a 12-week course reimagining possibilities - for you, others and the world

How do we think our way through the messes we're in when the way we think is part of the mess?
– Nora Bateson

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Is this for you?

Are you on fire about growing more inclusive communities for all?
Do you or others close to you have first hand experience of barriers to belonging and participation?
Are you longing to make a difference and uncertain of the best way forward?
Or are you already actively engaged as a leader, policy maker, community connector, activist, scholar or social entrepreneur?
Do you feel overwhelmed by all the 'wicked' problems the world is facing?
Are you looking for inspiration, hope and some fellow travellers?

Find out more here about The Possibility Fellowship.

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What's it all about – in a nutshell?

grow your own passion project

Our focus is on you — your stories, gifts and passions — what lights your fire. Over 12 weeks, we invite you to imagine, nourish and grow your own seedling project. You can work solo or partner with one or more of your fellow participants. The course is highly interactive — rich in theory, games and creative practice.

We support you to discover the difference that makes a difference, something new that you feel called to share in your community — whether you see yourself as an (emerging) leader, change-maker, connector, activist or an ordinary citizen who likes to help others.

Finally, we invite you to share a window into your project at your graduation celebration.

An interactive adventure...

explore new ideas and old stories

The course offers a radically different approach to systems change where ancient wisdom meets modern science. We explore some big themes, including:

why we are here
what it means to be human
what stories and myths can serve us better
recent brain research
systems thinking
oral storytelling
gift discovery
the power of ritual
social entrepreneurship
redefining success

... all whilst working on bringing your own creative project to life! Don't worry if you don't have a "grand idea" to make the world a better place just yet - we can simply start with the things you care about, and the difference you seek to make in your community, and go from there!

Small group catch-ups & individual thinking

meet companions on the journey

Together with a couple of fellows, you'll be invited to carry a traditional tale through this course, to support your inner journey and transformation.

Between sessions you and your fellows will be encouraged to catch-up online or in person. You will deepen your thinking, dreaming and planning for what you feel called to contribute in your community that aligns with your deepest pain as well as your unique gifts, passions, experiences and connections.

Time commitment for small group meetings is flexible and can be agreed between you.

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Expressions of interest

discover what's possible together

Our intention is to create a genuinely inclusive space for a diverse range of ‘possibility enthusiasts’ to flourish in. If you are uncertain whether this course is for you, or have suggestions on how we can make this an accessible, inclusive space for you, please reach out to Peter or Nicola for a chat.

If finances are a barrier, we have a range of discounts, bursaries and even the possibility of offering some other in-kind contribution that reflects your deep commitment and passion to make the most of this opportunity to grow your own project.

Expressions of Interest are now due by midnight Saturday 13 August. Please press the 'Get Tickets' button above to register your interest. You will receive an email reply with a link to our online Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Fees & bursaries

This is a paid development opportunity for which we are able to offer generous discounts and bursaries. The full fee for the course is $2500, however, in your EOI, we wholeheartedly encourage you to offer an amount that is affordable, given your personal circumstances.

Please be assured that your fellowship application will not be affected by the amount you offer. We are looking for Possibility Fellows who are deeply committed to discovering and realising their own creative potential with a group of equally committed peers, so they can make a meaningful contribution towards more inclusive communities for the groups of people they most care about and feel connected to or identified with.

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Walking alongside you

The Possibility Fellowship is offered through Befriend and co-led by Peter and Nicola-Jane le Breton with other guest contributors. Both Nicola and Peter are Warm Data Lab hosts certified by the International Bateson Institute in Sweden.

Meet Peter

Peter has experience in business, government and academia. He is a warrior for social justice, freedom and human potential. He has a PhD in Transformative Studies from California Institute of Integral Studies and awards from Murdoch University and the Australian Government for outstanding contributions to student learning.

“Many times I have visited Peter’s classroom, usually to inform the students of a change in the program. Each time Peter’s classes have been a hive of activity, engagement, trust and connection.”
— Megan Jaceglav, Unit-Coordinator, OnTrack, Murdoch University

"I realised that my dreams were in fact not mine. I felt empowered by you to reassess my goals for the future... Each week delivered me a new lesson in resilience and made me aware of how important a well-balanced psychological core is in getting the most out of life.”
— Danni Newman, Murdoch Uni student

Meet Nicola

Nicola has a passion for nurturing authentic relationships and safe spaces in which people can open their hearts and minds and reflect together on what matters. She has Diplomas in Community Services and in Conservation & Land Management and is a graduate of Storytelling Beyond Words, at Emerson College in the UK. She has Master Facilitator certification in the Core Gift Discovery™ process.

“You have a great gift for facilitating, Nicola. The care and compassion you have for your participants is clear. I really appreciated your gentle, patient, persistent coaching of all our expressions of ourselves. It was a very safe and comfortable environment.”
— Jeff Atkinson, Lawyer (participant in a 9-month oral storytelling program)

“I have been actively involved in Nicola’s community writing classes and training programmes for the last seven years. She listens to, guides and challenges people most capably. She invites and excites a group to go deeper as she sees the processes relating to her topic maturing and developing. I have found it a delight to be part of the invitation to the possibilities inherent in her rich sense of creative community.”
— Adrienne Riddell B.A. (Psych) Grad Dip Counselling and Group Work

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The offering

An introductory weekend intensive to deep-dive into exploring who we are and why we're here. Includes an introduction to living systems theory, oral storytelling and gift discovery.
5 face-to-face gatherings coupled with creative activities to complete in your own time. Fortnightly gatherings are on Saturday afternoons from noon till 4pm and will include guest contributors.
One extended session for a shared ritual, mid-course, possibly on Saturday 15 October (date TBC), when we will all bring a plate of food to share for dinner.
An invitation to meet with your small group between sessions for mutual support, learning and creative play. We recommend allowing at least two hours between each in-person gathering for your own creative project development.
Occasional connections with Peter/Nicola. Option to book a "Core Gift Interview" with Nicola or another certified Master Facilitator (not incl in course fees).
The final weekend gathering is a festive celebration! Graduates of The Possibility Fellowship share the fruits of their explorations through dialogues, mini-workshops, storytelling, or in other creative ways, offering a window into your vision for inclusive community.

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Gathering dates

Saturday 3 September 2022	9am-4pm	Introductory Weekend
Sunday 4 September 2022	9am-4pm	Introductory Weekend
Saturday 17 September 2022	12pm-4pm	Gathering
Saturday 1 October 2022	12pm-4pm	Gathering
Saturday 15 October 2022	12pm-8pm	Gathering
Saturday 29 October 2022	12-4pm	Gathering
Saturday 12 November 2022	12-4pm	Gathering
Friday 25 November 2022	7pm-8:30pm	Festive Sharing
Saturday 26 November 2022	9am-5pm	Festive Sharing
Sunday 27 November 2022	9am-5pm	Festive Sharing

Venue

The Platform, Level 3, 256 Adelaide Terrace (cnr Victoria Avenue).

Easy access via public transport, plentiful weekend parking, close to amenities and parks.

Wheelchair accessible.

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What now?

If you're feeling called to The Fellowship...

Register for this program via the 'Get Tickets' link above. You will receive an email with a link to an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
We have space for a few more companions to join the Fellowship, so we've extended the deadline to submit your EOI by midnight, Saturday 13 August.
We will contact you to arrange a personal chat by Zoom or by phone to confirm our program is what you're looking for.
Once you are invited to join The Fellowship, you can pay your nominated course fee, which will secure your place in the course.

About your EOI

We are also happy to receive registrations by phone or by Zoom (or feel free to ask someone else to help you if filling out online forms are not your gig!)
You can keep your answers short and simple. The EOI is just an opportunity for us to get to know you a little better.
Your EOI is also an invitation for you to reflect on what matters to you and how this course might help you.
Please feel free to include the name and contact details of a referee (someone who knows you well) if you would like us to chat with them about your passion to contribute to inclusive communities. Or you might like to invite them to join you for a chat with us to discover if this course is for you.

Invitations to join the fellowship

We'd like to maintain an upper limit of 18 people in this Fellowship. Should we receive more EOIs than we have places available, we may take into consideration:

the date we receive your Expression of Interest
your passion to contribute to more inclusive communities
how best we can support you with the Fellowship program
the diversity of participants’ backgrounds and project ideas

We are considering running another program in March-May 2023.

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Any queries?

If you have any queries, concerns or need help to register, you can reach out to Peter or Nicola.

Peter le Breton | peter@befriend.org.au

Nicola-Jane le Breton | nicola@befriend.org.au

Find out more here about The Possibility Fellowship.

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A Note about Your Registration

Please use the 'Get Tickets' above to register your interest. You will receive an email reply with a link to our online Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

If you'd like more detailed information about this offering, please contact us with any queries: peter@befriend.org.au | nicola@befriend.org.au

And remember, if writing and/or online forms are not your gig, please contact us for assistance with completing the EOI on your behalf.

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Some inspiration for the journey...

Like all living systems, we first have to fall apart before we can figure out how to reorganize ourselves to fit the new environment...We need to feel despair that we cannot change the world. It is appropriate and essential that we do so...I know that energy, strength and confidence become available on the other side of despair. Having personally made this journey many times, abandoning my savior tendencies, I am eager for you to discover this place as well. It saddens me to see how many are still locked down by the belief that if they just work a little harder, if they just collaborate better or build a better network, if they just develop a new approach, they’ll turn the world around...

Let’s fully face the brave new world that has emerged and put down our boulder — the energy-destroying belief that we can change the world. Let us walk away from that mountain of despair-inducing failures and focus instead on the people in front of us, our colleagues, communities and families. Let us work together to embody the values that we treasure, and not worry about creating successful models that will transform other people. Let us focus on transforming ourselves to be little islands of good caring people, doing right work, assisting where we can, maintaining peace and sanity, people who have learned how to be gentle, decent, and brave as the dark ocean that has emerged continues to storm around us.

— from Margaret Wheatley’s So Far From Home: Lost and Found in Our Brave New World, bestselling author of Leadership and the New Science

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About Befriend

Our Vision

Our vision is an inclusive, connected world

Our Purpose

We exist to spark human connection between people from diverse backgrounds, to grow inclusive communities in which all people are valued and belong