PROSPECTUS

GoodtoGreat

FATHERING COURSE

SAS Training Programme

The course training programme is modelled on the Australian SAS training programme. Many of the assignments are easy but there will be some that your participants may find very hard to complete. This will vary from person to person.

More than Just a Fatherhood Course

You will be required to exert enormous force of heart and soul. Only a strong commitment to the end goal will carry you through. The end goal is what your children need: an involved, loving, responsible and committed father. You can always be replaced in your work place, but you can never be replaced as a father. Every young child believes that his/her father is the best dad in the world. Good to Great is all about making that a reality.

The Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is primarily a fatherhood course, but it is also a relationship course, marriage course, self-development for men course, leadership course, how-to-be-a-great-husband course, men's health course, sexual integrity course and a how-to-have-fun-with-your-children course.

The Journey of Good to Great

The most critical thing to remember is that the Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is a journey, not a destination. Whenever we think that we have arrived, that is usually the moment we start to go backwards. The price of safety is eternal vigilance. Jim Collins, author of 'Built to Last' and 'Good to Great' says:

‘Good is the enemy of great’ and that is one of the key reasons why so little around us becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of companies never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good - and that is their main problem.’

You are reading this prospectus because you realise that being good, is not good enough. You are considering making an application to do the Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course because you believe your children deserve the best!

We are here to help you achieve it.

Only apply if you dare!

Warwick Marsh

Dads4Kids

Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation

National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526

Web: Email:

Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212

GoodtoGreat

FATHERING COURSE

WHAT IS GOOD TO GREAT?

The Dads4Kids‘Good to Great Fathering Course’ is the revolutionary approach to combating the crisis in Australian fatherhood which is affecting our children. The Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation, based in Wollongong Australia, is pioneering this innovative advance in fatherhood training. TheDads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course was officially launched on a national level during the tour of the ‘Absent’ movie across Australia. The Australian ‘Bring Back Fatherhood’ Absent National Premier Film Tour, sponsored by Dads4Kids, took place from 13-30 June 2013. The tour visited Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth as well as seven regional centres.

Dads4Kids brought the award winning producer of this documentary, Justin Hunt, to Australia to tour with the film, in order to create strong media interest about the importance of fathers. The movie ‘Absent’ has won four Best Documentary Awards at various film festivals, numerous other film awards and has been featured in national news stories in the USA and other parts of the world.

One of the reasons ‘Absent’ has attracted national and international media attention is the fact that one of the many fathers interviewed in the documentary is James Hetfield, the lead singer of the band ‘Metallica’. James Hetfield well knows the pain of fatherlessness. His dad walked out on him when he was 12 years old.

The film also features the story of former world boxing champion Johnny Tapia along with interviews with John Eldredge, best selling author of ‘Wild at Heart’ and many others. ‘Absent’ may be purchased from Koorong Books.

Almost one million Australian children are growing up in a home without their biological father. Time and research has shown that this is not the optimum environment for children to grow up in. Many children and indeed adults, carry a father-wound inflicted by careless or uninvolved fathers. Many of the men who are now fathers still feel the old wounds inflicted by their own father. The challenge is to break this generational cycle and create a better place for our children. Mothers will also reap the benefits of more involved and committed fathers. We are talking about education, support, recognition and a mutual sense of achievement for groups of men who together strive for excellence in the most important task of their lives. Men partnering together for a fathering breakthrough.

The Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is all about inspiring and equipping fathers to go to the next level as a dad. Every young child believes that his or her father is the best dad in the world. The Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is about preparing fathers to prove their children right, one family at a time.

Course Content

Knowledge empowers people to rise above their circumstances. The Dads4Kids Fatherhood Good to Great Course provides foundational information and skills to assist men in understanding and prioritising their relationships. This course deals with the core issues of affective fathering. Core topics addressed will include:

  • keys for success
  • goal setting
  • love & marriage
  • building relationships
  • building values
  • listening /communicating
  • conflict resolution
  • unconditional love
  • fun & laughter
  • secret of forgiveness
  • learning lessons
  • learning to say sorry
  • humour & health
  • exercise & food
  • key to friendship
  • spiritual foundations
  • honour and respect
  • equality
  • servant leadership
  • lifelong mentoring
  • power of praise
  • rites of passage
  • sexual integrity
  • managing testosterone
  • mystery of sex
  • mystery of fatherhood
  • time management

Course Structure

Structure of the course is as follows: Training is conducted in small groups with a heavy emphasis on interactive and experiential learning. Fatherhood mentors will provide hands-on practical advice for the challenge of moving to a greater level of fathering excellence. The course runs for ten weeks. An extra week is included at the conclusion of the course for the Graduation and Family Celebration Night.

The course will commence at 7.00 pm and conclude at approximately 9.30 pm. The first hour will be allocated to a video speaker possibly followed by Q & A.

A 15 minute break for tea and coffee will follow.

The final period is allocated to group work, written questions, discussion, field exercises and reporting sessions.

The training regime is tough and a high level of commitment is expected and required. Entry requirements likewise are high to help ensure successful completion of the course without missing a session. Dads4Kids believes that encouraging a sense of camaraderie and mateship between fathers during the training will aid in dissemination of the benefits of this course to those fathers who are unable to undertake the training themselves. Personal recommendation is still the best advertisement.

The course is designed around practical components or ‘field exercises’. Activities are designed to activate positive fathering skills such as strengthening effective communications with your children and romancing your wife will help build excellence in fathering. Skills and knowledge learned or applied during exercises, together with strong peer and mentoring support will make this a challenging and fruitful learning experience.

The Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is modelled on the training plan of Australia’s elite Special Forces, the SAS. The SAS is recognised as one of the very best elite military forces in the world. Those who survive the training regime are the best of the best, proficient, disciplined and committed leaders. Likewise successful applicants for the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Good to Great training programmust be confident, capable men, passionate for excellence as fathers and able to lead other men in the offensive against the threats posed to our children by fatherlessness, dysfunction and complacency.

Course Details

Course Information & Promotions

The official Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is usually auspiced under a local church or community group. The optimum size of the group doing the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Course should be 12 course applicants with three committed mentor trainers. The one to four ratio always applies and it is a mandatory requirement. Usually each course requires a minimum of three to six committed men who help facilitate the course as mentors, trainers and helpers. Ideally this can develop into a local chapter of Dads4Kids or an informal “band of Brothers”. Having a small core team in each locality is critical for each courses success. At least one of the members of the core team will have done the Dads4Kid Train the Trainer Summit and be at Minimum a certified Associate Trainer. It is ideal that at least two or three of the core team members will have completed the Dads4Kid Train the Trainer course but this is not always possible.

The cost of the Good to Great Fathering Course is $250. This investment is far greater for all concerned than the fees charged so any help at a local level is greatly appreciated. Many dads have made gift to help other fathers do the course at a reduced rate. The $250 fee includesthe Course workbook and supporting Course Curriculum on DVD and in written form. It is suggested that any catering is BYO or allocated on a roster system over the ten nights to help reduce costs. The Course price has been heavily subsidised by Dads4Kids. In private industry such a high level self-development course would be priced at approximately $1,500.

Course Author

Warwick Marsh, founder of the Dads4kids Fatherhood Foundation is an accredited workplace trainer and has put the course together with Certification in workplace training as the model for the course so that key competencies as a father are identified and attained. Warwick's main goal is to equip course trainers. The core goal is that the course program will be facilitated by at least one approved Dads4Kids Course Trainer with a team of enthusiastic and committed assistant facilitators and mentors. The Good to Great speakers are recorded on Video DVD for ease of portability. Warwick has been married to his wife Alison since 1975. They have five children between 21 and 33 years of age. Warwick has a solid track record of credentials in human relations, training and communication. During 24 years working for causes in the non-profit sector he has received much recognition including the award by the Governor General of the Centenary Medal for community service. As well as being a recognised international speaker on marriage and fatherhood, Warwick is the editor of ‘Fathersonline’ a weekly inspirational email for busy fathers. The success of the inaugural National Strategic Conference on Fatherhood in Parliament House in 2003 was founded largely on the dreams and efforts of Warwick and Alison Marsh and others who share a vision for the excellence of Australian fathering. They believe it is time for society, business, church and government to address the needs of Australian fathers, families and children because “Our future is Ourchildren”. The ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course features input from many of Australia’s foremost authorities and speakers on fatherhood including international input.

Course Requirements

Places in the Good to Great Fathering Course are strictly limited. Most times people are turned away because of mandatory restrictions on trainer to applicant ratios so we encourage you to be quick with your application. Priority consideration is given to those who are first to apply, although every application will be judged on its own merit. The sacrifice of undertaking Good to Great will be considerable and the benefitsimmediate. The long term gain to your family and children will be immeasurable and will last for lifetimes to come.

It is usual practice to hold a Course information barbecue night or dinner with a guest speaker on fatherhood as a way to explain the course and help people make a decision to attend the ten week course. It is expected that all course participants will commit to full attendance over the ten week period. The Celebration Graduation Ceremony is also of critical importance for you and your family. Full attendance, including participation in the Family Fun Night for dads and their children and the Dad & Kids Camp Out Fri Night & Saturday day, at suitable camp site or caravan park, will contribute to a high level distinction gold star pass.

Course commitment by attendees is a critical component for successful completion of the course. Your attendance will be recorded. Ages of children and family schedules will have to be taken into account with the additional fun activities. Individual family needs can be catered for, but this must be confirmed by prior arrangement with course trainer to avoid course disqualification for Good to Great attendees. Course attendance and completion of weekly field exercises is a vital part of each attendee's success and graduation.

Basic Requirements for those who commit to the Good to Great Course

1) Commitment to Good to Great Core Values.

2) Commitment to Course Requirements.

3) Commitment to complete all course homework.

4) Commitment to full time course attendance.

5) You must take your wife away for a romantic night getaway.

7) You must turn the TV off and eat dinner together as a family every night where possible.

8) You must have one night / meal per week as a family dinner

For more information, contact the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation

National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526

Web: Email:

Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212

GoodtoGreat

FATHERING COURSE

Sample of Course Dates

7 - 9.30 pm - Wednesdays

Venue – Usually the auspicing church or community organisation:

5 September

12 September

19 September

22 September - Saturday 6pm Family Fun Night

26 September

no session - school holidays - 3 October

no session - school holidays - 10 October

17 October

24 October

26 & 27 October - Dad & Kids Camp Out

31 October

7 November

14 November

21 November

28 November - Graduation

Additional Activities

1) Family Fun Night for Dad and the Kids

Saturday 22September

Venue – Usually the auspicing church or community organisation:

6 pm BYO Pot Luck Dinner

7.15 pm Fun Night Concert

All family members welcome

2) Dad & Kids Camp Out

Friday night and Saturday day - 26 & 27 October

Venue – Bush Campsite or Caravan Park

Information attached

Pay your own fees / BYO food

3) Graduation Celebration Night

Wednesday 28November

GoodtoGreat

FATHERING COURSE

LearningStrategy

Adult males prefer learning situations which are:

Practical and problem centred

Promote their positive self esteem

Integrate new ideas with existing knowledge

Show respect for the individual learner

Capitalise on their experience

Allow choice and self direction

Schedule and Session Times

Good to Great is a 21/2hour course held over 10 weeks (usually on a week night). It is designed for twelve participants with three fatherhood mentors who mentor 4 fathers each over the ten week period.

Each weekly training session will start at 7.00 pm and finish at 9.30 pm.

On completion of the course an informal graduation celebration night with stories from wives, family members and fathers will be held for all graduates to attend. Formal awards will be presented to mark the achievement of the completion of the Good to Great Fathering Excellence Course. Successful completion will entail attendance at all ten sessions and successful completion and reporting of all field exercises within the programme.

Session Times

Part One will be from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm and will consist of a guest lecturer in situ or on widescreen video from Course DVD set. Some examples of the guest lecturers on DVD are previous Australian Father of the Year Awardees, doctors, ministers, authors, businessmen, academics and ordinary Aussie dads.

The lecture phase will go for approximately an hourwith speakers sharing their own life experiences, the good the bad, the triumphs and the difficulties, strategies for success with excellence in fathering development as the end goal. A break of 15 min will follow.

Part Two will go from 8:15PM – 9:30PM and consist of a Key Assignment / Exercise Challenge – Why & Wherefore, followed by group discussion and reflection with an individual report by each group member. The emphasis will be on experiential learning with successful completion of key field exercise components. This will confirm competency.

For more information, contact the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation

National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526

Web: Email:

Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212

GoodtoGreat

FATHERING COURSE

DVD Curriculum Plan and Key Competencies

Week 1Speaker: Dr Allan Meyer (4 children). CEO CareforceLifekeys.

Tools for Change & Goals for Life– the road to fatherhood success: the importance of vision, conviction, discipline, endurance and goal setting.

Week 2Speaker: Dr Bruce Robinson (4 children). Professor of Medicine,Western Australia and author of 'Fathering from the Fast Lane' and ‘Daughters and their Dads’.

Friendship & Fun with Your Family - being there, unconditional love and making your children feel special.

Week 3Speaker: Rhett Morris (5 children). Founder ‘Bulletproof People’ – management and communications consultant.

Good to Great Fathers - listening & communication: the art of servant leadership and the importance of having a sense of humour.

Week 4Speaker: Dr John Tickell(5 children). Medical Doctor, international speaker, bestselling author and television personality.

The Stress of Success:living longer, eating right, laughter, health, rest and self development as a man and father.

Week 5Speaker: Darren Lewis (4 children). Founder of ‘Fathering Adventures’, 2012 Queensland Father of the Year.