Nv Workshop  Facilitators Skill  Development Course
18th to 30th September 1992
at Commonground, Seymour, Victoria

Background
At the recent successful National Nonviolence Gathering held in Victoria
there was a lot of discussion about the need to better promote the theory and
practice of nonviolence and to boost the network.  This soon led to the need
to have highly skilled workshop facilitators.  We looked at the peer skill
sharing model, which was seen as valuable in an ongoing way but also
recognised the need for skill input from more experienced workshop
facilitators.

It was decided to make this skill development one of the priorities for the
year.  It was agreed that Glen Alderson, a highly experienced workshop
facilitator, would develop and facilitate an intensive ten day course.  A
small working party was formed to guide and co-ordinate the planning and
development process.  Now, ten days may seem like a long time to commit to
something that is not direct action.  However our collective wisdom told us
that it is pointless running something like this in less time and that it is
imperative for the movement that we are able to provide top quality
workshops.

The Aims of the Course.
* To build on participants existing workshop facilitation skills and
knowledge of nonviolence theory and to develop these to the point where
people can run great  workshops!
* To develop personal confidence and presentation skills.
* To share resources and experiences and to boost the nonviolence network.
* To develop an ongoing support system for nonviolence workshop facilitators
across Australia.
* To have some fun and good times together! 

Who is This Course For?  
The course will be designed for people with a basic theoretical knowledge of
nonviolence and some experience in facilitating nonviolence workshops.

About the Course Facilitator
Glen is forty-seven years old and has been involved in nonviolent social
change work of one sort or another for over twenty years.  She has been in
the nonviolence network for many years and has run workshops in this area. 
Glen now lives and works as part of Commonground, a social change
organization and community, running workshops on a full time basis for social
change groups.

The Course Outline
Participants will be consulted about their ideas and needs closer to the
time, yet broadly, the course is intended to cover the following areas:
* Facilitation skills  including handling "difficult" situations.
* The components of nonviolence workshops in depth at a theoretical level and
techniques for presenting them.
* The steps and stages of good workshops.
* Planning and evaluation.
* 'Performance' and presentation skills (hopefully using video for feedback)
* Assessing and developing one's own skills.
* Workshop exercise, games and other 'tricks'.
* Developing hand outs and other teaching material.  We should have our own
resource manual by the end of the course. 
* Using role-play and sociodrama effectively.
* Some personal development in terms of dealing with our own fears, doubts or
other issues which prevent us from operating at our greatest potential.

Action methods, role-play, sociodrama, and lots of practical exercises will
be used throughout the course.  There will be flexibility to follow the needs
of the participants and time to relax together.

Costs 
We are not sure of the total costs yet but we are hoping to get some funding
to enable people (especially those from interstate) to attend.  So don't let
lack of funds stop you!  If you are not a workshop facilitator but think this
course is a good idea you could consider helping to sponsor someone to
attend.   Please let us know if you could do this.

Does This Course Interest You?  
The planning group needs to get an idea of who is interested, so we can get
organized.  Please contact us by the end of May to express your interest, or
to get further details.

Planning group members are:   
* Margaret Pestorius	(03)  386 5305
* Sue  Casey		(03)  383 5785
* Glen Alderson	(057)  93 8257

Yes, it is a big slice of time but you will end up being a fantastic
nonviolence workshop facilitator!
Glen Alderson,
Commonground
PO Box 474 Seymour, VIC 3660