Presentations And Training
Presentations:
Presentations are 45-90 minutes, free of charge but donations are welcome. Presentations aim to spread the word about our restorative conferencing work for both criminal and non-criminal harms. A slideshow presentation on restorative justice philosophy and process forms the backbone, fleshed out with stories of transformation from our cases, with room for Q and A.
Trainings:
We currently offer sliding scale pricing for interactive trainings ranging from two hours to multiple days. For-profit businesses, non-profits, and faith and community groups can all benefit from practicing conflict resilience skills and learning a restorative framework. Our workshop offerings can be facilitated in indoor or outdoor settings, and we will provide a list of resources afterwards. To find out more, please contact us to schedule a brief consult call to share the needs of your group. Trainings can be individualized to best meet your needs. We are also happy to work with you to shorten or lengthen our standard two-hour offerings (which are listed below) or to design a wholly different offering for your group.
RJ In Real Life – 2 Hours
This workshop introduces people to restorative principles and processes by inviting them to practice applying the principles to a situation in their own lives. This workshop first uses storytelling from RJ conferences we have facilitated and a slideshow presentation to introduce the restorative framework. We introduce “circle process” to explore as a group what gifts and skills people already bring to conflict. Then we invite participants to apply the restorative questions to an issue of harm or conflict in their own lives. This workshop uses journalling, small group shares, and large group shares to engage participants, who often find it empowering.
Conflict Resilience Skills and Practices – 2 Hours
This interactive workshop starts with a short embodied activity that is then unpacked to help people gain awareness of their own and others’ conflict styles. We explore the gifts and challenges of each style, and how our style can change given the circumstance. Then we introduce participants to a framework for understanding tension which helps us move beyond binary, polarized conflict. Lastly we practice the communication skills of reflective and imaginative listening. This workshop uses pair shares, large group shares, and activities that involve standing and moving around the space.
Deepening Conflict Communication Skills – 2 Hours
A follow up to “Conflict Resilience Skills and Practices,” this workshop explores additional skills such as paraphrasing, open-ended questions, reframing, and nonviolent communication. Participants use personal experiences as well as engage with role plays in order to practice. Self-reflective journaling will also be used in this workshop.
Intro To Circle Process – 2 Hours
Participants will learn the basics of circle process, which is a way of slowing down conversations, listening deeply, and speaking genuinely. Circle process can be a powerful ordinary routine in a workplace or group – unlike open discussion, the power of circle process is that it ensures opportunity for all voices to be heard, rather than just the loudest or most powerful voices. Circle process could be used to gather input for a policy decision like implementing work-from-home, or to celebrate a staff person who is leaving, or to process a challenging national event that affects your daily work. Over time, circle process can build positive culture and morale. Groups that have familiarity with circle process often find it very useful during tension or conflict.
“Central Virginia Community Justice’s workshop on Conflict Transformation was very engaging, and their ability to lead a workshop like this outside was especially unique and well done. It allowed our team to move around throughout the workshop, and for us to all get some good sunshine while learning and practicing our new skills. They were a great partner and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
– VP of Talent and Administration, Charlottesville-based company of 40 employees after the “Conflict Resilience Skills and Practices” workshop
“This is very practical in the every day.”
“Inspired!”
– Participants in an “RJ in Real Life” workshop
Please contact info@CommunityJusticeVA.org if interested