New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse

 

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2009 TRAINING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

 

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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.

 

 

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TRAINING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

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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 New Jersey counties, click here.

 

 

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.

 

 

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SPECIAL INTEREST WORKSHOPS

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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 know. We may be able to develop a new type of workshop. Email or call Barbara at the Clearinghouse with your ideas.

 

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

 

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Last Updated April 2009