Summarize session information and post on wiki

This is a summary of all the recorded sessions at the Compassion in Action 2006 event in Oakland, CA. I have made an attempt to classify each session under a single descriptive title, merely to meet needs for clarity and learning. Question can be embedded in this to clarify action items, timeframes, responsibilities, and circle membership. The titles which I describe below include:

NVC Community Support

These sessions involved trainings or brainstorming about how to build stronger NVC training programs in the local communities. These sessions dealt addressing conflict, fundraising, coaching as a career, building a corporate training practice, finding Spanish language resources, marketing NVC workshops, retaining trainees, researching NVC effectiveness, building an organization, and listening to feedback about what might better support the local NVC communities. If each of these developed into web pages for detailed information about these support subjects through the efforts of one or more people, needs for progress, contribution and effectiveness might be met accross the NVC-USA Project.

Conflict in NVC Communities (Kit Miller) – With 30 people attending, it was acknowledged that there had been a great deal of pain in building NVC communities, which also may not have met needs for ease, efficiency, and valuing oneself. The session included a wish for learning that these conflicts are normal, and that resources be made available for those communities and individuals struggling through an NVC community conflict. Small groups thought about typical issues and brainstormed strategies for prevention and resolution. The conflict issues and resolution strategies are listed in the notes. There was general commitment to carry some of these strategies forward. a) Is anyone willing to take leadership in this area? Kit Miller? b) Can we get this list put up on an official page for NVC Communities?

Fundraising in Harmony with NVC (Lynn McMullen) – Participant needs around fundraising may have included inspiration, action, coordination, integrity, competence, growth, effectiveness, support, and a combination of meaning and financial security. Some suggestions and specific opportunities (Scholarship for Peace) were mentioned and some resources as links were provided. Linda did some training on a needs met from giving and receiving: freedom, trust, contribution, inspiration, hope, and sense of community. People give through you (not to you). Inspire others by telling them what inspires you! Some time was also spent discussing how CNVC supports fundraising through projects. Also there was a discussion about major gifts in $1,000-5,000 range versus large gifts and grants. Then a suggestion was made: carry request list and make requests of everyone. Finally a description of how to make a request for funds was provided.

NVC Coaching as a Career (Bob Gailer) – Several people who have been using NVC in coaching were participants who shared their own experiences, while others were looking at making NVC a career, and may have wanted guidance and support. Some ideas provided by Bob to help create and grow a coaching business. Self doubt is a common experience, of coaches.

NVC Heretics – The Loyal Opposition (John Abbe and Lisa-Marie) – Maybe this was an empathy session for the troups in the trenches relative to their dealings with the NVC community and the CNVC organization. Issues raised and maybe discussed included competition among trainers, voice to local communities, language, staff giraffe training, what MBR said did not reflect what was seen in Israel, sociocracy, lack of trust and caring in community, certification process, whether the NVC community uses NVC in their conflicts, shifting from what isn’t working to what can work, and needs for honesty, responsive support, and trust. Choice among these issues to focus on was certification. Suggested what can work: • Trainer training for skill building and competence; • Multiple pre-assessment paths; • Some way to assess skill level that is more than certified or not; • Would like subjective criteria in certification packet translated into observables; • Involve the assessees in the assessment process (i.e. allow assessees to assess themselves); • Guidelines on the web about sharing NVC is appreciated; • Assessee helps set the criteria for assessment; and • NVC trademark protection through a certification process will increase value associated with name recognition.

Spanish-Language NVC Resources (Saundra Thomas) – The new Spanish translation of “Communicacion no violenta: un lenguaje de vida” was announced to be available now. Several resources were provided: 1. A search of CNVC.org web site for the word ‘spanish’ 2. Published material: [http://www.comunicacionnoviolenta.com/recu