The concept of “begets” and the application to crime and restorative justice.

Begets – as I understand it means to create.
I first started using this term, almost two years ago.  When training or teaching Restorative Justice, I repeat something I read, I believe by Thich Naht Hanh, which was “violence begets violence”.  This made sense to me.  The piece I teach is from James Gilligan, that exclusion is a [...]

Volunteer statements: “every Circle is my favorite”, “I needed this Circle more than anyone here”

Once and awhile I get tired.  I get tired and lonely and frustrated.  I wonder why I am a workaholic and kick myself for doing this to myself.  I keep repeating a cycle.  Then I am in Circle and people say things that catch me off guard.
Suddenly someone is talking about surviving physical abuse as [...]

Having no boundaries works . . . when it comes to volunteer recruitement.

I got the wrong number and tried to get the person to become a volunteer.
A man on the treadmill next to me,  tried making small talk, I tried to get him to volunteer.  Someone came to the office to use the phone.  I got him to volunteer.  To convert a wrong number to a volunteer, that’s a new [...]

A full Circle validation of teachers building relationships, an avenue to community.

I heard a teacher’s response, and I was slightly amused.  She said she builds connections with her students by telling them stories about herself.  This was not a person I knew, I had no relationship with her to know who she was.
I was amused by her response, because frankly it annoyed me she took up [...]

Restorative Justice is about change and transformation.

In Bikram Yoga, (my blog links, one with a video) the poses are held for 30 or 60 seconds.  As you feel your body tense and you are struggling to hold the pose (in the 104 degree room).  The teacher will say “change”.  As smoothly as possible, you move to the next position or the pause [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

It never hurts to treat yourself restoratively. Restorative Justice requires introspection.

I recently cleaned out my nightstand drawer.  I thought the mix of items were really interesting, can I explain a few.
-The Mini Bottle of Sky vodka, upper right corner.  Demonstrates my protective parenting skills.  I found the vodka outside of our apartment building, right by the door.  Just laying in the grass, unopened.  It’s mine now. 
-The handcreams, [...]

Developing belonging as a life skill and a restorative justice skill.

Lets put value on ‘belonging’.
Look at all the books on LOVE.  The efforts at PEACE.  Not to minimize the importance of either of these but what if we learned to make people feel like they BELONG.
What about embracing our own selves, and our own place in our community.
How do we nuture our own belonging.  How [...]