TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Groups
TOMNET's Training and Development program is available to the following groups:
- TOMNET members
- TOMNET volunteers
- Men's groups, including rural men's groups
- Older persons organisations
- Community organisations associated with men
- Professional staff of government and non-government organisations
Training and Development Program
(INTERNAL Training and Development)
Module 1: Older Men's Issues
Topics:
- 1. Approaches to Older Ageing
- 2. Older People - Myths and Reality
- 3. Phases of Retirement
- 4. Successful Ageing
- 5. Social Isolation
- 6. Social Support for Older Men
Module 2: Grief and Loss
Topics:
- 1. Grief and Loss - an Overview
- 2. Stages and Tasks of Grieving
- 3. Men's Grief Processes
- 4. Supporting Grieving Men
Module 3: Effective Communication
Topics:
- 1. Communication Barriers and Killers
- 2. Communication Styles and Attitude
- 3. Your Communication Rights
- 4. Key Communication Skills
Module 4: Team Building
Topics:
- 1. Building a Team
- 2. Managing Change
- 3. Decision Making
- 4. Problem Solving
- 5. Conflict Resolution
Mode
Flexibility is a feature of the Training & Development program. Modules and topics can be selected as required. Formal or informal presentations are based on adult learning principles - from PowerPoint presentations to round table discussions.
Module time slots can range from 1 - 4 hours and the level of content remains variable according to types of participants. Through consultation with interested groups the flexible T & D program is negotiable.
Rural Outreach
TOMNET's activities extend beyond Toowoomba City. Outreach work, largely through South West Queensland, is undertaken to help establish men's/older men's groups in rural areas.
Our outreach aim is to promote the successful model in rural communities, while encouraging self-determination and ownership of their group that suits their own circumstances, conditions and preferences.
Outreach work is undertaken by men who have knowledge and experience of life on the land and who relate to their peers in the country. The establishment, support and consolidation of rural men's groups is followed up by way of training and development activities for men and their communities.
RURAL OUTREACH Training & Development
There are three approaches to this activity.
- 1. Internal Training & Development - Men's groups
Men's groups are given opportunity to address selected modules or topics of the Training & Development program, or other areas of particular interest to the men. This approach usually involves discussion groups of one or two hours duration. Other arrangements can be negotiated. Generally, the Older Men's Issues module is the primary focus.
- 2. Internal Training & Development - Community Workers
Professional and lay community workers in government and non-government organisations who work directly or indirectly with men/older men are able to receive presentations or participate in workshops in line with the Training & Development program. Of particular relevance are topics from the Older Men's Issues Module. Sessions are negotiable in terms of content and time.
- 3. External Training & Development - Living Works
TOMNET is especially interested in suicide prevention and intervention and works closely with Lifeline Darling Downs. TOMNET has expertise in delivering ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshops, two-day training on suicide first-aid. SafeTALK workshops are also conducted with Lifeline, and designed to raise suicide alertness in the community. TOMNET also promotes and encourages all community members to address suicide-related issues.
