Be The Change Symposium Facilitator Training October 2010

The eighth UK training for facilitators of the Be The Change Symposium will take place from October 29th - October 31st, 2010. This, our first training in the North of England, will be held at a wonderful venue: St Martin's in Gilling Castle, part of Ampleforth Abbey and College, Nr York

The purpose of the training is to support and empower you in expressing your commitment to the purpose of the Symposium: "To bring forth a socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually fulfilled human presence on the planet", in your diverse possible contributions to this work.

Recognising the extraordinary range of skills, talents, passions and experience that shows up at every training, our time together will concentrate primarily on what is truly unique - our relationship with the message of the Symposium and what it means in our lives. The primary focus is not on 'nuts and bolts' event organisation or presentation skills (some already have these skills, others can aquire them through our ongoing programme and some may chose to be part of the movement in other ways.) There wiil be an orientation to the tools created by the Pacamama Alliance to enable people to facilitate Symposiums. And we will focus on how we work together - in order to take ownership of this material so that we can adapt and 'generate' it with confidence and integrity. We will also focus on generating a relationship of mutual support with the extra-ordinary community that is growing around this movement - and to assist you to find and take your place in this community.

Attending a training also introduces you to our Symposium Facilitator Community - over 2000-strong world-wide, with over 200 in the UK - organised regionally to give you local support, in presenting Symposia and in 'Being The Change'.

A few quotes from recent participants:

"The feelings of connection and community within our group were strengthened so much by the depth of the work in this training - and this also extends to the wider group of facilitators in the UK and abroad. I've found a phenomenal community which has real meaning and that I'm now a part of (though acutually, it found me!)."
-- JT

"I found it an excellent experience. Bringing people together in a heartfelt way, engendering common purpose... (the trainers) were thoroughly professional, a good blend of personality, style, knowledge and energies."
-- DK (professional trainer & coach)

"I found the experience, challenging, informative, and inspirational, it raised my spirits to see such a force of positive energy at work in our world."
-- PC

Costs as below are for tuition and food & accommodation...

The tuition cost:

For the two+ day course will be £260. For those who truly cannot afford the full amount but have a passion to pursue the work, we have budgeted for a small number of reduced price places, at £210. We budget to cover costs, and there is no bursary fund available. However, once we have sufficient applications to cover all of our costs, we MAY be able to offer one or more places at a further reduction - please click the appropriate 'more info' link above for details.

Food and accommodation:

For the two+ days costs £95 for shared accommodation and all meals and snacks. Food will be home-made, vegetarian and, as far as possible, locally sourced. Our first meal will be tea on Firday at 7pm, and the last meal will be lunch on the Sunday plus afternoon refreshments.

If you have any special requests in regard to accommodation needs, please let us know.

Dates, times and requirements:
The training itself will start at 6pm on Friday evening, October 29th, and will end around 5pm on Sunday evening, October 31st.
All registered trainees are also warmly invited to a Symposium in York from 10am - 4:30pm on the Friday (at the concession rate of £15) - this is only a requirement for those who have not yet attended a Symposium. Feedback from previous groups is that others have found this an invaluable refresher before their training.
There will be a series of non-residential 'Practica' a month or so later, during which you will complete your training with a run-through of the entire Symposium in small groups. These will take place in your areas.

Further preparatory material and logistical details will be sent to you during the weeks leading up to the training.

Travel:
A minibus/shared transport will be arranged from York following the Symposium - information to follow. Most accessible station York, and airport Newcastle (for train to York). Please download this extract from the Ampleforth brochure (PDF, 1.4MB) for further details.

If you require to share transport or can offer a lift to others please let us know.

If you have any further questions about the Facilitator Training, please contact:
Jan Taylor, training@bethechangeinitiative.org
07765 235989 / 01422 882190
For more about the venue please see www.stmartins.ampleforth.org.uk/virtual-tour

We look forward very much indeed to meeting you at Ampleforth, and to welcoming you into the Be The Change Facilitator Community.