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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Using Talking Circles to promote social justice.

 
At UWRF Restorative Justice is being used to address Social Justice issues.  Specifically talking circles, to promote discussion and inspire action.  The four phases of the Circle will work well for this.
Our final phase of Circle is ‘Taking Action’ and action promotes social justice.
This began back when I connected with campus activities and student services staff [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

When you want a relationship to be different it is.

I asked boyfriend where my anxiety went.  He said it ran off with his fear.
We had a good laugh. 
We both agreed those two, fear and anxiety running off together, helped us be in the relationship we have now.  The picture that popped in my head was two cartoon characters holding hands and running side-by-side off into [...]

Are you out to help others? It takes leaving negativity behind, which isn’t easy.

Have you heard the phrases “she’s out to get you?”  It means someone wants to do you harm, make you look bad.
Do we have the counter phrase going around “she’s out to help you?”.
I think that offenders behave harmfully to others, because of a past harm.  Right or wrong, they act out of a justification.  [...]

Learning how to be a blogger, an executive director and a community member.

Life is about balance, learning and growing along the way, continuously making improvements as a person.
I need to share a few things today.
I removed a post where I offered my views and opinions on drug court.  I removed it because there is more to the story.  I did not mean to diminish, insult, offend or [...]