Book Review: Taking Restorative Justice to Schools – J. Holtham

Taking Restorative Justice to Schools, by Jeanette Holtham is the most recent addition to a School-Based Restorative Justice advocate or practitioner’s toolkit.  The book is a brief, concise and comprehensive review of Restorative Justice in the School setting.

In the hands of an administrator, the authors “real life experience”, voice was apparent.  I read the book from start to finish, immediately.  I took the book to a recent meeting, and placed it in the hands of a school principal.  The school staff, picked up on the book acknowledging that teachers are busy with checking for head lice.  The other feedback was an appreciation for books on Restorative Justice being brief.  A reality that as we bring more restorative justice to schools, outsiders heading in, we are starting to get it from our friends on the inside.

The outside/inside reference is just speaking about where a schools program emerges.  I encourage everyone to form a partnership matching internal and external leadership.  Programs that have started outside with the goal of coming into schools bring lots of experience.  Internal school staff wanting to implement have all the insider information on bringing trainings, language and structure to successful implementation.

Regardless where a program begins, students are part of the process.  On page 9, Holtham says

 ”Youth take to Restorative Justice like kites to flying.  They are ideal candidates for its benefits.  Kids instinctively resonate with the concepts of fairness and justice.”

I appreciated this quote and here in the midwest, we say “like fish to water”.  It really makes sense if you think of Restorative Justice as the air or water, kite or fish being the participants.  You see this is the whole approach aspect to using Restorative Justice, is making part of the culture and community.

I appreciate seeing the growth of school-based restorative justice in the United States, I feel fortunate to be part of a social movement.  Check out this book, it’s a good read!

 

Having a process to repair harm is really important.

Often times, the process of participating in a Circle or Community Conference means a lot to community members and victims attending.  I am often times impressed with how having the discussion, removes a great deal of weight in the room.  Weight off the shoulders of the offender, for the harm caused.  Weight off of the heart of the victim that was harmed.  Community member reinforce things by adding stories and wisdom to the mix.

The interation with other people around the incident, is really empowering to people.  In Belinda Hopkins new book, Just Care she reminds readers the restorative encounter is to restore connection, develop empathy and restore self-worth on both sides.  Hopkins says that parallel emergence of accountability and responsibility also emerge.

The way I do talking Circles, with 4 stages, and the Restorative Questions at stage 3 (addressing issues) fit right into the purpose of restorative encounters as described by Hopkins.  The first two stages, restore connections and develop empathy, the third stage promote accountablity and responsibility and the final taking action stage, allows for people to take increased self-worth.  It is not hard to see or understand why restorative outcomes are more positive than traditional methods.

I wish that I could be “Circle-Kris” all the time.  “Circle-Kris” trusts that her needs will get met, and when I am in Circle I am really connected and tapped into my purpose.  I am respectful.  It’s not like I haven’t ever, complained or processed a painful situation.  I suggest people be mindful of the Circles intention.  It would be rare to speak of my birth mom in an underage consumption circle, yet in a women’s circle, I was able to tap that story and speak of it for my healing.  When I am in Circle I have a way of making the process the ‘authority’.  I don’t call out negative behavior, I let the process and use the process as needed.  For example, if someone is blurting out, I just wait for the talking piece and ask the next question.  I frame it positively, and ask something like “how does it feel when you get to speak without interruption?” or “how do you keep in a listening attentive space for others, instead of responding with comments or body language”.  To explain this questioning, here is an example of a question that would NOT work.  “Who’s not respecting the talking piece?”.  Which would be shame based question, and a question that does not provoke internal inspection (which increases self-awareness).

 I’m not Circle-Kris all the time.  I have moments of frustration, short fuse and unperfect explanations.  This leads to conflict and Boyfriend and I are not good at resolving conflict.  We don’t have a method.  We don’t get together and talk it over.  We don’t use a Circle.  We just usually break-up.  It seems we’ve taken that route again, he hung up on me Saturday Morning, its Sunday evening and I’ve not heard from him.  I’m not calling him.  I’m sure future blogs will keep you posted.

As I finished reading the Hopkins book, and was trying to figure boyfriend things out, it occured to me how very important things like restore connection, develop empathy and restore self-worth on both sides, would be.  Boyfriend and I might not be on the verge of another break-up if we found a way to implement a process to repair harm.

 

 

 

The purpose of ‘kooky’ in Restorative Justice Circles.

People that participate in Circles with me, become really honest about what they thought at first.  This honest testimony about what people thought about a Circle at first, and what they think now is an endorsement for the process.

The most recent description like this used the term ” kooky“.  It’s been mentioned that they seemed wierd.  One advocate says that when I first described it he thought it was for little kids.  Now he tells people how effective the Circle is.  He participates strongly and completely in every Circle we have done together, from college classes, to residential treatment programs, half-way houses and underage consumption panels.

One teen really came around and at the end of the Circle, she opened up saying at first she thought we were going to have a seance!  She went on to explain how beneficial the process was for her.

Its not uncommon that people start out in Circle, giving me an odd look.  I don’t mind, I’ve seen those looks before.

Sometimes its the most resistent people who fall the hardest.  They are amazed.  The underage drinker who has a chip on his shoulder at the beginning.  He’s usually the last one in the room, writing out a detailed evaluation form, putting down comments thanking the volunteers and storyteller in circle.  Writing out about how much he got out of the Circle, and thanking our program.

Can you do Kooky, on purpose?  I think its a pre-requisite for well-done Circlekeeping!  Here’s why:

1.) Comfort Zone – you’ve got to get people just a little out of there zone.  Doing something a little different, gets your attention, gets you considering change.  If you are comfortable, you will listen like you always listen (not very focused).  You might speak like you always speak (about others, not your self).

People are more comfortable reacting and responding, not simply listening to each person.  More times than not I have seen people in Circle, change opinions by the time they got the talking piece.  When asked to “just listen” people open up to other ideas.

2.)Novelty.  Teens have a draw to things that are different.  The Circle process, the desks in Circles, that’s all a little different, and it fills that adolescent need, to be doing something outside of the typical.

3.) Brain development.  Emotional parts of our brains are the oldest, we story memory there.  Circles have the emotional tie to the subject matter.  This helps with memory.  People remember stories, because our brains fill in the blanks, so we can always keep the story.

4.) Using everyone as a resource – how do you engage everyone, create equality and move an Circle from intention to outcome.  The “kooky”-factor works for me.  You have to let each person be important.  As the Circle keeper, equal focus on the individual and the Circle itself is necessary.  Its a real ability to focus on the seen and unseen things happening in the Circle.

Where else does this happen?  So if kooky, wierd, silly or strange are descriptors about my Circles, I’m good with that!  It means I am doing them well!  Give a chance and let your Circle keeping look a little strange, so strange that others will want to be part of it!

The Fundraiser was a smashing SUCCESS!

I got to the hotel banquet room early.  I wish I would have snapped a photo.  The SCVRJP logo was on the program at each place setting.  Coffee mugs with the SCVRJP logo created a circle shaped center pieces.  There were 15 roundtables, each seating eight set up the length of the banquet room.  As people entered they saw the majestic settings, and the punch bowl, while a small brass band provided background music. People purchased more quilt raffle tickets and the buzz of conversation was alive and well.  We socialized around the silent auction items until the salads were served. 

Our MC opened the evening providing highlights about Restorative Justice from the recent Parade article.  The first speaker Lou, shared how working with area students in Circles has had a positive influence in her life.  She also shared that she continues to volunteer because of the strong connections to the students, and to me.  She was so kind, in saying I can’t be “denied”, I think she was the person to say that.  She described my passion and problem solving.  I was a little embarressed to be complimented in front of so many people.

We had our meal, and then our two main speakers.  Kim did a terrific job of speaking about her experience in 1977, talking about the incident that altered the course of her life, to be hit by a drunk driver.  Kim was outside of her stalled vehicle both she and her car were smashed.  Kim wove her life of advocacy and work with MADD, and then explained how victim impact panels help.  She was clear about the grief that doesn’t have to be alone, when you tell your story in a nonjudgemental way.  She made it clear that people can hear us better when we don’t judge.  I liked how she explained we offer the experience and the captive audience takes it from there.  She made a good point about the power of ’sadness’ to get people to alter behavior.

Then Pam spoke.  She was a real trooper, to speak when in 6 days she faces the 3 year anniversary of Breanna’s death.  Pam has been involved in a number of activities with SCVRJP.  This link, will explain the safe teen driving circles and provide a link to a newstory.  Pam described beautifully the reasons she enjoys these Circles.  She made us chuckle when she said at first my Circles seemed “kooky”.  She asked for a raise of hands from the audience, “how many of you have been in one of Kris’s Circles” I cranked around to see the room, and felt really touched at that moment to see a collective count.  Pam let the audience know that when kids put a value on a plate, and speak about a person they look up to, “they pick you, Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa”.  That was a moment I felt really connected all of us, and it gave some really neat perspective to everyone about what we do in Circle.  I also thought it was great that she highlighted the public committment piece as well.

My speech went well, I had practiced, then left it in the car, so it had some spontaneous flavor.  I felt like I got a grip on my typically problem of speaking fast and ‘thinking outloud’, I stayed to the stories I wanted to share.  It was fun to have my board, volunteers, past board and family stand up.  My daughter burst out of her chair and spread her arms wide with a “ta-da-look at me” move. 

I did my open mike section, and because of a wired mike, I had to get my 3 “prepared to be spontaneous” volunteers to come up.  My kid stole the show, she had people laughing and it provided a perfect touch.  She mocked me for dragging her to Circles after having her wisdom teeth removed the day before.  She ratted me out about the way I am when we leave trainings and I have her read me the rating and react to the one four and not the previous five, 5’s.  It was fun to see her speaking in front of 120 people like she does it all the time. 

Trent M., Kylie and Kris Miner

I nudged her there were other speakers.  She finished up with a wonderful analogy about how if you love your job, your really good at it.  She said my Mom is really good at her job and she taught me helping other people is a good thing, I’m proud of her and I love her.  That was one of the many, many special moments last night.

The Mayor used the open mike to share a story about his experience in a case.  It was a powerful example of a volunteer getting a preconcieved picture of an offender, and then seeing the young man as a person.  Our local municipal court judge spoke, highlighting the good work we do for the courts.  She thanked the board for allowing me to create programs to help the court.  I felt our ‘open’ time was used wisely.  I reminded everyone about our theme, Restorating the Fabric of Community, and how we are human fabric.  Being strong in the weakest spots.

Our co-founder offered closing comments, (the post is at 870 words, so I will close now).  The magic happened in River Falls Wisconsin last night, as we celebrated and supporting Restorative Justice in our community.  It was the perfect kick off to our first fundraising dinner and our first year of celebrating Restorative Justice Week and the theme – Communities Responding to Human Needs – November 15-22.

SCVRJP speaker Pam Remer and volunteer John O'Boyle

Speaking about Restorative Justice, what one thing, is most important.

I’m struggling with what to say at tonights first fundraiser.  I know that I will have a demonstration towards the end.  I plan to make the ‘mic’ the talking piece, and have a few testimonials from the crowd.  I have a few people aware that the spontaneous opportunity will be presented.  I do believe I can firmly close my section on the program, with a convincing statement:  “And THAT is why_____”  I don’t know what to put in the blank.

I might talk about miracles I see, in RJ and weave in a story or two.  I thought about a story of our organization.  I am trying to find the ONE thing, I want people to know when I am done.  I came her to my blog to figure this out.  I try to write 500 word posts, to keep them long enough for some content, but short enough to digest quickly.  Here’s a try at my speech:

Picture this.  Eight people in a room at the public library.  Brainstorming and discussing where to try with restorative justice.  There was no other agency to follow, there were no ‘restorative justice, experts’ in the room.  As a matter of fact, some of the people actually spent time at their day jobs directly opposing others.  Much of the motivation came from a sense that what was happening was not working.  Rather than being defeated, the group met, and met, and met.  Using the very process that is most noted today at SCVRJP, a Talking Circle, the group developed a mission.  The mission, the goal of the organization was to build a culture of peace and belonging utilizing restorative justice principles and practices.  (nah, I don’t like this one).

(Taking a long pause, using meaningful silence) I will look around the room (giving me a chance to breathe and calm myself down – more than any speech I’ve done, this one has me really nervous).   I just have to soak this all in.  120 people are here, we are here to support and celebrate SCVRJP. You (silent paused) have brought me great joy.  You see I get my joy, in helping others, and restorative justice brings joy to anyone around it.  Let me explain how I experience, and define ‘joy’.  A calm sense of peace and belonging, with a mixture of hope and love.  That is joy.  Its joy, when people own their lives and their experiences, and share themselves with others.  Other people soak that in and they become joyful.

Did you ever build a human pyramid?  You know, the strongest on the bottom, on their hands and knees.  We join in carefully getting one knee and hand on two other people, using backs and shoulders for support.  Adding people until the thing collapses or you have a few moments of success.  I just need a few volunteers . . . just kidding.  The point I want to make about ‘human pyramids’ is that we are contantly in one.  You have to support other people, you have to trust others – and life is a constant stream to building and celebrating.

I would like to introduce you to people at SCVRJP, that are part of the pyryamid, the board members,  could you please stand up.  (Introduce everyone.)  There are also some other special guests, here, former board members – could you stand up.  (Introduce them).  Thank you board members, now I would like to have our volunteers stand.  This group of people, they form human pyramids all the time, and they work with others to help them feel part of the great human pyramid of life.  They deliver the goods on peace and belonging.  Thank you volunteers!

They say if you have a product, service, company or cause that is improving the life of someone, then you have a story to tell.  I have SO many stories, so many stories of faith, hope and love, facilited by Restorative Justice.  Tonights theme, restoring the fabric of our community, this happens everyday in Restorative Justice.  The beauty of it lies in the fact that EACH and EVERY person is part of the fabric of community.  And restorative justice reminds us to keep our part of the fabric strong.  And when one string or weave of it gets broken, those around become strong in the weakest spots.  If you’ve ever made the effort to improve, your life or someone elses, you have a story to tell.  We use those stories in our work, we restore the fabric of commuity by storytelling.

So I’d like to open this up a little bit, and make this microphone into a talking piece, and I’d like to invite anyone that has something to add, or a brief story about SCVRJP – restoring the fabric of community, to join me for a few moments of storytelling.

So I am inviting anyone that has something to add to join me.   (open mic stories).

Closing:  And THAT is the JOY of Restorative Justice.  Thank you for attending our fundraiser!

 

(what do you think?)

Overcoming the feedback that I couldn’t write a story.

One of my college dreams was to be a TV news reporter.  It was maybe my 2nd or 3rd major in college, and I felt “at home” as a Mass Comm (communications) major.

I wanted to be the talented, smart and pretty woman in front of the camera.  I worked really hard at writing and developing interesting stories.  My main professor, a recently retired TV news director, had no faith in my abilities.  And honestly maybe my story writing did suck.

The professor eventually suggested that I consider my area to be behind the camera.  Mid-semester I found out I was pregnant.  I had not place to turn, I went for it.  I lost my figure and my confidence for being in front of the camera anyway.  I did a final project on a “doggie hysterectomy”.  I filmed a vet doing the surgery on the dog.  At one point I focused in on his face, and in his glasses you could see the refletion of his work.  It was really good, and I heard after college a classmate did that type of story for a news station and won an award for it.

I finished the semester out, while still pregnant,  I brought my fears to this professor.  The fears of pursuing my goals as a photojournalist and being a single Mom.  He told me some of his hardest working and best employees were single Moms.  He said that they are so used to working hard and doing it alone at home, that they bring this work ethic to their job.

This was the beginning of seeing myself outside the box of shame I was in.  The only thing I saw about myself, was “unwed mother” or “unworthy” having a kid on my own, without a spouse, surely that meant I was ‘easy’ as well.  There is a difference about having unwed sex, and then being ‘caught’ at it, by getting pregnant.  Anyway – -

I kept all the good of his perpective that single moms are hard working, and I kept the bad, his feedback I could not tell a story.  And 17 years later I started blogging. 

Blogging is storytelling.  Blogging is writing.  I can do this, and I will only get better as I continue to do this.

A recent tweet, reinforced this.  The blog post link, provides details on how blogging has been influencial in the careers of some popular and successful people.

One of the things I tell people:   

It’s not what happens to you, its the story you tell yourself about it.

So it’s time I tell the story, that I can tell a story.  I’ve learned the power of storytelling and I’m willing to live it by changing my story.

Instead of: “I can’t”, it’s “I can”.

Got any “cants” to make “cans” . . . go for it!

Restorative Justice for Victims and increased victim participation.

A few recent events pulled this post together.

1.) At the IIRP Conference, I teased the Prosecuter in attendance, asking him if he was lost.  It was just a little sarcasm about the different philosophies sometimes held by ‘prosecution’ and ‘restorative justice’.  I then shared with him how I appreciated prosecutors that took initiative in using Restorative Justice.  I told him I was hopeful that this would bring more victim-witness advocates to Restorative Justice and Restorative Justice Conferences, like the one we were attending.

2.) I was told I smell like an offender.  The sentance, is out of context.  In a powerful presentation by Wilma Derksen, she shared that victims can smell when an offender is in the room, she said they can smell when a offender advocate is in the room.  She also shared impressions that Restorative Justice, and it’s practitioners smell like offenders.  She went on and had a captivating story, and experience that showed the victim-offender trauma bond, cannot be ignored.  (I plan to shower, and work on smelling a little more neutral)

3.) Howard Zehr’s most recent blog post is titled: Restorative Justice and Victim Services Collaboration.  He points out the need to find out where gaps exist and why.

A few observations I made along the way.  Don’t go around people.  I saw isolation grow for a practitioner who decided that if victim-witness was not going to provide victim contact information then it would be sought out from a probation officer.  This did nothing to build a relationship with victim-witness.

Ask.  I have asked others for permission to explain restorative justice to victims.  I use the line, “I get to do this full time”.  If you are working with a victim and you have never attended therapy, support groups or restorative justice.  It’s hard to explain to a vicitm what those services might look, feel and be like.  Most people have some sense of therapy and support groups.  The shortcoming is in explaining something you’ve not ever seen.

When I ask to explain to victims, I also make sure my partners in service, know, that victims are given the choice.  A choice to participate, a choice to send information, a choice to send someone in their place, a choice to meet the offender.  Not all Restorative Justice means victim/offender encounter.

Our first victim participant in Victim Empathy Seminars, had never met his offender.  He saw him in court.  He wanted to help him.  It was an interesting case of identity theft, they never caught the people that stole the identity by using stolen checks.  They had the young man that stole the checks.  So his crime was liason to the bigger crime, where no offender was apprehended.  This victims path to healing, included helping others.  So that’s what he did.  He came and shared his story, he offered his experience to younger offenders with hopes of teaching empathy.  Teaching empathy that would protect the community.

My experience with victims, the 40-60% that do choose restorative justice is that they are TRUE Community Hero’s!  They make such an impression on the offender.  Its amazing to see.  Its like they are the ones least likely to divert crime, and yet they are the most powerful ones to do it.  AND, they do it after being harmed.  IT’s amazing.  Its my favorite part of restorative justice.  When victims input so much, its hard not to get pushy wanting them to participate.

I work hard at relationships within the system of people that work with victims.  I also make sure some of my time and resources as a non-profit is spent, trying to reach vicitms who don’t have an offender apprehended.  I’d like to end this post with some advice I got from Kay Pranis.

Work on the relationship with victim services.  Understand what they do, how and why they do it.  It was simple, and I think as a movement, restorative justice should spend a little more time repairing these relationships.

Restorative Justice promotion, took a new step.

One of the most popular posts on my blog, has a picture of stairs.  The point of the blog, is learning stairs.  Playing off the term ‘learning curve’.  I do think the popularity of the post, is not in it’s content, but in the photo.  People search stairs, and that photo catches them and gives them the link to my blog.  I hope people that get to that post find it helpful.

When I used the photo I found it helpful to conceptualize the rise and run of stairs.  To taking information to the next step, having enough to get to the next level.  I found this in action for the concept of School-based Restorative Justice.  In a break out session at the IIRP conference, two wonderful leaders of Restorative Justice, Bruce Schenk and Terry O’Connel presented a session on implementing restorative practices in schools.

One area of the presentation I took strong note of, was the suggestion and recommendation for talking to school staff.  Today I have 67 posts tagged on this topic.  I’ve learned how to approach and talk to schools.  But I was never informed how to LISTEN to schools.

It was so simply, like a lightbulb.  Use a Socratic method!  (I have no link to what this method is, I don’t like how it is described.  I will share my understanding.)  Socratic method is gently inquiring and really listening to what a person shares.  A kind way of framing questions that really ask “how’s that workin’ for ya”.

I have met many educators frustrated and feeling disempowered to change, what they see is not working.  I have seen OVER, OVER and OVER again the demostrated and effective results of using restorative justice.  When the session participant asked, “what can I DO?”  the answer was “do, nothing” but “ask everything”.  (ok, I modified that a little bit).

Point being, that if you inquire, the response will boil down to an acknowledgement to try something else.  I loved it!

I feel a great honor to see a change in education.  I’ve always been an “outsider” to schools, either as a family therapist, trying to collaborate or a social worker trying to help a student.  I always felt “outside” as a parent.  I’ve been a close observer and I have been allowed in the building, for meetings, IEP’s, trainings, etc.  I feel like I’ve had a pretty clear view, but the view of an outsider.

I see the change in zero tolerance.  I see articles on school districts leaving the hard fast exclusion models.  I see more character education plans, and MANY aspects to social, emotional learning and EI schools (my favorite piece).

The idea that we will just listen, lets me know that the time has come that collective wisdom about community and resolving conflict has arrived.  Its arrived and it’s in our schools.  As restorative justice practitioners we just need to tap that wisdom.

I can’t wait to do my next school training session!

 

The power in hearing every voice, and the power of Circle participation.

“I was at a training, about leadership and meetings.  They said something that struck me, and reminded me of Circle.  They said the meeting doesn’t start until every voice is heard.” – spoken in a talking circle.

My immediate thought was about how many meetings I was in that had really never started!  It also validated the idea I bring out as much as possible.  Opening reflective question and end meeting ranking.  The opening question can be a ‘roll call’ type or a reminder about mission.  The meeting ends with everyone ranking the meeting at the end, picked this up from Moving Beyond Icebreakers.

In my experience these two little additions to a meeting, really help.  I feel like I know I will have two places to share, so I don’t have to work my comments.  I think how this relates to other personalities like mine, people who want to say “hello” to every person in a room.

It reminds me of the tradition I am familiar with when attending a Native ceremonies.  You go around give a handshake and say hello or introduce yourself to every person.  You can tell new people, they don’t know or forget to do this.  Its never been talked about, I just know this is how we do this.  I am glad, the ceremony I go to is an ‘Inipi’ Lakota for ’sweat lodge’.  Glad to meet everyone and be greeted by them.  The ceremony is a real spiritual experience, and its good to know who you are in the company of.

I guess  that aspect, who you are in the company of, could just easily be translated to COMMUNITY.  Community is an important, important concept. 

Last night I had some serious dreams going on.  Worries about Circles that need to happen and some individuals.  I woke up and the dream carried over to an “ah-ha” question I could use in Circle.  A end of the Circle question, after we have acknowledged and worked on repairing the harm.  The question works, because what is SO important is to have clearer expectations of behavior after the Circle.

The question/statement to finish:  I believe my community expects me to . . .

In my dream, a police officer was explaining the point of their role and the community expectations matched the values the officer shared.  Next a young person shared perceptions of what the community wants, he said “I believe my community expects me to f*ck up”  I woke up shortly after this, because in my dream, everyone was mad at me and I couldn’t get them to help the young person.

I laid awake and thought of my own answers. The first,  as a nonprofit direct, my community expects me to . . .

I thought about as a Mom and a girlfriend and then decided Ididn’t like these expectations sometimes.

I will just try out the question in a Circle.  I hope by speaking and listening to the responses, people will have a better idea of who they are in the company of.

My wonderful experience at the IIRP 12th World Conference on restorative practices

I can’t believe it’s come and gone!  Last week I attended the 12th World Conference, hosted by the International Institute for Restorative Practices.  It was AMAZING!  My first IIRP conference was in 2002 (the 3rd IIRP conference).  That is where I first met IIRP President Ted Wachtel, as I mentioned in another post, he impressed me by following thru and sending my the Harvard Business Review – Fair Process article.

Ted mentioned that article again, at this conference, and as luck would have it I was telling a new friend about it when we had supper on the eve of the conference.

We had excellent speakers and breakout sessions.  The IIRP site, keeps speaker papers and conference articles, check out the library of on-line articles.

What this conference held, that was different from last years or other professional conferences, was seeing the impact of being a Restorative Justice Blogger, and social networker.  I got to meet a few people “in the flesh” and I felt connected, because we are facebook/twitter/linked in buddies.  A few of my new friends found me, because of these social network sites, and a conversation to chat on the phone happened before we actually met in person.  It was delightful to see them and spend time with people equally passionate about restorative justice!  A shout out here to Matt and Mary Ellen!

I was also approached by a few people who are blog readers, the response was heartwarming, the way they said “you’re, Kris Miner”, like putting two and two together in an ah-ha moment.  It was like they discovered something, and by the 4th or 5th time it happened, I had the feeling that it was ME, who discovered something.

I approach time and attendance at professional conferences as “professional development”, really focusing on deeping my connection to my profession.  Finding resources and shifts that make me richer and deeper as a person and a practitioner.  This conference provided a wonderful enviornment at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem and the Central Moravarian Church.  The shops on the street were cute, I’m wearing my new sweater today, purchased across the street from the hotel.

Connecting to people at conferences is so much fun.  Our conversations get to skip over an explanation of Restorative Justice and dive right into how and what type of work we do.  One of my friends said it was like being at the “spa”, he felt refreshed.

In Matt’s session, an attendee talked about being “the lone voice in the wilderness”.  That struck me right away, I know the feeling, being in isolation and the only one thinking about things in a certain way.  Then I started to think about what comes next.  It occured to me it depends on what we are using our “lone voice” for.  It it is to cry for help, that brings in others, in a certain way.  That “lone voice” could be singing a tune, like the 7 dwarfs, “hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go”.  The “lone voice” could also be sharing information to those interested, as he or she is carving a path in the woods.

regardless, the conference was a clear indication, we are no longer lone wolves, isolated voices . . . we ARE Restoring Community in a Disconnected World.