Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Committee Training 2008: perfecting that star quality!
Despite the early start last Saturday, representatives from many of the STAR regions including Cardiff and London took part in the 2008 STAR Committee Training day in Central London. The day was an opportunity for old and new committee members to meet with STAR staff, regional coordinators, partners in the legal and charity sector and fellow STAR members.
Workshop sessions covered the asylum process and its trends, how to run a successful STAR group, an introduction to the new national campaign: the right to work, communications and partnership building, project management, planning and best practice for campaigning, volunteering and raising awareness.
Rather than spend the day in front of a projector and overloaded with information, everything was very interactive with mind mapping, card games and always the opportunity for questions. STAR members chose which workshop sessions they took part in to ensure the training met their individual group’s needs. And of course the day was fun – have you ever made a fully functioning armchair from party balloons? If not then see below!
Over tea and coffee and between mouthfuls of sandwiches, STAR members chatted about their experiences as a STAR group, their hopes for the future and even make some new friends! This type of exchange will continue online with the launch of the website forum in September – more on this soon. Southampton STAR member Nat Avidu described the day as “vital for committee members to attend” and a good way to know “what events to run.”
Committee Training may have taken place on a single day but the influence for STAR is far reaching. For example the day ended with members making notes on a postcard of their aims for the coming STAR year, to be posted to them at the start of September as a reminder. Committee Training guided new committee members for the upcoming year and left past members with how they can continue to support STAR.
If you missed out, not to worry. There will be notes on the website and of course next year’s training day!
Posted by Natasha King on 24/06/2008 at 11:57 AM
in STAR News
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