PROPOSED TRAINING DESIGN for 
University of Michigan AMERICORPS program
Helen Fox, Consultant to AmeriCorps
October, 1995


Training Goals:


To increase members' understanding of the causes of Detroit's social 
and economic problems

To develop members' abilities to communicate with people who are 
different from themselves educationally, economically, ethnically and 
in religious faith

To develop competence of members to carry out their AmeriCorps 
projects

To develop group solidarity and support

To strengthen members' future leadership capacities



I)  THE CONTEXT: WHAT HAPPENED TO DETROIT?

	Session:  Detroit social and economic history
	Suggested Topics:  
		history of Detroit and SE Michigan from pre-WWII 
		industrial development and later disinvestment	
		ethnic migrations, enclaves, histories, economies, 
			relationships
		freeways and public transportation
		riots, real estate speculation, white flight


	Training Methods: 
		Small group guided tours of the city
		Small and large group reflection and discussion	
	
	Session: Detroit Politics from Coleman Young to Dennis Archer
	Suggested Topics:
		"the good and the bad" of the Coleman Young era
		where the power lies today: how to negotiate various 
			layers of the public sector
		examples of power grabbing by vested interests 
		examples of successful strategizing and negotiating by 
			neighborhood organizations
		how community development corporations work

	Training Methods: 
		Story telling by agency heads and others
		Small and large group discussions
		
II) THE VISION: WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?

	Session: Visioning
	Suggested Topics: 
		AmeriCorps national and regional goals
		personal and political goals of community 		
			development organizations, neighborhood 
			people, AmeriCorps members (new and old), 
			AmeriCorps staff
		
	Training Methods
		small group reflection and discussion

III) THE RELATIONSHIP: HOW TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THE 
				VISION A REALITY

	Sessions:  Communication Across Cultures and Classes
	Suggested Topics (or individual sessions):
		African American Cultures and Communication Styles
		Chaldean-American/Arab-American Cultures
		Latino/a Cultures
	Training Methods: 
		cultural events, festivals, music, etc.
		communication games and simulations
		story telling by community members
		critical incidents
        small and large group discussion
		personal reflection
	
	Session:  R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Our Biggest Challenge
	Suggested Topics:
		Getting beyond good-hearted, but  false assumptions and 
				stereotypes
		Equalizing relationships: "working with" neighborhood 
			people, recognizing community assets and strengths 
			instead of "giving to" people who can't seem 
				to get it together	
		Developing effective strategies for managing and 
				participating in meetings: getting beyond emotion, 
				moving the meeting forward, including everyone in 
				discussion, recognizing patterns of unequal 
				interaction
		Building solidarity among AmeriCorps members

	Training Methods:
		group Dynamics exercises
		small and large group discussion
		UM Ropes course
		continuing structured opportunities to network among 
			AmeriCorps members, visit each other's sites, 
			discuss work-related problems

IV  THE PRACTICE: BUILDING SKILLS FOR WORK WITHIN THE 
	NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
	Session: Grassroots Organizing Strategies
	Suggested Topics: 
		neighborhood events, door-to-door canvassing, 
		neighborhood marches, block clubs, advertising fliers, 
		newsletters
		effective community assessments: how to get 
			participation in surveys 
		personal safety issues
		
	Training Methods:
		presentation and discussion of various strategies
		participating in an event such as giving or getting 
		information door to door
		reflection, sharing of experiences, difficulties and 
			personal strategies
	
	Session: "Getting Things Done": Program Planning and Design
	Training Methods: Design and plan a real program, advertise it, 
		carry it out with maximum community involvement, reflect 
		on it

	Session: Conflict Resolution
	Suggested Topics: 
		TOT (Training of Trainers) on resolution of youth conflicts

		Training Methods: Case studies, drama, small group practice

	Session: Creating Sustainable Organizations
	Suggested Topics: Developing abilities to set objectives as a 
		group; developing writing skills

	Training Methods: Mock grant development in small groups; 
		feedback 

	Session Clusters (members choose according to their needs and 
		interests)
		Working with youth
			Suggested Topics:
				how to talk so kids will listen
				how to listen so kids will talk
				how to work with homeless youth
				in-depth conflict resolution
				how to talk with kids about gangs

			Training Methods:
				drama, talks by effective youth leaders, 
				practice

		Understanding Property Issues
			Suggested Topics: 
				ABCs of Detroit Real Estate
			Training Methods:
				Lecture, question and answer, discussion

		Computer Literacy
			Suggested Topics:
				various computer programs, as needed
				creating newsletters
			Training Methods:
				Hands-on practice
				
V) THE FUTURE: 
	Personal goals, career goals and opportunities
	Careers in social justice and community organizing work at all 
		levels
	

Suggested Training Timetable: 
	4 or 5 days and evenings up front, before members go to their 
		organizations, PLUS
	one full day each month (or one more 4-5 day session later in 
		the year)