Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design Complete Guide for System 5.0 Effective September 2010 – September 2015 For prospective and existing apprentices, tutors and administrators. “We need to set about, in an orderly, sensible, and cooperative way, a system of replacing power-centred politics and political hierarchies with a far more flexible, practical, and information-centred system responsive to research and feedback, and with long- term goals of stability. And we need to do this in an ethical and non-threatening way, so that the transition to a cooperative (versus conflicting) global society is creative (not destructive).” Strategies for an Alternative Nation, Chapter 14 of Bill Mollison’s Permaculture: A Practical Guide for a Sustainable Future (Washington, D.C., Island Press, 1990) DRAFT: GRAPHICS NOT YET STARTED! Permaculture Association. Charity 1116699, Company 05908919. Diploma: Complete Guide for System 5.0. Sept 2010 1 Table of Contents Contents Welcome to the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design .............................5 Acknowledgements, version control and copyright......................................6 Thanks.................................................................................................................. 6 Version control........................................................................................................ 6 Copyright............................................................................................................... 6 Chapter One: A quick guide to the Diploma – FAQs......................................7 What is the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design?..........................................................7 Why is the Diploma important?.....................................................................................7 Who does the Diploma?..............................................................................................7 Who is eligible to do the Diploma?.................................................................................7 What are the benefits of doing the Diploma?.....................................................................7 What does a Diploma holder get to do that I can't do already?................................................8 Is it a taught course?.................................................................................................8 How long does it take?...............................................................................................8 I've got a body of work already, can I get this accredited?.....................................................8 What can I do for my Diploma?.....................................................................................9 Who can help me with this?.........................................................................................9 What about other training I might need?........................................................................10 Who awards the Diploma?..........................................................................................10 Can I do it by myself, or do I have to belong to a group?......................................................11 When can I start?.................................................................................................... 11 What support is available near me?...............................................................................11 What is Accreditation?.............................................................................................. 11 I've already registered under the old system, how does the new system affect me?.....................12 Why does it cost more now?.......................................................................................12 So what do I get for £600?.......................................................................................... 12 Chapter Two: The Supported Route ......................................................13 Pre-requisites for the Diploma .................................................................................... 14 The Induction Event................................................................................................. 14 Diploma Learning Pathway......................................................................................... 15 Two years minimum practical experience of applying permaculture........................................15 Tutorials.............................................................................................................. 15 Peer Support Guilds................................................................................................. 16 Doing a project for the Permaculture Association..............................................................17 Assessment .......................................................................................................... 17 Chapter Three: The Independent Route.................................................18 Requirements to register for the accreditation process.......................................................19 Chapter Four: Using Action Learning.....................................................20 Using the Action Learning Approach..............................................................................20 Chapter Five: Preparing your portfolio...................................................21 Chapter Six: The Portfolio Assessment Tutorial........................................23 How the Portfolio Assessment Tutorial works...................................................................23 Notes for people doing the Independent Route.................................................................24 Chapter Seven: The Accreditation Event.................................................25 Setting up your accreditation event..............................................................................25 Choosing a Presiding Diplomate...................................................................................25 Making your presentation .......................................................................................... 25 The Accreditation Peer Group.....................................................................................26 Role of the Accreditation Peer Group............................................................................26 The Role of the Presiding Diplomat...............................................................................27 Making the decision about awarding the Diploma..............................................................27 Timing for the Accreditation Event...............................................................................27 Permaculture Association. Charity 1116699, Company 05908919. Diploma: Complete Guide for System 5.0. Sept 2010 2 The certificate and registration as a Permaculture Diplomate...............................................27 Chapter Eight: Accreditation Criteria.....................................................28 Chapter Nine: Diploma fees and other costs.............................................32 Permaculture Association membership fees.....................................................................32 Supported Route Fees..............................................................................................32 Independent Route Fees............................................................................................ 32 Flexible payment options..........................................................................................32 Refund policy........................................................................................................ 33 Additional costs you may incur....................................................................................33 Chapter Ten: National and Regional Diploma Gatherings.............................35 Chapter Eleven: Quality assurance........................................................36 Excellent administration...........................................................................................36 Tutor meetings and tutor training................................................................................36 Assessment of portfolios...........................................................................................36 The Diploma Working Group.......................................................................................36 Chapter Twelve: Diploma network action learning.....................................37 We're learning too!.................................................................................................. 37 Annual action learning challenge .................................................................................37 Your feedback, comments and views are essential............................................................37 Appendix One: Forms and Templates for Apprentices.................................38 Payment and registration form (Independent Route)..........................................................38 Sample letter of introduction ..................................................................................... 40 Preparing for a Personal Tutorial.................................................................................41 Writing up a Permaculture Design report........................................................................42 Assessment Criteria Summary Sheet .............................................................................43