“Speed Mentoring with Sharon McGann” | Monday September 9, 2013 | 5.30 pm

A community of practice involves sharing what we know about what works and how we do what we do. This session is an opportunity for experienced and new facilitators to get together and share war stories and ask curious questions. The process will be a variation on the popular speed dating / speed networking processes, with a focus on sharing knowledge and wisdom. If you are an experienced facilitator, come along and bring an example of a challenging facilitation – one that was new, exciting or difficult. Think about how you prepared for and facilitated the session and what the outcomes were for the client. If you are a new facilitator, come along with two or three questions about facilitation, things you’re curious about but didn’t know who or how to ask. Also bring at least 10 business cards or equivalent. You will have an opportunity to meet and talk with a number of colleagues during the course of the high-energy evening and ideally you will walk away with new contacts to bounce ideas off. Sharon McGann The session will be facilitated by our Sydney Facilitators’ Network co-convenor Sharon McGann.  Sharon is an experienced facilitator who runs strategic and business facilitations for corporate, not for profit and government clients.  She is passionate about connecting people so we can learn from each other and is curious about how we as facilitators continue to improve our practices in what is often a solo pursuit that paradoxically requires an intimate understanding of people in groups. Donate Books Also in light of the session’s proximity to Indigenous Literacy Day (on the 4th September) Sharon encourages you to bring any well loved facilitation books that you would like to pass on or exchange. Donation surplus on the night will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Venue:  [Our usual venue] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Level 5, Building 10, Jones Street, Ultimo (Cnr. Thomas Street). Room 5.580 Take the lift to level 5 | cross the atrium footbridge | walk straight ahead to room 580. Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@changeagent.com.au | 0418 486 501 Sharon McGann Sharon@apassion.com.au | 0414 537 305

“Facilitating 'The Living Group' with Rollo Browne” | Monday August 12, 2013 | 5.30pm

All facilitators work with groups. The plans we make, the processes we use are 'relatively' straightforward but the group is not always like that. No matter the stated purpose or formal structure associated with a group, all groups have invisible links and preferences around which they are organised. This is the world of sociometry as conceived and developed by Dr JL Moreno. We may not know which sociometric preferences or rejections are important in the group until they interfere with or derail the work. At that point the question is, 'Is there enough mutuality to get the work done?'

In this session we will focus on the use of sociometry, the principles behind it and the building of mutuality in groups. Understanding this work is also critical in coaching because you will invariable need to investigate the client's sociometry in the workplace. Further, each of us, whether facilitator, coach or client, will benefit from developing an awareness of our own sociometric position in the living group.

Guest Facilitator Rollo Browne

Rollo Browne uses action methods extensively in his work as coach, facilitator and in organisational development. He is running the "Action Methods in Coaching", a 3 day Experiential Program for Coaches looking to bring Vitality & Immediacy to their work - Sydney, 26-28 August, co-led with Jenny Postlethwaite, for details go to www.actionmethodsincoaching.com. He loves supervising difficult group situations, and teaches groupwork and the use of Morenian action methods (sociometry, sociodrama, psychodrama and role training) at Psychodrama Australia, NSW Campus, www.anzpasydney.org. The key to his work is to assist people and groups to access their own vitality and apply it to situations they face. Rollo can be contacted on 0417682085.

Venue:  [Our usual venue] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Level 5, Building 10, Jones Street, Ultimo (cnr Thomas Street). Room 5.580 Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580. Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@changeagent.com.au | 0418 486 501

“Facilitating Trust” with Greg Jenkins | Monday July 8, 5.30 PM

Notes from this session 

Trust impacts every aspect of our practice as internal or external change agents. We work with trust on many levels - trust between the change agent and the sponsor, the participant and the sponsor, among participants, between the change agent and the participants. 

Trust is a condition of collaboration and a key ingredient in all successful change.

In this session we will explore trust and share our experiences of building trust through conversations, games and stories. How do we get to trust? What are some of the structures, tools and techniques in building and maintaining trust?

This session will be useful to all change agents whatever our level of experience.

Facilitator: Greg Jenkins | Change Agent

Greg is coordinator of Sydney Facilitators Network. He is an innovator in collaborative change in business, community and 3^rd sector organisations. www.tincanlearning.com

Venue:  [Our usual venue] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Level 5, Building 10, Jones Street, Ultimo (cnr Thomas Street). Room 5.580 Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580. Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@tincanlearning.com | 0418 486 501

“Why do exceptional change agents succeed against the odds?” with Alastair Rylatt | Monday June 17, 5.30 pm

Why do some leaders and managers succeed against the odds to facilitate and influence change? There are many theories and viewpoints but there is little guidance on what distinguishes low from high performing change agents. Findings from my PHD of individual commitment over time provide some vital clues. Come along and participate in a session designed to develop and enhance your skills in leading and managing change. Be informed, inspired and entertained.

Guest Facilitator: Dr. Alastair Rylatt, Director Alastair Rylatt Consulting
Alastair has a 25 years experience of creating high performing workplaces and teams. He is an expert facilitator, award-winning author and inspiring speaker. Alastair's main contributions have been in the areas of leadership development and change management. His client list is well over 400 with many types of businesses, not for profit and government workplaces represented.
http://www.alastairrylatt.com | http://au.linkedin.com/in/alastairrylatt

Venue:  [Our usual venue] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Jones Street, Ultimo corner Thomas Street.
Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580.
Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up
Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com
Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@tincanlearning.com | 0418 486 501 or Sharon McGann  0414 537 305 sharon@apassion.com.au

“Wildcard” – Processes and Ideas for Facilitating Effective Meetings | Monday April 13, 5.30pm

Wildcards are engaging and fun. They are a great way to get a range of ideas and tools from a variety of different experiences. Wildcard is also a good opportunity for facilitators to try out a new idea or share a process that works.

May 2013 Wildcard theme ‘Processes and Ideas for facilitating effective meetings’.

What types of meetings are there? What tools are available? What works and what doesn’t? Tips and tricks to get the best out of different types of meetings. How to make meetings more effective and interesting.

Wildcard sessions of 5 to 20 minutes are organized on the night including a short debriefing.

Turn up either with something to share or just to learn and have fun.

Venue:  [Our usual venue]

University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Jones Street, Ultimo corner Thomas Street.
Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580.

Time:

From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up

Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com

Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@tincanlearning.com | 0418 486 501 or Sharon McGann  0414 537 305 sharon@apassion.com.au

Getting together with success: The Collaborative Governance approach to complex dilemmas with Stuart Waters | Monday April 8 | 5.30PM

There is a difference between the merely complicated situation, and the truly complex dilemma. How are we as facilitators to help our clients confront their most tricky challenges, from policy development to climate change adaption, from culture change to planning service delivery in times of tight budgets. Such genuinely complex dilemmas defy typical decision making processes. Complexity theory tells us that enduring solutions to complex dilemmas arise through collaboration. But what does good collaboration look like and what is the implication for us as facilitators?

This session will identify the root causes of excellent collaboration and explore Twyfords' own Collaborative Governance Framework. The 'CG' framework provides a roadmap for facilitators and project sponsors alike, presenting a low-risk pathway from 'dilemma' to 'enduring solution'.

About Stuart Waters

Stuart Waters is Managing Director of Twyfords, an organisation long recognised for its leadership in the field of community and stakeholder engagement. Over the past 18 months the Twyfords team has focussed on strategic advice for clients facing complex dilemmas, developing a range of unique concepts and tools. Their Collaborative Governance framework is explored in depth in their latest book "The Power of Co: A Smart Leaders' Guide to Collaborative Governance". Latest case studies and tools are presented in their new two-day workshop Collaborating in Complex Times, new dates for which have recently been announced.

Venue:  [Our usual venue]

University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Jones Street, Ultimo corner Thomas Street.
Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580.

Time:

From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up

Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com

Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@tincanlearning.com | 0418 486 501 or Sharon McGann  0414 537 305 sharon@apassion.com.au

Blending Facilitation and Instruction with Thiagi | Monday March 11 | 5.30pm

85 Participants enjoyed the Thiagi event on March 11, 2013
See Pics here: https://drive.google.com/?tab=mo&authuser=0#folders/0B7Ubz138tshkSV93VWdOLUx1OGs
Fore more info on Thiagi see http://www.thiagi.com 


A facilitator helps a group of participants analyze and diagnose their situation, identify problems and opportunities, generate ideas and solutions, and plan to implement them. The facilitator is substantively neutral and does not have any personal goals other than to help the group achieve its goal. An instructor helps a group of participants achieve a set of pre-specified training objectives. The instructor has a mandate to ensure that the participants achieve these objectives. For more than a decade, Thiagi has been blending the tools and techniques of facilitators and instructors to increase the effectiveness of both approaches. In this session, Thiagi will help you modify your mindset and enhance your competencies to become an instructional facilitator. So if you want to enhance your skills at facilitating a thoughtful discussion or creating a learning environment come along on Monday 11th March.

About Sivasailam Thiagarajan [Thiagi]

Thiagi is truly, a world class facilitator. He has been described as the "world's leading training games and simulations designer". His specialization is in using participatory strategies to improve human performance. One of Thiagi’s outstanding strengths is that he is a master at making boring things interesting. Thiagi’s website, www.thiagi.com is a treasure trove of resources for facilitators, trainers and instructional design practitioners.

Thiagi has led "Interactive Training Strategies" workshops in 24 countries and is in Australia to lead workshops in Melbourne, Sydney (12/14th March) and Brisbane. Details and registration at www.appreciativeinquiry.net.au or call John Loty on 0411 809 404. Early bird for Sydney closes 6th March.

Venue:  [Our usual venue] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Jones Street, Ultimo corner Thomas Street. Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580. Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up Blog www.facilitatorsnetwork.blogspot.com Enquiries | Greg Jenkins greg@tincanlearning.com | 0418 486 501 or Sharon McGann  0414 537 305 sharon@apassion.com.au