Tools for Change

[thugsb]

People may be interested in this workshop: Advanced Meeting Facilitation for Change Makers

http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/07/30/advancedmeetingfacilitation/

This workshop is for people who have some facilitation experience within social movement groups and organizations. Learn advanced meeting facilitation techniques, practice facilitation and receive critical feedback. Participants must apply to attend this workshop.

Time: Saturday, September 30, 1pm - 5pm.

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus.

Trainer: Jessica Bell, M. Ed., works as a facilitator and social movement trainer. She is a steering committee member of TTCriders and co-founder of the Tools for Change training program. She also teaches advocacy and government relations in the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Management Program at Ryerson University.

Generally a very useful site with good resources that we should keep our eye on. http://www.toolsforchange.net/

[Milan]

I have registered to participate in this event. I very much encourage other people to do so, particularly if they want to serve on the executive of Toronto 350.org (once we have gained official status as a club).

[Milan]

Some of the materials for distribution at the workshop are now available online:

http://www.jessicabell.org/?p=1101

[Milan]

[Milan]

Introduction to Media for Campaigns
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/15/introduction-to-media-for-campaigns
Thursday, October 4, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
This workshop will help activists understand how the mainstream media works, and how to use it as at tool in your campaigns for social, economic and ecological change. We will cover the basics of how to write compelling press releases, give great interviews, and develop frames and messages that are effective and in line with your goals.

Meeting with Government and Elected Officials
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/13/meetingwithgovernment/
Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Politicians, their staff, and high-ranking government employees hold significant formal power in society, including legislative power. While it is often not useful to exclusively rely on a lobbying strategy, politicians can help us achieve our social, environmental, and economic goals.  This workshop will provide you with the tools you need to get the most of your meetings with elected officials.  Topics to be covered include: when is it useful to meet with elected officials and when is not useful, what to ask for, who to bring, how to negotiate, how to prepare, and how to best deal with 'friendlies' and 'opponents'.

Introduction to Meeting Facilitation for Change Makers
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/16/introduction-to-meeting-facilitation-for-change-makers
Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Learn and practice key tools, techniques and approaches that will help you effectively facilitate meetings within your group. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their facilitation skills and receive critical feedback.

How To Host a Workshop
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/15/how-to-host-a-workshop
Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Sharing knowledge is a critical component of social change work. This training will cover the principles of workshop design and delivery including: how to create a comfortable learning environment, manage workshop logistics, and choose content and tools that caters to different learning styles and levels of participation. The workshop will explore strategies to deal with common challenges workshop leaders face. Participants will have the opportunity to create a simple workshop design and get feedback.

Advanced Media Skills
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/22/advanced-media-skills-workshop/
Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Learn how to develop a media strategy for a long term social change initiative. The training will also cover framing, story-based narrative analysis, understanding the media story cycle, and building relationships with reporters.

Campaign Planning
http://www.toolsforchange.net/2012/08/27/campaign-planning-workshop-1pm-5pm-nov-17-2012/
Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
This workshop will help you plan and execute a winning campaign plan to help you achieve your goals. Learn the basic components of a campaign, as well as how to choose strategic goals, strategies, and tactics.

[Milan]

Even more upcoming workshops:

Research Skills for Activists and Independent Journalists
Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4666797517/eorg
This workshop will introduce participants to a banquet of research skills and techniques from a variety of fields. Facilitators will use storytelling to give concrete examples of ways to apply advanced google techniques, freedom-of-information requests, archival research, private eye tricks, crowd sourcing, database skills, and many other skills. Jammed-packed from edge to edge, this session will be a chance for novice and expert researchers alike to pick up skills they can use everyday.
Trainer: Tim Groves is an investigative reporter and an organizer with the Toronto Media Co-op.

Political Writing 101
Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652359332/eorg
In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to think carefully about the writing process itself, learn effective methods for improvement, and develop approaches to (alternative) publishing.
Trainer: Clare O'Connor is a Toronto-based writer and activist. From 2008 to 2012, she served on the editorial committee for Upping the Anti: A journal of theory and action.

Self-defense: Politics and Practice
Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4669483551/eorg
Our experiences of violence impact our lives and our activism. To challenge patriarchy, colonialism and capitalism, we need to be able to ourselves and our communities. Join us for a physical self-defense workshop and a discussion about gender norms and the right to anger, to healthy agression and the pathologizing of women who fight back.
Location: Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Gym, 388 Carlaw Av, Unit #108 (Located just south of Gerrard St, on the main floor of the building.)
Trainer: Jen Danch is an activist, amateur boxer and survivor of gender-based violence. She is currently the Coordinator of Shape Your Life, a free recreational boxing project for women and trans survivors of violence. www.torontonewsgirls.com/shapeyourlife

Avoiding Activist Burnout
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652339272/eorg
This workshop aims to break down the stigma surrounding activist burnout, offer some constructive solutions for how to get back from the brink of burnout, and tips how to prevent it in yourself and members of your group.
Trainer: Angela Bichoff is the Outreach Director for the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

Grassroots Fundraising
Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4668223783/eorg
This workshop will help you prepare to develop a strategic fundraising plan for your grassroots social or ecological justice group. The workshop will focus on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of common grassroots fundraising methods including events, membership donations, small grants, contributions from NGOs and unions, online, etc, with an eye to assessing what will be most effective and appropriate for your group.  We will also offer tips on best practices, including case studies of effective fundraising efforts.
Trainer: Paul Tucker is an educator and organizer based in Toronto. He has fundraised for grassroots groups as well as professionally for registered non-profits.

Direct Action 101
Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652465650/eorg
Learn the skills necessary for organizing and participating in a direct action. The workshop will cover basic action strategy and planning, group decision-making, roles and responsibilities, execution, and post-action follow up.
Trainers:  Natalie Caine has been involved in direct action led campaigning in Europe and Canada for nearly a decade. She has worked on issues ranging from anti-war, environment, migration, and the eradication of racism and xenophobia. Currently she's the volunteer program coordinator at Greenpeace Canada.
David Sone has organized a broad range of direct actions in support of environmental justice and indigenous sovereignty for over a decade. He currently works as a campaigner at Earthroots and supports Grassy Narrows and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Indigenous Nations.

Get on the Mic! Public Speaking Workshop
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4658876826/eorg
Public speaking can be intimidating and difficult, especially when you’re talking about social change and inspiring people to action. Learn some tips that will help you build your confidence and get you on that mic or megaphone!
Trainer: Sarah Vance is an organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty.

[pres...@toronto350.org]

These are materials from the Tools for Change campaign planning workshop