OPSEU Train the Trainer 2010

In 2010, the Training and Development Unit will be offering 2 Train the Trainer programs - the regular Train the Trainer 1 and a brand new course called “Strengthening Facilitator Skills Level

Train the Trainer 1: Focus on Facilitation Skills and OPSEU Courses

Monday April 12, 5:00 p.m. to Thursday April 15, 1:30 p.m.

This course introduces participants to the theory and practice of activist education used at OPSEU. Its focus is effective facilitation and co-facilitation, with special emphasis on the delivery of new OPSEU courses. Participants will extend their methods and skills to introduce a variety of activities, take up small group work, lead large group discussions, address common conflicts and tensions, build community and equity amongst participants and develop action emerging from union education.

NEW!!!!  Strengthening Facilitation Skills Level 2

Monday November 1, 5:00 p.m.  to Thursday November 4, 1:30

Are you an experienced facilitator of OPSEU meetings and education in your local, sector or region?  Have you ever wished you could have stimulated better discussion, challenged disrespectful remarks more gracefully, or handled tense group dynamics more effectively?

OPSEU’s new Strengthening Facilitation Skills Level 2 is designed for members and staff with at least five years experience of OPSEU facilitation work. It’s for facilitators with previous facilitator training, and with a demonstrated commitment to union meetings and education that mobilizes and builds solidarity between members.

By the end of this 3-day course you will have:

• reconnected with the basics of OPSEU mobilizing education

• self-assessed your own learning and facilitation styles

• practiced a variety of facilitation strategies to address conflict and/or inequities in group dynamics

• developed some practical approaches for running inclusive and mobilizing union meetings

• created some approaches using physical energy and laughter to build community and action in groups.

How do members apply?  

1.  Complete the attached questionnaire (Microsoft Word .doc) and send it to Betty Stevens in Training and Development either by fax 416 443-0180 or e-mail (bstevens@opseu.org).

Applications for Train the Trainer 1 deadline: Friday February 26, 2010.

Applications for Strengthening Facilitation Skills Level 2  deadline: Friday September 17, 2010 (for facilitators with 5 years experience and previous training)

2. On your questionnaire you must demonstrate support from a Board Member in your region. Once your completed questionnaire has been received, you will be put on the waiting list.

3. The day after application deadline, the list of applicants from your region will be sent to your RVP to review with the other two board members. Based on the number of spaces available after staff participants have been established, each RVP will confirm with Training and Development Unit, within 14 calendar days, the member(s) from their region who will attend.  RVPs are asked to make their decisions based on the criteria outlined below.

4.  The Training and Development Unit will compile this list and send it to the President’s Office for final approval.

5. Each program’s approved list of participants receives a formal invitation to attend from the President’s Office.

Selection Criteria

As far as possible, we encourage participation in the Train the Trainer Program from OPSEU members who:

·         can demonstrate their interest and involvement  in union education and facilitation

·         can identify how they will apply the training (not just in OPSEU regional education, but also in work with locals, sectors and committees)

·         play leadership roles (i.e. stewards, sit on OPSEU committees. All these roles require process skills in running bringing people together, running meetings, etc.)

·         in the spirit of union renewal, are young workers, particularly young activists who are aboriginal, or people of colour, or workers with a disability

·         are recommended by an Executive Board member from their region

Applicants for the new Strengthening Facilitation Skills 2 should have:

·     at least 5 years experience of OPSEU facilitator work

·     previous facilitator training

·    demonstrated commitment to union meetings and education that mobilizes and builds solidarity between members.

 

We try to ensure that collectively, each Train the Trainer program has representation:

·         by region

·         by sector

·         gender, age, racial and cultural backgrounds, ability/disability

We encourage Board Members to help us apply these criteria in recommending the best possible participants for this program – activists who can help strengthen local, sectoral and regional education.