Stewarding the Work is the official facilitator intensive for the People First, Purpose Always™ framework, developed by Arlene Vassell, Founder of the TooREL Institute for Social Change and author of People First, Purpose Always: A Practical Guide for Building Healthy and Thriving Teams.

The 1.5-day in-person facilitator intensive is designed for leaders, internal facilitators and trainers, HR professionals, and culture-builders ready to bring People First, Purpose Always™ into their organizations with authenticity, integrity, confidence, and clarity.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

Organizations are saying they value:

• Belonging
• Psychological safety
• Equity
• Inclusion
• Accountability
• Wellness
• Care

But values in theory is not the same as values in action.

If you are ready to move from "good intention" and aspiration to implementation —from conversations to culture shift —from people as an afterthought to people first — this intensive is for you!

This intensive includes:

✔ Official Facilitator Guide

✔ A copy of People First, Purpose Always

✔ Facilitation scripts and slide templates

✔ Implementation roadmap

✔ Licensed Facilitator Certificate

Participants will be equipped to:

• Facilitate People First conversations internally
• Navigate resistance and defensiveness with skill building
• Lead values-in-action discussions
• Cultivate psychological safety without sacrificing shared accountability
• Support sustainable "workloads" and shared success
• Implement the framework through a licensed agreement

THE EXPERIENCE

This intensive is intentionally designed to model the People First, Purpose Always™ framework itself.

Expect:

• Curated, intimate learning environment
• Modeled facilitation sessions
• Facilitator debrief conversations
• Practice teaching segments
• Structured peer support & feedback
• Implementation planning

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?

Many trainings teach content.

This experience builds the capacity to hold it.

Stewarding the Work immerses you in the lived experience of facilitating courageous conversations in real time — by doing, reflecting, and refining.

This is not merely about delivering slides.
It is about stewarding conversations.

You will not simply learn the material.
You will practice how to:

• Hold courageous conversations without escalating conflict
• Navigate resistance and interrupt dominance with intention and care
• Create space for reflection without losing purpose
• Protect psychological safety while maintaining accountability and flexibility
• Plus much more...

You will receive feedback -- in real time.

You will refine your approach.

And you will leave prepared-- to steward the work--and teach others to do the same.

STAY TUNED!!!

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2026

A monthly 45-minute, low-engagement, drop-in space for grounding, reflection, and quiet connection.

No preparation required.

Cameras are optional.

Silence welcome.

Click the link to learn more about TooREL’s Members Circle

People First, Purpose Always is a two-part, interactive learning experience grounded in the principles and practices outlined in the guide People First, Purpose Always: A Practical Guide for Building Healthy and Thriving Teams. Designed for leaders, managers, supervisors, and team members across nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, this training moves beyond theory to offer practical tools for cultivating workplace cultures rooted in care, clarity, accountability, and shared purpose.

Across two 2.5-hour sessions, participants will explore what it truly means to lead with people at the center, while still advancing organizational goals, impact, and sustainability. The training centers real-world challenges faced by teams and offers reflective, actionable strategies that support individual well-being, strengthen team dynamics, and align daily practices with organizational values.

Part One: Foundations for Healthy Team Culture (People First in Practice)

Part Two: Shared Accountability, Alignment and Thriving Teams (Purpose Always in Action)

Part One: The first session focuses on building a shared understanding of what healthy, people-centered teams require. Participants will examine how values, leadership behaviors, and workplace norms shape team culture—intentionally and unintentionally. Through guided reflection and facilitated dialogue, participants will explore:

• What it means to truly put people first in daily leadership and team practices
• The role of self-awareness, boundaries, and care in sustaining healthy and thriving teams
• How power, communication, and expectations show up in team dynamics
• The difference between stated values and values in action

Participants will leave this learning experience with greater clarity about their leadership approach, the deeper understanding of how their actions influence team and organizational culture, and practical insights they can begin applying immediately.

Part Two:The second session builds on the foundation established in Part One and shifts focus toward sustainability, shared accountability, and values alignment. Participants will explore how to create structures and practices that support clarity, trust, and collective responsibility, without sacrificing care or humanity. This session will cover:

• Reframing accountability as a shared, supportive practice rather than a punitive one
• Strengthening team communication, feedback, and decision-making
• Aligning individual roles with team and organizational purpose and goals
• Identifying concrete actions that support long-term team health, wellness, and impact

Participants will leave this learning experience with concrete tools and strategies to support ongoing learning, team conversations, and culture-building efforts beyond the training space.

Learning Experience Format

Two sessions, 2.5 hours each (5 total training hours)

Interactive discussions, guided reflection, and practical application

Grounded in real-world scenarios and lived experience

Centered on care, accountability, and collaborative leadership

Office Hours (Included & Optional): Participants are invited to join a complimentary 60-minute Q&A and reflection space between Part One and Part Two. This optional session offers time to ask questions, reflect on application, and learn alongside peers.

Investment

This training is offered on a sliding scale to support accessibility while honoring the time, care, and expertise involved. Participants are invited to select the rate that best aligns with their current resources.

Standard Rate ($175): Full cost of the learning experience.

Supported Rate ($125): A reduced rate made possible through collective care and shared participation.

Solidarity Rate ($225) : Helps support access for others and sustain this learning experience.

Care-Based Support: If cost is a barrier, a very limited number of spaces are available by request, with support provided on a case-by-cased basis. Please reach out to inquire.

This investment structure is rooted in the belief that meaningful learning should be accessible, while also honoring the labor and expertise that make it possible.

Registration is now closed. We look forward to offering this learning experience again in April 2026.

Questions about content, investment or registration? Please feel free to reach out at info@toorelinstitute.org.