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Firstly, the training ‘map’ accessible
at the bottom of the Workshops section gives an idea of the
relationship between some of the training areas, and may give
you an idea where you can ‘travel’.
Secondly, these materials are designed for use
by any reasonably competent group facilitator. Some of these
workshops can bring up difficult issues, some may lead to
considerable controversy, and some may lead to considerable
emotion – or even possibly bordeom. It is the responsibility
of a facilitator to provide necessary support to participants
as appropriate, or see that that support is provided. If you
want to use these materials but you’re not certain you
can handle any eventuality arising then we would strongly
suggest getting somebody who would be sufficiently experienced
and having them facilitate, or co-facilitate with you.
Thirdly, if you would like us to facilitate
a session or sessions we would be more than happy to look
at doing it. Contact us at INNATE.
The material here does not purport to be comprehensive.
It includes some material take straight from elsewhere, some
we have developed from other material elsewhere, and some
that is entirely our own. There is nothing new under the sun.
If you have the experience to take our material and develop
it further or refine it, you are welcome. We would welcome
a copy of anything you develop using our material.
As illustrated by the training map, you can start anywhere
– it depends on what your needs are and how urgent it
is to cover a particular area. You can start with how a group
works – the Group Works and Dynamics section. You can
start with general explorations of nonviolence. Or you can
start by exploring tactics and actions. It is up to you.
Obviously at some stage we would recommend taking the time
for general discussion and exploration of nonviolence, violence
and conflict. This is important to individuals and groups
but it may be something which you do not have time for ‘now’
– if this is the case then we would strongly recommend
that you programme time in the future to cover some of this
material.
‘Exploring violence and nonviolence’
(taken from De Expeditie) is a good, lively way to
start with two, alternative exercises exploring responses
to violence experientially. This can be used as a jumping
off point for personal views on violence and nonviolence.
It is also a good place to start because it is not particularly
ideologically based – it allows participants to come
out with their own views and reactions.
‘Violence/Nonviolence spectrum’
is another good early exercise because, although more intellectually
based (brainstorming and then ranking varieties of violence
and nonviolence) it makes no assumptions about what is ‘violent’
or ‘nonviolent’ – participants do that individually
and collectively.
‘Exploring divisions’ is
based on exploring the (di)visions in Northern Ireland between
Protestants and Catholics (if you rewrote the ‘roles’
the same model can be used for any conflict).
‘Big boys, Big girls’
looks at the important issues associated with gender and violence,
including a role play and variety of questions which can be
taken for discussion, or even a couple for brainstorming.
‘Seven controversies in nonviolent
action’ (by Sheila Rose and Lynne Shivers)
looks at areas of controversy in the field by putting the
polar opposites on questions like damage to property, persuasion
or coercion, and the universal applicability of nonviolence.
‘Nonviolence definitions’
is just that, some definitions in the field which may be useful
and people can accept or reject them.
‘Nonviolence: Basis and forms’
(from Bill Moyer) looks at whether nonviolence can be partisan,
tactical, moral or neutral – but explores this in relation
to examples which participants come up with.
‘Nonviolence, an introduction’
has three short papers for information or discussion on nonviolence
in political struggle, nonviolence and third party exploring
intervention, and nonviolence and spiritual belief.
’Nonviolence and Christian belief’
is primarily looking at the basis of nonviolence within Christian
belief but also has facilitators’ notes on exploring
the basis of nonviolence in any spiritual or moral belief
system.
‘Nonviolent tactics’
starts with Gene Sharp’s typology of nonviolent tactics
but builds a workshop around it – including what people
are willing to risk in a campaign. This is the one if you’re
wanting to explore what kind of actions you can do in your
campaign.
‘Demo discipline’ is
a checklist for organisers of public political demonstrations
and events – it is not a workshop as such but can be
used to explore the issues that need covered in ‘going
into public space’.
‘Workshop on strategising’
takes Bill Moyer’s stages that a successful
social and political movement goes through to try to help
people understand where they’re at now in a campaign
– and where they need to get.
Group work and dynamics
Again, you can start anywhere, depending on
what the needs of ‘your’ group are and the time
available.
‘Had a good day at the office,
darling?’ is one way to begin, with people’s
own experiences of difficulties in work situations of a broad
kind. It can be used as a jumping off point for more general
exploration.
‘Signs of mature group process’
is an ‘ideal’ check list for voluntary, political
and community groups. It can be used in a number of ways (suggestions
given) and is useful to have particular goals in mind rather
than simply be bemoaning negatives – though, to be fair,
some groups fare very well in relation to this list.
‘Getting the most from the meeting
and workshop experience’ is a check list covering
a broad expanse of ways of working and attending to group
needs.
‘Brainstorming’ looks
at using this basic meeting tool.
‘Being an animal’
(Anne Hope and Sally Timmel) is a useful way to begin to analyse
individual roles in groups.
‘Making a drama of a crisis’
looks at using drama in group work.
‘Broadbased organising’,
based on Saul Alinsky and his heirs, could be under ‘nonviolent
action’ but is put here because of the particular approaches
involved to ways of working.
‘Consensus for small groups’
contains a whole variety of material in relation
to consensus in group work; a general introduction, definitions,
a draft agenda for a meeting on consensus, tools, end options
(at group and individual level when difficulties remain),
and different ‘modes’ of discussion.
- If there is something specific you are
looking for in relation to training material you are welcome
to ask us to see if we can help with other material - INNATE.
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