Workshop Information

Thank you for making a special contribution to Elderflower Womenspirit!  Your workshop will provide our participants with the unique opportunity to meet you personally and benefit from your special skills and wisdom.  It's also a great way to network. 

The deadline for submitting your Workshop Registration form is:

June 15, 2012

Discounts and Policies Regarding Workshops
Facilities and Locations
New Workshop Leader Guidelines
Scheduling
Types of Workshops

Workshop Registration 

Please complete and return the Workshop Questionnaire as soon as possible.  If needed, the Workshop Coordinator may contact you with suggestions for making the workshop more appropriate to the purpose of the festival.  You can fill out your form online here Online Workshop Registration Form or print it out send the form by snail mail this form to us at the address at the bottom of the page Workshop Registration form (doc)  or email your form to registration@elderflower.org. 

The deadline for submitting the Workshop Registration Form, so that your workshop description appears in the festival program, is June 15, 2012.  It is possible to submit a Workshop Registration Form later than the deadline, but it may not be listed in the program, only on the website and on the schedule board at the festival.

Talent night presentation

Discounts and Policies Regarding Workshops

In order to receive the $25.00 Workshop Discount, a workshop must either support the current theme of the festival, OR support the spiritual, emotional or physical well-being of the women who participate.

Once your workshop has been approved, you will receive a $25.00 discount off your registration fee.  The maximum number of workshop discounts available per person is two (totaling $50.00).  You are welcome to do more than two workshops, but please remember that the purpose of the festival is to provide all women the opportunity for relaxation and renewal, including you. 

Requirements can be included for factors like level of experience (for example, certification in Reiki 1 as a pre-requisite for Reiki 2).  Age guidelines may be appropriate for workshops related to Rites of Passage or other stages of life (for example, a Maiden may not be appropriate or comfortable participating in a Mother Crowning ritual). However, restrictions based on factors such as race, ethnicity, spiritual path or sexual orientation are strictly prohibited.

Merchandise or services may not be sold during workshop sessions.  Please contact the Vendor Coordinator at info@elderflower.org if you wish to sell goods or services.

Women from many different traditions participate in the festival.  This diversity is one of the things that makes Elderflower Womenspirit such a powerful event.  However, the focus of the festival is on honoring the Divine Feminine, if you worship the God or other male representative of the Sacred, please do not call Him into the festival.

Fees may not be charged for workshops.  You may list required materials in your workshop description.  It is suggested that you provide extra supplies and materials for women who either did not see the workshop description, or do not have money for the materials.  If you need assistance with funds for materials, you may contact our Workshop Coordinator to apply for a grant. 

It is very important to end your workshop on time.  Participants may have another workshop or activity they plan on attending, and/or another workshop may be scheduled for the space you are using.

Scheduling

Workshops generally last about one hour and 45 minutes though shorter workshops are acceptable.  For longer workshops, we suggest scheduling two separate workshop sessions (Part One and Part Two).  To schedule a two-part workshop, please be sure and note this clearly on your Workshop Questionnaire.

The Workshop Coordinator will do her best to get your workshop scheduled into one of your preferred times.  However, this is not always possible.  If you discover you have a conflict with your scheduled time, please let the Workshop Coordinator know as soon as possible.

Types of Workshops

There are a wide variety of workshops that can be offered including discussions, lectures and participatory experiences. You can create almost any type of workshop that you can imagine.  Here are suggestions for possible workshops:

Arts and Crafts - useful or decorative objects, musical instruments, toys, charms, jewelry, use of found objects, expressive art based on dreams, emotions or symbols, magical tools

Discussions - political/class issues, activism, cultural and spiritual diversity, life passages, personal identity, ecology, lifestyle, networking, etc.

Movement - Dance and Body speaking - self defense, martial arts, folk/ethnic dance, ritual movement, moving meditation, body language and energy work, games and sports 

Music - songs, chants, song writing, power of music in spirituality, percussion

Natural Healing - herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, flower essences, massage, bodywork, laying on of hands, movement therapy, rituals for recovery from trauma or addiction, life passages rituals, discussions or ritual related to body image and sexuality

A picture of the beautiful Mendocino Woodlands

Nature Study - plant identification walks, bird watching, moonlight hike, star gazing, geology, crystals 

Psychic Skills - meditation, telepathy, visualization, aura sensing, dowsing, scrying in water, mirrors or stones, tarot, rune or other forms of divination, dream circle, past life regression, angel and animal powers/guides/allies, making & charging magical objects

Religion, Mythology, Herstory - archetypes, ancestors, myths on a particular theme, Goddess art, historical women/movements 

Rituals - teaching or sharing short rituals with others, rituals devoted to a specific Goddess, rites of passage

PLEASE REMEMBER

Some workshops and rituals can trigger intense emotional reactions for some women.  Please be aware of where to help women find support if they need it.  Festival staff are always available to provide assistance if needed.

If there is a change to the day, time or location of your workshop, please be sure to add this information to the Announcements list at the Festival Registration Table.  This will assure that the change will be announced at the next meal.

Talent presentation

Facilities and Locations

Tables are available in the Dining Hall, and can be set up in some of the outdoor locations.  Electricity and running water are only available in the Dining Hall.  If your workshop includes video or recorded music, you will need to bring your own equipment.  If you have any special needs not mentioned here, contact the Workshop Coordinator.  Below are short descriptions of the usual workshop/ritual locations.  If the location for your workshop is not appropriate, please let the Workshop Coordinator know as soon as possible.

Dining Hall:  Indoors, with tables, electricity and running water.  Little privacy.  Other activities may be taking place at the same time.

Chat Circle:  Small space close to the Dining Hall.  Some log seating.  Small enclosed fire space.  Semi-private.

Fire Circle:  Circular flat area, semi-circular seating.  Fire allowed in the fire pit.  More private.

Main Meadow:  Large flat area.  Women who pass by on the trail will be able to see the workshop, but not hear the discussions. 

The Grove:  Shady open area not far from the Dining Hall.  Semi-private.

Grandmother Tree:  Open space within a semi-circle of grown together redwoods.  Close to the Dining Hall and Vendor area.  Little privacy.

Brook Nook:  Semi-private area at the far end of camp, near the stream. 

New Workshop Leader Guidelines

These guidelines are offered to any woman who is new to planning or leading a workshop.  If you have any questions or need more support, please email us at info@elderflower.org.

You don't have to be a professional or an expert to lead a workshop.  The philosophy of Elderflower Womenspirit is that all women have valuable knowledge and experience to share.  Many of our workshops are led by women who are new to the experience, who have the desire to share experience and knowledge that has meaning for them. Elderflower Womenspirit Festival provides a fantastic opportunity to learn and practice workshop facilitation, because it is a friendly, safe and supportive environment.

Here is an example of how to plan a workshop:

• Create an outline. Include time for introductions, presentations and/or activities, and questions or feedback.
• Add details to the outline, including written lectures or guided meditations, or instructions for activities.  Make flash cards or highlight key points, if you believe they will be helpful.
• Time the activities.  Be sure and bring a clock or watch with you to the workshop, as it's very important to end on time. 
• Make a list of the materials you will need, and gather them together prior to coming to the festival. Also, be sure to list any materials that workshop participants will need to bring with them on your Workshop Questionnaire.
• Practice spoken parts of the workshop, or demonstrations.
• Ask a friend for feedback.
• Once you arrive at the festival, familiarize yourself with the location of your workshop.

Helpful Hints:

Include participatory activities in your workshop. Women tend to learn, enjoy and absorb more when they can actively participate.

Provide handouts of workshop material, and include resource information such as books, websites, organizations or other relevant information.

Breathe!  It's normal to be nervous if you are new to facilitating groups and workshops.  Take time to ground and center yourself.

Ask for feedback from the workshop participants.

Be available at the festival for women to speak to you individually, if they wish.

If you have a mailing list, give women the opportunity to add their names and contact information to it.

If your workshop includes trance work, meditation or topics that may trigger intense emotional reactions for some women, please make arrangements with festival staff in advance for someone to provide help, in the event that a workshop participant has a response that requires more support.

If you are requiring that participants bring materials, have some extra on hand for women who many not have seen the description, or are unable to afford the materials.