Next training dates:

1. Up-coming public Speaker Training days:

More Speaker Training dates coming soon...

What is COIN Speaker Training?

2. Introduction to our Speaker Training programme

Course level: Intermediate and advanced

COIN's intensive one-day training course gives participants the text, information, skills and confidence to prepare and deliver a persuasive half-hour talk on climate change. Participants are guided through a template talk on the causes, impacts and solutions and work in pairs and small groups to find their own language and practice their presentation.

Through role-play participants explore what qualities make a good (and a bad) public speaker and in small groups they explore their own fears about public speaking. The training also gives them advice on dealing with skeptics and ‘difficult’ audiences.

‘Inspiring & motivating. A new political experience but without the party politics. I felt warm, wanted and totally energised.’ Diana Korchien, Flipside Vision

New speakers will gain the confidence that they can speak powerfully without being a scientific expert, by talking of their own experiences, hopes and fears. Seasoned speakers will obtain new skills for communicating more effectively.

The course is accompanied by a template talk booklet and a pack containing pull-out factsheets on ‘Moving People’, ‘Engaging your audience’, ‘Speaking Skills’, ‘Climate Change Impacts’, ‘Dealing with Counter Arguments’, and ‘Managing Discussion in Climate Change Talks’.

Since 2005, over 700 people have attended the speaker training programme. It is especially well-suited for people who want to talk about climate change within a peer group - for example within an organisation, church, or workplace team.

3. JOIN THE THOUSAND SPEAKERS PROGRAMME

COIN has been training people to speak on climate change since 2003. Over 95% of participants have reported that are “very satisfied” with the course. Typical comments include: “Inspirational, engaging and fun day. I'd recommend it to anyone who is considering giving talks to spread the message”; “really good confidence building”; and “the handouts were so useful and excellent quality”.

In 2007-8, we set a bold new target- to train over 1000 people to take the message of climate change back into their own communities. So when you attend a speaker training you become a member of a large and growing community of speakers working together to create real change.

‘Rewarding and inspirational - never thought talking about climate change could feel so positive!' Ali Hines

‘Exceptionally useful training that gave me the structure, foundation and clarity to speak to groups about climate change.’ Alexis Garnaut-Miller, Corporate Wellness

4. What the training supplies

- A Speaker Training pack
A well-presented and carefully designed pack is given all participants. It contains the text of a full 30 minute talk which we call the ‘Template Talk’; a ‘Speaker Training Resource Sheet’ with a list of handy printed materials, online climate news, online video clips, resources for children, background reports and for running meetings; and six factsheets on ‘Moving People’, ‘Engaging your audience’, ‘Speaking Skills’,‘ Climate Change Impacts’ ‘Dealing with Counter Arguments’, and ‘Managing Discussion in Climate Change Talks’.

‘A very thorough ‘kit’ to make a successful climate change presentation.’ Mary Kimble, Institute fro Transport Studies, Leeds University

- An opportunity to meet new people
The highly interactive format of the training enables all participants to meet, share ideas and get to know each other. Many people have created new and lasting contacts at the COIN trainings.

‘I found the day uplifting, as it was very encouraging to be surrounded by people with like-minded views, and it was good to feel you are just as qualified as everyone else’ Monica Srivastava

- Membership of a speaker support network
People who have passed through the trainings will be subscribed to an e-mail and web-forum-based network to register the talks they have given, and exchange their successes, frustrations, and advice. As the programme builds COIN will provide updates and gatherings.

5. If you wish to attend a training

New trainings are regularly announced above and on the COIN announcements mailing list. To receive CONI news, send a blank e-mail to announce-subscribe@coinet.org.uk.

‘A shot in the arm, a real boost. Motivating.’ Douglas Coker

‘Extremely interesting training. That will be very useful for my job.’ Baishakhi Sengupta, London Borough of Camden

6. If you wish to hold a training in your local area or organisation/place of work

Speaker Trainings are usually organised in partnership with another organisation, business, local authority or interested individual. COIN provides two trainers for each event, all materials and wider publicity if needed. The partner provides the venue, participants, publicises the event and pays a standard fee. The partner chooses whether the training is for its own staff or members or the wider public and how much it wishes to subsidise or charge participants.

For an additional fee COIN can adapt the one-day event to meet your specific needs. We can provide a half day course or weekend training. We can design new content to address the needs of specific audiences. And we can include materials and training on the theory of climate change communications and the techniques of one-to-one engagement. This is all possible, do ask us!

7. Rates for holding a training near you

Our fees operate on a sliding scale, based on the size of the partner organisation and/or size of the training group. We ask also that facilitator travel is covered on top of the fee, and that if need be, the facilitators are provided with somewhere to stay if they need to travel a long distance.

8. Comments from past participants:

‘Whether a climate change expert or novice, this session will give you the confidence to talk authoritatively & passionately about this massive topic.’ Peter Hall, Earthwatch

‘I found the day uplifting, as it was very encouraging to be surrounded by people with like-minded views, and it was good to feel you are just as qualified as everyone else’ Monica Srivastava

‘I feel I have moved from amateur to (almost!) professional in just one day’s workshop. Thank you.’ Polly Higgins, The Lazy Environmentalist

‘A fantastic day that gives you confidence to go and talk to people about climate change.’ Anna Portch, Eco-Active

‘Brilliant!’ Caroline Fernandez-Women’s Environmental Network

‘I found it utterly interesting.’ Fiona Booth, Guildford Council

9. Contact COIN

If you have any queries regarding any of the training, please contact COIN on T. 01865 403331, info@coinet.org.uk