Wisdom Tree Collective School of Spiritual Direction Policies for Year One & Year Two

Admission

Prospective students need to have been receiving spiritual direction for at least 6 months prior to applying to the training program. One of the two recommendations in the application process must be from one’s spiritual director stating that the prospective student has been receiving spiritual direction or its equivalent for 6 months prior to applying to Wisdom Tree Collective’s School of Spiritual Direction.

A prospective student must complete and submit the application provided on our website along with the submission fee. Additionally, the prospective student must provide the link to the recommendation form to be submitted by two individuals chosen by the prospective student.

Once the application material and $35 fee has been received and reviewed, a 15–30-minute interview will be scheduled with the prospective student. This could be in person if convenient or by phone or online.

Prospective students will receive notification by email of acceptance, denial, or referral to a future class date within two weeks.

If accepted into the program, a person reserves their place in the small cohort by making a payment of $100 which will be credited toward the tuition. If the reservation fee has not been paid and another prospective student is awaiting acceptance, an email will be sent to the former giving the person 3 days to respond before acceptance is extended to the latter.

Admission is first come, first serve once applications are complete.

Attendance

Monthly Meetups begin at 9:00 am CST. If we do not hear from you prior to the meeting that you will be late, we will consider it a missed session. After 3 missed sessions, you will be disenrolled from the program, see “Disenrollment.”

Communication

Everyone participating in a Wisdom Tree Collective Community Circle or Training Program is asked to sign our Communication Policy. The Communication policy has been updated as follows:

Wisdom Tree Collective is rooted in and operates out of the heart of Spiritual Direction which is hospitality.

Communication Policy

Within an atmosphere of hospitality, all are welcome just as they are. As individuals and as a community, we seek:
• To uphold the dignity of all, whether in agreement or disagreement.
• To be a safe place for one’s Authentic Self to emerge without judgement.
• To hold the space for the honest expression of the full range of human emotion.
• To be timely and compassionate in our communication—written, verbal, or nonverbal.

Conflict

Conflict is inevitable. It can also be an opportunity for wisdom.

In an environment of hospitality, all are to be aware of and consider the “Negative A-ha.” This is sitting with any internal negative response one may have toward a person, an idea, or comment, rather than ego-reacting. Whether briefly or over time, reflection on what lies at the root of one’s negative reaction allows deeper wisdom to surface offering creative, compassionate insight for the path forward. It also helps shape further communication with those who are associated with the conflict.

There are two kinds of conflict: 1.) Conflict related to Wisdom Tree Collective programs or platforms, including its instructors, mentors, & facilitators 2.) Interpersonal conflict with other participants or cohort members due to personality differences or transference issues unrelated to Wisdom Tree Collective programs.

• If the conflict is related to Wisdom Tree Collective programs or platforms, participants are encouraged to go to their facilitator, mentor &/or instructor(s) to assist with a resolution. Participants and cohort members are not to go to other participants or cohort members to resolve program-related conflict. If the conflict is still unresolved after meeting with one’s mentor, instructors, or facilitator, a meeting with two board members of Wisdom Tree Collective may be requested by contacting [email protected]

• If the conflict is interpersonal, it is the responsibility of the participant to resolve any conflict unrelated to the Wisdom Tree Collective program so that it does not disrupt the program and its participants. This may include working with your spiritual director and mentor, pursuing counseling, setting personal boundaries, &/or having a private conversation with the cohort member(s) or participant(s) involved. A warning will be issued by the instructor and/or facilitator if the conflict disrupts the program and participants. If the warning goes unheeded, see “Disenrollment.”

Wisdom Tree Collective’s School of Spiritual Direction primarily exists to train people to become Spiritual Directors. While the program invites one to tend to one’s own spiritual life and growth within the context of a communal training experience, it does not exist to meet one’s personal needs (e.g. establishing & communicating personal boundaries, tending to one’s mental health, growing one’s business network, cultivating connection with cohort members beyond the program requirements).

Due to the safe space created by the program and its members, it is normal for personal needs and issues to arise. When beyond the scope of the training program, there will be compassionate encouragement to take “Personal Responsibility” according to the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct by Spiritual Directors International, by which Wisdom Tree Collective abides. When unrelated to the Wisdom Tree Collective training program, it is the responsibility of the individual to resolve personal or interpersonal conflict associated with not getting their personal needs met (e.g. unmet desires for deeper connections, inability to convey or uphold personal boundaries, receiving help with mental or physical health). Conversation with a counselor, in addition to one’s spiritual director and mentor, may be beneficial.

Wisdom Tree Collective does encourage and finds conversation and connection vital through the Kajabi Community Circle, monthly online Meetups, and responses shared in the Course Questions. While they are allowed, conversations and gatherings beyond these are voluntary and participants are expected to establish, convey, and respect personal boundaries (e.g. asking or responding to being asked to exchange phone numbers, meet for coffee, join informal Zoom or Kajabi Meetup Coffee Hour, carpool to a retreat, sign a petition). Establishing and respecting proper boundaries is essential to the program and becoming a spiritual director.

While online relationships can be rich and rewarding, online gatherings do not offer the full range of in-person relationships and therefore, it is vital to remember these limitations and to be diligent in seeking clarification by being attentive to what may be missing in the words, feelings, presentation, and the time limitation in regard to what another is sharing.

Humility arises in understanding that all will be on the giving and receiving end of the “Negative A-ha” at some point. The heart of hospitality recognizes our humanity and invites a forgiving posture (which may include asking for and offering forgiveness when necessary and life-giving for both parties), seeking to uphold the dignity of all.

Zero-tolerance for Bullying

Aggression, including passive forms of aggression, will not be tolerated amongst the staff or those attending classes, retreats and other offerings through Wisdom Tree Collective.

This includes:
• Behaviors that are threatening, humiliating, intimidating, isolating, dismissive, controlling, and/or coercive.
• Work interference/sabotage that prevents work from getting done or demeans the worker/attendee in any way.
• Verbal abuse, whether or not the person is present, including (and especially) that which is cloaked in spiritual/religious-sounding language.

Individuals who feel they have experienced bullying at or through a Wisdom Tree Collective program should report this to Wisdom Tree Collective staff before the conduct becomes severe or pervasive. All are strongly encouraged to report any bullying conduct they experience or witness as soon as possible to allow Wisdom Tree Collective to take appropriate action.

Confidentiality & Privacy

You have a right to expect confidentiality in regard to the information you share in confidential settings. Confidentiality policies are discussed prior to or during classes, private sessions, groups, and retreats. Confidentiality within the School of Spiritual Direction extends to the mentor and instructors.

When consultation on an issue is needed in order to provide additional perspective, your identity will always be held in confidence.
When dialogue in a session is referenced in printed materials, your identity will always be held in confidence. Your name and identifying factors will be changed in order to honor your privacy.

Your email communications with members of Wisdom Tree Collective will be kept confidential.

Your contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email will never be sold.

Your contact information will only be shared with your written permission (ex. You want to be included in Wisdom Tree Collective’s Spiritual Directors’ database).

Online individual and group spiritual direction sessions, group sharing at the end of a retreat, and monthly online group gatherings for Wisdom Tree Collective’s School of Spiritual Direction will not be recorded in order to honor attendees’ privacy and keep the space safe for sharing.

We are permitted or required by law to disclose information without your consent or authorization in some situations, like threat of self-harm or harm to others. These situations are rare and we will make every effort to discuss it with you before taking action.

All materials of these courses are proprietary and are not to be shared with other individuals.

Before participation in Wisdom Tree Collective's School of Spiritual Direction, you will check “Yes” that you have received, read, and will abide by the WTC Communication and Confidentiality Policy.

Disenrollment

Students have the right to disenroll at any time during the duration of the program. We encourage all students to discuss the potential decision of disenrolling with their mentor and instructor(s).

Disenrollment can occur for 4 reasons:

1. Not a fit. It becomes clear to the student and/or the mentor & instructors after conversation together that the program/cohort is not a fit.
2. Continued behavioral issues. A hospitable environment of mutual respect is foundational, thus problematic behavior that is disruptive to the program and continues after a warning will not be tolerated. (see Communication Policy)
3. Not prepared for Year Two. Following a self-assessment and mid-program assessment by the instructors and mentor, it may be determined that the student is not sufficiently prepared to sit with people in spiritual direction or would benefit from going through Year One again.
4. Requirements are not met or completed in a timely manner. Specific monthly requirements are provided and completion of each requirement is the responsibility of the student. (see below)

Specific monthly requirements are provided, and completion of each requirement is the responsibility of the student.
The staff at Wisdom Tree Collective understands life can get in the way of completing course requirements. Issues with family, jobs, sickness, etc., can cause disruptions in the rhythms of your participation in this training program. However, it is the students’ responsibility to communicate any issues with your assigned mentor and instructors.

Students must complete all first-year requirements prior to entering the second year. If you are experiencing personal issues that impede your progress, you must communicate with your mentor and instructor(s). You will receive an email from your instructor(s) outlining outstanding requirements. The students must communicate with the staff member so that reasonable accommodations can be developed to assist the student in completing all requirements.

Disenrollment will take place if the student is three months or 3 sessions behind in completing any of the requirements. Ex. 3 months of papers, 3 months of course questions, 3 Live Meetups, 3 missed meetings with mentor, etc.

All requirements outlined for each of the programs must be completed to receive the certificate. A certificate is forfeited if requirements are not completed within three months of graduation.

A letter of disenrollment will be sent via email to the student. For information on tuition refer to “Tuition Refunds.”

Tuition

Information about tuition costs, discounts, and scholarships are provided on the website and in the application.

Tuition Refunds

Payments begin after acceptance into the program and before September 1st. The application fee and reservation fee are non-refundable if withdrawing before Year One begins.

If during Year One, a student chooses to disenroll or is disenrolled from the program they are entitled to be reimbursed for Year Two (according to the Year Two fee at the time of enrollment).

If during Year Two, a student chooses to disenroll or is disenrolled from the program, a prorated amount according to Year Two fees will be ascertained.
Students have one opportunity to reenroll in the future once reaccepted following a reapplication process which includes submitting a 5-page paper explaining their readiness to return and an interview with an instructor. Consideration will be given to an individual’s circumstances around applying part of the initial tuition toward the new cohort.

Check and fill out the below and check “Yes” on the WTC application to indicate you have received, read, and agree to abide by the WTC School of Spiritual Direction Policies.