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

Russ Grayson’s filmed this great interview with Robin on Social Permaculture at the APC 14 in Canberra in 2018. APC = Australasian PermacultureConvergence.

Russ also took this great photo of Robin and Robina McCurdy at APC WA in 2016

Robin was the special guest at the Australian Labyrinth Network Conference in Canberra in March. Being a recently formed network, the ALN was holding their 3^rd annual conference and decided to have an Australian special guest this time rather than invite someone from overseas.

It was a fabulous conference and Robin’s workshop on ‘Facilitating Ceremony, Ritual and Transformation with the Labyrinth’ was very well received. It took people through nine steps of creating Ceremony and encouraged people to bring more ceremony into their Labyrinth facilitated walks. She also used The Sacred Union Labyrinth as an example of the progression through the steps and how following them builds a solid and powerful plan to hold more free flowing and spontaneous facilitation with a group.

Robin, together with Mark Healy, created a Ceremonial Labyrinth, the circular version of the Sacred Union Labyrinth, and designed and led an evening candle let Ceremony on the grass outside in a lovely courtyard. Such a delight. Additionally, Robin was asked to lead a group warm up exercise on the first morning and be on a panel about Community Building though The Labyrinth.

If you’re interested in the national network, here’s the link to have a look and join if you’d like to. The conferences are certainly worth attending if you love Labyrinths.

This wonderful collection of ideas, tips and information is the result of all Delvin’s notes from the numerous courses and workshops he’s participated in and especially what he’s gleaned from Robin Clayfield and Rowe Morrow. There’s also info from Looby Mcanamara and Robyn Frances. Well worth a read and available as a download for free. Delvin is so incredible generous like that and he also, above anyone else I know, acknowledges the source of his learnings and inspiration so generously and astutely. My huge Thank You goes out to Delvin and his team.

www.visionarypermaculture.com/teachersnotes

This unsolicited testimonial for the Wild Cards popped in “Hi Robin! I’m writing to thank you for the FABULOUS wild cards. They are just perfect for the way my brain works. I’m using nine processes in my PDC class tonight, it makes planning class a breeze and so much fun. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Delldint Fleming

Delldint Permaculture Learning

“I gained so much from the dynamic groups and facilitation workshop. Robins approach to teaching is both engaging and heartfelt, so that learning is embodied and is a true testament of walking her talk. She teachers leaders how to lead, by actually leading by example!

The skills I have gained gave me confidence to provide Community Consultation services to work with not-for-profit groups to achieve their goals with dynamic and fun process, provide dynamic facilitation to focus as shared vision for projects like designing a nature playground, and to develop a garden therapy program – all with great results. I am confident to provide my services to fulfil the obvious demands for inclusive, focused and effective decision making through the lens of Social Permaculture because of on her training.

My Permaculture Design Courses have been the success they are because of the holistic teaching methods she has inspired me with. I strongly encourage you to attend her offerings if you are interested in Social Permaculture – she  certainly is a wisdom keeper.

Robin is now a mentor that I gratefully continue to learn from”.

Tonielle Christensen

Director of Organic Motion Permaculture & the Nourish Program, Kuranda, FNQ Australia.

We’re repeating Shannon’s great feedback and story as we made a typo of her name a couple of Blogs and eNewsletters ago. Sorry Shannon. Love your work amazing women.

“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 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 learning.  I pull out my trusty deck of Wild Cards and go over the notes and reviews I made from the DGCF course.  I use mind maps or lists to brainstorm learning objectives and the process that will work for each and the group.  I then create a plan showing how we move from one activity to the next (and the glue processes involved to get there).

The groups I facilitate often comment on how engaging the session was, the fact that they get to talk and share their passion rather than being lectured at, the joy of being involved and that the learning was fun.  I love to see them engaged, for me starting off with a good icebreaker really sets the tone for the entire session.

I review the presentation (more of a facilitation these days) and processes used, considering the “plus, minus and interesting” of each, I make notes on my plan as to how I would change it next time round.

The creative learning processes are gold!  I love to bust out the wild cards and aim to challenge myself as facilitator to use one of the more obscure processes each time…for example I have a First Aid mandala in the works.

Thanks Robin, I feel inspired and energised by the Dynamic Groups Creative Facilitation course.  I believe the way we learn needs to change and love pushing the boundaries for myself and participants so we all get the most out of each learning experience.”

CEO (Chief Excitement Officer) Sionna Lifestyle and Aquatics

Shannon Townsend

Several places have become available in Robin’s next ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ six day Creative Facilitation, Teacher Training and Group Leadership course.

People booked into three of the four available special cost price/scholarship places have cancelled or postponed for various reasons and a further two have deferred to a future time.

There are still the numbers for the course to proceed so Robin is offering three more places for the cost price of $500 which includes all meals for 6 1/2 days. Accommodation in the EcoPark at Crystal Waters for the camping option is only $10 per night so this makes it a really affordable opportunity. A bed in the bunkhouse is $22.50.

Some help and contribution, trade or donation would be most welcome as part of the exchange. For example, Robin is needing one person to come a couple of days early to help in the set up for the course and in packing away all her many books and resources which she makes available for participants.

Additionally, anyone who’s done the ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ course in the past or the Cert. IV in Training and Assessment that Robin used to offer is invited to attend this course for the cost price. This would act as a refresher, add additional learning and momentum and increase the group energy and dynamic that comes with participation.

Contact Robin now to let her know your interest.

A new documentary celebrating the past, present and future of Crystal Waters is just being released. It is possibly the most extensive exploration of an ecovillage in a documentary yet produced… I’d love to hear of other examples.

In 2018, Crystal Waters, a world-first permaculture settlement and wildlife sanctuary, is now 30 years old – located near Maleny, South East Queensland. Given a UN Habitat Award in 1996, Crystal Waters is known worldwide for its permaculture related educational courses. Community members run monthly markets, bakery and cafes, bamboo and timber plantations, a fire brigade, cinema, even a cemetery. A visitor park offers cabins, caravan sites and tent sites. Over 100 dwellings and community buildings showcase diverse building methods – rammed earth, mud brick, straw bale and pole construction.

The flow of the program entwines history and present views in a colourful and engaging manner. It may not answer all your questions – or go to the depths of issues it brings to light but certainly provides an entertaining overview.

Some highlights are Robin Clayfield and Bob Sample discussing how… “We’re still in our infancy,” says Robin, “but it is evolving…” says Bob. Amber, an early resident, says Crystal Waters is “…gentle, female and nurturing”. Luciano Giangiordano says, “What Crystal Waters has achieved in 30 years has been phenomenal”. Jane Brouet and Gaby Gottselig in conversation lead us to Robin Harpley and Sandra Ferguson explaining the activities of the Body Corporate and the Community Co-op. Po Mei who helped organise the Wellness Festivals says… “We are on a journey”.

The 90 minute documentary, along with extensive video and text extras which will appear on social media channels covers a lot of fertile ground. here are the chapters:
1. Welcome
2. Grounding the Vision
3. Growing Pains
– Earthcare Farm
– The Fire Brigade
4. The Dream Takes Root
– The EcoPark
– Restoration
– The Cemetery
5. Educational Aspirations
6. Spirit of Community
– Coop & Body Corp
– The Bakery
– The Spindleshop
– The Dairy
– Flowerpot Coffee Shop
7. Soul Food and The Arts
8. Human Habitat
9. Embracing the Future
– The Markets
– End Credits

To contact the Film maker, Michael Ney from Eagle Spirit Media  or to purchase single or wholesale copies contact Michael here.