Community Building benefits 

Teams
Community organisations
Managers & Leaders
Clubs
Religious groups
Teachers
Committees

Community Building is especially effective for

Those organisations or groups seeking increased awareness or creation of greater cohesion, co-operation & respect

Established organisations wanting to go to the next level

New organisations or groups

Groups needing increased productivity

Difficult groups

Organisations in trouble

Struggling groups or committees

Those who are confused or have lost their way

Community Building can be designed to meet your organisation's or group's specific needs

Based on the writings of the late best-selling author and psychiatrist

Dr M Scott Peck
(author of The Road Less Travelled, The Different Drum and People of the Lie )

Altruism Australia

Presents

… the opportunity to experience the unique and powerful process of authentic community through programs, seminars and workshops

Testimonials 

I emerged from the weekend knowing the other participants better than my own family! …J.A.

I wondered how it would help our organization. It was risky. But I am so glad we did take the risk as the workshop brought us all much closer which improved our enjoyment and productivity out of sight. Amazing! ...M.L. (CEO)

I discovered my courage, me … S.T.

A great place to gain an understanding of spirit, passion and love … D.W.

What is ‘ Community Building '?

Based on his book, ‘The Different Drum' in 1984 Dr M Scott Peck and ten others founded the Foundation for Community Encouragement in the USA . It was the charter of this organisation to help individuals and groups understand ‘true, authentic community' and how to build and maintain community.

Community Building (CB) programs, seminars and workshops help us to learn how to develop true community which in turn results in relationships, groups and teams that:

 Shane Holst has been facilitating CB for almost 10 years. A psychotherapist & writer, Shane is the Founder of Altruism Australia, Australian Humanitarian Awards and Turtle Awards – acknowledging leaders who stick their necks out for the common good .

Shane is one of very few Australians (less than 15 people) trained by M Scott Pecks' authorised CB trainers.

And Shane has kept himself up-to-date with advances and new insights in the CB process through M Scott Peck's trainer and facilitator, Jerry Hampton, USA (who has facilitated more Peck endorsed CB workshops and seminars, globally, than anyone else).

The Process

Most groups pass through four stages in the community building process; each stage is essential to the outcome.

The first stage is characterised by participants being polite but not very authentic. In fact, some groups try to fake community at this stage by pointing out the similarities between members. Members of the group seek only the safety of finding similarities. Differences are ignored or glossed over.

During the second stage differences are no longer ignored. Individuals try to fix or convert others to their ways of thinking, their perceptions. Those given to harsh or even abusive comments, attempt to do so during this stage. Attempted manipulative (controlling) behaviour surfaces. Frequently group members do not listen properly to one another – they are only interested in their own interpretation of what is being said. The group acknowledges that there are differences among the members and then tries to obliterate them (get back to the safety of stage one).

At the third stage individuals in the group examine their barriers to authentic communication. These barriers include preconceived expectations, fears, prejudices, stubborn beliefs, the need to control, and the need to solve one anothers' problems (fix and rescue others). Real listening (there is a powerful 2 hours exercise to demonstrate real communication), authentic sharing and periods of deep, comfortable silence are characteristics of the third stage. People find their courage. Deep authenticity with self is experienced along with a wonderful acceptance of self and others – our ‘humanness, skills, talents, goals and dreams' are celebrated.

Community is the fourth stage. When this stage is reached the full range of emotions, thoughts, perspectives, spiritualities, psychologies and personalities can be acknowledged, expressed, accommodated, embraced, nurtured and respected. Even though community is the ideal, it is not a static state that once reached never changes. Community can be palpable to some and subtle to others.

A group may be in a very profound state of community and yet there may be an individual who does not feel as if he or she is a part of the group. Everyone in the group does not always experience community at the same time.

These stages of the community building process are not linear; they do not necessarily happen in order with one stage immediately following the other. A group may touch stage 3 and then quickly return to stage 2. Or a group in stage 2 may go back to a more subtle form of stage 1. CB is a dynamic process. Identifying the stages is a guideline for understanding both the process a group goes through to become a community and the most common behaviour of individuals during this process.

 The Details

Initial consultations, whether by phone or in person, are free.

All programs / formats can be tailored to suit your unique situation / requirements.

 The 4 hour program

• focuses on authentic communication (participatory and experiential)
• the CB process (theory)
• a psychological exercise to gain a unique person insight
• one two-hour follow-up session to discuss queries arising from program
• min 10 participants - max 120 participants

  Cost $35 per person for the 4 hours program, $20 per person for the follow-up session + travel expenses for the facilitator.

 The all day CB program

• authentic communication (participatory and experiential)
• the CB process (theory)
• strong experiential and psychological exercises to gain person and group dynamics insight
• discussion of real group conflicts and difficulties and how the CB process helps – interactive question and answer – some conflicts and difficulties are dealt with
• three two-hour follow-up sessions to deal with and integrate program insights
• handouts covering the CB process
• minimum 15 participants - maximum 60 participants

Cost $55 per person for the day, $20 per person for each of the follow-up sessions. Travel expenses & lunch for the facilitator.

 The full residential weekend
( Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. , Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. , Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

• focuses on authentic communication (participatory and experiential)
• the CB process (theory)
• strong experiential and psychological exercise to gain person and group dynamics insight
• community building exercises,
• experience all four stage of CB,
• real group conflicts and difficulties are dealt with
• pre workshop, post workshop and CB process hand-outs
• six two-hour follow-up sessions to deal with and integrate workshop insights
• minimum 12 participants - maximum 35.

Cost $55 per person per day for Saturday and Sunday. $30 per person for Friday evening. $20 per person for each of the follow-up sessions + travel expenses for facilitator.

It is the responsibility of the host to provide venue and meals for all participants and facilitator.

 To make an inquiry or booking:

 Contact Shane Holst on 03 9889 0077 mob:0427 070 900 or shane@altruism.org.au