The Change Agency eNews August 2014

What's on top?

Are you a campaigner looking to effectively mobilise and build community? Are you passionately working for environmental and social justice and looking to broaden your knowledge and experience in community organising? Does your theory of change place people power at the centre?

If that's you, we encourage you to apply for our intensive 6 month Community Organising Fellowship. For a second year, we're especially reaching out to activists and organisers working in the climate movement and on campaigns focused on coal, gas and renewable energy. Folk working on other issues are also welcome to apply - the curriculum is not campaign-specific. The intensive program includes 22 days of residential workshops spread over 6 months, guest speakers and an expert facilitation team, mentoring support and a comprehensive curriculum. Applications are due by 31 August.

Throughout 2015, we'll also be supporting local community organising workshops, partnering with NGOs and sharing workshop resources with groups around the country.

Great online resources

Enews subscribers regularly share with us the websites and online resources they’re developing, discovering and learning from in their community organising. Enjoy this month’s batch and be sure to drop us a line to suggest links for the next enews.

The value of NGOs to democracy

Non government organisations are under attack and their value to democracy should be defended. NGOs are one of the main ways that individuals can communicate with government and business – especially when people are overwhelmed by the size and power of government and business in today’s society.

SocialTechCensus

The STC is a collection of resources for using tech in advocacy. It includes training, guides, events, communities, organisations and more. Below you can search, create reports, and share your findings.

Industrial Areas Foundation > organising tools

Online organising resources (articles, videos and books). The IAF created the modern model of faith- and broad-based organising and is widely recognised as having the strongest track record in the nation for citizen leadership development and for helping congregations and other civic organisations act on their missions to achieve lasting change in the world.

Dragon dreaming

Every project is an encounter between an initial individual and his or her environment. One influences the other in a reciprocal process. It is also an encounter between theory and practice, integrating both. Through the placement of these interfaces, four quadrants are created, characterising the four different stages of a project: dreaming, planning, doing and celebrating.

Activism part of the fabric of life

Aidan Ricketts writes: "Activism is not just a temporary response to an unusual problem; it is the necessary and constant face of eternal vigilance that can keep our democracy vibrant and our earth sustainable. We should not expect the need for our efforts to ever end, but instead cultivate a personal and community culture in which citizen empowerment and participation …

Upcoming learning opportunities and events

For details of other workshops and learning opportunities, visit our calendar.

The Brains Trust method | 19 August, Sydney

Using many brains to solve tricky problems A half-day workshop for project managers and facilitators (in any field) The Brains Trust Method is a rapid, creative way to: design any kind of project, create any kind of strategy, surprise yourself with delightful, imaginative ideas. It enables us to develop strategies in socially and technically complex environments, where there are no …

'An Introduction to Living Compassion' On Sunday Aug 17th Robert Gonzales will be hosting a free tele-class where, for 90 minutes, he will be sharing several 'embodied spirituality' practises. This will be followed by a 30 minute question & answer session for those interested in finding out more about the 2015/2016 LIFE Programme offered in Australia

How to develop a shared measurement framework | 28 August, Sydney

Shared measurement is the foundation of successful collaborations. If collaborations cannot measure impact they are at a high risk of failure. Jenny Riley, Head of Community Impact at United Way Australia will provide a full-day workshop outlining how to develop and implement a shared measurement framework for your place-based collaboration. Why attend this workshop? To learn how to develop a …

Facilitation training short course | 2-3 September, Melbourne

This training includes a comprehensive online follow up program that further develops your skills, and provides a framework for reflection and further learning. Research clearly shows that follow up programs increase the ‘stick-ability’ of the training.Our approach is lively, and brings the Art of Facilitation to life. Using our own Model of Facilitation, our input has two key components. Building actual Emotional Resilience so …

Dynamic groups: the art of creative facilitation and learning | 13-18 October, Maleny, SEQ

This training course for teachers, trainers, facilitators and group leaders utilises and models creative facilitation techniques, interactive learning methods, empowerment tools, dynamic group energy and fun. Participants are empowered to develop their confidence, skills, knowledge and a tool box of processes in an exciting, colourful and supportive environment. Robin facilitates these courses all over Australia and internationally by invitation and …

Commonground Festival 14-16 November, Seymour (Victoria)

Commonground is celebrating its 30th birthday as a social enterprise that supports the social change movement this year. Commonground Festival is a music festival with a difference, set on beautifully regenerated bushland one hour north of Melbourne. It's a celebration of working together to create a just, sustainable and nonviolent world. It’s also a celebration of Commonground; the place, the people and the ideal we …

Training calendar: Our Community

Upcoming training opportunities on grant writing, successful boards, effective meetings, governance, media, online essentials, campaigns that sizzle, and being an effective spokesperson. Our Community has developed a suite of affordable, practical training to help community sector staff, volunteers and supporters keep abreast of their responsibilities and learn how to lift their organisation from ordinary to extraordinary All training is delivered by …

Groupwork Institute training calendar 2014

At the Groupwork Institute, we have a passion for collaborative management and group facilitation. When we can be supported to work well together great things can be achieved. It is when people can collaborate - genuinely and effectively - that we can best contribute to help build a just and sustainable world. We have worked in the field of collaborative management …

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