Frequently Asked Questions
When, Where, and How?
When will the meetings take place? Do I have to have special software to participate?
We’ll work together to find two times each month to meet for ninety minutes on Zoom or a similar platform.
When will we start? What if I can’t make it to a meeting?
A new cohort will launch in mid-to-late October, 2024. We’ll schedule out the meetings right away so you can save the time, but if something unavoidable comes up, we’ll troubleshoot together. Meeting times will be during regular work hours unless the group prefers something different. Your commitment to The Assembly and your fellow group members is important!
Is there a minimum commitment? How long will the group last?
The initial commitment is until April, 2024, once we are through the first round of admissions for most schools, but the program is designed to be an ongoing support and strategy collective. The group will continue so long as all participants are getting tremendous value. One group has been together for over three years!
What is the investment?
The investment is $399 per month. I have a couple of sliding scale spaces available; please let me know if the fee is an obstacle for you and we’ll see if we can work something out. I also would love to have multiple people from the same school, if that makes sense for you, and can offer a discount in that case.
“Dana is creative, experienced and able to look at situations in a variety of ways. She is adaptable and professional, honest and sensitive to needs of constituents.”
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Group Make Up
How many people will be in The Assembly?
Groups will have approximately five to seven members. This allows everyone significant time to address particular questions and concerns.
How do you decide who is in The Assembly?
The Assembly is a group of smart, generous, strategic thinkers who are committed to being present, engaged, and supportive of each other. All professionals interested in The Assembly will have a get-to-know-you call with me, which will allow the creation of groups of members that are most suited to each other. I’ll ensure that you are not in the same competitive landscape as the others in your group, if that is important to you, and that you are in a group that will align with your goals and level of experience. You’ll be welcome to share any other preferences with me when we talk.
“Dana is transparent, honest, and wants the best for her clients. I’m honored to have worked with her.”
Content
Could I do this myself with a group of colleagues?
In theory, you could! However, we all know that when someone is holding the space, being accountable for organization, and pushing the agenda forward, more is accomplished. Due to the neutral stance of the facilitator, as well as the responsibility of increasing the group’s effectiveness, a facilitated group helps participants to relate and respond creatively to each item that is discussed with more ease and accountability than a peer-run group.
Additionally, due to my connections with professionals around the country, groups will have more variety of perspective available to help you reach farther and do your best, most innovative work.
Please do continue to talk to your colleagues though! Those relationships are priceless. And consider inviting them to The Assembly!
What types of things will we discuss in The Assembly?
The most important thing to know about what we’ll discuss is that topics are driven by you, the members of The Assembly. We’ll adapt and evolve as we get to know each other and depending on what each member needs.
For each session, participants will be asked to articulate a challenge they are facing, and we’ll tackle them as a group using different tools, strategies, and approaches depending on what is most appropriate. Each Assembly member will leave with actionable to-do’s and homework to move forward. Sessions often also include an educational component, article or podcast resources and the like.
Topics could include anything from planning elements of the enrollment cycle (How to create the best virtual tour? How will we assess four-year-olds on Zoom?), to managing tough conversations with colleagues, to the ever-evasive work/life balance, to brainstorming marketing strategy. While I do have a therapy background, The Assembly is not therapy.
Again, this is flexible and will be adapted to each group’s specific needs.
Are you doing an annual retreat? I’m ready to go now!
I know, I feel the same way! There were two 2020-21 Assembly cohorts, and each did their own retreat. One was in person for 24 hours, and the other was partially in person and partially online over the course of a couple of days. Let me know your ideas or requests! For some groups, this may be a day-long retreat with goal setting, life-visioning, or other similar exercises. For others, it may be an in-person three-day rejuvenation program with some work activities “sprinkled” in. The current group tries to meet twice yearly in person. Depending on what we decide, additional fees may apply. Don’t let that concern you, we’ll work it all out together.