Council is inviting volunteers in Golden Plains to attend one of two Advocacy Training sessions to increase their advocacy skills and create greater awareness of the role of individuals and community groups as advocates.
The workshops will be facilitated by Non-Profit Training (NPT), in partnership with Geelong Volunteering, and are funded by a Community Strengthening Grant received by Geelong Volunteering in the second round of the program in 2021 under the Healthy Active Living stream.
The workshops will be delivered in-person at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, 25-27 High Street, Bannockburn on Tuesday 25 October from 12 to 3pm and online on Thursday 3 November from 6 to 8.30pm. Participants are only required to attend one of the two sessions.
As part of the workshops, volunteers will learn how advocacy can be a powerful tool and provide them with the foundations to effectively raise issues to a range of audiences to stimulate discussion and change.
The workshops will explore:
- The skills of an effective advocate
- The political and social framework within the community
- Developing an advocacy plan
- Identifying new and emerging issues for communities
- Effectively representing the community to maximise impact
- Understanding the importance of effective communication
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the program was an opportunity for volunteers in Golden Plains to further grow and upskill in the area of advocacy.
“Volunteers and community groups wanting to effectively raise issues and drive change will greatly benefit from the free Advocacy Training sessions.“These sessions are a fantastic example of the projects that Council’s Community Strengthening Grants can support, having been funded by a Community Strengthening Grant in 2021. Applications for the second round of the 2022 grant program are open until 2pm, Friday 30 September, and I strongly encourage community groups to apply.”
The Advocacy Training for Volunteers workshops are open to all community members and participation is free.
To register, visit: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events.
To find out more information, contact Council’s Council Planning and Grants Officer at 5220 7111 or [email protected].