Participants Filled out VA EAGALA Networking Group Survey

VA EAGALA Networking Group Meeting

11/22/09 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Host: Unbridled Change (meeting in the Indoor arena)

Facilitator: Michelle Holling-Brooks, EAGALA Advanced, VA State Networking Group Coordinator

----- Agenda Topics -----

Intro – Welcome and overview of agenda, Filling out Network Group Michelle 11:00 Survey - what are your goals, what do you hope to get out of the day and the group

Activity – Ice Breaker and Team Building “Shapes”, short processing Tiffany Smith, Flying 11:15 time on group dynamics how it went Changes 11:45 Lunch

Lunch Activity – Design your horse, and where you are at on your Group 12:00 EAGALA and business journey

House Keeping for the Group - discussion of group roles – strengths and Michelle 12:15 weakness, setting over arching goals – educational and group, setting of group values

Group Activity – “Trust the Process” 1:00

Wrap-up, and finalizing group goals and Recap of the day – were goals met, what will you take away, what did they learn about themselves/each Group 1:30 other/ and the group. Decision on meeting times, locations for future meetings. In Attendance: Michelle Holling-Brooks, Cami Murnane, Suzy Bowman – Unbridled Change; Tiffany Slusher, Paula Crotty – Flying Changes of VA; Deborah Sensabaugh – Lost Creek Farm (League of Therapists); Paul Foltz, Jenny Foltz – The Saddle Doctor

Group Minutes

Participants filled out VA EAGALA Networking Group Survey.

Activity – “Shapes” Facilitated by Tiffany Slusher, Flying Changes & Michelle Holling-Brooks, Unbridled Change.

During the activity the group was able to work on communication skills, problem solving skills, and ‘Ss. Over arching themes that were raised during the activity are: - Not assuming people know what you’re talking about - Becoming too task oriented and forgetting about our “clients” – the horses - Problems with making a plan and assigning roles

The group was able to go back out and try the activity again. Peak of the activity – the group assigned roles, and made a plan prior to interacting with the horses. During the activity the horse they choose was moving freely in the middle of the group, head lowered, licking and chewing, easily moving with the group – walking and halting when asked. The group mirrored the horse’s attitude and where also moving more freely adapting and working as a unit instead of individuals. At the end of the session the facilitators compared this exercise to starting or running an EAP/EAL business and the horses are the clients. There are tons of options out there (all different kinds of shapes) how do you know which way to go, where all your team players need to be and so on. Main Shift - When the group took the short time to plan out who, what, when, where, and how – the “clients” were successful and the group themselves felt more relaxed and unified.

Lunch & Description of Individuals EAP/EAL Journeys – Meet and Greet of the group members and discuss of what each person’s journey has been so far in the EAGALA world and goals for what they would like to get out of the Networking Group.

Main goals for the group discussed: - Hoping to get more info on how to run an EAP/EAL business - Desire for more practice on how to run EAP/EAL sessions – help with “stuck” clients, activities - Help with team development – co-facilitation - Help with client recruitment – where do you get them – who pays - Insurance and billing help

Future meeting format discussion – decision to meet quarterly – (every 3 months starting with this meeting) set meeting time the first Sunday of the month from 11-2. (Meeting months would be Feb, May, Aug, & Nov. of every year) The meeting will include a group EAL activity, mock sessions of “stuck” clients or ones that people need help with. Topic discussions during the lunch portion of the meeting on running the business side of an EAGALA program and other topics as needed.

Discussed the need of adding an hour in front of the meeting in which established programs and facilitating teams are available to answer general business questions, give feedback to newly certified EAGALA practitioners or start-up businesses that have more specific needs/questions.

Meeting adjourned

Next meeting date February 7th from 11-2 (Michelle Holling-Brooks will be available from 10-11 for general/programmatic questions about how to start a program or expand one) Location – Hosted by Deb Sensabaugh, Lost Creek Farm, Buena Vista, VA (right outside of Lexington, VA).