1. To train the trainers (i.e. group leaders, links, on-site trainers) 
2. To launch new actions and strategies for the academic year
3. To deepen people's understanding of living out SPEAK's values in their local context
4. To strengthen relationships across the Network

Working towards this therefore includes:

Training the Trainers

If you are involved in running any aspect of Vocal Training, it should communicate a 'you can do this too' feel. That might be really obvious, e.g. training people in how to run a campaigns event, but it might be more subtle through people helping to create aspects of the weekend, which you can then say 'it's easy to do this at home. There is more in the section on running workshops at Vocal Training

Preparing for the Launch of New Strategies and Actions

When the autumn term starts, new people will be joinging SPEAK and there is a good long term without end of year exams when most student groups are really active. We want to launch some new actions and other strategies related to our values and work to ensure there is enough for SPEAK Groups and Links to run with throughout the term. This will include

• a new action for each main campaign
• a specific focus for SPEAK week
• mobilisation for Soundcheck and the Day of Action
• new ideas related to our values

Whatever your role in SPEAK, there will be resources, posters and networking opportunities to prepare for. Many of the ideas will come from Flower Model in April so you should have all summer to prepare these.

Deepening an Understanding of the Campaigns and Values

Vocal Training is a longer weekend than Soundcheck and much more intimate. Therefore we can go much more indepth with people on the campaigns and vlaues, focusing in on the most important things.

It’s crucial that everyone feels able to share and that they are a valid part of the weekend. Although we cannot account for the way people feel when they arrive and the baggage they bring with them, we can make sure that they are supported in that and made to feel welcome. The following is therefore crucial

• An opening session that communicates welcoming vibes!
• A few people who can pray with people
• A welcoming space where people can chill out
• A prayer roomInviting
• Contributions from people in all the sessions and promoting good listening in groups
• The NST and core team particularly focussed on being welcoming and spending time with people

it's important to keep focused in all of this as sometimes VT becomes such a relaxed atmosphere that people start drifting away from sessions. It is quite reasonable to keep emphasising the importance of people being in them and have time keepers/people to round up from bedroom etc.

It’s important that new resources are used in session but also that they are kept out on stalls with good posters. They can also be placed about the venue in other places for people to read in their spare time, and for example Pray & Posts could be used in the prayer room.

Strengthening Relationships

If you have sessions with quality depth that give people a chance to share with confidence, and new strategies to give energy and momentum to the Network, you are half way to strengthening the relationships in the Network. However, there are a few more things we do to ensure this works well

• A good venue: It is important that the venue gives people plenty of space to chat, drink tea, be outside. And because it's a long weekend, some creature comforts are a good idea!
• A prayer room: A prayer room is a crucial part of VT as it gives people the space and time to process things that are happening and just spend their own time with God when they are sharing a room and constantly chatting for a few days.

• Décor: The more décor the better really! There may not be much time to think about more than the prayer room but it is good to have banners and just some quotes/pictures around that help people to think on the values and campaigns and make them feel like they are in a SPEAK space, where we are all together.

• Free Time: It is important to have a good amount of free time – usually a few hours in the afternoon and a few hours in the evening each day. Combining this with the evening prayer and worship (if this is how the programme is constructed) would mean having prayer continuing that is optional while others are free to go off and continue discussing whatever they want to. Encouraging late night conversations is also key!

So there you have it! Whatever your role, bear all of this in mind as you prepare for Vocal Training.