New Jersey Self-Help
Group Clearinghouse
2009 TRAINING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of training
workshops offered by the New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse for 2009. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Most of the
workshops are free; however, seating is limited and pre-registration is required
for all workshops. For many of the workshops we request a refundable $10
check to be included with the registration form to reserve your seat. If you
are interested in learning more about the workshops, or would like to be put on
the mailing list for the next schedule, please contact the Clearinghouse at
1-800-367-6274 or 973-989-1122 or
email Clearinghouse.
DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE
SELF-HELP GROUPS
Whether you are just thinking about
starting a mutual aid self-help group but don't know where to start, or you
have a group in the early stages of development, this workshop was designed for
you! This workshop covers the nuts and bolts of getting (and keeping) a group off
the ground. The topics cover everything from publicizing your group, recruiting
new members, getting members to volunteer, to structuring your group, shared
leadership, developing an effective group format and running your first
meeting. The workshop will also discuss the primary roles of a group
facilitator and give participants an opportunity to try out new facilitation
skills. This
workshop is typically given in the morning with the “Fine-Tuning Basic
Group Facilitation Skills” following in the afternoon.
FINE-TUNING BASIC GROUP
FACILITATION SKILLS
If you are currently running a
self-help group, or are just about to try your hand at facilitation, and would
like to learn strategies and techniques that might help, this workshop was
designed just for you. This workshop will help you identify your personal
strengths as a group leader, teach effective techniques to prevent burnout, and
help you develop ground rules for your group. This workshop will also discuss
effective strategies for dealing with difficult people and other
problem-solving techniques. It provides a perfect opportunity for group leaders
to trouble-shoot common problems and exchange proven solutions with each other.
This
workshop is typically given in the afternoon following the “Developing
& Maintaining Effective Self-Help Groups” workshop in the morning.
ADVANCED FACILITATION SKILLS
FOR LEADERS
If you are currently facilitating a
self-help group and would like to try out new skills and techniques, this
workshop was designed for you. At this interactive workshop, you will learn
active listening skills that can be used as an effective tool during conflict
management. You will also role-play various group situations to increase your
effectiveness as a facilitator. Attendees
must be currently facilitating a mutual aid self-help group. The workshop
will cover such areas as conflict management, dealing with difficult behaviors,
confidentiality, safety issues, etc. It provides an opportunity to brainstorm
with other group leaders to troubleshoot problems and exchange proven solutions
with each other. This workshop is typically run for an entire day (from
9:30am – 3:30pm with an hour break for lunch).
AFTERNOON OF FACILITATION SKILLS
This workshop is designed for persons who are, or will be, facilitating a
self-help support group. The purpose of this workshop is to offer group
facilitators the unique opportunity to address any special issues, needs,
concerns, problems or questions that they might have regarding group
leadership. It is an opportunity to meet with other group leaders to exchange
ideas, solutions, frustrations and techniques to make the role of facilitator
easier and more rewarding. This workshop is designed for current facilitators
of self-help groups, or for those who will be facilitating in the near future.
It does not include information on starting new groups. This workshop is typically given on a weekday afternoon.
TRAINING
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Click on the County for a copy of the
brochure.
Click on the town name to access the link to
the meeting site.
Click on “Register” to register
by email (if available)
DATE WORKSHOP Register TIME COUNTY/BROCHURE TOWN___________
Sat 06/27/09 Advanced Facilitation 10:15am—3:45pm Camden Bellmawr
Sat 07/25/09 How to Start a Group Register 10:00am—2:00pm Mercer Ewing
“Lunch
‘n Learn”
Thu 08/13/09 Afternoon of Facilitation 12:30pm—3:30pm Passaic
Sat 09/12/09 How to Start a Group 10:00am—2:00pm Atlantic
“Lunch
‘n Learn”
Sat 10/10/09 Advanced Facilitation 9:30am—3:30pm Somerset
Sat 11/14/09 How to Start a Group 9:30am—12:00pm Morris
Basic
Facilitation 1:00pm—3:30pm
Sat.
12/12/09 Advanced Facilitation 10:00—3:00pm Cumberland
For a map of
REGISTRATION
For all of the workshops, seating is usually limited and pre-registration
is required. For most workshops, a $10 refundable check is requested along with
the completed registration form. This check will be returned to you at the
workshop. If you need to cancel, the Clearinghouse requests that you call by
noon the day before the workshop so that we might fill your spot with anyone on
a waiting list. If you do not call to cancel, your check will be forfeited.
Registered attendees will receive a confirmation call a day or two before the
workshop.
To register, click on “County” for the workshop that you
wish to attend. This will bring you to the brochure for the workshop. Print out
the brochure, fill it in and mail it to the Clearinghouse along with your
refundable check if required. If the workshop does not request a check, you may
also register by email or by calling the Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274. For additional
information, if you click on the “Town” you will be forwarded to
any website for the workshop site. To get additional directions, click here Map Quest. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Barbara at the Clearinghouse.
SPECIAL INTEREST WORKSHOPS
How to Publicize Your Group or Center: Experience
from ‘Down Under’ on How to Give Speaking Engagements & Work with the Media”
and
“Better
Understanding the Value of Research
Studies Done with Mental Health Self-Help
Groups”
Presented by Dr. Lizzi
Finn Since May 2009, Lizzie has been working as
a research fellow at Curtin University in Western Australia, on a National
Health and Medical Research Council capacity building grant for mental health
for Indigenous Australians. She plans to help create mutual help/peer support
mental health groups for Aboriginal people, an area which has received little
research attention in Australia. Last year she worked on a research project
evaluating the effectiveness of an Indigenous Women’s Cancer Support
Group in WA. Lizzie’s research of mutual help groups is based primarily
on her doctoral research investigating the impact of GROW mutual help groups on
psychological wellbeing and mental health. To print a flyer click here.
When: Monday, June 22,
2009, 9:30am – 12:noon, Freehold First Aid Squad Building, 2nd floor
meeting room (use entrance door on the left side of the building), 16 Spring
St., (across the street from the CSP-NJ office)
in Freehold. To register, call the Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274 ext.
15 or email ed@selfhelpgroups.org. The workshop is free. For travel
directions, click here.
ANY OTHER IDEAS? Do you have any thoughts or requests on new
types of workshops? Let us k
WE ARE LOOKING FOR MEETING SITES. CAN YOU HELP? Is your group interested in having a workshop at your site?
Do you have a conference room large enough to hold 20-30 people? If you do, email
or call Barbara
at the
Clearinghouse. We may be able to schedule a workshop at your site.
GROUP / AGENCY PRESENTATIONS
The New Jersey Self-Help
Clearinghouse is oftentimes available to give individual,
specialized presentations to self-help groups (annual conferences, large
group meetings, etc.) and to other interested agencies (at statewide agency
conferences, regional meetings, etc.) at no charge. The presentations can cover
such topics as:
- Understanding Self-Help Groups: (services of the Clearinghouse,
benefits of self-help groups, current research, when to make referrals to groups,
transitioning professionally-run groups into member run groups, how
professionals can start or support self-help groups, etc.).
- How to Run a More Effective Group: (finding and keeping members,
establishing ground rules, publicity, getting members involved, developing
safe, comfortable, open environments for groups, maximizing group
discussions, dealing with difficult behaviors, small group exercises,
self-esteem, active listening, etc.).
- Self-Help In Action: The participants will have the opportunity to
experience a self-help group first-hand. The meeting can be set up in a
self-help group format to give attendees hands-on experience on the
benefits of group participation.
If you are
interested in having the Clearinghouse conduct a free presentation, please call
the Clearinghouse or email Barbara
The New
Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is also available to conduct workshops at
state conferences, agencies or groups. Each workshop will be custom tailored to
meet the specific needs of the group. The workshops can cover anything from
starting a support group, problem solving, or shared leadership to dealing with
difficult behaviors and advanced facilitation skills. The cost of the workshop varies according to the length of the
requested workshop. For information, please contact Barbara White
at the Clearinghouse.
Any questions? Call us at 1-800-367-6274 or
973-989-1122
Last Updated April
2009