work and found myself on a lovely trip through some great (and not so great!) workshops. The case study takes a lot of time. Firstly, you have to chose the right workshop. I started out considering a couple of options until I found the one that could demonstrate the richest blend of IAF competencies. This reflection and refinement, plus the need to get references from a variety of people, means you must start early to make sure you are ready.

The support from the assessors was fantastic. Questions about the process were answered quickly and reassuringly. The role play with your ‘client’ in preparation for the assessment day follows on nicely from the personal reflection and gives you the opportunity to showcase some of the competencies.

You book the assessment day in your diary and it seems like its ages away … but before you know it, the day arrives … and you’d better be ready. I was nervous… and rightly so. The assessors were all very impressive and that contributes to the credibility of the accreditation. They were friendly but professional and you knew they meant business.

The day was run to a very tight timeline like a military exercise, making sure that you knew what you should be doing, and when. In between the interviews and the practical assessment there was plenty of time to chat with the other applicants. This too is a rare opportunity to share experiences and get advice. One of the greatest benefits of the day was the opportunity to take part in the other applicants’ practical assessment. I learned something from every one of them.

I came out of the assessment day and fell, exhausted, into a cab. This exhaustion is a consequence of the robustness of the process and therefore the credibility and value of the accreditation. I certainly felt that I had received a thorough and fair assessment.

Reflecting on the CPF Journey by Hedy Bryant CPF Jan 2007

The preparation for the CPF was quite an effort of both time and reflection. I believe that I spent a lot of time gathering evidence and not enough time preparing for the ‘event’. The other facilitators were awesome and I learned an enormous amount from them. I was also extremely nervous... So - next time I will be much more prepared for the facilitated event. I realise that I need to facilitate at a much deeper level.

I undertook this journey many years ago. I made it a more formal undertaking when I signed up for and completed Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitated Leadership modules 1-5; attending AFN conferences since 2003; joining the Australasian Facilitators Network, the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ToP) and the International Association of Facilitators. To become a CPF meant/means a lot to me both professionally and personally. It gives me credibility in my organisation, for my organisation and with my peers in AFN and wider.

Lessons:

• Don’t trust my intuition as much as I did before (this sometimes results in me ‘winging it’)
• Preparation, preparation, preparation (prevents poor performance/facilitation)
• Use a variety of tools beyond ToP; although I still believe that some/too many methods make the facilitation too gimmicky, less authentic and cumbersome
• Continue to read, network and interact with networks and fellow facilitators; continue to practice in everything I do including the difficult conversations with peers, supervisors, staff and family!

As you always say Tom, Go Well!

It is six months since we stepped into the doors of the UTS building for a long and amazing January day that was scheduled to the minute. I think I’ve needed this long to truly understand the value of the process and put pen to paper.

Reflecting on the CPF Journey by Lynn Walsh CPF Jan 2007

Post script: There is no doubt that the facilitation work I have done since the certification is better for the experience. I learned much from my peers and am applying those learnings each and every time I step up to a new challenge. I am also hungrier for knowledge and Amazon.com loves me even more than they did before.

My very capable demonstration of nervousness in the practical session enabled the assessors to provide me with feedback on specific behaviours which I now recognize immediately and can control should they rear their ugly head from time to time.

I am conscious of the confidence that the certification is giving new clients – particularly when they come to select a facilitator. Their expectation that I can do the job comes back to me in spades as I relax more into the role of facilitator.