The Communication Skills Department strives to enhance and expand the interpersonal skills of Leaders and Leader Applicants by offering Communication Skills Enrichment workshops presented by trained Instructors.

Communication workshops are designed to help those who attend to improve and develop their skills in areas such as oral presentation of information, attentive listening, empathetic responses and attending behaviors.  The fundamental principles are genuineness, respect for the individual and empathy.  Interactive practice is provided and led by trained Communication Skills Instructors (CSIs).  The emphasis is on “doing” instead of “talking about” doing.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS ENRICHMENT WORKSHOP This is the foundation to the CS program.  Learn about attending behavior, body language, identifying feeling and reasons for feelings.  Learn to make summary statements, ask and answer questions and impart information.  Learn to compose “I” messages, set limits and do problem solving. (one full day or two half days) Cost: Free to Leaders and Leader Applicants, $25 LLL members and their spouses, $50 all others
 
Additional Workshops offered for Leaders and Leader Applicants
 
MEETING FACILITATION  Learn the essentials of group process: how to choose a seating plan, craft an agenda, open a meeting, promote discussion, and respond to the mood of the group.  (1¼  hours)  Cost: Free to Leaders and Leader Applicants
 
INTERACTIVE GROUP LEADING (Leaders and Leader Applicants only) Evaluate your own group leading skills; generate open, non-threatening discussion; deal with difficult people through role playing; get and keep control of the Group meeting.  (3 hours) Cost: Free to Leaders and Leader Applicants
 
Additional Workshop offered by the Communication Skills Department
 
ASSERTION POWERS  Understanding assertion, communicating expectations and needs, handling defensiveness.  (4 hours) Cost: Free to Leaders and Leader Applicants, $15 LLL members and their spouses, $30 all others
 
CONFLICT RESOLUTION  Understand anger, deal with differences, I-messages, setting limits, mutual problem solving.  (3 or 4 hours) Cost: Free to Leaders and Leader Applicants $15 LLL members and their spouses, $30 all others
 
Additional Workshop offered for Parents by the Communication Skills Department
 
COMMUNICATING WITH OUR CHILDREN: 
Part 1, parents learn to listen to and understand children’s feelings, examine ways to encourage their independence and self- esteem. (3 hours for parents of children age 4 and up) Cost: $20
Part 2 focuses on encouraging children’s cooperation.  Learn to give praise and move children to action.  Practice expressing your own feelings and setting limits. .(3 hours for parents of children age 4 and up.)  Cost: $20

Who may take CSE sessions?
Anyone may take CSE sessions.  Leaders and Leader Applicants find the skills useful when working with a group or one to one.  Husbands or partners may also take CSE.   Parents often find the skills helpful in their family relationships.

Non La Leche League groups may also contact a CSI for session arrangements.

Continuing Education Units:
Leaders and Leader Applicants can earn LLL EUS Leader Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for participating in CSE Sessions.  There is no charge for these credits.

How do I register for sessions?
Contact your local LLL Group Leader or CSI if you are interested in attending a session.  When six to twelve people are interested, you will be contacted and sessions can be planned in your community.  If you are interested in coordinating a session in your vicinity, the following guidelines may be helpful:

• Appoint a Coordinator:  She will contact the CSI and suggest some dates for sessions.  If you have a local CSI, you can work with her to set a schedule.  Once the date and times are confirmed, the coordinator should distribute workshop information to all potential participants.
• Recruit a Hostess:  The hostess will provide a quiet location with room to comfortably seat six to twelve adults and nursing babies.  She may also arrange for the Group to meet in a public space, as many La Leche League Groups do.  She will also arrange for beverages and snacks.