Guest Post: A First Workshop and Some Tips

[This post is from Mexican colleague Alex Arreola. Thank you, Alex! —Barbara]

Earlier this month I gave my first-ever workshop!  Although I have attended AuthorAID workshops and have experience teaching and giving presentations, this was the first time I prepared and facilitated a workshop myself.

This workshop covered topics such as proposal writing and writing for the general public. It was organized by Pronatura Península de Yucatán, a non-profit organization that focuses on conservation and is located in the city of Merida, México.

Below are some tips based on my experiences, in case they would help others who are preparing to give workshops.

• Know your audience: Ask the organizers whether they or the participants have special needs or topics they want you to cover. If possible, ask the organizers about the participants’ background and the kind of writing they usually do. The more you know about your audience, the easier it will be to find relevant cases or examples.
• Prepare, prepare, prepare: No matter how well you know the topic, do your research. Reading books or articles on the material that you will cover can help you find new ways to present the information. It will also ease your mind: Preparedness is the best way to avoid stage fright.
• Take your time: Start working on your presentation, syllabus, and reading material as soon as possible. You don’t want to be working on the presentation the night before the workshop!
• Sleep well: Facilitating a workshop is hard work, and you need to be well rested for it. Also, you probably will spend a lot of time on your feet, so wear appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes.

Once the workshop starts, relax and enjoy it. Workshops are not only a way to share your knowledge on a topic, but a chance to learn from the participants’ experience. In my case, the participants had a lot of experience writing grant proposals, and the workshop was a great learning opportunity for me as well.

And if you are lucky to be giving the workshop in a different city—or country—don’t forget to try some of the local food!