WORKSHOP "HOW TO" GUIDE

The SSF is an "open space" where maximum participation is encouraged. You can register your workshop prior to the weekend, but you can also simply turn up on the day and be able to host one.


Issues and Outcomes

Generally speaking, the two days of the SSF are to discuss "where we're at" and "we're we want to be" in terms of community and workplace activism - and to try to arrive as possible outcomes, solutions, and strategies to help make it happen.

It is hoped that Saturday workshops focus on "where we're at". Sunday the focus will be on solutions and "outcomes".


Workshop Style

The SSF organising team is also encouraging participants to think about the type of workshop you wish to hold, and how you might maximise the time-slot.

For instance, you are encouraged to work out if you're going to hold an educational style workshop, or an activist style workshop.

An "educational" workshop may be held lecture style, and is designed to allow those who may be new to an issue or new to activism to get a broader understanding.

An "activist" workshop should be more dynamic, aimed at a particular constituency who may be more or less up to date with the area of concern. The aim should be maximum participation from those present. You might consider having a 5-10 minute intro followed by 20 minutes of discussion, 5 minutes from the front and further discussion etc. Try to think of how you can make the workshop "dynamic" and give yourself and participants the best chance of arriving at "outcomes".


Think Networking

You are also encouraged to think beyond your particular issue or campaign area and consider how you could share the platform with other groups or speakers who may be able to contribute more broadly to a common area of interest. Remember, the SSF is not simply a "talk-fest", but an opportunity to network and broaden links within the progressive and activist community.



Your 4-step Guide to Workshopping

1

Get registered.
 

You will need to be registerd as an individual or an orgainsation to be able to hold a workshop.

 

2

Work out your topic.
 

Think about the style of workshop you might hold in light of the suggestions above.

Get in touch with other groups and maybe arrange a working group to identify the main issues in a particular area.

For example, a number of environmental activists from different areas and organisations have formed a working group to discuss the most important issues regarding the environment and the best way to present and discuss them.

 

3

Get in touch with the SSf organising team.
 

We will take your workshop details and publicise them at this website.

Details required are:

  • workshop title
  • brief description about the aim of the workshop
  • who's speaking
  • proposed day/time
  • your contact details.

We may also be able to put you in touch with others who may be considering a similar workshop, as well at let you know about any broad issue-based working groups which may be up and running.

If there are particular time constraints (such as speaker availability), please indicate a possible time for your workshop.

 

4

Publicise your workshop and get your friends and contacts to register for the weekend.
 

Call and email all your contacts and anyone else who you want to attend your workshop and the SSF in general. Give them a leaflet or direct them to check out this website.

Following the final workshop deadline, a full publicity kit with PDF leaflets, posters, and rego forms will be available from the website. Just download, photocopy and start dishing them out!

 

If you have any questions or if you want to get hold of leaflets and posters etc, please contact the organising team.