We are very excited to once again be a community partner in this great event.

Wednesday, May 1 at 1:30 pm
Thursday, May 2, at 11 am and 1:30 pm
Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 pm
Free Admission but Donations Welcome
Roundhouse Community Arts Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews)

Some Assembly Theatre Company is now in its 12th year creating and presenting youth driven plays with its Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group Project (RHY-TAG).  Sticks & Scones explores Bullying in its different forms ranging from online to school hallways, examining how we all have a role in ending the cycle of violence and abuse.  Written and performed by VANCOUVER YOUTH in collaboration with Some Assembly theatre artists Valerie Methot, Ken Lawson, Jeremy Baxter, Chandra Lesmeister with guest artists Anna Talbot and Allen Morrison. Sticks & Scones is being presented free of charge for the public with talkback sessions following each performance at the Roundhouse Performance Centre May 1–4 as part of National Youth Arts Week.
 
Sticks & Scones follows the journey of Teddy, a teenager who disappears for a year after being traumatized from being bullied. He resurfaces at a new school and, regardless of the consequences, attempts to avoid becoming the target again…. and the results ripple throughout the community. With humour and hope, Sticks & Scones humanizes bullies, bystanders and those who are targeted.  It also looks at the issue of cyberbullying, and the false sense that the bully may feel no responsibility for his/her actions through online anonymity.
The Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group Project (RHY-TAG) engages diverse populations of youth and the community at large using theatre as the artistic tool to inspire awareness and discussion of youth ideas and concerns. The project was awarded the City of Vancouver Youth Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Youth Community.”

RHY-TAG is a Roundhouse Youth Theatre Artist Residency with Some Assembly Arts Society and its artists: Valerie Methot, Ken Lawson, Chandra Lesmeister and Jeremy Baxter with guest artists Anna Talbot, Allen Morrison.
 
Some Assembly produces new and original theatre collaborations between youth community members and professional theatre artists. Since 2002 Some Assembly has been creating and presenting inspirational plays with the RHY-TAG project to build awareness, promote wellness and encourage dialogue about issues facing youth today.
 
Some Assembly Partners and Funders
Partners: Vancouver Coastal Health, Roundhouse Community Centre
Funders: BC Arts Council, Province of British Columbia, Canada Council for the Arts, City of Vancouver citizenU, BC Gaming, Vancouver Foundation.
Community Partners: Watari, VSB, Peernet BC, Methotical Productions, National Youth Arts Week.

Please call the office at 604-733-6186 or email at info@peernetbc.com if you have any questions or problems with registration.

March 5, 2013 6pm Principles of Peer Support

March 7, 2013 6pm Power and Diversity

March 12, 2013 6pm Communication Fundamentals I: Proactive Skills Part 1

March 14, 2013 6pm Communication Fundamentals I: Proactive Skills Part 2

March 23, 2013 10am Introduction To Facilitation

April 13, 2013 10am Communication Fundamentals II: Resolving Group Breakdowns and Conflict

April 16, 2013 6pm Introduction to Group Decision Making

April 18, 2013 6pm Understanding Individual Learning Styles

April 23, 2013 6pm Exploring Facilitation Skills

May 9, 2013 6pm Boundaries and Self Care

May 18, 2013 10am Levelling Power Imbalances

May 23, 2013 6pm Models of Group Decision Making

May 30, 2013 6pm Community Engagement

June 6, 2013 6pm Leadership

The event is called Black Before February and features two performances. The first is on Friday January 26th at 5pm, an evening showcasing powerful and innovative women. The second starts at 3pm on Saturday the 27th featuring a film screening with a panel discussion on media, representation, creation and intention.

I hope to see you there!

The Building Inclusive Communities Project works with communities across British Columbia to participate in intergenerational mentorship and community-building projects. All participants work with project teams in their home communities

Building Inclusive Communities (BIC)
Program Application

What is BIC?
Building Inclusive Communities (BIC) is a 10-month program that brings together youth and other community members to work cooperatively on a community engagement project based on The Society of Children & Youth’s Making Your Community More Child and Youth Friendly Toolkit.  Participants strengthen their facilitation and community engagement skills through workshops, learning circles, and hands-on project coordination. The foundation for these inter-generational projects is an ongoing two-way mentorship exchange between participants.  For the 2013 program year, 12 people will be selected to participate in the BIC program.

There are three main components to the BIC program:

1.    Six days of training on community engagement practices and concepts.  The initial training will be held on April 6th & 7th and the second training on July 20th & 21st, and the third training, October 26th & 27th.    
2.    10 monthly learning circles to explore ideas emerging from the training and the project experience.
3.    Working either in intergenerational pairs or small groups, participants will use the Toolkit to undertake a community-based child and youth friendly project.

What will you get out of this experience?

• Mentoring & coaching from staff at PeerNetBC and The Society of Children and Youth (SCY)
• Extensive training and practice in facilitation and community engagement skills
• Opportunities for intergenerational learning and experience in a mentoring relationship
• Experience in community-based project management
• Increased understanding of how to make communities more child & youth friendly
• Community-based networking opportunities
• Deepen existing intergenerational friendships and / or develop new friendships
• A $25 honorarium for each training day and learning circle attended (total of $350)

Successful applicants will…

• Either have applied as part of an intergenerational pair / small group or have interests and background experience that match with another person / small group to form an intergenerational pair / group.
• Possess a passion for social justice and the betterment of child & youth friendly communities
• Have a basic understanding of peer support theory
• Have some experience in facilitation or leading community-based projects
• Be able to attend the three Training Sessions scheduled for the weekends of  April 6th & 7th, July 20th & 21st, and October 26th & 27th.

Important Note for people applying from out of town:  
We have funding to cover travel & accommodation costs for three 2-day training sessions for 2 people per community outside the lower mainland.
Youth travelling without a parent or guardian must be 18 years or older.

How to apply…

Step 1)

• Fill out the application form here
• Submissions can be done individually or if you are applying as a pair or small group, the submission can be done collectively

It may be helpful to check out the PeerNetBC & SCY websites before you write your submission (www.peernetbc.com and www.scyofbc.org)

Step 2)

• If possible, please also include resumes for each applicant (maximum 2 pages per person)

Step 3)

• Email, fax or hand-deliver the application to PeerNetBC:
• Email: lydia@peernetbc.com
• Fax: 604.730.1015
• Office Location: Unit 408 – 602 West Hastings, Vancouver, BC (open 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday) however, please call before coming to confirm someone will be in the office. Phone: 604.733.6186

Deadline for Application is Friday, March 1st 2013 midnight

To register for any of these workshops, go to the registration page. Please email us if you have any questions about the workshops.

Principles of Peer Support

Tue, Oct 02 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

The principles of peer support are the foundational elements for creating successful peer-led groups. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the principles, identify differences between groups that are peer-led and those that are not, and learn how to create authentic, well-functioning peer support groups based on these principles.

Power and Diversity

Wed, Oct 10 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

There is a systemic imbalance of power in our society and recognizing how it influences group dynamics is an essential skill for group facilitators and group members. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will be introduced to a framework for understanding the imbalance of power in our society and how this imbalance manifests itself in groups. Through group discussion and experiential learning, participants will have an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on accessibility, inclusion, power and privilege.

Introduction To Facilitation

Tue, Oct 16 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

Understanding the role and responsibilities of a facilitator is an essential component for creating successful peer-led groups. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will use a peer support model to explore qualities and skills needed to effectively facilitate groups. We will also look into how these skills are valuable for all members of a peer-led group.

Levelling Power Imbalances

Sat, Oct 20 2012 10:00 am – 04:00 pm

Building on the framework for understanding the imbalance of power in our society as explored in the “Power & Diversity” workshop, this 6 hour workshop will delve deeper into how power imbalances manifest themselves in groups. Participants will be introduced to, and have a chance to practice, specific techniques for levelling power imbalances in groups. Prerequisite: “Power & Diversity” or equivalent experience

Exploring Facilitation Skills

Tue, Oct 23 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

Pay As You Can $ 0.00 Building on an understanding of the basic qualities and skills of facilitators as explored in the “Introduction to Facilitation” workshop, this 3 hour workshop will delve deeper into specific facilitation skills and techniques that help facilitators to most effectively create safe, supportive and successful peer-led groups. Prerequisite: “Introduction to Facilitation” or equivalent experience

Communication Skills

Sat, Oct 27 2012 10:00 am – 04:00 pm

An understanding and awareness of how people communicate – both verbally and nonverbally – is an essential skill for group facilitators. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will learn and explore some basic communication skills plus learn techniques for using these skills to improve the overall functioning of their peer-led groups. Although aimed at facilitators, the materials in this workshop can also be beneficial to all members of peer-led groups.

Understanding Individual Learning and Conflict Styles

Tue, Nov 06 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

One way for people to improve how they work together as a group is for individuals to better understand their own style of learning. In the first part of this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore these different styles and how they impact their view of the world. In the second part of the workshop, participants will examine common responses individuals use in conflict situations. Often, people employ these strategies automatically and without awareness of their learned behaviours. By becoming aware of these different learning and conflict styles, individuals can better understand each other and the dynamics of the group as a whole can be improved.

Boundaries and Self Care

Thu, Nov 15 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

Facilitating peer-led groups can be a very rewarding experience but it can also be very demanding. In order to avoid burnout and to make group facilitation sustainable over the long-run, it is essential for facilitators to have a clear understanding of personal boundaries and to practice self-care. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore concepts for understanding personal boundaries and self-care within the context of a peer-led group. The workshop will also offer practical tips and tools to help participants take what they have learned in the workshop and apply it to their real-life situations. Although aimed at facilitators, the materials in this workshop can also be beneficial to other members of peer-led groups.

Advanced Leadership

Thu, Nov 22 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

The National Learning Initiative (NLI) developed a skills and learning framework for voluntary sector leaders as a way to promote social development in Canada. To accomplish this, the NLI identified core competencies voluntary sector leaders need in order to increase their effectiveness as leaders in a non-profit environment. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore this framework and learn effective techniques for increasing individuals’ leadership capacities at a grassroots level.

Community Mobilization

Tue, Nov 27 2012 06:00 pm – 09:00 pm

In this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore best practices in community mobilization, development and advocacy. The workshop will also offer tips and tools for engaging communities to mobilize and advocate for themselves. In addition, participants will learn the basics of advocating as an ally.

Join with social justice, environmental and labour activists to discuss challenges and strategies for creating a world in which people and the planet not only survive, but thrive. We will look at the major problems facing humanity: the escalating environmental crises, mass poverty and growing inequality. What changes are needed to our economic and political system to maintain and nourish our social and biological systems? Explore visions of a world in which human needs are met without compromising the natural ecosystems we depend upon.

The weekend will feature 2 plenary panels and 3 dialogue sessions. Outside of the sessions there will be opportunities to network, and share information through tables, displays, art, etc.

Speakers include: Iglika Ivanova, Robin Macqueen, Eric Doherty, Adriana Paz, Leslie Stern, Ingrid Steenhuisen, Peter Prontzos, Suresh Fernando, Derrick O’Keefe, Deborah Littman, Kevin Huang, and Youth for Climate Justice Now.

Sustainability and Power: How the 99% can Change the World

Saturday and Sunday, July 7 & 8

Saturday: 9 am – 5:30 pm

Sunday: 9:30 am – 3 pm

Langara College, 100W 49th

To Register, call: 604 323-5322

For more information
Web: www.langara.bc.ca/summer-school/

Click on: Sustainability and Power

Phone: Sarah St John, 604 323-5193

E-mail: sstjohn@langara.bc.ca

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/sustain2012

Twitter: @LangaraSusComm

Cost: $35 including food. Discounts available for people with low incomes. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Youth Engagement (Adult Audience)       $45
iris yong pearson, PeerNetBC    Wednesday July 11 1:00pm-4:30pm
Course Registration Number: 60839       Room: B009

Discuss the barriers and power dynamics that exist for youth engagement at all levels of community. Learn
youth friendly and inclusive language and strategies to become allies for youth.

PeerNetBC programs include capacity-building workshops on group development and group facilitation,
information and resources for facilitators and group leaders, curriculum development for organizations that
develop and support peer-led groups, and our youth initiative which supports youth seeking social and systemic
change through peer support approaches.

Youth Engagement (Youth Audience)       $35
iris yong pearson, PeerNetBC    Wednesday July 11 5:30pm-9:00pm
Course Registration Number: 60840       Room: B009

Discuss the barriers and power dynamics that exist for youth engagement at all levels of community. Learn
strategies to build relationships with adult allies and to become better engaged in community. Gain tips and
tools to communicate through conflict, and level power dynamics.

Register by phone 604.323.5322 or fill out our registration form – attached here/

We are offering discounts for all Summer School courses as follows:

Register in 5 or more courses with a fee – 25% discount on all courses
Register in 2 – 4 courses with a fee  – 10% discount on all courses
Please note there is a 50% discount for students and people with low incomes.
If cost is an issue, please contact Sarah. St. John at sstjohn@langara.bc.ca or 604.323.5193

The LIRN process encourages local government, provincial, federal, First Nations, non-government organizations (community-based, regional and provincial) and businesses to work together to plan, deliver and evaluate locally relevant learning initiatives.  

The 2012 Expression of Interest (EOI) application is now available.  Follow this link for more information, and to download the EOI form.  The EOI must be received by June 28th, 2012.

The PeerNetBC website offers a number of options for groups seeking support.

1. The “stepping stones” resources on this website help peer-led groups and participating individuals work through particular challenges.
2. We offer workshops based on this information. Some workshops are Open Registration, available to anyone, and held in the PeerNetBC office in Vancouver. Or your peer-led group can request a Custom Workshop, generally held in your own space, and hosted by your group. If we can figure out the funding, we’ll travel anywhere in BC!
3. Our new blog will highlight activities relevant to the work of community-based peer-led groups.

Please checkout our current Open Registration Workshop offerings. These include:

• May 3, 2012 Principles of Peer Support
• May 12, 2012 Power & Diversity
• May 12, 2012 Introduction to Group Decision-Making
• May 16, 2012 Introduction to Facilitation
• May 22, 2012 Boundaries & Self-Care
• May 29, 2012 Models of Group Decision-Making
• May 31, 2012 Organizing Peer Support Groups
• June 2, 2012 Levelling Power Imbalances