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 [...]

Check out the review of On the Road Together . . .

Restorative Justice Online recently posted a review of the SCVRJP DVD, On the Road Together.
Click this link to read the review.
http://www.restorativejustice.org/RJOB/vrteendriving

Student achievement, character development, citizenship, social skills . . . all reached with Circles.

I was being introduced to the audience.  Standing on the sideline, ready to become the main event.
(some backdrop)
The workshop would last half a day.  I was ready to roll and teach the audience about setting up and facilitating Safe Teen Driving Circles.   The Restorative Justice Talking Circle, that features a storyteller.  The Circle objective is [...]

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 [...]

Distracting Circlekeeper technique and suggestions for being centered.

This happened a few years ago, but for some reason it popped in my head recently.  I remember it vividly, and I was thinking how amazing it was that the Circle went well despite the Circlekeeper.
Maybe it was me, but I want to share the story to offer you some learning about your Circlekeeping.
Let me [...]

St Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program – innovative and outstanding!

I’ve got to explain something about  St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice.
We are cutting edge, awesome.  We have taken the Restorative Justice Circle process and applied to two key public health issues – underage drinking and safe teen driving.
We are now offering copies of our MN Public Television Program – the documentary On the Road Together: Safe [...]

The Restorative Justice storyteller, is a hero, transforming hearts, opening minds.

SCVRJP had a board of directors meeting tonight.  A strategic planning meeting and it went quite well.  I have recently really framed my role as one of support and being a resource to the board.  (it would take an entirely different post to explain).
I offered the resource of having board members tell a story about [...]

10 tips for MADD speakers, VIP speakers or victim/survivor storytellers.

I’ve had the good fortune to know someone’s story and speaking abilities before nudging the person to be a speaker/storyteller.  So today via email, I sent off a 10 tips list.  As I started it I realized more details for my book.  I am writing a book on implementing Safe Teen Driving Circles.  You can [...]

The powerful experience of a ’safe teen driving’/restorative justice Circle.

I have to be honest. 
This morning I told a friend I wasn’t really looking forward to my days agenda.  She called me at 7:30 AM and we got to visit before my day started.  I explained that I was doing three Safe Teen Driving Circles, two back to back at the high school and one this [...]

Do you ever talk to yourself? Who are talking to?

As I was driving into work today – where I think up the best blogs.  Naturally, this same genius never happens when I am actually at my laptop.  I was mulling over some recent evaluation form comments, they were giving me feedback that students did not like the spiritual aspect of a recent Safe Teen [...]