[Peakoil-announce] [Fwd: Training for Transition 2 Day Course 25-26 July Bega, NSW + soon in Canberra]

[Alex Pollard]

Thanks to Keith and NSF for passing this on.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [NSF] Training for Transition 2 Day Course 25-26 July Bega, NSW +
soon in Canberra
From:    "Nature and Society Forum" <office at natsoc.org.au>
Date:    Wed, July 22, 2009 13:34
To:      "ACT members of - NSF" <office at natsoc.org.au>
         "Community building & SEE-Change interest group - NSF"
<anb at natsoc.org.au>
         "Regional sustainability interest group - NSF" <myrmecia at gmail.com>
         "Simple, sustainable living - NSF" <keith at evfit.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The outline below of the course this weekend reflects very well on
those human dynamos down in Bega!

Thanks to Barbara Chevalier for passing this on to us and also for
helping to organize a similar event here in Canberra soon.
--------------------------------------------------
Keith Thomas
Office Manager
Nature and Society Forum
www.natsoc.org.au --- www.biosensitivefutures.org
02-6125 2526 (Mon & Wed mornings) Mobile: 0412 487 625
--------------------------------------------------


Begin forwarded message:

From: "Barbara Chevalier" <barbchev at netspeed.com.au>
Date: 21 July 2009 1:44:44 PM
Subject: [CDNet] Training for Transition 2 Day Course July 25-26 Bega,
NSW

I've been asked by John Barlow, who coordinates the Training for
Transition, to circulate this information. Please forward to your
networks as you see fit.  We are planning a Canberra based event in
the next two to three months and will give you more notice!

Training for Transition 2 Day Course July 25-26 Bega, NSW
... to inspire, encourage, and inform people who wish to undertake the
Transition process.

2 Day Course July 25-26 Bega, NSW

This course is for people looking for sustainable solutions who
recognise
the environmental, social and economic benefits that occur when
communities
work together to reach common goals.

On completing the course participants will:

• have a clear understanding of the context for transition towns, and
the
transformational possibilities that arise from the twin challenges of
climate change and peak oil

• know what the TT model is - including an in depth look at the key 12
steps,
from inspiration, setting up the initiating group, all the way to having
active and effective working groups and have experienced a joint
visioning
process

• understand how to organise effective meetings such as public talks,
open
space days and small theme working groups

• understand the purpose and principles of an Energy Descent Plan

• have formed useful contacts with other Transition initiatives

• have an initial plan of action for themselves and their locality.
===============================
VENUE: SERTEC training room, Bega.

DATE: July 25th Saturday 9am-5pm AND 26th Sunday 9am-5pm

COST: introductory price of $180 per person for the course, concession
is available.

FOOD: Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. Please
inform us of any dietary requirements. If you are interested in coming
together for a dinner on Saturday please say so - it is a great
opportunity to network.

ACCOMMODATION: If you require accommodation please contact us. We have
limited billeting options available and can recommend a variety of
accommodation to suit your needs and budget.

PLACES: Booking early is essential this course can take a maximum of
22 people.

CONTACT:
John Barlow, 0413 880207, john.barlow at guru.com.au  OR
Derek Povel, 0409 921657, begaplants at bigpond.com  OR
Ray Buckley, 0407 170577, mountainvalleyvegies at gmail.com

TRAINERS: John Barlow, Derek Povel, and Ray Buckley
The Transition Town "Training for Transition" course is recognised by
the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

For more information about the Transition movement, see:
http://nswcommunities.org.au/setts.html

for SE New South Wales Transition Towns
http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionHub-Australia

The book that started it all - now an Australian & NZ chapter added:
http://www.newint.com.au/shop/transition-handbook-2414.htm?gclid=CNTTwOrH45sCFcItpAodrU8C_Q

The Transition Network: Mission, Principles, Structure and Strategy
group co-wrote a document that describes what they are and what they
do. You can see it at:
http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/12Steps
http://transitionculture.org/2008/10/15/fireworks-and-dancing-elephants-the-transition-network-structure-document-is-finished/

"1. Local initiatives
There are now many hundreds of local Transition initiatives, with more
forming all the time, many of the early ones now well advanced in
producing
Energy Descent Plans (A plan to manage with less fossil fuel after Peak
Oil). Transition has begun to make a lot of difference to people's
lives,
especially those active in it.

. Social: It provides a rich social life, with frequent social events
big
and small: shared meals, parties, meetings. Typically after a shared
meal
there might be swapping and trading, or a lecture, film or discussion to
govern the Initiative, often followed by music and dancing. People
know each
other better, and work closely together in many ways.

. Food: People source a lot more of their food from local producers,
often
organic. They increasingly share produce grown in their gardens and
allotments and some new community gardens. They have well-organised
deliveries from local farms and farmers' markets. There are a growing
number
of newly-established Community Supported Agriculture schemes, and peri-
urban
market gardens. A few are experimenting with pig and chicken clubs, and
community bakeries are starting to mill local flour. Some people are
cooking
prepared meals for time-pressed neighbours. Many people are learning
to cook
and garden for the first time, with Transition groups offering
training and
reskilling in both.

. Transport: Fuel for personal car use has become much more expensive
than 3
years ago, so Transition groups' Transport theme groups have organised
ride
share schemes, collection and delivery systems for children, shoppers
and
social events. Living without a car is now possible in a way that it
wasn't
3 years previously. Car share schemes mean that people have access to
borrowed or hired larger vehicles when they need them. There is a lot
more
cycling among the fit and healthy, and the high price of fuel has
meant that
many businesses now encourage people to work from home where possible.

. Household Energy: Transition initiatives have, with funding from their
local authorities, initiated 'insulation clubs', where people have
learned
the best ways of reducing household heating needs and help each other
do it.
Numerous tricks and tips to use less energy have become popular. A
growing
number of Transition initiatives have now set up Energy Services
Companies
(ESCOs), owned by the community, to provide locally generated
electricity
through community-owned wind, solar, hydro and biomass schemes.

. Re-use, recycling, repair: Many local schemes have been started to
extend
the life of clothes, repair goods and appliances, creating some part-
time
employment. Workshops in making do and repairing are commonplace, often
inviting older people to share their undervalued skills with younger
generations. Much of the local food is distributed in re-usable
containers.
Transition initiatives are facilitating the bulk-buying of goods
designed
for durability and which can be repaired when needed.

. Local economy: People have begun to do a lot of organised trading and
exchange with each other, sometimes for money, sometimes for local
currency,
but very often as favours. They give and receive goods that they no
longer
want, help each other with childcare, rides, deliveries, and many other
services. Groups of young people offer 'technical support' on anything
from
computers to DVDs. This enables people's money to go much further, and
provides some income for those without jobs. They have identified the
like-minded local independent businesses and tradespeople whom they
preferentially patronise, and give them ratings and recommendations on
their
websites.

. Other aspects of community: People are learning that grassroots
self-organisation takes a certain amount of effort and are beginning to
learn how to do it well. Some people volunteer to look after aspects
of the
whole of the local transition initiative. There are groups set up to
handle
conflicts between people, to provide emotional support and counselling
when
needed, but also to co-ordinate the initiative: to help keep the theme
groups in touch with each other and working synergistically, to plan
for the
future, and to systematically consult on policy decisions."


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