ACCD designs and delivers transformational interactions, dramatically affecting the quality and character of life for individuals, organizations, and communities.

Click here to download an ACCD Brochure

Love

Loving Jesus. Loving others the way we want to be loved.

Humility

Choosing to have candid conversations is vital to developing character, transforming relationships, and maintaining community. Candid conversations involve; noticing results, grounding in facts, exploring different perspectives to open the greatest possibility for transformation because we believe that no conversation is too risky!

Responsibility

Living in integrity by accounting for the difference between current reality and what has been promised. Maintaining a learning posture about what is wanted and needed to realize the fullness of the promise.

Fidelity

Investing in ACCD is equal to investing in each other. We recognize and honor each other’s time and contributions, and will not maximize short-term profits at the expense of building long-term relationships. We dedicate our personal resources to the development of ACCD and its affiliates.

Simplicity

Serving our customers with excellence by minimizing bureaucracy and keeping operations fast and simple.

What is now known as ACCD was initially founded in 1990 as a response to a local church’s request. Daniel Tocchini was brought in to train some church elders in an Episcopalian Church in Petaluma, California. The results produced in these first experiments were powerful and humbling.  After a year and a half of continued demand, Dan and his wife, Aileen, decided to formalize the ministry and persevere in the development of biblically-grounded experiential trainings. They began to institute an infrastructure to support ongoing trainings in Orange County and Sonoma County, California.  This was the beginning of ACCD!

Today The Association for Christian Character Development is a 501(c)3 California corporation and is overseen by Aileen Tocchini, the Executive Director, and a board of directors.  ACCD Trainings have been hosted in many different countries since then and had over 30,000 graduates participate.

ACCD's mission is to celebrate others and invite them into a lifestyle of transformation through Christian trainings, seminars, workshops, and outreach. Our vision is to transform lives through God’s love, leaving a legacy of forgiveness, faith, and freedom.  Have it, live it, give it!

Our interactions utilize a model of transformational learning designed to produce an experience of “how” one is learning, thinking and acting in relationship to a subject rather than learning information about a subject.

Jesus didn’t teach his disciples about love as much as he provided an opportunity for his apprentices to experience a deepening awareness of “how” they actually loved as well as noticing the kind of future that would ultimately come from their thoughts and actions. His methodology invited them to count the cost of their thinking and current course of action, which included the impact of those thoughts and action on others in the world around them.

Learning about something or acquiring information about it can increase “what” people know, potentially add to their skills even extend already established capacities by bringing new knowledge to an existing worldview and other frames of reference. By comparison, transformational learning gives people an awareness of how they learn, think, and act in the world.

Think of riding a bike. You can read and learn all about what it takes to ride a bike. What use it will be and the benefits as well as the potential dangers of riding a bike. However, when it comes to riding a bike there is nothing more lasting than the deep awareness that comes from the experience of actually riding it. Once you have gotten up on it and maintained your balance you never lose the ability that was birthed from that experiential awareness - the paradigm shift has a lasting impact on your quality of life because in that moment the new ability of riding a bike is forever yours! ACCD is a transformational gymnasium a place where people can come together for this kind of change, which is the single most powerful attribute of our interactions.

Participants find themselves able to experience a deeper sense of peace and intimacy with God as well as being able to think and act beyond existing views and limits—in their personal and professional lives, relationships, and wider communities of interest.

Today there are all kinds of methods for producing outstanding results; at the same time, we humans innately recognize that there are certain limitations to what seems possible. ACCD’s interactions provide people with opportunities to look beyond those limits. In our spiritual gymnasium you can produce breakthroughs and achievements that are extraordinary or in other words, outside the limits of what you can predict and what history informs you is possible.

Standard education requires you to memorize concepts as well as leaving you without a context to figure out how to apply them in life. ACCD’s approach provides you an opportunity to learn naturally, like riding a bicycle. In our interactions you learn through personal discovery of your own thinking and choices. You become confident in what you’ve learned through experience, and the new ability becomes yours.

We believe the monumental rise in spiritual hunger the last twenty years has been empowered by a deep dissatisfaction with over rationalized scientific and dogmatic religious approaches to living, comprised of formulas, strict definitions and explanations dehydrating life of its mystery. Doctrinal explanations (scientific as well as religious) that produce a certitude about whether or not there is an unknowable God that Jesus reveals, has spawned a robot-like believer serving one or the other world views. Searchers bent on confirming what they already know, are prone to annihilate the splendid wonder that exploring the meaning of life together can be.

Somewhere in the journey of life most of us discover a deep desire to live from our hearts what we dream in our heads. Modern institutions of education barely scratch our desire for this congruity, with a variety of curriculum that feeds the rational mind but otherwise dances around the issues of the heart as if they are not as concrete as the ideas we use to navigate the world we live in.

Through our culture’s scientific and therapeutic approach to life, mastering the invisible is reduced to such terms as “learning soft skills” or “best practices.” It is as if we have forgotten that it is the wind that blows the branches on the trees and now instead we insist that the branches are stirring the wind up. We exchange the rich journey of exploration for the data of “knowing how” or “knowing the right way” pretending that leaning on our own understanding will somehow provide the character required to make the challenging decisions that transform survival to fulfillment and distinguish a sage from a fool.

As a non-profit 501(c)3, ACCD runs and thrives off of the giving of our graduates.

There are many ways to give to ACCD. The simplest, yet most powerful way to give back is to volunteer on teams to continue the work after graduating from one of our Trainings. Contributions of time, frequent flyer miles, works of art, various goods and services, written testimonies, video testimonies, and many other ways of creative giving have been accepted and appreciated.

We also accept financial contributions in the form of monthly and one time giving.

100% of donations go directly to the ministry, and help pay for operating expenses in our office. Without these offerings, we would not be able to continue putting on ACCD events, so not a dollar is taken for granted.

Monthly contribution can be arranged by contacting our Main Offices: team@accd.org or calling 707-473-0668. Monthly giving is a way to tythe to the min

One-Time Donations, can be made online by going clicking Donate Now above.

All financial donations are tax-deductible and receipt will be provided.

Partnerships with ACCD occur when an individual or family believes that they are called to provide trainings in their area. To discuss the process of Partnering with us, please contact ACCD’s Executive Director, Aileen Tocchini for more information and to set up an interview:

atocchini@accd.org or 707-484-7019

The Association For Christian Character Development presents the “one” seminar. In a single day, experience the transformative power of “one” – a structured interaction designed to open new possibilities for people committed to serve their communities!

What Is Transformative Learning?

Transformative Learning is a particular kind of conversation that opens an examination of your beliefs and experiences, which had previously been understood within a set of assumptions derived from our culture.

Do you ever feel like someone or something else is in the driver’s seat of your life?

• Have you ever noticed that your intention to serve others isn’t always the actual impact you have on them?
• It’s as if that little voice in our head outweighs the voice of possibility. — you know, the little voice that tells you... “It’s not safe…” “I can’t actually do that…” “I will never be able to…”
• By exercising a particular kind of inquiry you will have the opportunity to change your frames of reference and related assumptions that drive your behavior revealing new ways of being that transform your quality of life with those you serve.

What will I take away from this experience?

“Let us examine our ways and return to the Lord.”

One of the neglected competencies of service is awareness, arguably the most valuable practice in serving others. Awareness is being conscious of oneself and the impact we have on those we serve. Without awareness one cannot change the impact of their service!

• You will gain a deep understanding and experience of your effectiveness in serving others while acknowledging what you still have yet to learn.
• Humility emerges from awareness. Humility is the condition of knowing ourselves as we truly are for others.
• Humility is marked by recognizing the virtues and talents in others, while serving them in sharing those virtues and talents in community.
• Including admitting when you don’t have the answer and giving an honest account for the way things are occurring for you.
• The power of requesting, asking, inviting and declaring.

What to expect at ONE?

“Come now and let us reason together.”

A structured interaction is designed by combining:

• Lecturettes
• Interactive conversations
• Exercises and debriefing conversations that bring insight into hidden belief systems
• Film and music media, games

Learning is life defining for those who practice making the connection between what caused them to act during the interactions with what causes them to act in life.

You will experience:

• Freedom from having to appear as though you know everything all the time.
• Creativity - the ability to resource what is wanted and needed from the circumstances you find yourself in.
• The power of synergy that emerges from being the one you want others to be for you.

It only takes one person to make a difference. Be the one!

Who Benefits from ONE?

Teachers, Social workers, Youth Workers, Parents, Probation Officers, Juvenile Jail Staff, Pastors, Ministers, Lay Leaders, Restaurant Workers, Nurses, Doctors, Lawyers, Flight At- tendants, Sales Professionals, Cus- tomer Service Reps., Counselors, Coaches, Therapists and Managers.

Things to remember:

TIMES: Seminar begins promptly at 9:00 a.m., however please arrive early for registration (which opens at 8:30 a.m.). Seminar ends at approximately 6:00 p.m.

A 15 minute confirmation call will happen with each participant before the training begins. The Cost of the One Seminar is $150, however, if you register 10 days or more before the start date of the Seminar, the early registration discount is only $99 per person.

*Group Rate: Reserve one table for 8 to 10 participants and get one persons’ registration free (good for fellow associates, coworkers, colleagues, etc...) *Credit: Get the full cost of your paid enrollment rolled over into one of ACCD’s other events! This Includes: US, Breakthrough, Discovery, TCA, and The Clearing.

(For those who sign up at conclusion of the One Seminar and put an additional $100 deposit down)

Contact Aileen Tocchini for more information about this event: atocchini@accd.org or 707-484-7019 or

ACCD’s Main Offices: 18271 W. McDurmott St. Suite G Irvine, CA 92614 tel: 707- 473-0668 fax: 707-723-0301 email: team@accd.org

Click here to download the ONE Brochure

Attending a free, in-person Introduction to The Discovery Seminar or Breakthrough Training is your opportunity to get your questions answered. During an Information Workshop, you will get a sense of what it would be like to participate in the particular training interaction being introduced, the profound difference that interaction is designed to make in your everyday life, as well as how it is conducted.

The Information Workshops last approximately three hours. In the first part, the facilitator will share with you the basics of interaction - how it works, the principles it is based on, what it costs, and the benefits it offers.

You will have an opportunity to ask questions, and to talk with your friends and others who have participated in any of our training interactions.

The facilitator will conduct the discussion to give you a deeper sense of the value you can gain from the interaction. Graduates will speak about their experiences and the difference that was made in their lives.

Some people attending the Introduction will engage with the leader in a conversation, others will sit and listen. You do not need to say anything. You will have the opportunity to consider results you want to produce for yourself and whether you want to participate.

At the end of the evening you will have an opportunity to choose whether or not you would like to register in the next training interaction.

The most valuable way to participate is to listen with your own life in mind. You will be introduced to:

The value the particular interaction produces in people’s lives.




The types of people who participate.




A sense of how that particular interaction actually works.




How it may be personally relevant to you.

The Discovery Seminar is a unique, interactive, lecture and small group based experiential program. Participants examine their attitudes and belief systems in an interactive and reflective way with others. The goal of Discovery is to equip participants for radical transformation so that they can live the full and productive life that aligns with their vision.

The Discovery Seminar takes place over three consecutive days and a follow up 4-hour session (generally Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with the follow-up session a week or ten days after.) Each full day begins at 10:00 a.m. and typically ends at approximately 11:00 p.m. Breaks are approximately every 2-3 hours, with a 90- minute dinner break. (Registration fee $350 plus voluntary offering at conclusion of seminar)

Click here to download the Discovery Brochure

The Breakthrough Training gives participants the opportunity to discover and realign the belief systems that govern their lives such that they experience a transformation in their ability to love others, as they want to be loved. Specific objectives include: providing the tools to discern and integrate feedback from others; improving communication skills; overcoming bitterness and other relational blocks; seeing possibilities beyond automatic reactions; unprecedented forgiveness; creative reflection; connecting with others; expressing love in a way that it is experienced by others; appreciating different points of view; being equipped to pursue an abundant vision for life.

Breakthrough takes place over four consecutive days and a follow up 6 hour session (generally Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with the follow-up session a week or ten days after.) Each full day begins at 10:00 a.m. and typically ends at approximately 11:00 p.m. Breaks are approximately every 2-3 hours, with a 90- minute dinner break. (Registration fee: $450 plus voluntary offering at conclusion of seminar)

Click here to download the BreakThrough Brochure

The “Us” Workshop is an experiential marriage workshop designed to demonstrate how God uses the covenant of marriage to accomplish His purposes in us as individuals, in the Church, and in the world. Through teaching and directed experiences with your spouse, you will have the opportunity to take a look at the tremendous possibilities within your marriage. Participants rediscover their need for each other, learn how to engage conflict creatively, explore the connection between emotional intimacy and physical intimacy, and redefine their vision together for living in one accord.

"Us" takes place over three consecutive days (generally Friday, Saturday & Sunday). Day 1 begins at 10:00 am and ends at approximately 10:30. Day 2 begins at 09:00 and ends approximately 6:00 pm, but make no plans accept to be with your spouse the rest of the evening. Day 3 begins at 11:00 and ends approximately 6:30 pm. (Registration fee $750 per couple, plus a voluntary offering at the conclusion of the workshop)

Click here to download the Us Brochure

ACCD offers Coaching from highly skilled Coaches. We offer individual coaching, relationship coaching, and executive coaching. The coaching is set up on an hourly basis for a set number of weeks, and calls are conducted via telephone. Transformational Coaching is a powerful catalyst for producing unprecedented results in your life in whatever areas you are committed to focusing. Please contact ACCD’s Executive Director, Aileen Tocchini for more information: atocchini@accd.org or 707-484-7019

Participation creates value! The Transformational Coaches Academy is a 3 month program that happens over 3 weekends. There is rigor, discipline, and commitment involved in this Academy, and the ending rewards are great!

The facilitators will be asking to have permission to speak into your lives, and that you will speak into the lives of others in the room, and be willing to give and receive feedback. Upon graduation you will be able to coach individuals as clients through ACCD.

The final evening of the training there will be a graduation ceremony, to which you may invite a guest to attend.

For more information on the upcoming Coaches Academy, please contact ACCD’s Executive Director Aileen Tocchini at: atocchini@accd.org or 707-484-7019