Books and resources

Have you noticed on FaceBook that there’s a ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ Group that you can join to see, hear, learn, share, experience and be inspired by posts and shares that members of the group make related to group dynamics, team building, learning, interesting courses, YouTube clips, quotes… anything that’s relevant.  We’re a small group, just over 400 people but growing slowly as people find out about it. Maybe you’re one. Thank you and please share any great things you see out there that may be of interest to members. We envisage this as a juicy, interesting and exciting space to share and learn and grow more together in life long learning and dynamic group work. You’re invited to join https://www.facebook.com/groups/192727033179/ and please share posts, images, stories, ideas etc. The more of us that contribute the better and more diverse and informative it becomes for all of us.

Robin’s currently working on the ToolBox chapter of her new book, number 1 in the series of 5. Here’s one entry (unedited as yet) from the ‘Glue Processes’ section, complete with an activity and a process to try out.CELEBRATION  PROCESSESThis is one of the most important activities in the Tool Box for helping people integrate and be able to complete with the group and move forward. Celebrations can mark the end of a project or group, they can thank and honour a person who is leaving or they can acknowledge a job well done. It may be that a long term vision or goal is achieved and it’s time for the next phase of the group or that major funding has been received. Celebrations are like a ‘Rite of Passage’ which acknowledges transitions and supports the moving on. They often help people relax and step outside their usual roles and …

Almost all of us work, create, meet, play, volunteer or live in groups of some kind. They might be environmental groups, political branches, and local interest or lobby groups. They may be sporting teams, work places, families or housing buddies. Learning, teaching or facilitation teams, exercise classes and school grades are all groups with their own special features. Think about a group that you spend most time with or that you’re very passionate about or intimately connected to in some way. Then do this simple activity of brainstorming all the things you put into the group on one side of a page and all that you receive from being part of the group on the other side, a little like the photographic example. You could also do this activity for the group as a whole. What are all the energies, resources, skills, needs, money, time, legalities, support etc that go …

Robin attended the Australasian Facilitators Network (AFN) Conference in Ballana, Nth NSW in early November last year. This annual gathering of peers, along with the approaching ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ course in mid-November in SE Qld, were used as the launching pad for Robin’s long dreamed of ‘Creative Process Wild Card’ set. Beautiful graphic design by Robin’s partner Rob Clark and thorough editing and brilliant InDesign tuition by Eve Witney made the project possible and supported Robin to achieve a high standard result. The Cards evolved out of a long used ‘Dynamic Groups’ course activity that’s designed to challenge participants to try out new and creative processes to teach or present on a topic. This evolved from an original process that Skye and Robin began using 25 years ago to great effect. For example, if you are a little tired of teaching your pet topic the same way each time …

Thanks to the awesome graphic design skills and willingness of Robin’s partner Rob Clark ‘The Manual for Teaching Permaculture Creatively’ now has a brand new colour cover. Very fitting seeing as the iconic 320 page text, written by Skye and Robin in the early 90s and published by their business Earthcare Education in 1995, is turning 21 this year. Yeah! Many hundreds of people have purchased the Manual and it’s enjoyed in over 65 countries. In recent times it’s become available as a PDF through a DropBox Folder system. It was originally designed as a solid ring binder so it could be a huge ‘Tool Box’ to be added to over and over by its new owners as they witnessed, created or adapted processes that they wanted to remember and find easily. This hard copy is preferable to most people though click this link if you’d like to purchase the PDF …

Things are moving slowly with Robin’s writing of the five book series, though the two card games that are part of the project have been successfully launched – the ‘Permaculture Principles Card Game in September last year and the Creative Process Wild Cards in November. All the wild cards fed straight into the chapter that’s being worked on at the moment in Book 1, the ‘Tool Box’ chapter. As well as the 60 Creative Processes in the card set, the chapter will highlight many other processes, some that act as ‘Glue Processes’, serving the function of supporting the group to work well together, meet and greet and make the most of the material and the time spent together. Ice-Breakers, Name Games, Grouping Processes, Revision Processes and Check-In’s are a few examples.  Also included will be many conventional processes that, even though not creative or participatory, still are valid as ways to …