"Briefing" Training Workshop

'Briefing for Senders' is a one-day, practical, interactive workshop with time for questions and discussion, which aims to teach participants how to provide appropriate preparation and effective briefing to those who are preparing for engagement in short-term mission overseas.  

Appropriate preparation prior to going overseas can make all the difference to an individual or team's ability to achieve their objectives, and have a good experience in the process. Ignore proper preparation, and disaster is almost inevitable!

Good briefing not only helps make the overseas mission experience fruitful and worthwhile, but it’s also vital in laying solid foundations for the return home, helping individuals to cope better with settling back into the routines of 'normal life’.

This will be the first time this event has been run in Northern Ireland. 'Briefing for Senders' is the first in a series of two interrelated training workshops; the other is 'Debriefing for Senders', which is being run later on in the year, on Saturday, 15th May 2010.  

Who should attend?  Congregational Leaders and Mission Agency staff who have responsibility 'at the home base' for ensuring that the teams (or individuals) they are sending overseas on short-term mission are well prepared, and cared for pastorally before, during and after their return home. This training is also appropriate for Team Leaders, as it will help them understand how to prepare and support their teams. Ideally, those attending 'Briefing for Senders' should also consider attending the 'Debriefing for Senders' workshop.

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 Learning Outcomes  -  By the end of the day it is hoped that participants will be able to help those who go on short-term mission trips to:

• Have realistic goals and expectations
• Be aware of some important differences between cultures
• Understand what ‘culture shock’ is, and ways to cope with it
• Consider how the short-term mission trip can have a long-term positive impact
• Understand important security issues
• Be aware of health issues
• Know what to do if they experience difficulties while they are away
• Prepare for a good home-coming

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Workshop Facilitator  -  The workshop facilitator will be Dr Debbie Hawker, a consultant psychologist who works full-time with missionaries and their children, and is considered to be a leading expert in caring effectively for, and in the briefing and debriefing of, those engaged in mission service overseas. Debbie, who is also a member of the staff team at InterHealth (a London-based travel clinic specialising in serving the needs of mission personnel), is coming over from England especially to run this workshop.

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Booking  -  The Mission Overseas Office in Church House is looking after the administration and arrangements for this event.
To book your place, please contact us. We need your name (and those of any others coming with you); the name of your congregation, agency or group; and an email address and a mobile or daytime landline contact telephone number.
Course fees should be paid on the day, at registration at the start of the workshop. Participants need to bring their own packed lunch. Tea & Coffee will be provided free-of-charge on arrival, mid-morning, at lunchtime and mid-afternoon.

Registration:	9.00 am to 9.30 am
Workshop:	9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Fee:	£10.00 per person
Closing Date:	Thursday, 4th March 2010

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Venue  -  The workshop is being held in Hillhall Presbyterian Church Halls, a short distance from Lisburn and close to the M1 motorway, Jct 6 Exit (A3/A49). The address is 163 Hillhall Road, Lisburn, BT27 5JA. To view location map, follow the link below.

Google Map Link	Hillhall Presbyterian Church
Irish Grid Ref	J 288 642
Sat-Nav Coordinates	N 54° 30.598', W 006° 00.672'
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