• 'Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning' Creative teachers, Facilitators and Group Leaders Courses

    6 day trainings, shorter workshops and consultancy

  • Robin's Full Re-edited, Reformatted 3rd Edition Book

    Now over 5000 copies sold

  • Robin's New Dynamic Groups Book Due for Release Mid 2016

    Robin's partner Rob Clark has just produced a stunning flier about it

  • Brand New 'Permaculture Principles Card Game'

    PLUS 'Creative Process Wild Cards'

  • Introducing ELFy The Magician to the World

    DaDarrr! Mascot, champion and colourful jigsaw puzzle symbol for Dynamic Groups

  • 'The Love Feast' Dynamic Relationships Retreat and Methodology

    Shorter workshops and private couples sessions available

Recent Posts

Dynamic Groups Course held at Crystal Waters

Here’s an example of one of the Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning courses.

We held this Course over the last week of August 2016. Below is the information if you are interested for 2021! Dates for the next one are 21st to 26th March 2021 at Crystal Waters SE Qld .

Robin’s ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ six day residential course in Australia for 2016 was held at Crystal waters.

Dynamic Groups Card Circle

If you’ve been thinking for ages about doing this course, now’s the time. There’s a good number booked in and still a few places left.

In short, it’s a professional development training to gain more skills, confidence and processes that inspire, inform and create success in all our groups and learning environments. It also increases the good work being done in education, group facilitation and leadership locally and globally.

Click here to see the poster with details and costs

Also see the Dynamic Groups page here

Or read on for more detail and course content.

Magician Elfy
ELFy the Magician is a jigsaw puzzle. When all the pieces are put together you have a successful, dynamic group with everyone’s needs being met. Plus it’s fun and info is retained.

The jigsaw puzzle of groups learning and working together becomes an adventure in Creative Facilitation, Interactive Learning Methods, Personal Empowerment, Confidence Building, Workshop Planning and Skills Development as Robin inspires participants with her cutting edge learning methodology and supports all participants to have the skills, tools and confidence to create dynamic groups and support effective, fun and successful learning environments.

This unique and highly acclaimed 6 day Training, developed and fine-tuned for over 24 years by Robin and Friends, is offered for Facilitators, Teachers, Trainers, Groups Leaders, Workshop Presenters, Change Agents, Community Development Workers and People in Creative, Healing and Sustainability Industries and often includes people involved in Permaculture, Community Gardens, City Farms, Transition Towns Initiatives, Environmental Education, Sustainability and Social Change as well as a sprinkling of conventional teachers, corporate people, healers, business planners, gender workers and key note presenters. people new to training and facilitation also find they are not overwhelmed or out of place.

Course overview

* The course equips people with the understanding and skills of what is ‘best practice’, leading edge’ learning and facilitation methods through immersion and practical hands on experiences.

* It models and creatively empowers participants to create their own Dynamic Groups through putting together all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of what is important and often essential for effective learning and group work to be successful.

This aspect probably makes it the most holistic learning methodology around. The ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ Methodology is used as the basis for the course and by the end everyone has had the experience that ‘Magic happens in dynamic groups and learning happens easily’. Not only do they have this experience but they often get to feel what its like to facilitate this for others in the group.

* It’s about achieving more confidence, fluency and often mastery in the art and skill of facilitating learning as opposed to presenting or teaching information using methods taught in Uni or Teacher Training colleges.

* It’s not designed to assist people to teach a specific subject or topic though it does do that naturally. It’s aimed at supporting people to facilitate, teach, train or present any topic or subject or lead a meeting or group in a way that engages people, is motivating, fun and memorable and where everyone in the group has input and consequently is empowered by the experience. The success of these ‘Dynamic Groups’ is measured by smiling faces and virtually 100% positive feedback.

Creating resources for a presentation at a Crystal Waters 'Dynamic Groups 'Course
Creating resources for a presentation at a Crystal Waters ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning ‘Course

* Creative planning methods and resource development bring much colour and aliveness to the course.

* A huge ‘toolbox’ is built and expands throughout the course, full of creative processes, ‘glue processes’, all kinds of appropriate and useful processes.

* The things that really set it apart from other learning methodologies and courses is the interactive learning environment, the creative processes and the underlying commitment to the empowerment of every person and the whole group.

Community Permaculture

https://vimeo.com/gaiacraft/communitypermaculture

Robin introducing Community Permaculture

When people come together in groups or communities, they are capable of being an empowered force for positive change. Permaculture is a uniquely creative way to facilitate group dynamics and governance.

Robin Clayfield has been facilitating holistic learning programs for individuals, groups and organizations for decades. She is one of the Pioneers of Permaculture and her life’s work has included bringing her dynamic educational methods and processes to people all across the planet. Her many offerings include training on Community Governance and Decision Making as well as Dynamic Learning. 

Film produced by Dana Wilson gaiacraft.com
Robin Clayfield dynamicgroups.com.au
envoy : Delvin Solkinson 
Team : Kym Chi and Annaliese Hordern
Filmed on Location at the Sustainability Centre sustainability-centre.org

 

WA Teachers Course as part of APC and Workshops at Margaret River

Ross Mars, Convener of the Australasian Permaculture Convergence (APC) in WA in October has invited Robin to be the principle trainer of a five day Advanced Permaculture Teachers Course to be held from 10th to 14th October.

Ross Mars APC13 Convener
Ross Mars APC13 Convener

Annaliese Hordern and Charles Otway will join Robin to present the course and Ross and others will have a Special Guest spot. 

APC12 Group Photo
APC12 Group Photo Tasmania

More information, bios about the presenters and bookings can be seen by clicking here on the APC13 Website.

A quick transition will see Robin arrive at Fairharvest in Margaret River, hosted by Jodie Lane and team. She’ll be offering a one day Social Permaculture course on Sunday 16th October, joined by her good friend Robina McCurdy from NZ/Aotearoa. On Monday 17th she’ll also offer her ‘Dynamic Decision Making’ day, ideal for people involved in groups, teams, courses or organisations from any industry or genre.

Fairharvest's logo
Fairharvest’s logo

Click here to see the Social Permaculture Course

Click here to see the Dynamic Decision Making Day

Click here to visit the Fairharvest website

A Glimpse into Robin’s New Book

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  PROCESSES
This 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 routines. They are a perfect team building activity as long as processes are used where everyone involved is comfortable or able to engage in them. They can also be a great way for people to meet each other in different contexts and enjoy themselves. 

A Completion Feast at a Crystal Waters Permaculture Course
A Completion Feast at a Crystal Waters Permaculture Course

There are many ways to celebrate, from the traditional feast or party through to gently yet deeply acknowledging every person in the room and celebrating their skills, talents and/or inner beauty and wisdom. Activities to associate with celebration include music, impassioned speeches, group singing or chants, dance, toasts, childlike games… jumping into the next project to wild applause, balloons, streamers, colour. Vibrant whooshes of energy up and out to the world or to a person or group in the middle of the circle. Vibrant noise and delicious decadent food often come to mind when the word celebration is mentioned. Certificates, gifts and awards are often involved while encouraging people to dress up in fancy dress can add to a raised level of energy. 

Consider more gentle ways to celebrate. Sacred chanting, stepping over a thresh-hold into the new, walking a labyrinth or creating archways or massage tunnels for people to walk through or be passed through slowly.  A special note on a decorated card or leaf for a person who is leaving or one written thoughtfully for each person in the group can be tied to a tree or branch for discovery and distribution later.

ACTIVITY: In your companion journal, brainstorm all the processes and activities you know of that help groups celebrate. Add any from this page or that you notice in this book then make up at least two processes that could celebrate each person in your group for what they contribute. Also brainstorm any tools, props, elements, resources, foods, themes, music styles, costumes and the like that you consider celebratory. Now you have a big tool box of ideas and inspiration to select from next time a celebration is called for.

PROCESS: How Long is a Ball of String?

A String Web which can be used for celebrating each person
A String Web which can be used for celebrating each person in the group

This is a powerful and beautiful process which gives space for each person to have one turn sharing how the course, group or activity was and feel the bonding that has been formed.
Ask everyone to stand in a circle and have a ball of string hidden somewhere on your body, in your pocket or behind your back.
Explain that each person will get an opportunity to share something as a completion statement to the group. It may be something that you really enjoyed, the thing you most loved or valued, a statement of acknowledgement or gratitude, some constructive feedback, your fondest memory…
As the Facilitator, begin by making a statement that models the process then hold onto the end of the string and pass or throw the ball across the circle to someone else.
Ask them to share their statement then hold onto the string at the point that holds it in tension with the strand that came from you, and pass to throw the ball to someone else across the circle from them.
Each time someone shares they take a firm hold on the string as the web weaves and then pass or throw the ball on. As the process continues till everyone has held the string and shared a statement, the pattern builds, fills in more and more and creates a wonderful web of connection and strength between the group.
Once everyone has shared it may be appropriate to acknowledge everyone for their contributions and participation. Point out the web as a testimony of how strong and connected the group is and the many gifts that were given and received by everyone. Ask others for their views and analogies of the web as well.
One way to complete this is to then all gently gather in the string and roll it into one ball and place it in a special place out in nature somewhere or in a bowl or nest.

Heart Permaculture – A video made in UK by Gaiacraft Team 2016

Thanks to Dana Wilson, Delvin Solkinson and the dynamic Gaiacraft Team, Robin Clayfield’s life grab, entitled ‘Heart Permaculture’ is now available for you to look at. Robin was invited to be interviewed on camera and the outcome is four short video clips plus this one, presented to a 45 person audience during the Social Permaculture Course in UK last September. Can you tell there are 45 people watching? It’s also way there’s no direct eye contact with the camera as she’s scanning and speaking to the whole audience.

https://vimeo.com/gaiacraft/heartpermaculture

Other videos by the Gaiacraft Team about Robin’s work and thoughts can be seen on the Video’s page

Dynamic Groups and Creative Facilitation

Future Permaculture

and the Seeding Social Permaculture Slide Show to Music from the course in UK, September 2016

Enjoy and share if you’d like to show others and support Robin’s work.

Social Permaculture Weekend 10th and 11th September

Social Permaculture Course at Crystal Waters EcoVillage
Social Permaculture Course at Crystal Waters EcoVillage

Robin’s excited to let you know about the Social Permaculture Weekend coming up at Crystal Waters Eco-Village on 10th and 11th September. Occasionally she offers a one day version when invited by interested groups. Last year she was part of the facilitation team for a five day Social Permaculture course in England with Starhawk, Robina McCurdy, Looby Macnamara and Peter Cow. 45 participants received the benefits of these experienced and passionate Permaculture educators.

Robina McCurdy is visiting Australia for a couple of months so Robin’s grabbed the opportunity and invited her to collaborate and offer this one off weekend experience and exploration of Social Permaculture.

It will especially appeal and be useful for anyone working in group situations, from course and group  leaders and facilitators to transition group participants, workplace teams, community groups, social enterprises, even families.

Topics will include:-

  • What is Social Permaculture?
  • Using the Principles of Permaculture and applying them to social change and social design
  • Building group effectiveness and supporting the purpose of your group
  • Group dynamics, group culture and group work skills
  • Group and personal ‘Inputs and Outputs’, Zones and Sectors
  • Motivation and confidence to act for change and be involved in group activities
  • Interactive experience and group communication skills

email robin@earthcare.com.au to register or for more information

and here’s a link to the FaceBook Event Invite