Centering Workshop Sponsoring Group Guidelines

Once you have decided to move ahead with CenteringPregnancy®, you should identify a planning team and clearly outline responsibilities. These responsibilities include:

        • possibly applying for grant money to help with the cost of the
           workshop and/or to provide materials and support for start-up;
        • overseeing the planning and implementation of the workshop including coordinating details
           with CHI;
        • securing space for the workshop;
        • workshop promotion and registration;
        • arrangements for the leaders; food for the workshop;
        • completing the Pre-Workshop Demographic Form and submitting it to CHI.

Responsibilities of the Sponsoring Group

   1. Centering fees and payment
            a. Once a workshop date has been requested, a contract and booking fee invoice will
                  be issued.
            b. The remainder of the fee will be invoiced according to the contracted plan.
            c. Payment may be made by check (written to CHI) or credit card.

   2. Contract
        A contract will be prepared and sent to you once we have agreed upon a date.
        It should be returned promptly with the appropriate booking fee, which then secures
        your workshop date.
        Note: booking fees must be sent to CHI within 30 days of the contract date, unless other
                  arrangements have been made.

   3. Space
       To some extent the success of the workshop is dependent on the
       kind of space that is used.
       This includes:
              • good acoustics
              • flexible climate control
              • comfortable chairs
              • sound control from outside distractions
              • windows, carpeting or other asthetics

       Space may be found in a hotel, educational institution, health care facility, or retreat center.
       Consider holding the workshop outside the usual workspace so that participants aren't distracted
       by work duties. People should not be coming and going from the work-shop; all pagers and cell
       phones should be turn€ed off.

       Needed:
            a. One large room that allows for 30-35 chairs to be placed in an open circle
                (i.e. no table in the middle). The dimensions of the room should be in the neighborhood of
                1500 square feet, designed in an elongated square rather than a long rectangle.
            b. If the group will be larger than 15-20, a breakout room will be needed unless the room
                is large enough to accommodate two separate circles that would allow for privacy of
                discussion (dimensions as above with folding divider.) We suggest that the space be more
                square than rectangular in shape and that the dimensions be approximately 900 square feet
                for each breakout room.
            c. Two tables, outside the circle to hold workshop materials are useful, and a rug is helpful.
                Be sure there are adequate bathroom facilities.

   4. Equipment/Supplies:
            a.   A/V equipment needed includes:
                    1) An LCD projector with PC computer and CD drive (the leaders may bring a laptop but
                       back-up is always reassuring);
                    2) screen;
                    3) surge strip and extra extension cord;
                    4) CD player (be sure to have this there for set-up the first day)
                    5) a flip chart/easel/markers for each space.
            b. Additional supplies include;
                    1) two mats for the floor (four, if no rug on floor);
                    2) name tags (preferably the plastic ones with insert) for both days; participants will make
                       their own name tags when they arrive
                    3) 2 scissors,
                    4) colored markers

   5. Workshop Materials
       Notebooks and other workshop materials are prepared and sent ahead of time by CHI.
       You will need to provide us with your final registration count two weeks prior to the workshop so
       these can be mailed in time. We also will need a good shipping address.
       Materials are usually sent UPS.

   6. Food
            a. Arrangements should be made for food for lunch and breaks. Please plan some choices for
                vegetarians. We have found that things like wraps, box lunches, pizza/salad work well.
                We ask that you avoid having food catered by pharmaceutical companies.
            b. Having water available throughout the workshop is helpful.

   7. Lodging
       Please provide CHI with a couple options for reasonable lodging in
       the area for the two workshop leaders.

   8. Publicity
       CHI will send you a publicity flier template which you may modify to
       fit your situation. It is your responsibility to invite and register your
       site's participants. We would suggest that registration deadline be
       3-4 weeks prior to the workshop.

   9. CEU's
       The full 2-day workshop awards 1.2 CEU's (equivalent to 12
       contact hours) granted through the American College of
       Nurse-Midwives. No partial credits are given. These CEU's are
       transferrable to nursing CEU credit and may be applicable to the
       physician needs for CME's. If you want to apply for continuing
       education credits that are specific for your needs contact us for our
       CEU application template.

   10. Leader Support
            a. Taking "care" of the leaders is your responsibility. It is helpful
                for at least one of the leaders to see the space ahead of
                time. Usually leaders will arrive the day before to prepare for
                the workshop and seeing the space is part of that
                preparation.
            b. Unless the leaders are within driving distance it is helpful for
                them to be met at the airport and also transported during the
                workshop days. If that is impossible, please let CHI know that
                a car rental will be needed.
            c. It also is helpful to the leaders to meet with the local contact(s)
                for dinner the night before the workshop.

Our commitment to you:
We will work closely with you and will run an exciting workshop. We'll help you get your CenteringPregnancy® program off to a good start and will give you the support you need to keep it running successfully!

Contact information:
      CHI, jray@centeringhealthcare.org or info@centeringhealthcare.org or 203-271-3632