HOW TO PREPARE, STRUCTURE AND CONDUCT AN INFORMATION SESSION OR ORIENTATION

SEMINAR ABOUT THE PARTY FOR

RECRUITINGMiss April G. De la CruzEducation and Training Coordinator

Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI)april.delacruz@cdpi.asia

www.cdpi.asia

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION:

I. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINAR

II. BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

III. FACILITATION SKILLS

IV. METHODS AND FACILITATION TECHNIQUES

V. ADJUSTING THE TRAINING TO THE GRASSROOTS CONTEXT

VI. WORKSHOP: I. PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING TRAINING

ACTIVITIES

HOW TO PREPARE, STRUCTURE AND CONDUCT AN INFORMATION SESSION OR ORIENTATION SEMINAR ABOUT THE PARTY FOR

RECRUITING

REGULAR PARTY ACTIVITIES:Recruitment, Membership Expansion; and Internalization of Concepts and Practices

BASIC ORIENTATION SEMINARSENHANCEMENT AND

DEEPENING OF MEMBERS ON THEMATIC ISSUES AND

PARTY CHARACTERISTICS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROGRAMMATIC

DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE PARTY ON CERTAIN ISSUES

OR ON THE POLITICAL PLATFORM IN GENERAL

DRAFTING OF LOCAL POLITICAL PLATFORMS AND SETTING UP OF INTERNAL

THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS

INTERNAL STRATEGIZING EFFORTS

INTERNAL SOCIAL EVENTS

IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINAR

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

RULE OF THE HALF

IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINAR

KNOW YOUR TEAM

PROGRAM/FACILITATOR

GROUND MOBILIZER/ORGANIZER

DOCUMENTER/TIME KEEPER

SECRETARIAT/GOPHER

RATIO5 MEMBERS:

25 PARTICIPANTS

IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINAR

ANDRAGOGYPractice of teaching and educating adultsCharacteristics of Adult Learners:

-Autonomous and self directed-Accumulated a foundation of experiences and knowledge-Goal oriented-Relevancy oriented-Practical-Need to be shown respect (as others do)*Source: Malcolm Knowles (1970). The Modern Practices of Adult Education

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINARSOURCE OF MOTIVATION FOR ADULT LEARNERS:

Social Relationships: to make new friends, to meet a need for associations and friendships

External Expectations: to comply with instructions from someone else; to fulfill the expectations or recommendations of someone with formal authority.

Social Welfare: to improve ability to serve mankind, prepare for service to the community, and improve ability to participate in community work.

Personal Advancement: to achieve higher status in a job, secure professional advancement, and stay abreast of competitors

Escape/Stimulations: to relieve boredom, provide a break in the routine of home or work, and provide a contrast to other exacting details of life.

Cognitive Interest: to learn for the sake of learning, seek knowledge for its own sake, and to satisfy an inquiring mind.

Source:Stephen Lieb (1991): Principles of Adult

Learning

IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION/RECRUITMENT SEMINAR

KNOW YOUR CHALLENGES

LACK OF ADULT

LEARNING MENTALITY

LACK OF TRAINING

SKILLS, METHODS,

AND MATERIALS

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

FREQUENT SESSIONSParticipants will gain little benefit from attending one or two sessions; once a threshold of three sessions has been reached, the impacts will be significantly greater.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

PARTICIPATORY METHODSThe use of interactive methods such as role-plays, problem-solving activities, and mock political or judicial activities is key to effective learning.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

SPECIAL EFFORTS TO REACH THE LESS POWERFULShould involve and benefit the less powerful groups.

Civic/political education activities need to be carefully designed to match the needs and conditions facing such groups.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

LINKING WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONCivic/political education can either tap into existing channels for participation (e.g. by partnering with local political advocacy NGOs) or create their own channels (e.g. by setting up meetings between program participants and elected officials).

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

LINKING TO PARTICIPANTS’ CONCERNSCivic/political education based solely on abstract notions, unrelated to the daily lives

of the participants, will have little impact; successful programs weave lessons about democratic values and principles into the real-life issues and experiences of participants.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

MODEL DEMOCRACYPolitical Education programmes need to be run in a democratic manner, to demonstrate the values being taught, such as participation, tolerance and respect.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

FOCUS ON HOT TOPICSParticipants will engage more fully if the topics discussed are ones they feel strongly about, so it is useful to define and discuss a number of controversial issues where there is likely to be a range of opinions among participants.

BASIC FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION/SEMINAR

ADDRESS THE SUPPLY SIDE TOOAs political education is generally concerned with increasing the demand for good governance, consideration also needs to be given to strengthening the skills, knowledge and awareness of the supply side actors to respond to this demand.

It is more effective is accompanied by capacity building efforts directed at civil servants, parliamentarians, etc.

FACILITATION SKILLS

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FACILITATOR1 Stand-setters for the discussion.

2 Make the workshop environment a priority.

3 Mindful of timing issues.

4 Responsible for articulating the purpose of the discussion and its significance to the group.

5 Make use of various techniques/tools to keep the discussion moving

6 Responsible for paying attention to group behaviors

7 Should be relaxed and have a sense of humor that makes sure discussions are enjoyable as well as educational.

METHODS AND FACILITATION TECHNIQUES

Lecture Buzz-Group

Panel Discussion/DebateSmall Group Discussion

Plenary

Brainstorming

Group Assignment

Fishbowl

Role PlayDrama

Case StudySkills Practice

Games

Quiz

Images/Codes

Songs & Stories

Card Clustering

ADJUSTING THE TRAINING TO THE GRASSROOTS CONTEXT

LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

PARTICIPATION OF MARGINZALIZED GROUPS

CULTURE AND TRADITION

LOCAL CASES AND EXAMPLES

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:Materials, Venue, Transport, Timing

WORKSHOP

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING TRAINING ACTIVITIES

WORKSHOP: Planning and Implementing Training Activities

FOLLOW THE 12 STEPS AND TECHNIQUES TO PLAN AND INITIATE

YOUR OWN TRAINING PROGRAM