Pre-Conference Trainings

Trainer: Mandi Halabi

November 19 and 20, 2024 - 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Cost: $400

 A peacemaking circle is an intentional process focused on connection, in order to build community, promote healing and create collective action through drawing on the wisdom, experience and capacity of the circle members. Derived from Indigenous teachings and traditions, peacemaking circles bring people together in a way that creates trust, respect, intimacy, good will, belonging, generosity, mutuality and equality. Peacemaking circles are a community directed response that can be implemented and applied in a variety of contexts and settings. A Circle Keeper facilitates the implementation of the peacemaking circle process in order to safely guide participants to a collective outcome that is based on consensus.

-Learning how the peacemaking circle process and restorative justice overlap.

-Recognizing that peacemaking circles promote authenticity, allowing participants to learn more about themselves, be wholly involved in the process and be supported while being supportive.

- Understanding how the peacemaking circle approach allows participants to speak honestly, listen to each other respectfully and recognize the power in every voice.

Acquiring the knowledge of how the process links to Indigenous teachings as a means to create balance and hold sacred space to promote personal/spiritual connections while building relationships Peacemaking Circle training is experiential-based that is intended and designed for anyone interested in learning an intentional and effective process for group dialogue, while also; After completing the two-day training, participants will have the skills, confidence, knowledge and resources to implement peacemaking circles as a Circle Keeper.

Starting an RJ Program  

Trainers: Jan Moran and China Sieger

Dates: November 19 1:00-4:30pm and November 20 – 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Cost: $300

This 1.5 day training will look at the steps needed to implement a successful community restorative justice program. Using the “Guide for Developing a Restorative Justice Program” (ARJA) as a key resource, participants will work through essential components of starting a program. Areas of focus are principles of restorative justice, relationship building and establishing community support, training needs, policies and practices, referral and case management, and evaluation. This is a hands-on training session. Participants will leave the session with resources and a plan to establish a restorative justice program designed for their community. It is highly recommended that more than one person from a community wishing to start a program attend. However, should that not be possible even one person will find the knowledge gained to be a valuable resource to take back to their community. Welcome too, are those who attend to review and enhance their present program, as not only will they benefit from the session, but their experience and sharing would be an asset to the entire group.