Good news! The annual SDN Workshop has now been rescheduled for 23-28 April in Armidale. The venue is in the beautiful Hannas Arcade, Beardy Street.
The Network will be accommodating attendees in a good motel within easy walking distance, and the whole workshop will be catered for, with evening meals at nearby restaurants.
Registration costs stay the same, with concessions available.
The SDN belongs to you – without you there is no SDN. And email newsletters are now back in vogue according to a recent episode of ABC RN’s Download This Show, so what are we waiting for?!
The April 2020 Social Developers' Network Newsletter is attached for download.
Two of us sang some guitar songs and one led a meditation session. Some of the comments from participants:
“Brilliant, stimulating, the informality is good, it’s a safe space for people to have an opinion”.
“This is my first experience of speaking intimately with Aboriginal people. I’m amazed at how complex Aboriginal society is”.
“It’s thought-provoking. I live alone so this is good. Could we include other groups like conservatives who may not agree with us?”
“I have so appreciated having Gary and Ray here”.
“Our views are part of us”.
Previous attempts to hold an SDN workshop on the mid north coast had failed – it was too hot and humid in summer on the coast, we couldn’t seem to get enough people interested, suitable venues were hard to find… Then, just as the Covid-19 crisis had eased enough for small groups to get together, we found a venue that would be suitable - The Falls Forest Retreat.
Seven people attended, plus the SDN Coordinator, a total of 8. Small but workable. The Falls has motel-style units with private rooms for sleeping, a large kitchen and a distinctive sunken meeting space reflecting the 1970s architecture. Outside, there are tables under a pergola and a short walk through sub-tropical rainforest to an impressive waterfall.
Some of the topics covered during our discussions:
This was the first SDN workshop held on the NSW mid north coast. It was a success, reflecting in many ways what an SDN workshop is about – a coming together of people to enjoy honest and open discussion of topics of interest and learn from others in an atmosphere of positive creativity, shared trust and support.
The April 2020 Social Developers' Network Newsletter is attached for download.
This issue includes - Invitations to share our ideas, and to join an SDN Zoom meeting; and quite a few articles. All in all a Bumper Issue.
We need to reintegrate our economic activities, the way we meet our needs and how we produce and share value, with the basic rules of ecology. Our design and technology need to be aligned with the way that life and living systems are structured and how they maintain their vital functions in support of individuals and the whole system.
'As worker-owned cooperatives continue to gain prominence around the world, we may ultimately witness the downfall of Carnegie’s “law of competition” and a return to the collaborative environments that the human species has long called home.'
Why Me provides a succinct outline of common questions and answers about Restorative Justice.
Many citizens in Australia and elsewhere give generously of their time and energy to contribute to the wellbeing of the local community and the wider society. Some seek a group where ideas and plans can be discussed in an open way, and where constructive feedback and support can be provided.
Social Developers meet at national and regional workshops, to contribute and share knowledge and experiences.
Our purpose is to be creative and action-oriented: we constantly seek explanations which emerge from action in the world. We are equally interested both in individual people and in the wider social and ecological systems on which our collective wellbeing depends.
The vital and central component of SDN membership is participation in recurrent workshops. Participants each discuss a wide range of self-chosen topics, covering everything from personal, through philosophical, professional, operational and practical issues.
SDN has a Facebook Page. Please like our page.
SDN has a public group - Social Developers Online Connection. This group is for anyone who has attended an SDN Workshop in the past, and also for people who have an interest in Social Development. We welcome your engagement.
The SDN is a non-profit unincorporated association whose primary task is the support and training for citizens engaged in constructive volunteer initiatives beneficial to the community. The SDN is a support platform only, and does itself not engage in any kind of active lobbying, projects, or public policy initiatives. The SDN does not hold any political agenda, and welcomes people from all political, racial, and social identities. The SDN is predominately a receptive space for those engaged in community initiatives to come together to discuss, reflect, learn and rejuvenate through a uniquely designed process of interaction. Read More
