Transforming Community Engagement: Skills Masterclass

Due to restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus, our training program is on hold. Please contact us directly if you are interested in discussing tailored training delivered remotely. 

“This course will transform how you work with communities and partners. I’ve worked in the collaboration space for years and having done the course, now my role makes sense to me.” - Collective Impact Facilitator, Sydney

The Transforming Community Engagement masterclass is a skills-based training course that will equip you with the key facilitation and conflict resolution skills needed to transform your community engagement, co-design approach, stakeholder engagement or multi-stakeholder partnership working. These essential skills are fundamental for anyone working collaboratively and seeking to improve the impact of their community engagement.

Some of the biggest challenges we face as a society involve complex, seemingly intractable social issues such as inter-generational poverty, climate change, long-term unemployment, community safety, homelessness, declining health, etc. To tackle these issues we need to collaborate across sectors and engage people to participate in co-design. This inevitably means building, nurturing and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships. 

There is a growing recognition that to do this effectively we need to engage communities in the design and development of solutions. To do this well, you need frameworks, skills and tools. Often conflicts arise during the community engagement process; how to manage those conflicts, use conflict creatively, work with divergent stakeholder groups and build towards positive outcomes are critical tools for anyone working in and with communities or co-designing new solutions.

“The course exceeded my expectations. I have new confidence to facilitate groups and to take a positive approach to managing conflict.” - Natural Resource Manager, Council

Who should attend this masterclass? 

This masterclass is specifically designed for those working in community engagement, multi-stakeholder partnerships and/or co-design. It focuses on skills development and will also equip you with cutting-edge frameworks and a broad set of tools.  

The course will be invaluable to you if you work:

• On complex problems, with multiple stakeholders in the partnership
• In a co-design or service-development role, facilitating multiple stakeholders through the process
• In a public-sector-led area partnership, a place-based initiative or facilitating community conversations and stakeholder engagement
• In community development, driving community change 
• In the natural resource management sector
• As part of, or are developing, a Collective Impact backbone initiative
• In a community engagement role and have to carry out community consultations, engage stakeholders more effectively or strengthen community development
• In a local council and want to improve the quality and impact of your community planning
• In ‘shared value’, corporate social responsibility or philanthropy and want to engage beneficiary communities more effectively in the design of your approaches 
• On strategic planning, consultancy, partnership development or change management where community/stakeholder engagement is a core aspect of your role

“This course is fabulous, the skills are Incredibly useful. I will be using all these skills in the future.” - Project Manager, for-purpose organisation

About the masterclass

Think Impact has partnered with Planning Partnerships to bring this course to those working in complex social change across Australia. Focused initially on natural resource management the course has evolved to also provide frameworks, skills and tools that are useful across a wide range of areas including housing, disability, employment, community development, health, economic development, community education and financial resilience. The fusion of people from different sectors on the course adds to the value of learning. The course builds on skills gained through IAP2.

This is a three-day, intensive, practical master class that is designed for participants to: 

• Gain an understanding of the principles of community engagement. This will include an overview of the importance of co-design and community conversations.
• Develop active listening skills and effective intervention skills.

• Analyse and observe group dynamics within a community engagement setting and learn how to carry out the role of facilitator.
• Develop skills to manage the content and process of a group that improves participatory decision making.
• Understand and analyse the different sources of conflict and develop skills to manage conflict constructively.
• Get an overview of a set of effective community engagement tools.

“Excellent. Off the scale! Every minute was very worthwhile. I learnt so much about myself and others, as well as the skills of facilitation” - Dept for Environment and Heritage

How you will learn

All participants will gain new knowledge and skills that can be applied immediately to the work situation. The three days are practical and practice based. 

People learn in different ways and there is a mix of theoretical input, discussion, participatory exercises and group work using case material related to work environments. Coaching, feedback and comprehensive study materials are provided. 


“Great training experience. Learnt a lot in three days. Felt safe to make mistakes, thanks to the facilitators.” Community Development Manager, Uniting

Course details

The course dates are Tuesday 23 June to Thursday 25 June 2020.  The course runs from 9.00am to 5.00pm each day and includes lunch. It will take place at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre, 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The course costs (excluding GST):

• $1,750 for government and corporate/business sectors
• $1,495 for community organisations and philanthropic foundations
• $320 for additional assessment (see below)

 “This course is transformational It is well run, has equipped me with useful skills but most of all was inspiring.”

“This course is transformational. It is we;; run, has equipped me with useful skills, will change the way I work but most of all was inspiring." Senior Manager, NFP

Assessment (additional option) 

Doing the assessment is a great way to consolidate your learning. In addition, the course provides you with the opportunity to develop the skills and competencies and prepare evidence for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for the Unit Manage Conflict in the Diploma of Government. If you opt to do the course assessment the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) McMillan Staff Development will manage the RPL process for you and on completion issue you with the certificate. There is an additional $320 fee (no GST) for the assessment, paid directly to the RTO. Assessment is undertaken through participation and observation in the course and worksheets completed after the course. Detailed information about the assessment requirements will be given to those who wish to be assessed. Please advise the contact organiser if you wish to undertake the assessment.

Our trainers

Kevin Robbie is a Director at Think Impact. He has over 25 years experience in social innovation, facilitation, partnership development, community development, social enterprise start-up and impact measurement. Prior to Think Impact, Kevin worked in a number of senior executive roles with a focus on co-designing or developing new solutions to complex social issues alongside establishing a number of multi-stakeholder partnerships. Kevin is from the UK and held a number of senior management roles there, including seven years as Chief Executive of Forth Sector, which was based in one of the most disadvantaged communities in Scotland. He has also been seconded as a special adviser to the UK Government Cabinet Office.

Emily Synnott works for ArcBlue Consulting and is also a freelance facilitator and consultant. She has deep experience managing complex partnerships and engaging communities with over 18 years of working in the for purpose sector, government and as a consultant. Previously Emily was Project Director at the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) where she headed up key strategic multi-stakeholder projects focused on transforming the way government, industry and the community sector engage with young people to rethink systems that shape the world. Over her six years at FYA, Emily brought to life projects that offered young people opportunities to succeed in life which aren’t traditionally offered through education. Before joining FYA, Emily spent time in the Victorian Government and 11 years in the UK working in both Policy and Strategy for the UK Government and as a consultant. Key areas of work included extensive evaluation of government employment initiatives, the redesign of civil legal aid delivery across the UK and working with the judiciary to transition Social, Health and Welfare appeals policy into the new Tribunals Service.

“Great course. Not just the content, but the way it was run. It is very interactive and engaging.” - Dept Environment and Sustainability