Collective:
How to Build Community and Consensus
An eight-week online course offering a step-by-step guide to build thriving networks through lasting partnerships, strong collaboration, and rocking facilitation. The Collective is more effective.
JOIN COLLECTIVECOLLECTIVE LAUNCHES ON FEBRUARY 9, 2026
Create the Future You Want to See With Community and Collaboration
Whether in business or local communities, collaboration and consensus create stronger, smarter, and more resilient teams that achieve lasting success.
You'll learn how to:
- Form a collaborative and work effectively with groups.
- Develop strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
- Create a vision with a group and find ways to make it a reality.
- Identify diverse funding opportunities, different models of collaboration, and how to create lasting change.
- Ideas to build community to create the future you want to see.
"Dialogue + Design’s thoughtful, engaging methods quickly proved invaluable—if you’re looking to build stronger, more connected communities, this is the place to start!"
Scott Smith, City of Hampton
ENROLL NOW
In the Next 8 Weeks, You Will…
- Learn about real world collaboration examples - including the award winning Riparian Consortium
- Receive weekly online, self-paced modules and three live one-hour community connection and coaching calls
- An in-depth guidebook, meditations, and free bonus materials
Did you know 75% of people say they are more engaged when working toward a shared goal?
And, teams that work together persist 65% longer & achieve better outcomes.
- Learn how to facilitate effectively
- Build community and consensus
- How to implement your ideas to build a stronger future
Collective begins on February 9, 2026. Scholarships are available. Learn more about each of the modules below.
JOIN TODAY
THE COLLECTIVE IS MORE EFFECTIVE.
WELCOME and MODULE 1
CREATING A COLLABORATIVE
Learn about key elements of a resilient community and successful collaboratives, creating a vision, defining roles and, and growing through conflict. Case studies & podcast interviews are included throughout the course.
MODULE 2
EFFECTIVE FACILITATION AND BUILDING CONSENSUS
Learn facilitation best practices, how to navigate difficult conversations, effective consensus decision-making, and strategies for designing successful meetings.
MODULE 3 and IMPLEMENTATION Session
GROWING A COLLABORATIVE
Learn how to grow a successful collaborative, how to create action plans and guiding docs, and best practices for learning and evaluation to create the change you want to see.
MODULE 4
MAINTAINING ENGAGEMENT & MOMENTUM
We’ll show you how to keep your group engaged, strategies to develop budgets and innovative funding strategies, ways to build momentum, and keep focused on your north star.
MODULE 5 and IMPLEMENTATION Session
SUSTAINING A RESILIENT COLLABORATIVE
Learn how to build a lasting collaborative, doing evaluation, models for long-term changemaking work, and learning from others with case studies.
This Course Is For You If...
- Create your vision & find tools & resources to realize it
- Want to learn to facilitate and build consensus
- Want to build community and a thriving network to create the change you want to see
- Want to learn how to navigate difficult conversations
- Want to build a strong collaborative for a thriving future
DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU
Hello! I'm Christine Gyovai
I'm a professional facilitator, coach, and expert in building resilient communities. I also teach yoga, meditation, and I love to be outside. Through my work as the Principal of Dialogue + Design Associates and host of the Yes! We Rise podcast, I guide civic leaders and community members to envision a more sustainable future and come together to make that vision a reality.
A recipient of the Paul Dulaney Conservation Award, I've spent the last 20 years facilitating change nationally with a focus on Central Appalachia and the Chesapeake Bay. The granddaughter of a coal miner and a firefly scientist, I facilitate networks of changemakers and use skills that include consensus-building, community planning, ecological design and mindfulness practices. I love sailing, yoga and paddleboarding, and I live at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my husband, two children, and an assortment of fruit trees and blueberry bushes.
Learn about Dialogue + Design Associates
"This went beyond my expectations because we didn't just talk about collaboration, we lived it out."
- Workshop attendee
"Dialogue + Design really understands the value and intricacies of collective endeavors - their guidance, planning, and facilitation have been critical in the success of two regional collaborations I work with."
- Shereen Hughes
"From start to finish, Christine led a fantastic retreat. She was warm and welcoming and provided excellent guidance throughout our time together."
- Ashely Schneider
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GET STARTED TODAY!
Collective - Course and Community
Collective begins on February 9, 2026!
Scholarships are available - learn more about how to apply here.
Can I share course info with a friend or colleague -- do you have any incentives if I refer a friend?
Who is this course for? What will I learn?
Call Time Details! Is this course self-paced or live, and when are the calls? How long will I have access to the course materials?
Will I receive a certificate of completion? How do I access the course once I enroll?
