The Possibility Fellowship 2023

TRY THE BLUEBERRY GELATO

A FREE TASTING OF THE POSSIBILITY FELLOWSHIP 2023

Wednesday 1 March, 12-1pm

John Wellard Community Centre
Cnr The Strand & Runnymede Gate, Wellard

Kwinana locals & Fellowship hosts, Peter & Nicola le Breton, will offer wee activities to give you a taste of this adventure.

Arrive 11.45am for a 12 o'clock start

Plus, there will be tea, coffee, cake and lots of laughter... not a bad way to spend an hour.

TEXT 0421 633 124 with your NAME plus 'PF23' to book OR RSVP for this event on MEETUP

... so we know how much cake to provide!

You must give birth to your images.
They are the future waiting to be born.
Fear not the strangeness you feel.
The future must enter you
long before it happens.
Just wait for the birth,
for the hour of new clarity.

— Rainer Maria Rilke

This course is a story-filled exploration of what’s possible for you and your communities. It’s theoretically and creatively rich as well as highly practical. Some of your presumptions might be challenged, and you might be stretched. The course is personal, interactive and a little wild. There’s a danger you could become more cheerful, exuberant and want to dance!

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?

What's it all about – in a nutshell?

Grow your own project — imagine new possibilities

Our focus is on you — your stories, gifts and passions — what lights your fire. Over 11 weeks, we invite you to imagine, nourish and grow your own vision and seedling or established 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 find direction and activities with meaning and purpose for you. Perhaps something new or going about something differently. Something you feel called to contribute to 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, a glimpse, into your project or inspiration at your graduation celebration.

An interactive adventure exploring new ideas and old stories

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

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

... all whilst working on bringing your own ideas and creative project to life! You don't need to have a "grand idea" to make the world a better place, because we start simply with the things you care deeply about, and the difference you seek to make in your community, and go from there!

Meet Nicola & Peter, your co-hosts

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.

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.

Peter has experience in business, government and academia. He is a warrior for living creatively and vibrantly, for 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.

What Past Fellows say...

"I feel like a trampled blossom that has suddenly been revived with so much nurture.You and Nicola gently beckon me to show up as I am. And actually find value in my journey.
— Sharon Soares, fellow of The Possibility Fellowship 2022

"The benefits are mostly intangible, not notable on a checkbox/feedback form, but far more real than trying to fit into funding parameters.”
— Natasha Lee Freudenstein, fellow of The Possibility Fellowship 2022

"When I started I was in limbo. Do I walk back on the path I was going on, or do I try to find something different, something new? The Fellowship helped me to see that I can continue my uni work and do community work, both at the same time. I learned that my community work doesn't have to be grand, that it can start from the people all around me. The Fellowship experience gave me clarity about my gifts and confidence to give them.”
— Leo Wu, youngest fellow (24) of The Possibility Fellowship 2022

"Peter, you seem to truly live in the realm of Possibility...the kindness and gentleness I feel emanating from you, comes from your intention and willingness and I would say your habitual or natural way of not making assumptions about the other person which could stifle your interaction with them.That is what living in the moment can mean. It is always creative. Thank you, dear Peter, and also Nicola, who is likewise non-judgmental and thoroughly kind. Your endless creativity during this Course has given us surprises all along the way. This was a course without a detectable rudder, steering us unerringly toward our own greater identity and therefore our greater inspiration.”
— Carla van Raay, oldest fellow (84) of The Possibility Fellowship 2022

The Possibility Fellowship includes...

• An introductory weekend intensive to 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 Wednesday morning from 9 am to 1 pm and will include guest contributors. Mid-course, we'll spend a full Wednesday together exploring the power of ritual for times of transition and transformation.
• Encouragement to meet with a small learning group between sessions for mutual support, discovery and creative play. In addition, we recommend allowing at least two hours between each in-person gathering for your own creative project development.
• Occasional conversations/consultations with Peter/Nicola. Option to book a "Core Gift Interview" with Nicola or another certified Master Facilitator (not included in course fees).
• The final weekend gathering is a festive celebration! As Graduates of The Possibility Fellowship, you will share the fruits of your explorations through dialogues, mini-workshops, storytelling, or in other creative ways, offering a window or glimpse into your vision for inclusive community.

Gathering dates

Saturday 11 March 2023	9am-5pm	Introductory Weekend
Sunday 12 March 2023	9am-4pm	Introductory Weekend
Wednesday 22 March 2023	9am-1pm	Gathering
Wednesday 5 April 2023	9am-1pm	Gathering
Wednesday 19 April 2023	9am-5pm, 6pm-9pm	Ritual Gathering, Shared Meal Out
Wednesday 3 May 2023	9am-1pm	Gathering
Wednesday 17 May 2023	9am-1pm	Gathering
Friday 26 May 2023	6pm-8.30pm	Festive Sharing
Saturday 27 May 2023	9am-5pm	Festive Sharing
Sunday 28 May 2023	9am-5pm	Festive Sharing

Small group catch-ups

Between gatherings, 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.

Together with your fellows, you'll be invited to carry a traditional tale through this course, to support your inner journey and transformation. Traditional tales carry the wisdom of our ancestors and offer powerful metaphors for transformation and growth

Venues

Opening weekend

Ken Jackman Hall 2, Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre, Cnr Chisham Ave & Robbos Way, Kwinana Town Centre WA 6167

Wednesday morning fortnightly gatherings

Boronia Room, John Wellard Community Centre, Cnr Runnymede Gate & The Strand, Wellard WA 6170
(A 2-min walk from Wellard Station)

All venues are accessible via public transport and have wheelchair access, free parking and are close to food outlets, amenities and parks.

Expressions of interest for a place in PF23

The Possibility Fellowship 2023 (PF23) follows PF22, which ran from September through November last year and participants loved it. We invite you to check the comments and achievements of graduating Fellows at the final Weekend Glimpse Program on Befriend's website. Just scroll down the page and click through.

Last year we received more expressions of interest than there were places available. This year we are again capping the numbers at 18 people, and we expect the course to fill quickly.

Chosen applicants will be offered a place based on:

• the date we receive your Expression of Interest
• your passion to contribute to more inclusive communities
• how good the 'fit' is between what you are looking for and what the course offers
• your availability and commitment to the Fellowship
  As continuity and focus are important, and the Fellowship is a community event, we expect fellows to attend every gathering, unless they are sick or have an emergency
• the diversity of participants’ backgrounds and project ideas
• PLEASE NOTE: THE FEE YOU OFFER WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR CHANCE OF ACCEPTANCE

What now?

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

1. Register your Expression of Interest (EOI) by pressing the 'Get Tickets' button above. You will immediately receive an email confirmation.
2. Either Nicola or Peter (the course leaders) will contact you by phone or text to arrange a brief chat. This is so we can learn a little about you, you can learn about us and the course, and we can respond to any questions or concerns you may have.
3. If, after we have chatted, you wish to proceed and we accept your application, we will offer you a place.
4. Once you are invited to join The Fellowship, you can pay the course fee you have nominated—or we have agreed alternative contributions—which will secure your place in the course.
5. Resister your EOI by midnight SATURDAY 4 MARCH (the sooner the better).

FAQ

“Would the Fellowship be suitable for me if I don’t have a particular project in mind?” Absolutely. The most important attribute is that you care for others and are passionate about community, by which we mean living well together. Previous Fellows ranged from those who were uncertain of their direction and what to do next, to those who have been involved with a project for a long time and looking for new possibilities within their field.

“Guys, I love this, but money is SO tight right now and I can’t afford it...” We know that money is tight for many people. Fortunately, the Fellowship is a partially funded course, and we can offer deep discounts. We’re also open to periodic payments, exchange arrangements and in-kind contributions. We ask you to offer what you want to and can afford. The bottom line is that even if your financial circumstances are dire, we will bend over backwards to make it possible for you to join us if you are passionate about living with integrity and generosity and learning together.

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

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

About Befriend

Our vision is an inclusive, connected world. We exist to spark human connection between people from diverse backgrounds, to grow inclusive communities in which all people are valued and belong.

www.befriend.org.au