Gather Better’s Impact Lab
Ready to turn your gatherings into powerful catalysts for change and lasting impact? Transform your gathering skills in this dynamic cohort experience.
What to Expect
Bring a gathering you’re planning or breathe new life into one that needs a refresh (👀 I’m looking at you, weekly team meeting).
Learn Gather Better’s proven 5-step method for designing and facilitating impactful gatherings—- from getting crystal clear on your gathering’s 'why' to fueling continuous improvement thru debriefing.
Emerge with the skills, confidence, and a replicable framework to design and facilitate gatherings that move your work forward.
What’s included (+ how it benefits you/your organization)
-
🙋🏽♀️ Participatory workshops to master gathering with intention
Learn proven, engaging techniques that drive results
-
👥 Community of intentional gatherers
A group of changemakers to learn from and grow with during the program (and beyond!)
-
💡1:1 coaching sessions
Guidance customized to your unique needs and context
-
🛠 Exclusive access to templates and tools
Save time with ready-to-use resources that take guesswork out of the planning process
-
🤝 Accountability to ensure you progress in planning
Stay motivated and on track with structured guidance to turn insights into action
-
💬 Private online community
Connect with peers to share ideas and seek support between sessions
-
🔥 Live "hot seat" coaching
Receive direct, tailored feedback in real time from Tes and your peers
-
🔄 Post-program quarterly accountability check-ins
Join your alumni peers to reflect on progress and troubleshoot challenges together
“ Participating in [Impact Lab] was not only transformative in the way I think about professional gathering, but for my personal gatherings as well. Joining this cohort of vulnerable, open, brilliant folks with Tes’ thoughtful facilitation and leadership at the helm was one of the best things I’ve said ‘yes’ to in ages.”
-Emma Byers, Development Manager at UCAR
Impact Lab is designed for…
-
Nonprofit Leaders
What if fundraising events left donors deeply connected to your mission (and they donate accordingly) and your board/team meetings became something people actually look forward to?
You might be:
-Executive Director
-Development Director
-On the Program Team
-
Corporate Leaders
Imagine team meetings that people walk away from energized (and don’t dread!) and trainings lead to learnings that stick.
You might be:
-Team Lead
-Chief of Staff
-COO
-In HR/Learning & Development
-On the events team
-
Consultants/Facilitators
Picture this: leading client meetings, workshops, or strategic planning retreats that inspire attendees to take action long after the gathering.
You might be:
-Independent Consultant
-Coach
-Facilitator
-Strategist
-Organizational Development Professional
Pick your track
🚀 Essentials (4 weeks)
You want: actionable tools, quick wins, and immediate results.
Over four weeks, design or refine your gathering in a fast and focused format.
🌊 Deep Dive (3 months)
You want: time and space to explore, reflect, and integrate learnings.
Over three months, master gathering design with a close-knit cohort.
What’s the difference?
-
🚀 Essentials
Timing: Four (4) 1-hour sessions
Meet every week on Thursday from 1-2p MST / 3-4p EST on: 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1
——————————————————
1:1 Coaching: One (1) 30-minute call
——————————————————
“Hot seat” Coaching: Option to stay on for 30-min after each session
——————————————————
Max Size: 25
——————————————————
Price: $595*/695
-
🌊 Deep Dive
Timing: Seven (7) 2-hour sessions
Meet (primarily!) every other week on Tuesday from 11a-1p MST / 1-3p EST on: 4/8, 4/22, 5/6, 5/20, 6/3, 6/17, 6/24
——————————————————
1:1 Coaching: Two (2) 45-minute calls
——————————————————
“Hot seat” Coaching: Two guaranteed chances for real-time feedback
——————————————————
Max Size: 8, ensuring high-touch, close-knit learning experience
——————————————————
Price: $1,195* / $1,495
Pricing = early bird (thru 3/21)* / standard (3/22- until full or program start
“One of my New Year's resolutions was to find a community of facilitators who are designing gatherings with intention and not just sticking to the "status quo." I found exactly that with [Impact Lab]. I'm leaving with a journal full of notes, fresh inspiration, and a sense of community centered around the magic that's possible when we have the opportunity to bring people together.”
-Kimberly Green-Warren, Training Consultant and Facilitator at SMART Health Education
Additional Deets
Discounted Spots
In an attempt to create a more equitable society with my business, there are 3 discounted spots available for each cohort for those who identify with one or more of the following:
Several indicators on the far right of the green bottle sliding scale
Work at nonprofit with a budget of less than $1M
Solopreneur
50% off. First come, first served. No questions asked.
Related: prefer a 3-month payment plan instead of paying all at once? All good! E-mail to coordinate.
Employer Letter for Professional Development
For those seeking employer support (whether for dedicated time to participate and/or financial assistance), I’ve crafted an email template (here) that highlights the program's benefits and demonstrates how your participation will add value to your organization. Feel free to customize.
Logistics
All programming takes place virtually over zoom. Sessions will not be recorded (you won’t want to miss “live” time with your colleagues!) AND you’ll receive all content covered in the shared canva deck.
About me (Tes Cohen), your guide
15+ years of experience as an experience designer and facilitator working :
With nonprofit, for-profit, government, and higher education organizations
With youth and adults, ages 5-75(ish)
In the US and abroad, across urban and rural environments
I’ve completed formal in-person facilitation training with Technology of Participation (TOP) and CO Humanities and served as a TA for Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification in fall of 2024. I also have my Masters in Public Administration from NYU.
When it comes to gatherings, I draw significant inspiration from the work of Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering” as well as adrienne maree brown, author of “Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation.”
Learn more about me here.