2020 Schedule-at-a-Glance
Trainer Meetup
Begins: Friday, January 10 at 8:00 AM
Ends: Friday, January 10 at 3:30 PM
Annual Gathering
Begins: Saturday, January 11 at 8:00 AM 
Ends: Monday, January 13 at 5:30 PM
Optional Full-Day Courses
Begin: Tuesday, January 14 at 8:00 AM
End: Wednesday, January 15 at 5:00 PM
  • Pre-Gathering Events (Jan 9-10)
  • Annual Gathering (Jan 11-13)
  • Post-Gathering Courses (Jan 14-15)
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ASSESSORS' MEETUP (THURSDAY 8:00AM-5:00PM)
This full-day annual meeting is for all ToP Assessors and anyone interested in becoming an assessor.  

We will discuss national standards for certification, share new tools for coaches and observers, and create the 2020 action plan for the certification team. 

​If you have questions or agenda items to contribute please contact Robert Quintana Hopkins at robert@strategicfacilitation.com.
TRAINER MEETUP (FRIDAY 8:00AM-3:30PM)
All current and future trainers are encouraged to attend.
This session will include:
  • Review of 2019 Training Initiatives
  • 2020 Strategic Planning & Collaborative Budgeting
  • Workgroup Action Planning
  • Focused Conversations on Critical Training Issues​

​What topics would you like to make sure trainers explore or work on together?  

Contact Seva Gandhi of the ToP Training Leadership Forum at sgandhi@ica-usa.org with questions or suggestions for this event. 
CERTIFICATION (FRIDAY 4:00PM-6:00PM)
If you are planning to certify at the 2020 Annual Gathering, please contact Marilyn Oyler for the assessment schedule.
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE & WELCOME HAPPY HOUR (FRIDAY 3:30-6:00PM)
The exhibitor showcase will open at 3:30pm to both Gathering attendees and the public. 

Kickoff the Gathering by browsing the marketplace while sipping on complementary beverages!
LOCAL EXPERIENCE (FRIDAY 5:00-10:00PM)
The Local ToP Gathering Team will be coordinating a dine-around the local area for a very fun and memorable experience.  Be sure to arrive early so you don't miss out! 

In addition, if you arrive before January 10, you can hike the summit of Mt. Diablo with our local host team on Friday morning!
OPENING PLENARY (SatURDAY, 8:30-10:00am)
Welcome to the Bay Area!
WORKSHOPS & BREAKOUT SESSIONS (throughout)
Saturday
10:30am-12:00pm
2:00-3:30pm
4:00-5:50pm
Sunday
10:30am-12:00pm
Monday
10:30am-12:00pm
2:00-4:00pm
Explore new ideas, learn from peers, enrich your toolkit, and practice your skills!  See the Workshops page for full details!
​This year's workshop tracks are:
  • Learning to Sail.  Hands on, experiential opportunities to practice ToP methods and experience peer coaching while exploring topics of interest and curiosity.
  • Adapting to the Current. Explore creative ways to adapt, remix, and apply ToP methods in concert with other facilitation tools and techniques.
  • Leaning into Surges and Swells. Embrace the complexities of helping groups succeed in our 21st century world and discover ways ToP is being used to respond to complex contemporary societal challenges. 
  • Building Your Boat. Gather strategies, examples and practical tools to support a thriving facilitation business. 
INTEREST GROUPS & TEAMS (SAT-MON 1:00-2:00pm)
Free time to network, gather with action teams, or convene an affinity group around a topic of interest!  A.K.A. "Birds of a feather" time!
EXHIBITOR Showcase (SAT-MON 12:00-2:00pm)
Explore products and services to support your facilitation work!  Learn more about our exhibitors!
CELEBRATION DINNER (SAT 6:00-9:00pm)
Celebrate our newly certified CTFs, newly Qualified Trainers, and ToP Champions in the community with a fun evening as a ToP family!  Nominate an organization to be recognized as a ToP Champion!
TOP NETWORK ANNUAL MEMBERS' MEETING (SUN 8:00-10:00AM)
​Vote on new board members for 2020, learn about exciting initiatives that members have been championing, and help shape the next year for the ToP Network. 
SOCIAL IMPACT SESSIONS (SUN 2:00-6:00PM + MON 8:30-10:00AM)
An exciting opportunity to plunge deeply into one of four topic areas which is shaping our future as a society. 
  • Climate Action
  • Community Development
  • Youth Development
  • Inclusion and Equity

We will explore stories of how participatory methods are being used to positively affect the world in each area. 
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These sessions are free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here so we can allocate space appropriately.
TOP NETWORK BOARD MEETING (SUN 6:00-10:00PM)
This orientation and action planning meeting is for new and returning board members.
ICA & ToP NETWORK BOARD MEETUP (MON 7:30-8:30AM)
This bright-and-early breakfast is for ICA staff, ToP Network Board members, and TTLF representatives to connect in person as we work together to support ToP practitioners and trainers in the US!
CLOSING PLENARY (MON 4:00-5:30PM)
Close out the Gathering with reflection and inspiration!
GATHERING 2021 TEAM MEETUP (6:00-8:00PM)
Come meet the 2021 host team, share your great ideas for next year, and get involved!  Hear from the 2020 team and others who've helped plan Gatherings over the years what's worked and what they've learned.
BOOK CHARTING (SAT-MON 6:50AM-7:50AM)
Rise and shine Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings from 6:50-7:50am to chart Margaret Wheatley’s book, “Who Do We Choose To Be?”  

Wheatley challenges leaders to create “islands of sanity” in the midst of wildly disruptive seas.  She says, “This book is born of my desire to summon us to be leaders for this time of profound disruption, to reclaim leadership as a noble profession that creates possibility and humaneness in the midst of increasing fear and turmoil.”

We will use ICA's Book Charting method to collectively explore this rich book in a memorable, meaningful way.
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Purchase and read your book ahead of time!​