Why choose this group training?
At PeoplesHub, we believe that online spaces - when designed with care - can be even more accessible than on-site gatherings, making movement-building more inclusive and powerful. Since 2017, we’ve helped movements bring their workshops, strategy sessions, and organizing spaces online, ensuring that disabled organizers and others facing barriers to on-site participation can fully engage.
When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed everyone into video conferencing, PeoplesHub was the go-to resource for accessible online facilitation. We’ve trained over 700 facilitators, organizers, and volunteers in best practices for online engagement, disability justice-informed facilitation, and Zoom tech support.
Learn more below and request this group training here.
Building Our Movements Online:
A 2-Part Series on Design, Facilitation, & Tech for Online Gatherings
Facilitating online spaces isn’t just about using the right tools - it’s also about fostering connection, adaptability, and creativity in how we gather. We’ve seen firsthand how strong online facilitation skills and tech know-how can transform communities.
When the lockdown hit in March 2020, one U.S. co-housing community didn’t just move their meetings online - they reimagined how they connected. Our lead trainer worked with over 40 residents to build their skills for online facilitation and video conferencing. This allowed them to continue governance meetings, committee work, and even social traditions like birthday celebrations and their annual two-day New Year’s event. What started as a necessity became a long-term commitment to accessibility. Even after restrictions were lifted, the community kept online gatherings because they provide crucial access for elders, disabled residents, and members unable to drive at night. They even developed hybrid models that still serve them today.
The Building Our Movements Online series is about getting you started with the same tools - the ability to pivot, to design with intention, and to create spaces that work for your people. When we embrace technology with care, and add the best of what we know from the world of facilitation, we open up new ways to build power, connection, and resilience.
These trainings are designed for groups at any level of experience and can be adapted to the specific needs and skills sets your team may want more practice with.
Part 1: The Power of Online Spaces (2 hours).
A 2-hour training designed for facilitators to improve their facilitation of online meetings and gatherings with impactful, generative and energizing tools.
- Identify barriers to positive online experiences and ways to overcome them
- Understand what makes online learning effective and engaging
- Apply practices for creating restorative and supportive online spaces
- Adapt popular in-person facilitation exercises for virtual settings
- Design online spaces for different event formats
- Incorporate basic accessibility considerations to make your spaces welcoming to participants
Training Part 2: Still Zoomin (2.5 hours)
A 3-hour training that equips staff and volunteers with technical support skills, practice time, and a framework of radical hospitality so they can support facilitators and meeting attendees.
- Hold space for your community by developing the technical skills needed to support effective and engaging online gatherings
- Understand your role of a Tech Support Lead (TSL) while providing radical virtual hospitality
- Use key functions and features of the Zoom video conferencing platform to foster interaction and connection between participants
- Consider and implement accessibility practices to ensure everyone can fully participate
- Build a practical template for organizing tech logistics
In both workshops you’ll engage in hands-on activities, discussions and real world examples. Expect a mix of reflection, skill-building, and collaborative learning, as we learn to design and be technical hosts for online experiences that are both accessible and powerful.
You’ll gain valuable tools to support and develop your movement work online, join a community of fellow organizers, and receive ongoing support through our listserv and tech support clinics.
Being online is about power, access, and connection. When we build strong online skills of facilitation and digital tech, we can create spaces where learning, organizing, strategizing, and action can thrive.
Optional Clinic Sessions
All graduates of this series are given free access to the regular tech support clinic spaces we host at PeoplesHub, as additional support for those who want more hands-on practice managing tech.
What You'll Need
Attendees to this training will need a stable internet connection, and their own individual microphone, headphones, webcam, and desktop or laptop computer with Zoom meetings installed. You cannot do this training on a phone or mobile device.
Building Our Movements Online course equips you with the skills to lead effective online spaces and facilitation, with access at the center. Upon completion, you’ll join a community of peers and have access to our tech support practice clinics and listserv.
Request this group training here.