The role of a critical friend in organisational learning
Summary of the different types of facilitation roles (e.g. observer, critical friend, fishbowl, vibes watcher) with links to useful internet resources.
Towards a scholarship of advocacy
James Whelan and Sam La Rocca (2003). Presentation at Ecopolitics, Melbourne, 29 November.
Campaign to control landclearing in Queensland
James Whelan and Kristen Lyons. Examines a hugely successful campaign run collaboratively by several ENGOs. The success of this campaign suggests that the emphasis placed on a narrowly defined set of social capital indicators in prevailing natural resource management...
Maximise-minimise
A great Training for Change exercise to build a workshop ‘container’ in which participants exercise responsibility for their own learning.
Effective meetings for climate action groups
A 2 page guide to help climate action groups off to a good start with tips on meeting procedures and roles, setting realistic objectives and balancing group maintenance with campaign tasks.
tCA campaign strategy template
the Change Agency’s template incorporating elements of strategy and suggested processes to develop each element with members of your group
tCA testimonials
a selection of comments and feedback from project partners and people who have participated in our workshops.
Social Movement Ed2
further information about the workshops, including background on the Change Agency, testimonials, and fee details.
Defining consensus exercise
A process guide to enable a team to come to a shared definition of consensus; encourage group members to work together before they deal with a decision they must make; and strengthen the relationships within the group before they make consensus decisions.
Defining Consensus
This tool enables a group to arrive at a shared definition of consensus and to work together and strengthen relationships before dealing with decision-making.
Listening: Community development, dignity and respect
Julie Foreman (2010) reflects on her community development work in Minto. This case study examines the dilemmas and challenges of working with communities undergoing crises, in this case the demolition of the homes of public housing tenants.
Spectrum of allies handout
This resource is to be used in the Spectrum of allies exercise.
Community organising for climate action
James Whelan (2012) describes how parts of the environment and climate change movements are adopting the techniques and logic of community organising. This challenges them to learn new habits of political analysis and engagement, and unlearn old ones.
Wild mountains campaign roleplay
A comprehensive role play outlining various scenarios in a fictitious development project and various stakeholder roles with the aim of developing participants’ environmental advocacy skills.
Articulating your social change vision
“Theories of Change” is a set of questions developed to encourage people to think about why they want to work for social change, and then help them consider appropriate strategies for doing this.
Keeping it Real: University collaboration with community based environmental advocates
James Whelan (2003): The higher education sector has been urged to demonstrate community relevance by engaging with community problem-solving and action for social justice and by acting as ‘significant allies’ of the community advocacy sector. Despite these urgings,...