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I’m in search of a Spanish speaking facilitator. I anticipate it would need to be someone who can lead workshops on Zoom–unless by some odd chance someone who lives in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York could lead in person. Any ideas? (Thanks in advance!)
Please keep this info confidential (within AWA affiliates).
Does anyone facilitating workshops have a cancellation/refund policy? Has anyone ever faced legal or other consequences for removing someone from a workshop or offering credit in lieu of a refund for no-shows or other policy violations?
I just amended the cancellation policy on my registration page to reflect a recent situation: Someone who missed half of the last series due to a surgery was a no-show at the first session of the current series. (I emailed repeated group reminders, including my policy + requests for advance notice by email or text for any missed sessions).
She then phoned me just as I was starting session 2 to say she was having another surgery then missed #3 and emailed that she “hoped” to make the next session.
I emailed her about the importance of consistency and stated it would be disruptive to join midway (I have participants who are new to her). I said “let’s postpone for a future series” and offered a full credit (vs. refund, since my policy stated no refunds if cancelling prior to workshop).
Since SHE didn’t actually cancel (I did), and she’d just rearranged medical appointments to attend the remainder, she was understandably upset. She accused me of being discriminatory based on her physical disability, and wondered if it were legal to “drop” her and “keep” her money. Yikes!
I reiterated that my decision was based on missed attendance and without prior notice. (Believe me, I make plenty of allowances for people who have been in my workshops consistently; inevitably stuff comes up, but they typically let me know and we work it out. When I texted her during the 1st session she replied “oops, I blanked out.”) However, I agreed to refund the amount (buh-bye) and said I’ll mail a check today.
I previously had “OPTIMAL” on my policy but just changed it to:
“Full participation in a series is REQUIRED for group continuity”
Here’s the agreement they check upon registration. Note the new “If you miss the 1st session” phrasing. Does this wording sound kosher? Do I need to consult a lawyer? Thanks for any advice!
https://www.pencil-and-pen.com/registration
Agreement
I understand that payment is required in order to confirm my registration.
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
A minimum number of attendees is required for each series. In the event that not enough people have registered, the instructor will cancel (or postpone) the series and issue a refund or credit.
Full participation in a series is REQUIRED for group continuity; no drop-ins.
If you miss the 1st session without 1-week advance notice, it will be treated as a no-show and grounds for dismissal from the series without a refund.
No partial refunds are offered for missed sessions due to illness, travel, or other scheduling conflicts.
No refunds will be issued for participants who cancel within two weeks of the start date.
I agree to these terms.
p.s. I distinctly remember in our training that Maureen said to drop someone from a workshop who isn’t willing to follow your guidelines, but I don’t recall the logistics (especially regarding payment/refunds).