About Mark's Books
__What's so special about 'No Props?'
__What's so special about 'Count Me In?'
__What's the difference between 'No Props' and 'Count Me In?'
__Are 'No Props' and 'Count Me In' activities suitable for kids? For adults?
__Do you have any free resources to give-away?
About Mark's Workshops
__Do you offer professional development workshops?
__Do you offer a discount for multiple workshop enrolments from the same organisation?
__Are your books included in the price of the workshop?
__How do your workshops link with formal curriculum outcomes?
__When do your public enrolment workshops start and finish?
__What's your workshop cancellation policy?
__Do you deliver custom training programs?
__Do you present at conferences?
How To Order & Pay
__Can I get your books in regular bookstores?
__I don't have a credit card. Can I pay another way?
__I live outside of Australia. How can I get your books?
__Do you offer a bulk discount on books?
__Is there an Books Order Form I can download?
Other Matters
__Do you sell props and equipment?
__Do you have an ABN?
__How do I get a refund?
__What is the privacy policy of your website?
__How do I unsubscribe from your mailing list?
Contact Mark
__Tell me more about Mark Collard
__What is your postal address / phone number?
__How do I ask a question that is not listed above?
What's so special about 'No Props?'
Originally released as a 60 page monograph in 1996, 'No Prop: Great
Games with No Equipment' quickly became one of the best-selling
adventure education titles in Australia. Within 12 months, it was
estimated that almost one third of all schools in the nation had a copy.
In 2005, 'No Props' was thoroughly expanded (to 220 pages) and subsequently published by Project Adventure Inc, the largest publisher of adventure education titles in the world. It remains one of the most popular "go to" activity publications for teachers, corporate trainers and program leaders throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Why? Because, it features more than 300 of the most successful group games and activities that are guaranteed to develop trust, interaction and learning - not to mention, a ton of fun. Coupled with simple instructions and illustrations, 'No Props' is drop-dead-easy to use.
Bonus sections at the front and back of the book share dozens of handy tips and strategies concerning critical and often-overlooked "soft skill" programming skills.
Click here to see a short 1 minute video about 'No Props.'
Click here to read what dozens of teachers, program leaders and corporate trainers have to say about 'No Props.'
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What's so special about 'Count Me In?'
'Count Me In: Large Group Activities That Work' was published by
Project Adventure Inc in 2008 hot on the heels of 'No Props' success.
It was written with the express desire to collate dozens of the most
successful ice-breakers, energisers, interactive games and team events
that are guaranteed to keep lots of people active and occupied all at
the same time.
In short, 'Count Me In' features 260 pages of outrageous, interactive fun for large groups (30 or more people). Approximately one half of the activities require no equipment whatsoever to play (ideal for low-budget programs), and while designed to occupy large groups of people, almost every activity can be adapted for a small group.
Perfect for school, staff training, conference, camping and recreation programs, especially if you are looking to develop a fun, supportive and safe learning environment.
Bonus sections at the front and back of the book share dozens of proven tips and strategies which help program leaders manage large groups successfully.
Click here to see a short 1 minute video about 'Count Me In.'
Click here to read what dozens of teachers, program leaders and corporate trainers have to say about 'Count Me In.'
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What's the difference between 'No Props' and 'Count Me In?'
First, let me explain what 'No Props' and 'Count Me In' have in common. They both:
__• Feature approx 300 ice-breakers, energisers, interactive games and team-
_____building exercises in each volume;
__• Discuss essential programming skills and philosophies to help you design
_____and deliver excellent programs every time;
__• Explain Project Adventure's innovative and successful programming model; and
__• Were published by Project Adventure Inc (USA), written by an Australian
_____author (me, Mark Collard) in his native tongue (a fun Glossary is added at
_____the front of each book for the benefit of my international friends).
Now, to their differences:
__• 'No Props' features only activities that do not need any equipment to play,
_____whereas approx half of the activities in 'Count Me In' require the use of
_____one or more simple props;
__• 'No Props' was originally published as a small 60 page monograph in 1996,
_____and then significantly expanded to its current full publication in 2005.
_____'Count Me In' was published in 2008;
__• 'Count Me In' features activities that are ideally suited to large groups (in excess
_____of 30 people); however, almost all of them are suitable for smaller groups;
__• 'Count Me In' discusses key programming strategies to assist leaders to successfully
_____manage and process 'large' group experiences (as distinct from small groups); and
__• There is approx a 10% overlap between the activities described in each book.
_____That is to say, about 30 activities will appear in both books. Together, they
_____represent a collection of more than 570 unique activities.
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Are 'No Props' and 'Count Me In' activities suitable for kids? For adults?
In a word, yes.
Generally speaking, all of the activities described in my books are universally appealing to children, young people and adults alike, ie they are designed for people aged 8 to 108 years.
Personally, I use the same activities no matter what type of group I am working with - BUT, the sequencing and emphasis of each activity will differ to meet the particular needs of the group I'm presenting to. These skills are essential to the success of every program, and are described in detail in 'No Props' and 'Count Me In.'
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Do you have any free resources to give-away?
Yes!
You can instantly download a brand new 30 page activity ebook called
'Sure-Fire Ice-Breakers & Group Games.' In it, I share ten of the most
successful ice-breakers, getting-to-know-you games and group activities
that I know and have been using with groups all over the world for the
past 20 years or so.
And, check out my NEW online activity database - playmeo.com -
featuring hundreds of ice-breakers, getting to know you games,
energisers, trust exercises and group problem-solving activities - all with
step-by-step instructions, video tutorials, leadership tips, lesson plans,
and so much more. Open a FREE Account today.
Stay tuned for more free resources, such as short monographs about particular areas of programming or activities. To register your interest to be kept abreast of future developments, click here.
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Do you offer professional development workshops?
Yes. Indeed, these engagements comprise the majority of my work.
I offer a variety of public enrolment (you come to me) and custom training (I come to you) professional development programs.
Click here to learn more about my professional development workshops.
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Do you offer a discount for multiple workshop enrolments from the same organisation?
Yes. If four (4) or more people from the same organisation register for a public enrolment workshop at the same time, you will receive up to 30% discount off the regular fee (depending on the number of participants, and availability).
You may either register each person individually (and nominate to pay later), or contact me to advise the names and contact details of each potential workshop participant and request an invoice which covers the total discounted fee.
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Are your books included in the price of the workshop?
Generally no, but on a rare occasion I may couple a workshop promotion with one or both of my books. However, generous discounts are offered to workshop participants when they purchase my books during a workshop.
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How do your workshops link with formal curriculum outcomes?
This is a great question, and quite common among teachers all over Australia.
In the absence of national curriculum guidelines, it is not practical to detail how my professional development workshops link with individual state curriculum guidelines. However, there are many links, especially across Health, Physical Education, Human Movement, Outdoor Education, and Personal Development curriculum areas.
If this topic is of particular interest to you (ie your school requires any PD workshop to be mapped with your curriculum guidelines), please contact me.
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When do your public enrolment workshops start and finish?
Generally, my public enrolment workshops start at 9:15am, and conclude at approx 4:00pm. However, owing to geography and other logistical matters, these times may vary (although, not by much).
Specific start and finish times will be confirmed approx 14 days prior to the workshop proceeding. Only participants with confirmed registrations will be notified.
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Do you deliver custom training programs?
Yes. Indeed, this work accounts for approx 2/3 of the programs I deliver.
Ideal for staff training programs, business meetings and conferences, I am frequently engaged to deliver:
__• Ice-Breakers & Energisers
__• Team Development Programs
__• Independent Facilitation
All of my custom professional development programs are risk-free. They are guaranteed to achieve your specific objectives, or... you don't pay.
To learn more about how I can design and deliver a custom training program for your group at your place - anywhere in Australia (or, indeed the world), please contact me.
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Do you present at conferences?
Yes. Everything from a short 'getting-to-know-you' session, to full-blown, custom-designed team development programs.
Contact me to discuss your requirements, and check my availability.
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Can I get your books in regular bookstores?
Typically no (it's a niche market), however a couple of specialist book suppliers do sell my books on their booklist- GatePost Books and Red Rock Adventure Products - and so do several member and educational associations across Australia , including ACHPER, ORIC, VOEA and QORF.
I do sell all of my books here online.
But, if you would rather not order online, you can order via invoice or download an Order Form and post it to me with your payment.
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I live outside of Australia. How can I get your books?
'No Props' and 'Count Me In' are distributed locally in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
If you live outside these countries, you may purchase them from here, where airmail postage rates are included in all prices.
Please note, only orders placed via this website will receive the various FREE BONUSES, such as exclusive ebooks and discount vouchers.
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Do you offer a bulk discount on books?
You can order multiple copies of 'No Props' and 'Count Me In' can be ordered via this website, however, a bulk discount will not be applied automatically.
If you wish to purchase multiple copies, please contact me to discuss bulk-discounts, pricing and payment procedures. Generally speaking, if you choose to order 5 or more copies of a single title, I can offer a 20% to 40% discount off the RRP, plus postage.
Booksellers and distributors receive up to 40% discount on orders of 5 or more copies of 'No Props' or 'Count Me In.' Payment can be arranged on invoice.
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Is there an Books Order Form I can download?
Yes. Click this link to download the Books Order Form (pdf). Print the form, complete your payment and postal address details, and send it to:
Mark Collard
PO Box 142
Yarra Junction VIC 3797
Australia
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Do you have an ABN?
Yes. 64 829 426 721
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How do I get a refund?
Hey, if you're my customer and you're not happy, then it looks bad on me. So, if you're not completely 100% satisfied with what you discover from my books or my workshops, then I don't expect ... or want ... to keep your money.
Just simply whip off an email to me explaining your reasons, and I'll happily refund your money in full. In the case of books, I'll even cover the return postage.
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How do I un-subscribe from your mailing list?
Very simply. Click the un-subscribe link found at the very bottom of every email received from inspireyourgroup. It will look something like this (this sample link is not active):
If you wish to unsubscribe from inspireyourgroup's database, simply click once on the link below:
__ >http://www.inspireyourgroup.com/cgi-bin/arp3-un.pl?c=8213&pAE#X5
Click the unsubscribe link, your intentions shall be confirmed on screen, and you will not receive any further emails from inspireyourgroup to that email address again. I promise.
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What is your postal address / phone number?
PO Box 142
Yarra Junction VIC 3797 Australia
mobile 0413 075 123
international ph +614 1307 5123
To send me an email, please use the Contact Form.
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How do I ask a question that is not listed above?
The most common questions are typically answered here, on the FAQ page.
However, if your question is NOT adequately covered here, please use the Contact Form for a personal reply. Once submitted, your question will generally be answered within 24-48 hours.
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