We are a social change, membership-based organisation
Our vision is a world transformed by conscious collaboration
We dream of a
life-nourishing
world for all
We believe groups can change the world for the better
We are inspired by the systems of collaboration in the natural world which tell us that interdependence is our planet’s life force.
We are alive to the challenges of the times we are in, defined by unprecedented change, upheaval, and uncertainty
We commit to opening our hearts and minds to meet these challenges with authenticity, hope and creativity.
Our role is to help groups thrive
We do this by supporting people to draw on their innate wisdom and compassion, to hear each other across differences, and to listen deeply, even when challenged.
We are leaders in group collaboration and facilitation. We practice facilitative leadership in all aspects of our work to model the transformative power of conscious collaboration.
We work where our services have the greatest influence and the most impact.
Our values underpin our practice in conscious collaboration
Awareness
Connection
Equity
Our story began in 1984
Originally working in the community sector, our founders asked themselves: What is our best contribution towards a just and sustainable world?
The answer was: go behind the scenes and help groups work well together.
So in 1984, we started Commonground Training Resources with two key aims:
To provide support for organisations to work well together to maximise their impact
To create a retreat venue in the bush for community-based groups to get away for training and support
We identified three key areas:
Facilitating for others
Collaborative management/leadership
Collaborative workplace training
This focus is based on our belief in the transformational capacity of groupwork – when people can work well together in groups, it is good for the individual, the group and the broader community
Today, decades later, we are still helping people and groups work well together, based on principles of self-awareness and compassion, to give you skills to achieve your goals.