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Become a conference sponsor |
International Association of Facilitators
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Here are some testimonials from recent CPF 'Graduates'
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What are the Competencies?
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It is the job of the assessors to review initial documentation to see if you have displayed evidence of these core competencies, at least on paper, and then invite you to take part in a full Assessment Day when you will have two 30 minute Interviews and a 30 minute 'real-life' workshop to provide further opportunity for further testing and demonstration of your skills against these core competencies.
Sooooo - if this lights a fire under you - and this is a journey for you - then .....
For more information - please contact Tom Schwarz :
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CPF - Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson, New Zealand, 21-22 November 2008
We'd love to have you with us! Early application and an early start on document preparation is highly recommended! Contact
to register.
The rate for the Nelson certification programme is US$1500.
A portion of this fee, US$400, is payable at the time of application. The remaining US$1100 is due upon receipt of an invitation to attend the Assessment Day. Current IAF membership is required for certification. Candidates are expected to cover the cost of transport to the event location, and any lodging/food for overnight stays. We provide light breakfast and lunch for all candidates on the event day.
Click here to read about Sydney-based facilitator Tom Schwarz's journey to attained his CPF in Arizona, USA (33kb pdf).
About the CPF Programme
The assessment process is based on rigorous peer review of knowledge, experience and demonstration of skills. The IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator designation indicates attainment of these foundational competencies. The professional facilitator designation offers clients an assurance that those who are certified are qualified to design and provide basic group facilitation services. Click here for the IAF-CPF Certification Process Overview (93kb pdf).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to certify?
The certification process begins when you download your IAF Facilitator Certification Application/Information packet. This packet can be acquired by contacting the Program Administrator - . You will find that the application packet contains complete certification information including a Process Overview, which takes you step by step through the certification process. This process generally spans several months due to the necessity of allowing time for candidates to book plane reservations to travel to the Assessment Center. Once at the Center, the process takes one full day. Candidates typically arrive the day prior to the assessment, and depart in the evening following the assessment.
How much experience do I need to certify?
You will be asked to provide an overview of seven sessions you've facilitated (as lead facilitator) within the past three years and you will be expected to provide examples of how you apply the core competencies in your work. The certification process is meant to assess competency in a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge required to successfully facilitate a variety of basic sessions and display the basic set of skills, knowledge, and behaviors that facilitators must have in order to be successful facilitating in a wide variety of environments. For more information on facilitator competencies, please see Foundational Facilitator Competencies © IAF™ 2003, available in the certification Application/Information packet.
Is training part of the certificate process?
Certification is not a "training" process, but an event at which experienced facilitators display the basic set of skills, knowledge and behaviors outlined in the Foundational Facilitator Competencies. We assume that candidates for certification have adequate training and/or experience prior to application.
Who do I contact regarding certification? Where do I send my Application?
Please contact the Program Administrator - for certification information. The application/information materials are available immediately via email. If you decide to apply, your application materials will be returned as an email attachment at the same email address.
When must I submit my application and still make my desired event?
Applications are typically closed two months prior to a specific event. Deadlines for application are frequently posted on the IAF website, but if not, contact the Program Administrator -
for an exact deadline date.
Resources from the IAF-World website:
- Become a "Certified Professional Facilitator" - CPF © - An introduction to IAF's Certified Professional Facilitator program, including requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions - Basic information about IAF's Facilitator Certification Program
- Facilitator Competencies - IAF's foundational competencies for facilitators
- Certification News - A look at what's happening in the certification program
- Upcoming Certification Events - Scheduled and projected certification events
- List of Certified Assessors - Contact someone who has been involved in the program and has become an assessor
- List of Certified Professional Facilitators - Contact a CPF ©
- Testimonials from Certified Professional Facilitators - What people involved in the program say about it
For additional information about becoming an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, please contact the Program Administrator at:
Stories from those who have undertaken the CPF journey
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 Schwartz’ account of his 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
The preparation requires you to select, document and verify specific facilitations you have undertaken over the past 3 years. This becomes a stop/go self assessment to assists you to define facilitation clearly (as opposed to content/training work). It makes you ask, ‘am I really a facilitator after all’?
The pre-assessment day support from the assessors was excellent. Before the workshop day, I spoke and role played with my international client (using Skype) and developed a proposal that met the needs of the selected exercise.
The first formal part of the day is an interview to follow up on your paperwork. For me, the interviews were the most unsettling part of the whole exercise for me. The faces of the interviewers gave me no sense of how I was doing and I really needed to trust myself to see this first part of the day through. I absolutely understand that the assessors needed to be consistent and equal in their approach to all of the candidates. It still felt uncomfortable.
Being together with peers from across the country was one of the best things. Their support throughout the day, senses of humour, empathy, active participation during your facilitation exercise that willed you to succeed – all great.
What about that practical? You have thirty minutes to demonstrate a raft of facilitation competencies. I know I bit off much more than I could chew and found myself editing and tossing out elements as I went on to ‘bring it home’. My nerves also decided to pay a very obvious visit (which proved helpful only later).
Exhaustion – yes. It is a draining experience. It took me a few days to physically recover and I actually put the reflection part away in a box for some months.
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.
Feedback from Ron Kemp
What this journey was like for you?
A humbling, challenging and self fulfilling one
What did it /does it mean to you?
An affirmation of sorts – one that I am on the right path and the other is validation and specification of further development needs
Why did you undertake it?
To accept the first opportunity that Australia has provided to formally have my “raison d’etre” recognised by an association with international standing
What were the outcomes for you?
An incredibly rewarding outcome for me was to read the testimonials that seven clients provided for the process. In addition, I conduct assessments on a regular basis and only now can I truly empathise with what it feels like to be assessed! At the end of the day, an outcome of utter relief!
What did you like/dislike about the journey?
My likes – having the opportunity to meet fellow practioners, that the process was rigorous and the comprehensive feedback provided both verbally and in writing.
My dislikes – the paperwork in the second section, and using email as the only mode of communication for the briefing with the “client”
What might be your comments or views or advise on it to others seeking to tread this path?
To approach it as a rare and valued opportunity to receive constructive feedback about you as a facilitator
Feedback from Kingsley Nowell
One of the helpful discoveries during my journey into facilitation was the IAF's (Foundational Facilitation Competencies). This gave me a clear, succinct comprehensive idea of what I had been trying to understand and become.
The opportunity to try for IAF certification in Sydney was too good to let pass even though I knew in my most honest moments that there were significant gaps in my personal competencies. I took up the accessible, rigorous opportunity to put myself to an objective test.
I was stretched from the moment I began gathering evidence and negotiating with an assessor/client by email through to follow up coaching. My shortcomings were brought into focus and I ended up emotionally rung out when informed that I was deferred.
Observing fellow facilitators was inspiring, supportive and full of practical ideas.
Leaving the day devastated and alone was harrowing. Deciding to keep pursuing certification needed some resolve that came after a time of processing the experience.
What did I gain from an opportunity that caused me pain?
a) A clearer understanding of facilitation processes that lead to strong outcomes.
b) Identification of the gaps in my style and skills.
c) An appreciation of other facilitators on the same journey toward recognition.
d) Clear, strong practical feedback from the assessors.
e) Rescue by caring coaches after the event.
f) A fresh focus for ongoing personal development.
What do I regret?
Certainly not the experience but I do regret:
Not being more measured in my responses in the interview process
Allowing the preparation process to eat away at my confidence
Not keeping it simple on the day.
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