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 a Social Justice catalyst!

I had the good fortune of speaking on a panel.  The focus was social justice, we were given the task to define this, and explain it relevant to our Pledge of Allegiance ” . . . with liberty and justice for all . . . “.  I was in the middle of the line up so [...]

We are as strong as our weakest relationships.

Consider for a moment your most conflicted relationship.  Who are you at conflict with right now? Today, at this moment.  The person maybe part of your inner circle of connections, your child, spouse, friend or coworker.  Maybe you have a more distant relationship that is in conflict, a boss, an ex-wife, an old boyfriend.
Conflict is [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The value of viewing people in the context of their relationships.

I am rereading Restorative Justice Transforming Societies.  I am teaching from this book, the University of Wisconsin River Falls, Special Topics course Intro to Restorative Justice.  As I read the book again, from just a year ago, I’ve been suprised at what I find interesting, or have more experience with that creates these “a-ha’s” for [...]

A new term, a passion and taking life on, full force.

Today in Bikram Yoga, the teacher introduced me to a new term.  “Yoga Buzz”.  We do a pose that gets your heart pounding like you ran up a set of stairs.  In reality it’s a backward bend in 104 degree heat.  I love it.  It’s not for everyone.  In one class I remember thinking “am I [...]

The act of crocheting, during pre-conferencing for Victim-Offender dialogue.

You don’t actually bring yarn and a needle to a restorative justice pre-conference.  I’ve named something, made a metaphorical explanation.  You crochet who the person is, what is relative to them, into the pre-conference process.
Here’s how it developed.  I’m training in a new staff person.  I am taking her to all the pre-conferences I am doing [...]

Great, brief video on Elementary School – Restorative Justice

Kudos to my friends in Michigan – they are doing some great stuff and this video is an excellent example!  They are also on FACEBOOK! 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUA1AVf1SqI]

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 [...]