What is ‘Community Building '?
These workshops are 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.)
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:

• communicate with authenticity
• deal effectively with difficult issues
• bridge differences with integrity
• are alert to destructive behaviours
• relate with respect
• are more psychologically healthy and spiritually aware
• can effectively use consensual decision making

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.

  Trevor, pictured left

“Mmmm.. Think I'll just be a "fly on the wall". You know, just watch, see what's going on, what people have to say and take it all in. Of course I would "contribute" with the odd comment and observation. Finally saw that as less than genuine so I jumped in.

So what makes community? What sets it apart from just a club or a group? Even, what IS community and how do you know if you're in one? These were questions I was starting to ask in the beginnings of the workshop.

Sorry, no definitive answers! The healthy changing dynamics of community probably makes that impossible. But I have learned that for community to happen you have to give. Not so much giving what you do, but giving who you really are.  I now realise that's the greater gift.”          …Trevor

Penina, pictured left .

“When I first put my name down to attend CBW, I was feeling very neutral about the whole thing. I didn't know anything much about it, or what even happens. I really just went on recommendation from someone I trusted. So I was neither excited nor dreading it, but come Friday morning, I was really dragging my feet. From the time I woke up, every single minute, I had to force myself not to ring up and cancel.  You see, I'm a wife and a mother of 4, and in the process of that, I have lost myself and my own identity. So to attend something for a whole weekend with out them, was a big leap.
 
I was totally out of my element being away from my role as a mum, or a wife, and the type of people in the group were not my usual crowd, so I was feeling very uncomfortable and insecure, and I found myself wondering why I do these things to myself. Why do I step outside my comfort zone? Why do I challenge myself?
 
Although I didn't have any specific expectations of CBW, my hope was that I might find another level that was better than my (present) OK. I hear some people experience life that way (better than OK), and, I guess, I was wondering if that could be possible for me?
 
What I got  was more than I bargained for! CBW is set up and run in such a way that I felt safe enough to experiment with emotions and actions that I would normally push down, and not dare to try. Some of those feelings I would have never imagined myself giving voice to. . . but many other people did, and so that somehow made it OK for me to try too.
 
I was surprised to see parts of me talking, that haven't been expressed in decades! I heard a side of me that doesn't get to speak up, for fear of hurting someone's feelings. I heard a side of me that doesn't get to giggle uncontrollably, for fear of being stupid and out of control, and I heard a side of me that doesn't open up and be vulnerable in public, for fear of rejection.
 
As well as the nice happy times, there were the times when I felt like I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want to be seen; but it was persisting through all the many emotions, highs and lows, which made the weekend as a whole, such a wonderful thing. 

I am thrilled to have been a part of something so amazing. By the end of the  weekend, I didn't want to leave.  The feeling of community was exhilarating. I felt alive!  And it blew my mind, that I could feel so close to a group of people, that only 48 hours earlier, were strangers.
 
And so THIS is the reason I step outside my comfort zone!  This is the reason I challenge myself! . . . because risk always reaps rewards :-)”                …Penina
 
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 groups specific needs

Facilitator
Shane Holst has been facilitating Community Building Workshops for over 10 years. A trainer, coach and author, 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 another’s' 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 $155 per person per day for Saturday and Sunday. $80 per person for Friday evening. Costs include all meals and accommodation.
$20 per person for each of the follow-up sessions + travel expenses for facilitator.

To make an inquiry or booking:

Contact Shane Holst on 0427 070 900
or shane@altruism.org.au