Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning Dynamic Courses, Books, Resources and Tours for Healthy Groups, People and Culture with Robin Clayfield

What does it take to be an empowered, effective group leader, teacher or facilitator? How do we develop the skills and gather the tools, courage and attitude to be a leader yet also support the empowerment of our groups, each and every participant and honour ourselves at the same time? Robin has been living these questions and discovering some of the answers for close to three decades now. She’s written two pertinent articles in recent years that could be valuable to revisit, especially in the lead up to her new book series ‘Dynamic Teaching and Facilitation’. Both of the articles and her upcoming books address these questions. Five years ago she wrote a blog about her ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ Methodology entitled ‘Magic Happens in Dynamic Groups’. Many of the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that she talks about in this article help to answer the questions that we’re focused …

21 people from all over the world and all sides of the country gathered at Crystal Waters EcoVillage in SE Queensland to participate in Robin’s annual Crystal Waters ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ six day training. It was her first Dynamic Groups course since offering them across Europe and returning home last August. March seems to have been a good time of year to offer this course with people attending as part of their yearly plan being put into action. Fortunately the persistent rain from earlier weeks gave way to mostly pleasant conditions so the campers were dry and sessions could take place outdoors. Good use was made of the beautiful EcoCentre, a purpose build training venue hired for the event.     One participant made this statement about the course on their evaluation form. “Magic! This word defines my synthesis of this course. Something inside me that was shut down …

The Patreon Support Group, set up by Robin and Erin to assist in the art and design, editing and logistics for Robin’s next books is proving to be an exciting and beneficial adventure. As well as benefiting Robin’s work it also provides many benefits for Patrons. Book and Resources Discounts Substantial discounts are being offered on existing books, card games and other creative facilitation, community governance or Permaculture resources. The discounts vary depending on the reward level people are on, starting with the $20 level. 10% for $20 Patrons 20% for $50 Partons 40% for $100 Partons (postage though please) Monthly Sessions on Zoom There have been some great monthly Zoom sessions with either a ‘Q&A’ topic to explore every second month for all Patrons plus a facilitated ‘Brainstorm and Sharing’ session every other month for $10 and above Patrons. The Q&A’s are a forum for people to ask questions …

Here’s a couple of photos of the Social Permaculture weekend led by Robina McCurdy and Robin and hosted by Samantha Hawker and Frank near Canberra after the APC (Australasian Permaculture Convergence) in April. Participants got a lot out of the workshop and went home with much inspiration and many tools for applying to their local groups and course environments.

In July it will be a year since Robin was in Italy offering her ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ six day course and a Wise Women’s Weekend. This time last year she was in Germany with her sights on Switzerland. Italy was a delightful adventure which saw Robin divinely hosted by Francesca Simonetti and John Button (of Nature Designs), up in the mountains behind Domodossola. She began her visit there, entranced by all the stone buildings, and also had some time off there at the end to relax after the courses. She was joined and supported by Kym Chi from Canada as her assistant for three weeks which gave more ease and grace to the trip. A theme that emerged during the Dynamic Groups course, which was held at an old abbey, now a community, in Northern Italy, was supporting refugees and cross cultural communication. Ironically there were three Australians, one …

The first in a series of Robin’s Mini books, entitled ‘Dynamic Teaching and Facilitation – The Foundations’ is almost ready to go to several proof readers before then being updated and finally making its way to the Editor. The reference book list is complete and ready to add to the appendixes. A briefing with the artist for the structural design of the book and artwork is imminent. Two pertinent questions will be sent out to over 200 of you who have done either of Robin’s ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ courses, any of the versions (TAA or BSZ) of the CERT IV in Training and Assessment or the original Skye and Robin’s ‘Advanced Permaculture Creative Teachers Facilitation course. The questions will be aimed at what really worked about the course and its content and where you’ve used, grown and developed the gifts from the course. Many of the responses will be …