Building Compassionate Responses

                 to conflict in our communities

     with Dominic Barter

September 11-15, 2010

rochester, NY  USA

                                                                                     

 

Introduction to Restorative Systems

September 11-12

 

  University of Rochester, Wilson Commons, May Room

In this dynamic 2 day presentation, Dominic Barter will present the key elements of a restorative system, focusing on the evolution and practice of Restorative Circles, and their application to diverse areas of our personal and collective lives. Through hands-on exploration of key concepts, grounded in a step-by-step process and illustrated by real world examples, we’ll rehearse the development of this new resource in a community of which we are part. Participants will be invited to apply the learning to their own issues and increase their ability to see and act from our shared humanity.  9:00 AM - 5:oo PM both days.

 

Restorative Circle Facilitator Practice

September 13-15

 Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover Street, Rochester, N.Y. 14610

The application of Restorative Circles in diverse contexts and cultures demonstrates the resilience of their simple, precise guiding principles and practice, as well as their adaptability to unique local conditions and scalability. As such, there has been an increasing demand for training in the specific elements of facilitating Restorative Circles, for those with ac­tive projects or beginning them. The Facilitator Practice creates the conditions for focused exploration, peer support and deep group practice in the dynamics of Restorative Circles, in the company of experienced practitioners. 

Participants are asked to have completed a 2 day Introduction. Facilitator Practice supports active application of this work - it is designed to deepen participation in, or commitment to setting up or joining, either a restorative system or a practice group. 

This 3-day module is part of a series, covering a total of 9 days learning, in which the elements of facilitation are investigated to increasing depth.

  9:00 AM - 5:oo PM .  Lunch will be provided on all 5 days.

 These events will be filmed to allow broader access to this work.  Release forms will be requested.

 

More about Restorative Circles

This systemic approach guides communities to consciously choose their justice system - proactively preventing or diminishing harm while also giving all those involved a real-life experience of the practical power of nonviolence. 

Learning from the roots and development of Restorative Justice and guided by the principles and practice of Nonviolent Communication, Restorative Circles support dialogue grounded in open-hearted clarity and tangible power-sharing. Through engaging with our conflicts, we are called on to rethink our living with others, as we consciously co-create the social systems of the world we wish to live in.  

The process and its results open up revolutionary possibilities for social justice, group cohesion, resilient relationships and personal healing - interconnected and vital elements of a culture of peace. 

Dominic Barter began developing restorative practices and systems in the mid 1990s, inspired by the social complexity of Rio de Janeiro, his adopted home, and his study with Marshall Rosenberg in Nonviolent Communication. Since 2004 he has been the training program director and consultant to the Brazilian Justice Department’s Restorative Justice pilot projects, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, as well as the Special Secretariat for Human Rights and State Secretaries for Education in Brazil. In 2008 Dominic was a keynote speaker at the International Conference on Restorative Practices. He coordinates the Restorative Justice Project for the international Center for Nonviolent Communication. 

For more information about Restorative Circles: www.restorativecircles.org

Co-creating the Resources for these Events and this Work

This event is offered as a strategy for supporting the creation and ongoing availability of compassionate, community-based justice systems. There is no specific fee required in exchange for participation. All those who attend are invited to do so in the spirit of collaborating to create and support such systems.

We also request participants share with us the responsibility for making this event, and our ongoing sharing of the work, financially sustainable. The costs involved in organizing this event, bringing Dominic to the US, and supporting his ongoing work in Brazil and elsewhere will be shared, and an open invitation made to meet those costs. In this way, the work is available to all, without exclusion. And all present can consciously choose the extent to which they wish to contribute to its future spread and development.

If you are contributing yourself:  During the two events, we will support individuals to determine what they would enjoy contributing. Contributions can be made in cash or by check. Making an upfront contribution of $50 for each event to help defray organizing costs when you register would be greatly appreciated, when possible. Lunch will be provided.

If your workplace or another organization will be paying your tuition:              

For 1 person: 2 day Introduction - $350;

3 day Facilitator Practice - $525; all 5 days - $750                                

 For 2 or more people, each: 2 day Introduction - $280;

3 day Facilitator Practice - $420; all 5 days - $600  

Lunch will be provided.

If you are intending to come for the 2-day Introduction only, please email tgoodman@admin.rochester.edu for lunch count. Thank you.

If you must cancel at any time, a $25.00 fee will be charged. All other money will be refunded.

Lodging: If you need lodging, the Staybridge Suites/University of Rochester is within walking distance of the University of Rochester. They are offering us a special rate  for this weekend.   Click link: U of R Gandhi Institute Restorative Circles Conference

If you are coming from out of town and would like to stay in the home of a local participant, please email Becky Sutton becky@restorativecircles.org  information about what dates you plan to be in town and any special needs you have related to lodging.

If you live locally and are willing to host someone coming from out of town, please email Becky Sutton becky@restorativecircles.org how many people you are willing to host, what dates you are willing to host, and anything you think it would be important to know about your home.

While we can make no guarantees, we will do our best to match those requesting lodging to those offering it.

Co-sponsors of this event are American Baptist Churches of the Rochester-Genesee Region,   SUNY College at Brockport, the Center for Youth, Department of Criminal Justice at Rochester Institute of Technology,  Rochester Area Mennonite Fellowship and Partners in Restorative Initiatives.

 

Register Now!