1. Emerging Adulthood There are five major rites of passage into adulthood in American culture. In other words, “when someone is an adult” is defined by these five events. These are debatable, however, for the majority of Americans these have remained consistent for the last 100 years or so. These five have crossed generations. They…
Read MoreYou know I love Bucket Lists. I started a business so I could travel around the world and help people check buckets off of their lists. I gave a TedX Talk about bucket lists. I have my bucket list tattooed on my back (not true but sounds awesome). It only makes sense that I tried…
Read MoreYou know those moments that make you feel alive? Not just the “hey this is a great moment and HOW did I get this lucky to be able to be in this very exact spot doing this very exact thing right now I’m so happy I could CRY!!” moments? Welcome to your verb. We tend to…
Read MoreWe all get them. Some of us keep them. None of us really like them. I am talking about problems. Problems by definition need solving. Too often we lack the skills we need to properly hand move them to tomorrow or someday, where they lurk waiting to reappear. Here are five steps you can take to…
Read MoreWe are so thrilled to have 17 TRiO Alumni on our staff. Your alumni are an incredible source for advocacy. How you specifically engage your alumni will differ based on your geographic location, type of program, and program culture. However, as we work with alumni across the country, we have discovered a few key elements…
Read MoreDoes Your Team Building Expert Have a Team? Last weekend, we hosted an internal training for our educational facilitators. As we worked together, it occurred to me: How many “team building experts” have a team of their own? Now, don’t get me wrong, I know some great facilitators who do a phenomenal job with team…
Read MoreLast week, we had the opportunity to attend the NCCEP capacity building conference in NYC. We had a great time, and are fired up about the information we came home with! Thinking back on the conference, there are 3 big takeaways that come to mind. WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF NON-COGNITIVE SKILLS MATTER I listened…
Read MoreYou’re it! No, you’re it! You’re it! When is the last time you played tag? No, seriously…when is the last time you played tag? The answer is too long. Back in the olden days, tag was as simple as chasing your friend and elusive enough you could be the tag champion! Below we have three…
Read More1. Make it FUNN! Our friend Mark Collard, of playmeo.com, says that a great event needs to spend time having FUNN (Functional Understand disinterested. Take time to make it FUNN! 2. Create a Full Value Contract Full Value Contracts are the social and unwritten rules that are in place to help everyone get along. It…
Read MoreI feel as if every facilitator is looking for new and lead their group. If you are like me, you have a hard time finding activities that are applicable to your program’s goals. I have compiled a list of my favorite 11 books that are packed full of unique and processing/debriefing activities (in no particular…
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