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Training With All the Comforts of Home – By Chris Gay

June 12, 2012

 SWOVA has always prided itself on the training it provides facilitators interested in delivering the Respectful Relationships (R+R) curriculum. Respectful Relationships (R+R) is a National and Provincial award winning schools-based primary violence prevention program for youth, developed by SWOVA. R+R is an effective 4-year, 48-session curriculum that addresses bullying, sexism, racism, and homophobia, with a focus on the development of healthy, non-violent relationships among adolescent youth (male and female).

Typically, SWOVA has waited until it has a critical mass of interested individuals requiring training and they have come to Salt Spring Island for an intensive week. Face to face training lasts 5 full days for 8 hours/day. Along with travel and accommodation costs, it has been a labour intensive and expensive way to train people.

Now with the new Online R+R Facilitator’s Training participants can cover the material at his or her own pace (within a 6-week period of time), have individual coaching support and group calls, and practice facilitation skills within their own community. All from the comfort of one’s home computer.

Benefits of online training are numerous and clearly documented to be:

  1. Affordability – Once the online curriculum is developed, it is more affordable to administer. It permits participants to take the training when they can afford the time to do so. It allows the participant to determine when the training will fit into their life rather than having to fit their life around the training.
  2. Time – There is always a time and a way to make online training happen. Although SWOVA has added a personal contact component to the training, it is much more flexible and can begin when the time suits the learner. It is not as dependent on volume of participants in order to deliver the training.
  3. Convenience – Everyone has very busy professional and personal lives. To travel for training, uproots one from the rhythm of their daily life. This can be disruptive not only for the individual but for one’s family and work place colleagues. Through online training, you can build it into breaks during your work routine, or manage it solely at home in your off hours. You negotiate how it will work for you.
  4. Reliability – SWOVA developed this training. It includes re-enacted scenarios, online quizzes, links to noteworthy video clips, and reputable current research links. Because SWOVA owns this online curriculum they can update it regularly, as they do the R+R curriculum for youth. You can be sure that you are accessing a current curriculum that has been endorsed by SWOVA and adheres to the values and principles of the organization.
  5. Personal Contact – SWOVA firmly believes in the value of relationships. Consequently, it makes sense that SWOVA’s Online R+R Facilitator’s Training includes a human element. Not only do you have the online curriculum to follow and the actual R+R curriculum and related DVDs, you have personal contact weekly with a moderator during group calls, who also provides some one on one coaching throughout the 6-week training and one session post-training. Learning as a cohort provides support during the weekly calls and unites an ongoing community of practice post training.

Interested in learning more or taking the Online R+R Facilitator’s Training, call or email today at: 250-537-1336 or info[at]swova[dot]org

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New to Salt Spring, Devon is excited to engage with the local community. As a certified teacher and registered counsellor, she works with students both on Salt Spring and across BC, offering social and emotional instruction, support, and skill development. Her extensive experience in both educational and recreational settings has given her a strong appreciation for the critical role that meaningful connection with others plays in the development of children and youth. A strong advocate for social-emotional learning, Devon views it as the foundation for all other areas of growth and is particularly inspired by the programs offered by The Circle Education.

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Christina Adair is a dedicated professional serving as a District Child and Youth Worker for SD64. With an extensive background spanning over 15 years, Christina has acquired substantial experience working with children and youth in diverse capacities. Her unwavering commitment lies in fostering youth leadership and advocating for their rights. Christina has demonstrated her dedication through 13 years of volunteering with Scouts Canada, where she successfully led youth groups and facilitated adult meetings. Christina takes immense pride in her role as a caregiver and mentor to countless young individuals, with her two grown children serving as a testament to her nurturing capabilities.

Dan has been working in the credit union system for over 22 years, the last 8 with Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union.  His latest role is as a Branch Manager for the Salt Spring branch.

He has a long-time passion for giving back to his community, particularly where children are concerned.  He has been a scout leader for the last 19 years and has taken part in 2 Pacific Jamborees.  Once as a participant and the latest one as the treasurer.

He also volunteered for 12 years with the PACE program in Victoria.  PACE is a musical theater program through the school system for children ages 5 – 17 that puts on two shows every year.

While new to Salt Spring, having moved here in the spring of 2021, he is excited to get involved with the community and proud to be involved with The Circle Education.

Lisa grew up in Cochrane, Alberta, and has recently come to live on Salt Spring Island, after having lived abroad for 25 years.  She studied fine arts at the Wackers Academie in Amsterdam, had a son in Denmark and a daughter in the UK. She served as Chair of the PTA of Holy Trinity Primary School in Wimbledon for 5 years, which was a registered charity entity separate from the school. She learned about the Pass it On Boys program when her son showed an interest in joining it. Being new to the community she asked fellow parents about the program to find out how it was viewed. After hearing only good things about it, she registered her son and the next logical step was of course to join the board, as she always strives to be an active member of the community by providing support based on her broad life experience.

Lyyli Kennedy was a Pass it On mentor at Gulf Islands Secondary School and has been drawn to the idea of working with The Circle Education for a long time. She had been waiting for a facilitator role that aligned with her schedule as head baker at Francis Bread, and this role with the Pass it On Program is the perfect match. With her background leading diverse kitchen teams and working as a classroom education assistant, Lyyli (pronounced Loo-Lee) is committed to fostering respectful relationships and inclusive spaces.

Patrick Howlett moved from Australia to Canada in 2019. Nine years earlier, he switched careers from communications to outdoor education. He worked with young people at The Great Aussie Bush Camp and Camp Tanuga in Michigan, USA, and helped students run their Senior Leadership Challenge at Camp Summit in Squamish. His work with youth taught him the value of patience, the ability to see the best in people, the importance of clear communication and empathy.

Marcia is our Communications and Event Coordinator since July 2021. She moved with her husband and two daughters – who are both attending high school in SD64 now – from the Netherlands to Salt Spring Island in 2012

As a swim team coach for the Salt Spring Stingrays, Marcia knows and understands youth realities of living on a small island.

Marcia has 25+ years of experience in writing and communication for Dutch and Canadian media outlets – most recently the Driftwood – and non-for-profits.

Kate has been working with The Circle since 2010, serving as a facilitator and contributor to program development. Her extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula has supported the organization's ability to address youth needs effectively.

Kate's unique approach combines her background in theatre, play building, and improv with a deep understanding of youth development. This blend of skills allows her to create engaging, interactive experiences that resonate with young people across various age groups.

Students consistently praise Kate for her compassion, attentiveness, and ability to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Nick MacKinnon has a background in cancer research and biomedical engineering and in working with medical device startup companies as a founder and director. As a former educator, Nick has a strong commitment to STEM advocacy. He has served as a director and advisor on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the biomedical engineering programs at BCIT and UBC and professional associations in both BC and internationally. Nick has also been involved with non-profit cooperatives in British Columbia, particularly in the housing and car-sharing sectors. Notably, as a director, he helped lead the development and construction of the 54-unit Arbutus Housing Co-op in Vancouver. Now retired, Nick continues his longstanding dedication to education and social justice. As a director with The Circle Education, his interest is in governance, financial management, and fundraising.

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Janine started her career with the Ministry of Education in Victoria, B.C. in 2000 as an education officer in the area of accountability and system performance. Since moving to SSI, Janine has taught as a teacher-on-call with School District #64, delivered parent support sessions as a trained Virtues Project Facilitator and worked for Volunteer and Community Resources Society (VCR) in support of the island’s not-for-profit sector.

Janine is a dedicated member of the Salt Spring Island community. She sat on the Board of The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation for six years, served as chair of the SSI Foundation Grants Advisory Committee for six years, coordinated the local Terry Fox Run for eight years, served as a board member and then president of the Salt Spring Island Aquatic Society for a total of eight years, and in 2018, she founded the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care.