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 [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Circle Keeping’
November 8, 2009
The purpose of ‘kooky’ in Restorative Justice Circles.
October 28, 2009
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 [...]
October 14, 2009
Restorative Justice allows us to speak with wisdom and real-ness.
One of the phrases I typically say in trainings: “Nothing new under the sun”. My point is two-fold. First Restorative Justice isn’t all that orginal, its more of the orginal kindness people needed to survive. It’s as old as the sun itself. I believe Restorative Justice reconnects us to the past way of relating.
I make [...]
October 5, 2009
Circlespace – Restorative Justice Classroom Circle training
Upcoming Trainings available.
CESA 7 in Green Bay – Nov 18 & 19, Course description and more courses on the CESA webpage.
Trainings for 2010 that will be held at the Restorative Justice Center – January 21 & 22 and April 15 & 16. Limited seating, and the workshop investment is $200.00, which includes lunch, snacks, handouts and [...]
October 1, 2009
The individual relationships to restorative justice, a relationship that needs consideration.
I have blogged about relationships. A lot. Right now I have 87 posts in the Relationships category. I’ve shared about my personal relationships and all the relationships restored by restorative justice. I hope I’ve given you tools in seeing people in the context of their relationships.
Today’s blog is about being mindful of the relationship to [...]
August 26, 2009
Being a good Circlekeeper is about facilitating your own disappearance.
A few years ago, I was kind of dating someone and I just stopped calling and emailing him. A few weeks later I got an angry email, suggesting I go to Vegas with my “disappearing” act.
I still do a great disappearing act, now it’s just in Restorative Justice Circle process.
A ‘circlekeeper’ is the person, or [...]
July 30, 2009
Lesson from a Restorative Justice Conference “Once you cut down a tree, you can’t put it back”
In typical Restorative Justice fashion, when Circle is going well stories emerge. Stories that may previously only been events or experiences are tranformed into meaningful life lessons for everyone in the Circle.
Yesterday we had a Grandparent in the Circle. He spoke about raising children and having faith they would turn out ok. Faith was the [...]
July 28, 2009
On the Road Together: Safe Teen Driving Circles engaging law enforcement
Written for the upcoming book: On the Road Together: Safe Teen Driving Circles.
At SCVRJP as part of a Driver Improvement Class, which is a diversion course for traffice violation, a Safe Teen Driving Circle is held and a River Falls Police Officer is part of the Circle process. The only difference between this class and [...]
July 23, 2009
How related are belonging and structure? Restoratively, maybe one in the same?
I was speaking with Linda Baker, author and Restorative Justice/College Campus advocate. I was sharing about Restorative Justice Circle process and she mentioned that sounded appropriate for young people with Asperger’s. I talked about the talking piece going around, the four stages, collectively established guidelines. She mentioned that anxiety would go do and performance would [...]
July 18, 2009
Restorative Justice offers victims and offenders an avenue for recovery and rediscovery.
I love teaching and training restorative justice. It is true that when you teach something you have to know and understand it differently. This week started out wtih a training for teachers. It was an advanced session for those already using Circles in the classroom. It was designed as a follow-up to a two-day Circle [...]
