Time: 6:45pm - 9:15pm Description:NOTE: This class has room for four more students, then we will begin a waiting list. Call or email us today if you are interested in this class.
Interested in communication tools that promote connection in times of conflict? Want to increase your capacity for clear expression and empathic listening? Longing for more inner peace and less struggle? Join this 8-week study series to explore the basics of nonviolent communication, also known as compassionate communication, and to have an opportunity to learn and practice it with a trained practitioner.
Two books are strongly recommended: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg and the Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu - both available at a reduced cost at the first class. ($17 each)
Class format varies, and includes instruction, individual work, small group and large group practice.
Nancy Kahn has been a collaborative trainer with BayNVC for several years. She is also a social worker and co-founder of a youth-led organization in San Francisco's Mission District. She offers NVC classes, private coaching and mediation to individuals, couples, families and organizations. Nancy is currently focusing her efforts on the integration of nonviolent communication and diversity work practices to support understanding, healing, and communication across differences.
5-minute video interview of Nancy Kahn speaking about empathy.What past participants have said about this study series:
"The NVC Foundations I class has been an opportunity to make NVC come alive. I have applied this knowledge in the groups I lead, my clients, my children and my family; and have seen relationships enriched because of it."
"The class has been a critical support and inspiration to apply NVC in my life. The thoughts and experiences shared by the group members have helped me to deepen my learning and practice. Great sense of community."
"The basics group has given me a transformative perspective on the
possibility of shifting my allegiance from the violent, punishing model
I tried to grow up in, to a world view I can breathe and be supported within as a real, honest expression of life force."
"The practice sessions will give you a strong grounding in the basics of NVC. Don't skimp on the homework. Every exercise has the ability to take you deeper into the practice and understanding of NVC. The work transforms at a very core level."
While there are no prerequisites for this study series, we also welcome those with some prior knowledge of NVC who wish to experience a more structured learning of the fundamentals of NVC.
List in Workshops: NList in Ongoing Practice Groups: NList in Flex Yearlong: NList in Intro Events: YRetreat: NSocial Change Event: NParenting Event: NLed by a Leadership Program graduate: YBay Area Event: NMarshall Rosenberg event: NRequested Experience: No prerequisites.City or County: Oakland, CALocation: BayNVC OfficeTrainer(s): Nancy KahnRequested Contribution: Sliding Scale: $240 - $480. Contact: BayNVC is located near Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. Our building is wheelchair accessible, we offer free parking and we are convenient to public transportation. We will send you a confirmation email with driving and public transit directions.
At Bay Area Nonviolent Communication, we are committed to your privacy. Click here to read our email privacy policy.
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Description:
Introductory Evenings are lively explorations of the basic principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a language and consciousness of compassion that can dramatically improve all of our relationships, from personal to professional. Live modeling demonstrates how the NVC process can be used in a wide variety of real-life situations. Participants have the option of using situations from their own lives as they practice.
We hope that people with more experience in the NVC process will bring your friends.
Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm Description:
Skips September 16th
Deepen connections with people at work, your friends, family and children, while reducing conflict by improving your communication skills. Follow a simple four-step process developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD, to enhance already rich, long-term relationships and heal painful ones. Enjoy richer connections with others by speaking from the heart to address feelings and needs, rather than triggering analysis, diagnosis and criticism. Learn to ask for what you want without fear, guilt or shame, and transform potential conflicts into compassionate dialogues.
Two books are strongly recommended: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg and the Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu - both available at a reduced cost at the first class. ($17 each)
Class format varies, and includes instruction, individual work, small group and large group practice.
Meganwind Eoyang came to the study of nonviolent communication from a very different world. She grew up fighting in gang wars on the south side of Chicago. Her longing for sweet, deep connection with fellow humans arose after first finding safety and meaning in nature. She was excited to discover that nonviolent communication offers clear steps for practicing compassion, self love, and love for others. She has been a staff trainer with Bay Area Nonviolent Communication since 2004.
10-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about empathy.4-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about examples of empathy with inmates at San Quentin and in her mediations with couples.What past participants have said about this study series:
"The NVC Foundations I class has been an opportunity to make NVC come alive. I have applied this knowledge in the groups I lead, my clients, my children and my family; and have seen relationships enriched because of it."
"The class has been a critical support and inspiration to apply NVC in my life. The thoughts and experiences shared by the group members have helped me to deepen my learning and practice. Great sense of community."
"The basics group has given me a transformative perspective on the
possibility of shifting my allegiance from the violent, punishing model
I tried to grow up in, to a world view I can breathe and be supported within as a real, honest expression of life force."
"The practice sessions will give you a strong grounding in the basics of NVC. Don't skimp on the homework. Every exercise has the ability to take you deeper into the practice and understanding of NVC. The work transforms at a very core level."
While there are no prerequisites to attend this class, we also welcome those with some prior knowledge of NVC who wish to experience a more structured learning of the fundamentals of NVC.
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Description:
This group will meet at BayNVC on Thursday September 2nd, 2010.
Please contact Nancy Kahn at nancy (at) baynvc.org for future dates.
Nancy Kahn has been a collaborative trainer with BayNVC for several years. She is also a social worker and co-founder of a youth-led organization in San Francisco's Mission District. She offers NVC classes, private coaching and mediation to individuals, couples, families and organizations. Nancy is currently focusing her efforts on the integration of nonviolent communication and diversity work practices to support understanding, healing, and communication across differences.
5-minute video interview of Nancy Kahn speaking about empathy.
We accept donations; although no payment is required to attend. No one is turned away.
BayNVC offers free parking and is wheelchair accessible. For driving and public transit directions to BayNVC, click here.
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Description:
Restorative Circles offer a way through which communities can compassionately handle conflicts, heal from these conflicts, and learn what conflicts have to teach us. Restorative Circles were developed by Dominic Barter in Brazil. His work has been informed by his experience in the Restorative Justice movement and his exploration of NVC. Restorative Circles have been used with exciting results in Brazilian schools and Brazil's juvenile justice system.
For more information about Restorative Circles see http://www.restorativecircles.org
In this drop-in practice group we will explore Restorative Circles using the Semi-simulated Circle exercise. Each meeting we will work with a live conflict of one the group’s participants. Other group members will step into the roles of Author, Receiver or conflict community member, as needed.
1. The priority of the practice group is to support facilitator learning.
a. Generally one person will practice facilitating each meeting.
b. If you are not the person actively facilitating, we invite you to imagine you were and consider what choices you would have made.
c. During the semi-simulated RC exercise, we request that people in the group stay in the circle process and provide feedback during the debrief (both what worked and what didn’t work).
2. This practice group is open to anyone with an interest in learning about RC. Generally the facilitator is familiar with the RC process. The intention behind this is a desire to learn from the experience we have in the room.
3. We ask that you bring conflicts from your life for us to potentially use in our practice. Conflicts are gifts to the group, providing the fuel for our exploration and learning.
a. We request that the conflict not involve anyone else in the room. The intention of the practice group is to support facilitator learning rather than supporting individuals in live conflict.
b. We invite conflicts in the range of 5 – 6, on a scale of 1 – 10 of intensity, with 1 being a very low intensity and 10 being a very high intensity. We have found conflicts in this range have “life energy” that feeds the learning process. A high intensity conflict may shift our attention from learning to supporting the individual in conflict.
Gail Claspell has been studying with Dominic Barter since 2007.
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm Description:Exchanging the "Blueprint of Me," Building the "Blueprint of We"What Is It?
The State of Grace Document is a new way to build, sustain and transition business and personal relationships with trust and respect. It gives you the power to be the architect of your life, rather than squeezing into pre-established business or personal relationship definitions. You personally write it along with those involved, from 2-2000+ people, preferably at the beginning of the relationship. It captures what draws each individual to the situation, your personal preferences and expectations; and it provides a path back to peace if the need arises. It is often being used to replace or enhance traditional legal contracts.
Who's Using It and When
The State of Grace Document is currently being used in communities, corporations, small businesses, non-profits, churches, families, schools, between business partners, couples, friends, siblings, etc. in countries around the world. Because it is a framework upon which to share the “blueprint of me” with others, it can be used within any relationship situation that exists, and with as many people as are involved. It creates effortless communication and easy day-to-day interactions that reduce stress and enhance overall emotional and physical health. People around the globe say it is an idea whose time has come.
In this workshop you will learn about, design, and develop a State of Grace Document in order to: create a foundation and on-going practice within the relationship; enable you to pursue higher levels of consciousness in business; and build a profound degree of internal cohesion.
Bring a journal, laptop or notebook to write in as you will be creating your own State of Grace Document in the workshop.
Maureen McCarthy and Zelle Nelson will be facilitating this workshop. The State of Grace Document concept was created by Maureen and Zelle, as they first began their dating relationship in 1998. After seeing its impact, they went on to create Documents with family and friends. Eventually, through their international consulting firm, Engaging the Soul @ Work, they made the decision to solely use State of Grace Documents with their clients, rather than legal contracts. Their clients, including global corporations, governments and universities — organizations who often live and die by their contracts — have all been willing to create State of Grace Documents as the business contract. And every client has gone on to create their own Documents because they see the powerful impact it has on their day-to-day business interactions and bottom line. As international leadership consultants, large group facilitators, senior executive coaches and keynote speakers, Maureen and Zelle are dynamic communicators, pioneering advancements in business and personal relationship tools within corporations and communities across the globe. They are a true living example of effortless relationship at work and at home.
For more information please visit www.stateofgracedocument.com
The workshop will include time for lunch, and there is a Whole Foods Market and Deli three blocks from the Humanist Hall, at the corner of 27th and Harrison Street.
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Description:
If you're feeling frustrated or overwhelmed because you're seeing the same arguments—over and over again—with your partner, child, parent, co-worker or friend, then this is the class for you. We'll practice simple techniques to untangle every-day conflicts at home, at work, in classrooms and organizations.
Working in small groups and using real-life situations, you'll have the chance to receive coaching and support as you play the role of mediator or disputant. We'll explore ways to heal and transform conflicts in your own life, and to assist others when they're in conflict.
You'll learn to:
* Stay grounded in the face of anger and intensity
* Translate judgments and "enemy images" into feelings and needs
* Create safety and connection between disputing parties
* Help both sides feel heard to their own satisfaction
* Develop presence and self-connection
* Make clear, do-able requests
* Find collaborative, mutually beneficial solutions
In addition to greater comfort and success mediating conflicts, many participants in our trainings have reported accelerated development in their NVC skills, their capacity for presence and personal growth within themselves and in their relationships.
About the trainer
LISA MONTANA came to mediation from the corporate world, where she witnessed frequent disputes, most of them handled in ways that nobody liked. In NVC, she found a model in which everybody's needs matter, and against all odds, has seen wildly antagonistic foes (sometimes including herself) find common ground. Lisa has a reputation for clarity, humor and compassion, and her workshops offer participants the chance to strengthen their skills in a lively and supportive atmosphere. Lisa is part of the teaching team for BayNVC's year-long mediation program. She also offers mediation, private trainings and conflict-resolution coaching to individuals, businesses and organizations around the country.
Time: 6:45pm - 9:15pm Description:
Register in advance for the entire 8-week series; no drop-in. This class is for people who already understand the basics of NVC and wish to gain deeper fluency. We'll focus on practice using structured learning exercises designed to build skill and to re-train our nervous systems to a compassionate way of being that counters societal conditioning. Over the 8 weeks, we'll grow together as a group in our ability to apply principles of compassion in difficult circumstances and in our daily-life situations.
Words about Newt Bailey from one of his students:
"Newt brings great authenticity and humor into his teaching. His demonstrations are very instructive and often hilarious. Newt is a natural teacher, and exhibits an unusually high level of poise, calmness, and clarity in his delivery. I also really enjoyed his ability to respond spontaneously to what was arising in the workshop, while still supporting the participants in moving on to new territory when they were ready."
Newt Bailey works in the San Francisco Bay Area as a communication coach and trainer. He also provides mediation and meeting facilitation services.
Newt's approach incorporates the work of international peacemaker Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., combined with the experience gained during the last twenty years of student and professional life. Communication and conflict resolution have been essential skills throughout his career in corporate leadership, in high-school teaching and administration, and as a student representative at University College in Oxford, England.
10-minute video interview of Newt Bailey discussing empathy.
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm Description:
Working towards sustainability on a global scale requires balancing entrepreneurship with collaboration; personal power and power with others; working with like-minded people and interacting with people whose opinions are different from our own; being open to the world and attempting to influence people with decision-making power.
This workshop provides a framework and a practice for making grounded choices in challenging moments; bringing empathic presence to all aspects of our work; and learning how to speak and listen in ways that foster trust, mutual respect, and understanding even in the midst of intense disagreements.
Miki Kashtan is a founder of Bay Area Nonviolent Communication. She conducts organizational trainings and teaches NVC at workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the country. Miki has been supporting global social change movements, including coaching of Peace Alliance members in their Department of Peace campaign, facilitation of the African Alliance for Peace summit in Ghana, and a global peace building and conflict transformation summit in Japan. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley.
10-minute video interview of Miki Kashtan discussing empathy.10-minute video of Miki Kashtan on the BayNVC Conflict Hotline TV show.About Hub SoMa: Hubs provide collaborate work space and services for individuals who want to make a difference in their communities. At night, The Hub transforms into an event platform for member driven
collaborations, lectures, screenings, innovation labs, and some of the most compelling and imaginative minds from around the world.
Time: 6:45pm - 9:15pm Description:Connecting Deeply with Needs and Speaking "Giraffe" in Our Own Personal Style and Flow
Do you want to communicate NVC consciousness and sound like yourself?
Spend time developing greater internal ease and fluency with NVC. This intermediate/advanced-level study series is being offered to support exploration and sustained practice in communicating with NVC consciousness in ways that bring forth our unique creativity, expression and choice of words.
We will shift our focus away from using the 'right' words to living a consciousness of connection and choice, opening hearts and increasing our capacity for authenticity in difficult moments.
We will also learn how to creatively translate the pure NVC 'need' words into language that others can connect with, whether they understand NVC or not.
Come join us to bring forth your full voice and range of expression while staying deeply connected with feelings and needs.
Nancy Kahn has been a collaborative trainer with BayNVC for several years. She is also a social worker and co-founder of a youth-led organization in San Francisco's Mission District. She offers NVC classes, private coaching and mediation to individuals, couples, families and organizations. Nancy is currently focusing her efforts on the integration of nonviolent communication and diversity work practices to support understanding, healing, and communication across differences.
5-minute video interview of Nancy Kahn speaking about empathy.Requested Experience:
We ask that participants have a basic understanding of NVC,
perhaps through participating in a Foundations 1 Study Series through BayNVC,
OR by participating in at least three NVC practice group sessions.
We are hoping to meet needs for learning as well as inclusion. If you have any questions about the requested experience, please contact BayNVC at (510) 433-0700 or register@baynvc.org
Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm Description:
Did you ever learn a new skill by only reading about it? Of course you practice the new skill over and over to get good at it. It's the same with learning NVC, we practice in order to translate the clear-cut model into something we can make use of in daily life.
This program offers a way to add your body and specific movements to your learning process, to make it more concrete and use more of your wholeness. It also offers a way to make NVC into a personal, body based practice, one that you can do on your own time, with the result of becoming more empathic, compassionate, relational and authentic.
In this workshop, we will revisit the basic model of NVC from this embodied perspective and then deepen into negotiating differences - the "dance" of NVC, where we learn to change from listening to advocating, giving and receiving empathy, and have it all come together in ways that work for both. We will blend didactic segments with lively and fun games, movements and exercises. Most learning about yourself will come from what is uncovered in the exercises, less from personal "process" in the room.
Maja Bengtson has been deeply involved with NVC for over a decade. She has worked with the leadership of BayNVC since 2001 (including two years as Development Director), and she co-founded Words That Work with Ike Lasater in 2003. She has facilitated NVC trainings at various Bay Area workplaces, and has offered public workshops on workplace communication.
As a coach, trainer and facilitator, Maja incorporates NVC into all of her work, along with her intuitive and heartfelt understanding of human dynamics. Maja is certified as an Integral Coach, a Core Connexion facilitator, and "rebirthing" (transformational breathwork) instructor, a student of Conscious Embodiment and a long term meditator. She holds a MA in clinical psychology.
To read more about this program and Maja's work, please visit http://www.innerleadership.us/Flex_Empathy_Muscle.html
Time: 10:00am - 5:30pm Description:
If you’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed because you’re having the same argument—over and over again—with your partner, co-worker or family member, then this is the workshop for you. We’ll explore simple techniques to untangle every-day conflicts at home, at work, in classrooms and organizations. Using real-life situations, you’ll have the chance to play the role of a disputing party and receive mediation and support. We’ll explore ways to resolve conflicts in your own life, and to assist others when they’re in conflict.
We’ll cover various aspects of mediation, including:
• Staying grounded in the face of anger and intensity
• Translating judgments and “enemy images” into the underlying needs
• Creating safety and connection between disputing parties
• Helping both sides feel heard to their own satisfaction
In addition to achieving more ease in dealing with conflict, many participants find that this work also helps accelerate their learning of basic NVC skills.
Note: This class is the pre-requisite for another workshop, Intermediate Conflict Resolution & Mediation, which Lisa is offering on Sunday, September 26, 2010.CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE INTERMEDIATE CLASS.
LISA MONTANA came to mediation from the corporate world, where she witnessed frequent disputes, most of them handled in ways that nobody liked. In NVC, she found a model in which everybody’s needs matter, and against all odds, has seen wildly antagonistic foes (sometimes including herself) find common ground. Lisa has a reputation for clarity, humor and compassion, and her workshops offer participants the chance to strengthen their skills in a lively and supportive atmosphere. Lisa is a trainer at BayNVC and part of the teaching team for the year-long mediation program. She also offers mediation, private trainings and conflict-resolution coaching to individuals, businesses and organizations around the country.
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Description:
Introductory Evenings are lively explorations of the basic principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a language and consciousness of compassion that can dramatically improve all of our relationships, from personal to professional. Live modeling demonstrates how the NVC process can be used in a wide variety of real-life situations. Participants have the option of using situations from their own lives as they practice.
Sigal Shoham was introduced to NVC in 2003, and began teaching in 2006 while completing the BayNVC Leadership Program. She facilitates BayNVC's introductory evenings, foundations courses, practice groups and organizational trainings, and also assists at retreat intensives. In addition, she serves on the board of directors for the Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California and she is a mediator for the San Francisco Small Claims Court. Sigal hopes to share the support, self-awareness, transformation and fun that NVC has brought to her life.
"Sigal brings freshness, clarity and a fearless authenticity to her work. On more than one occasion, I have seen her steer a sleepy group into an engaged aliveness."
We hope that people with more experience in the NVC process will bring your friends.
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Description:
(Class skips October 11, 2010)
"Feedback" is one of the most important ways we talk with each other in the workplace. From informal comments to the yearly performance review: it's all about feedback.
In this class we will explore and learn concrete tools for giving great feedback to others. Participants will use examples from their own work lives, learn some basic theory, and practice in class and with homework to support learning of these new skills.
The class will cover:
- the difference between (constructive) feedback and (debilitating) criticism
- when to give feedback; and when to use other options
- what to say when you're happy with what someone has done
- what to say when others' actions are not working so well
- how to receive incoming feedback, even when it's not skillfully delivered
Maja Bengtson M.A. has been deeply involved with NVC for over a decade. She has worked with the leadership of BayNVC since 2001 (including two years as Development Director), and she co-founded Words That Work with Ike Lasater in 2003. She has facilitated NVC trainings at various bay area workplaces, and has offered public workshops on workplace communication.
As a coach, trainer and organizational consultant, Maja incorporates NVC into all of her work, along with many years of mindfulness practices, somatic processes, and her intuitive and heartfelt understanding of human dynamics. Her academic background includes a M.A. in Counseling Psychology, with an Organizational Psychology specialization. She is certified as an Integral Coach™, and as a Core Connexion facilitator. Maja is the founder and president of Inner Leadership, Inc. in Berkeley, CA.
Time: 10:00am - 5:30pm Description:
This Intermediate class builds on the tools presented in the Beginning workshop (see below), and offers the chance to develop and deepen your skills by working with more challenging role-plays. You’ll have the chance to mediate for longer durations and to practice more nuanced aspects of the process.
We’ll continue to work in small groups using real-life situations, and you’ll receive feedback and support as you play the role of mediator or disputing party. Participants will help select special topics for this class, which may include:
• Emergency first-aid empathy
• Tracking the mediation process in complex situations
• Choosing when and how to make interruptions
• Mediator transparency
• Making clear requests and finding collaborative solutions
In addition to achieving more ease in dealing with conflict, many participants find that this work also helps accelerate their learning of basic NVC skills.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE BEGINNING CLASS.
About the trainer
LISA MONTANA came to mediation from the corporate world, where she witnessed frequent disputes, most of them handled in ways that nobody liked. In NVC, she found a model in which everybody’s needs matter, and against all odds, has seen wildly antagonistic foes (sometimes including herself) find common ground. Lisa has a reputation for clarity, humor and compassion, and her workshops offer participants the chance to strengthen their skills in a lively and supportive atmosphere. Lisa is a trainer at BayNVC and part of the teaching team for the year-long mediation program. She also offers mediation, private trainings and conflict-resolution coaching to individuals, businesses and organizations around the country.
Time: 6:45pm - 9:15pm Description:
Have you been studying NVC for a while? Are you looking for a next step in bringing NVC into your life? This series is intended for people with significant NVC experience who are drawn to going deeper with a committed group. Our focus will be both on honing specific skills and on supporting consciousness transformation and deeper integration of the principles of NVC.
Topics will vary weekly, and will likely be drawn from this list: Embracing pain and joy equally; empathy under fire; balancing growth and self-acceptance; learning without self-blame; balancing integrity (to commitments) and spontaneity; authenticity and vulnerability; colloquial giraffe; deep empathy; asking for help; interruption skills; holding everyone's needs dear.
Meganwind Eoyang came to the study of nonviolent communication from a very different world. She grew up fighting in gang wars on the south side of Chicago. Her longing for sweet, deep connection with fellow humans arose after first finding safety and meaning in nature. She was excited to discover that nonviolent communication offers clear steps for practicing compassion, self love, and love for others. She has been a staff trainer with Bay Area Nonviolent Communication since 2004.
10-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about empathy.4-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about examples of empathy with inmates at San Quentin and in her mediations with couples.
Time: 6:45pm - 9:15pm Description:
NOTE: Class Skips October 19
Many people report they find making requests the most challenging aspect of NVC –there are no specific lists of requests like there are for feelings and for needs. Yet, making requests is how we ultimately connect with others when we want to make things happen, a source of connection and of empowerment. Creativity can be a great tool here.
In this 6-week series we’ll explore several components and approaches to making requests and practice, practice, practice. Here are some of the topics we may draw upon:
* Identifying positive action language
* Enriching life with requests
* Requests of self and others
* Developing flexibility
* Holding both people’s needs
* Connecting requests to needs
* Requests in groups: thresholds
6:45pm