BINGHAMTON, NY -- Binghamton University invites area groups to participate in a free workshop titled "PROSOCIAL: The Science of Working Better Together" from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the University Downtown Center, 67 Washington St., Binghamton. The workshop is free, but space is limited and reservations are required.

PROSOCIAL is a practical method for improving group performance, developed by David Sloan Wilson, SUNY Distinguished Professor at Binghamton University, and a team of scientists that includes Elinor Ostrom, who received the Nobel Prize in economics in 2009. The PROSOCIAL process is based on eight "core design principles" that are needed to accomplish shared goals, along with techniques for overcoming obstacles to work toward positive change.

"Almost everything we do is done in groups, including schools, neighborhoods, churches, businesses, governments and volunteer organizations. If the groups in your life aren’t working as well as you’d like, then this workshop is for you," Wilson said.

Groups around the globe have successfully used the PROSOCIAL platform to help identify common goals and reach a consensus based on interactive group methods that have been tested and proven by scientists. Through a series of short lectures and interactive exercises, participants will evaluate their own groups with respect to the core design principles and will be encouraged to engage in the full PROSOCIAL process after the workshop.

Area businesses are encouraged to become involved in PROSOCIAL, where they can work with Binghamton University School of Management faculty associated with the project. Finally, the workshop is a first step for individuals working with multiple groups who wish to become trained as PROSOCIAL facilitators.

To make a reservation for the workshop or to join a mailing list for future events, e-mail Susan Ryan at sryan@binghamton.edu by Wednesday, Aug. 3.

For more information, visit PROSOCIAL Magazine, which was recently launched to serve and grow the worldwide community of groups using PROSOCIAL methods.