Robin’s decision this year to run her annual ‘Dynamic Groups’ training at Crystal Waters EcoVillage much earlier in the year turned out to be a popular choice with participants. In light of this the course for 2019 will be in February from 17th to 22nd. It promises to be a great course and there are still a few places so best to jump in and confirm before the ‘Silly Season’ arrives.  

Both Robin and her partner Rob attended the annual Joining Gathering in September. Robin facilitated a powerful and transformative workshop entitled ‘Supporting Each Other to Shine’         and was able to contribute in a much lesser way than usual in the Ceremonies having mentored and guided other younger people to lead the Ceremonies, and lead they did so brilliantly. Both Robin and Rob were on the panel discussion about ‘Relationship’. A highlight of the event was Rob and Robin stepping up together in the Closing Ceremony to hold the energy of Staff and Basket holder for the next gathering. This means they care for the sacred objects that symbolize the Masculine and Feminine and together with a big circle of other wonderful people, organize the next ‘Joining’ for 2019 on the Spring Equinox weekend, held over 3 days. The venue and exact dates will be announced very soon for ‘The Joining …

It’s now possible to watch snippets of the Main Presentations at the International Permaculture Conference in Hyderabad, India late last year. One of the sub themes was ‘Women as Agents of Change’ so Robin initiated and was then invited to led a panel of Women in Permaculture, especially emphasising Social Permaculture. She asked the question “Are Women Leading the Change?” and “What areas of change are you active and successful in and what qualities do you feel support this?” Women joining Robin on the panel included Vandana Shiva, Starhawk, Rowe Morrow, Robina McCurdy, Padma Koppula and several others. There’s a few seconds of the panel at 4.27 and a shot of all the presenters to begin with. Enjoy.

Testimonials that come ‘Out of the Blue’ are very rewarding for any business, social enterprise or undertaking. Here’s a few that have popped in since the last eNewsletter. This one from Anne Gibson is very honouring and gratefully received, especially as Anne is an outstanding and very well respected speaker and presenter at Expo’s, Events and Workshops these days. “Attending Robin’s ‘Dynamic Groups’ course was one of the most valuable investments I’ve ever made in my presentation skills. Not only was the course thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, but I gained an incredible teaching toolkit that has enabled me to engage my students and audiences when speaking and delivering workshops in an entirely new way. The group processes challenged my thinking and opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities to enhance learning outcomes. Robin’s teaching aids, processes, gifted teaching style and group work are testament to her exceptional facilitation …

How often do you take time to review and renew your course design, your session plan that you work from to present regularly, your meeting agenda design or your event program? Do you tend to repeat the same session over and over or use similar processes to deliver the content you’re working with? Or do you challenge yourself to try new things, throw out the routine curricular or procedure, swap a standard process for a more creative one and dance on the edge of growth and expansion with each new challenge you give yourself? Do you get bored with what you offer to your groups? Are you tired of doing things the same way? Do your participants seem bored or disengaged? Or are your groups, meetings, events and sessions fun and exciting, receiving great feedback and motivating participants to thrive and shine. Do you complete and celebrate a job well …

Here’s a wonderful example of one woman living and breathing the challenge of ‘Dynamic Groups’ by using the ‘Creative Process Wild Cards’ and many of the learnings and processes from the ‘Dynamic Groups’ course and integrating that with her existing programs and group work. Thanks Shannon for such a rich offering of your work and stepping up to the challenge. “Robin’s Dynamic Groups Creative Facilitation course has inspired and energised me to deliver even better training and professional development for the Aquatic industry. I present courses and professional development and have always done things a bit “differently”, for example cross crawling and playing my ukulele. The creative processes we learned throughout the course have grown my toolbox exponentially! Each time I run a course now I consider how I did it last time and which processes I can use to engage the participants and really involve them in their own …