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

It’s almost time for the 31^st Woodford Folk Festival in SE Qld which takes place over the Christmas/New Year period. Robin and her team are busy harvesting bamboo, making giant sculptured petals, collecting resources, materials and objects from nature and generally preparing to create and construct ‘The Sacred Union Labyrinth’ for the fourth year running.

The Labyrinth has become an integral and much loved destination at the festival where people can walk it anytime or attend one of the four Ceremonies which feature a five piece band and a six person Ceremony team. Directly after each Ceremony ‘Djuelu the Village Scribe’ (Rob Clark) will be present to write meaningful words on parchment to commemorate people’s Labyrinth walk. At other times ‘Tinkerbell’ will provide music to walk to and there will most likely be some Pop Up chiors. Come join the fun, delight and sacred adventure.

Times for the Ceremonies are:- 

Tuesday 27th – 10am to 11.30am
Wednesday 28th – 7.30pm to 9pm
Friday 30th – 7.30pm to 9pm
Sunday 1st January – 2pm to 3.30pm

 Visit the ‘Sacred Union Labyrinth’ FaceBook Page
and the Woodford Website and Program

An exciting and full three month tour for Robin and her ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ Courses is planned for May, June and July of 2017 covering six countries with additional courses, workshops and presentations planned including a Weekend Women’s Workshop in Switzerland.

First stop will be The Sustainability Centre in East Meon, Hampshire, where Robin offered her Dynamic Groups course last year with Looby Macnamara and was one of five facilitators running a five day Social Permaculture course. Here’s the link to the course that’s on from 15th to 20th May http://www.sustainability-centre.org/dynamic-groups-course.html

and their home page www.sustainability-centre.org

Having done a one day Creative Facilitation workshop for Permacultura Mediterranea and being invited back to Mallorca, Robin will be offering the full six day Dynamic Groups course from 28th May to 2nd June. 

Then onto Italy followed by Switzerland, then possibly Germany and Slovenia but those two aren’t confirmed yet. All is still in the organising stages so please stay tuned and email robin@earthcare.com.au to express interest.

In March 2008 Robin initiated an innovative completion process for the ‘Future Visions’ session on the final day of the APC9 (Australasian Permaculture Convergence. Sydney), having been invited to facilitate the three hour session. Her now infamous ‘Jumping’ Process has been the completion for all four APC’s since and has been introduced to the IPC (International Permaculture Convergence) in Cuba and last year in UK.

At APC13 in WA in October Robin led the ‘Jumping’ on the final day and along with many others also had a turn jumping off the stage. Erin Young and Robin held hands and jumped together into a future of supporting each other to achieve success in Robin’s business in such a way that it creates an income for both Erin and Robin and also for Erin to support Robin to get her next book out there in the world.

The process has started and they recently spent a day brainstorming and planning Robin’s business using Sociocracy as a model to map all the aspects of the business. Yes, Sociocracy can be used for planning in this way as well as to Govern a large corporation or organisation. You are invited to watch this space for collaborations, outcomes, strategies, invitations and offerings.

Our next e-newsletter and series of blogs will feature an article on ‘Jumping’ and also more on Sociocracy.

We had a wonderful, creative and productive residential course for six days in the last week of August. People from all walks of life attended and a highlight was having a few people participate who had been wanting to do the course for several years and had finally made the time to come.
Here’s some of the comments in the feedback forms “I loved the richness and diversity of content in Robin’s course. Everyday overflowing with an abundance of creative processes and opportunities for practising skills in a safe environment.” Clare Hopkins. Artist and Art Therapist.
“Supportive and inclusive of all learners and levels of experience. Fantastic planning and coordination. Space held with beauty, ease and grace.”
“Feeling safe and supported. Excellent facilitation. Creative, spontaneous, yet seamless and highly professional. Practical and hands-on.”

“Robin holds a beautiful nurturing space for creative learning and is generous with her sharing. A fantastic experience.” Tracey Smith
Dates for the next one at Crystal Waters, South East Qld are 16th to 21st October 2017.

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.

by Erin Young

Achieving our dreams and visions for a world that cares for earth, people, spirit and fair share of abundance and resources requires dynamic and effective organisation. This form of organisation is designed with transparency, effectiveness and equal-value, governed by a resilience resembling nature’s inherently sophisticated feedback loops, and provides connection, trust and fulfilment. Sociocracy is a social technology for the governance and facilitation of these groups and organisations. Based on circle process, the methodology allows a clarity of group purpose on macro and micro levels, bringing together all elements of the system through a balanced “power-with” autonomy. Founded on the both/and approach, Sociocracy allows for both flat-structure at the appropriate level and a hierarchy of focus. Each person is invited to become a leader in their domain of influence, collaboratively deciding on operational policy in semi-autonomous self-organising groups in order to achieve the organisational mission.

Stay tuned for a more expansive article on Sociocracy by Erin in other blogs and our next e-newsletter.

Western Australia was alive with it’s amazingly colourful and diverse wild flowers when Robin was there visiting for three weeks in October to attend the APC 13 (Australasian Permaculture Convergence) and present a five day Advanced Permaculture Teachers course. Robin was invited by Ross Mars, the convener of APC 13 and post APC courses, and was hosted very well by Ross, Charles Otway and other PermaWest members.

The convergence was held in the Swan Valley and the weather was atrocious. Flying from warm spring days in Queensland to really cold blistery days for the whole 1st week in WA, the attendees were, like Robin, mostly unprepared and very cold. The spirits of all gathered were really high though and the great connections, time with old friends, valuable networking and interesting presentations and workshops made it all worthwhile.

Robin enjoyed being a Key Presenter at the big public day preceding the Convergence and offered the opening session on the main stage entitled Social Permaculture.

35 people attended her Creative Facilitation workshop at the Convergence and her books, training resources and new educational card games were very well received. A big sellers were her new USB product containing many of her resources digitally and the new Permaculture Principles Card Game.

A highlight of the journey was a two day field trip up to Julie Firth’s abundant semi arid Permaculture property in Geraldton visiting broad acre farms and passing natural spots of beauty along the way.

Robin was joined by two of the new generation of Permaculture teachers, Annaliese Hordern and Charles Otway, to present a dynamic ‘Advanced Permaculture Teachers’ course at Rochingham the week after the convergence. It was located on the beach. Wow! The largest sandpit one could ask for. Robin was able to include the basics of her ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ methodology in amongst a valuable diversity of other sessions. Working with Annaliese and Charles was really wonderful and rich. Participants gave great feedback and there was a feeling afterwards to do it again sometime.

To cap off her journey Robin was hosted at Fair Harvest, a family Permaculture farm in Margaret River run by Jody Lane. It’s the most beautiful, educational and functional farm and hosts guests, students, WWOOFers, Cafe’s, events and festivals. The Saturday saw her and Robina McCurdy from NZ offer a Social Permaculture Day and then Robin followed that with a Dynamic Decision Making day. Once again everyone was really happy and grateful for the learning and Robin, Robina and Jody were all thankful and happy for the time spent together. Robin got to stay in the beautifully fitted out ‘Circus Truck’, acquired from Permaculture song writer and performer Charlie McGee.

Much Gratitude and Honour to all the hosts and participants involved in this magical and successful journey that enabled Robin to share more of her gifts and passion with the world.

Great feedback was received from participants in Robin’s two day Intro to ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ course at Northey Street City Farm recently.

Organised by the Education Coordinator of the farm, Emma Brindle, the course attracted people from as far away as Hong Kong while also catering to employees and teachers at the inner city Brisbane farm. 

“In two days I feel I have gained a more comprehensive framework and set of tools than in my teaching degree.” Ken

“As dense, tasty and wholesome as a slice of sourdough TOAST.”

“The two day intro has opened up a world of possibilities when facilitating groups learning. A must for educators.” Gavin N.S.C.F.

“This course gave me a toolbox of practical processes so I can facilitate exciting, effective learning experiences.” Ronnie Martin