Presenters / facilitators

Here is a handy tip sheet for Sexy Spring Facilitators

About Sexy Spring Workshops

Even though Sexy Spring workshops have content that is all over the map, most follow a similar structure. Sexy Spring is a skill-share, so our workshops tend to be very interactive in nature. There should be a two-way transfer of knowledge, and the leader / facilitator should expect to learn also. We respect the participants, and believe good ideas can come from anywhere, and everyone has the right to their feelings and experiences.

A Note About PowerPoint, Keynote and Their Kin

We tend to shy away from PowerPoint/Keynote/&c “presentations” because they can make the environment of a skillshare feel too lecture-y and restrained and the format itself has a myriad of data transfer issues. We want to encourage presenters to think about what they aim to achieve with their workshops and whether “slideware” is really crucial to that. Sometimes a slide presentation can be an asset - showing pictures or diagrams for example. But slides loaded up with text may not be suitable for the environment of a Sexy Spring skillshare. It’s important for everyone to remember that workshops are about a two-way exchange of information between presenters and attendees. We think slideware presentations can block those exchanges.

Before the workshop - Planning

  • rehearse! have other people listen and critique
  • Think about how your workshop will affect people
  • what goals do you have? What should you get out of it? What should participants?
  • what parts of the material might offend people? Why?

Vibes Watching

  • one or more vibes watchers will be at your workshop
  • check in with them before your workshop about potential concerns
  • appoint a “head” vibes-watcher

The Workshop begins -

Presenter checkin:

  • Explain who you are, and what you’re trying to achieve with the workshop.
  • introduce your vibes watcher, explain their role, and read safer space guidelines aloud, amending as necessary

Group checkin:

  • Go around the circle, getting names, preferred gender pronouns, and what they’re hoping to get out of the workshop
  • Use what you hear to set an agenda. write it on the board, or a piece of paper, with the person’s name who asked for it.
  • If you’re really slick, it helps to write down (on a piece of scratch paper only you can see) each person’s name, and a description, so you can remember who they are, and call on them by name (”Paul - hip glasses”).

During the workshop — Keeping it fun

  • Make sure everyone has a chance to talk, but that no one “steals the show”.
  • If you find yourself arguing back and forth with someone, redirect to the group (”Let’s open that to group, so we can hear some other voices”) or offer to answer the question outside the workshop (”Let’s talk about that afterward, when we have more time”).
  • try to answer questions in order. It’s okay to say “Hold on that question for a moment, I think some other people were in line to talk already”

you should be watching vibes as well

Closing the workshop

  • Checkout: make sure people got what they expected from the workshop.
  • Were their questions answered?
  • Have a go-around to hear what people got out of the workshop, and where they are at, headspace-wise.
  • Point the participants towards additional resources

Afterwards — Evaluate, Improve, Enjoy!

  • Bask in your awesome radness
  • ask others how they though it went, and what to improve for next time.