Taking place on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations, PeerNetBC’s Community Workshops are provided twice per year. These workshops are open to everyone and offer a great opportunity to learn and network with people from various communities, groups and organizations!

From October - December, workshops will generally occur every other Saturday and cover a variety of topics. This workshop series is recommended for anyone who finds themselves working within a group of people, whether it be through work, peer support, community work, activism, or even interpersonal relationships. Join us in developing and honing transferable skills that can be used in your workplace, in your community, at home and beyond!

Our workshop topics this cycle are:
► October 14th, 10am - 4pm: Foundations of Facilitation
► October 28th, 10am - 4pm: Diversity & Working Together
► November 4th, 10am - 2pm: Boundaries & Self-Care
► November 18th, 10am - 4pm: Exploring Facilitation
► December 2nd,10am - 4pm: Community Engagement & Inclusive Leadership

For workshop descriptions see below.

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Cost: $15 - $75+ sliding scale, with no one turned away for lack of funds
Location: PeerNetBC office, #408 – 602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Register Now: https://bit.ly/FallWorkshops2017 or call 604.733.6186

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Accessibility:

- Please arrive at least 5 - 10 minutes early so we can start on time
- Light snacks, coffee, tea, and water will be provided; if you have any dietary requirements we should be aware of please inform us
- Our office strives to be a scent-free environment – refrain from wearing perfumes or any scents the day before the workshop, as well as during it
- The building entrance, workshop space, and washrooms are wheelchair accessible
- Washrooms will be assigned gender neutral during workshop hours
- Our office is located one block south of Waterfront Skytrain Station and nearby to bus stops at the intersections of West Hastings, Seymour, and Granville Street
- Parking is only available on the street 2 hours at a time; we recommend the parkade behind our office at 443 Seymour Street ($6 + tax all day)
- Bicycles are welcome to be stored in the small room in our office
- Due to financial constraints, we are currently unable to provide ASL interpretation (we are working on it)
- Please inform us of any alternative ways to ensure your access needs are met

For more information and/or for accessibility requests: email Simran at simran@peernetbc.com or call 604.733.6186

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Workshop Descriptions:

►Foundations of Facilitation | October 14th | 10am - 4pm
Whether we are facilitating meetings, group discussions, or workshops, understanding our roles and responsibilities as facilitators is an essential component for creating an easier space for groups to work together. In this 6 hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the principles of peer support and explore their influence in creating a foundation for more inclusive and well‐functioning peer-led groups. We will build on new and existing skills and tools necessary for effective facilitation and touch on different facilitation models. This workshop is designed for folks with little to experience with facilitation, including folks seeking to brush up on their foundational skills.

►Diversity & Working Together | October 28th | 10am - 4pm
Systemic imbalances of power exist in our society, and so recognizing how it influences group dynamics is an important skill for facilitators, group members, and community members at large. In this 6 hour workshop, through discussion and experiential learning, participants will explore our own roles and relationships with power and have an opportunity to broaden our perspectives on accessibility, allyship, inclusion, power, privilege, and how to move forward together.

►Boundaries & Self-Care | November 4th | 10am - 2pm
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, facilitators must have a clear understanding of personal boundaries and practice self-care. In this 4 hour workshop, participants will explore concepts for understanding personal boundaries and self-care as well as collective-care within the context of a peer-led group. By tapping into the wisdom of the group, participants will share and exchange tips and tools to help each other apply their learnings in real-life situations. Aimed at facilitators, this workshop is beneficial for anyone juggling multiple demands or providing active support in the lives of others.

►Exploring Facilitation | November 18th | 10am - 4pm
Prerequisite: “Foundations of Facilitation” and “Diversity & Working Together” or equivalent experience facilitating groups.

Building off of the basic concepts of facilitation in “Foundations of Facilitation”, this 6 hour workshop will delve deeper into specific skills and techniques that assist facilitators in effectively creating safer, more supportive and productive peer-led groups. Participants will have opportunities to practice facilitating and navigating facilitation challenges, where we will explore group dynamics, create an understanding of the influences of power dynamics in a group, and share strategies and tools.

►Community Engagement & Inclusive Leadership | December 2nd | 10am - 4pm
In North America, we tend to imagine leaders who share a narrow range of characteristics and qualities. In this 6 hour workshop, we will explore, challenge, and redefine what leadership is and can be in our communities, and its relationship with advocacy and community engagement. Through unpacking existing frameworks of leadership we'll build an analysis of who we identify as leaders; how we all can be leaders; and our possible roles and responsibilities. Participants will create a shared understanding of what community engagement could be like, and how it can be more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable.

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Interested in a workshop topic but can't make it out? Bring us to you! We are mandated to provide services throughout the province and do our best to meet the needs of the communities who seek to work with us. If you have an idea about bringing us to your work place, community, peer group, etc. get in touch! You can learn more about our customized workshops here: http://www.peernetbc.com/custom-workshops