Community Wide Dialogue Organisational Clinic – April ’09

Interested in community wide dialogue? The Australian Study Circles Network (ASCN) is conducting a one day workshop on how to organise your own Community Wide Study Circle Program in April this year.

About The Organisational Clinic

The goals of this one day workshop are:

• To provide a basic understanding of community wide study circle programs,
• To explain your role as an organizer,
• To talk you through the materials and templates used to organise a community wide study circle program,
• To begin the process for organising your own community wide study circle program.

ASCN is recommending that two or more from an individual organisation attend, so they can work on their own organisation’s community wide study circle program plans together. Participants will be provided with an Organisational Manual and planning templates to help guide their planning through the Workshop.

Information and registration at: http://studycircles.net.au/latest_news

The Community Wide Study Circle Program Facilitation Workshop

ASCN’s first Community Wide Study Circle Program Facilitation Workshop at the Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre held on January 30, 2009 was a great success.

Despite having to endure one of Melbourne’s hottest days on record and the air conditioning breaking down, the 24 participants need to be congratulated for their endurance and stamina and ‘hanging in’ to the end. The icy poles helped too!

The evaluations on the day indicated that this workshop really needs to be spread over two days: to ensure adequate practice, de briefing and dialogue on the issues and challenges of the unique role of study circle facilitation.

The evaluation also showed that all found the workshop very valuable; the diverse range of participants was an asset; and that learning and practicing facilitation skills was a positive experience.

ASCN would like to thank all those who helped and attended for their enthusiastic participation.

It is the intention to run more workshops on Community Wide Study Circle Program Facilitation in the future.

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Upcoming Australian Study Circles Network Conference Activity

Everyday People Everyday Rights – Human Rights Conference 09
The Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Av, Melbourne. 16th and 17th of March 2009.

The Australian Study Circles Network will have a Poster Presentation at this Conference to showcase our work.
Details at: http://www.humanrightsconference.com.au/

2009 Adult and Community Education Victoria – Annual Conference
The Vibe Savoy Hotel, 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne. 14th of May 2009.
The Australian Study Circles Network will deliver an Orientation Workshop and Sample Study Circles for participants.
Details at: http://acevic.org.au/Content/category/2009-conference/

2009 Statewide Program Conference – Brainfood
Mecure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre, 613 Main Rd, Ballarat. 9th and 10th of September, 2009.
Details at: http://www.narreclc.net.au/brainfood.htm
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In the News

Internationally, community wide study circle programs are continuing to make real progress in turning dialogue into action.

Large crowds attend an Action Forum aimed at reducing poverty in small rural communities faced with economic decline and demographic change.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20218046&BRD=1971&PAG=461&dept_id=175429&rfi=6

Horizons Study Circles Community Action Forum
http://arcomoore.communityblogs.us/2008/12/19/horizons-action-forum-completed-december-16th/

Action Forum on Poverty
http://grandcoulee-wa.blogspot.com/2008/12/action-meeting-thurs-dec-11-we-need-you.html