pcrc full staff retreat 12.7.12
DESCRIPTION
The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) of San Mateo, CA, engaged Lynn Johnson and her Compassionate Conversations framework for their Full Staff Retreat on Dec 7, 2012.TRANSCRIPT
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) Full-Staff Retreat
Designed & Led by:Lynn Johnsonlynnjohnson.org
Foster City LibraryFoster City, CADecember 7, 2012
Agenda for Today Introductions & Setting the Stage Icebreaker: Gratitude Garland Interactive Presentation: The 7
Elements of a Compassionate Community Theater Games | Active Sharing/Active
Listening | The Power of an Ally | Make a Play Lunch Working Scenarios: Discussing the Tough
Stuff Work Time Closing
Compassionate Conversation Requests
Be HereSay Yes!Assume the
BestSeek
Opportunity in the Discomfort
Gratitude Garland Find a strip of paper and some
crayons/markers Write and/or Draw 1-3 things you have
been most grateful for in your work this year
Share your gratitudes with the group String our gratitudes together to create
garland What does our garland represent?
What is a Compassionate Community?
An interdependent group of people connected by passion, proximity, or both and care deeply for the well-being of each other
“There is great strength in the closeness of the connections we build through interdependence, and this is ultimately the strength of a community. A community of completely independent people is a not a community at all.”
- Mary Gordon, Founder, Roots of Empathy
The 7 Elements of a Compassionate Community
Art
Empathy
Gratitude
Peaceful & Powerful
InteractionsHonor Altruism
Play
GratitudeCelebrating our
own giftsCelebrating the
gifts in each otherThe key practice of
HopeExample Practices:
Gratitude JournalsGratitude Garland“Best Things”
The Superpower that can transform any situation.
Empathy Get quiet & presentListen to and Share
our StoriesIdentify & Accept
all FeelingsExample Practices:
Journalism/Interviews Playback Theater Emotion Coaching
The ability to recognize, understand, and relate to the humanity in each other
Empathetic Listening
I heard you say…
Does that capture it?
Peaceful & Powerful Interactions
Boundaries not BarriersCourage to stand up for
self and othersTelling the TruthPractice & Do-OversForgivenessExample Practices:
Community Conversations Martial Arts/Chi Gung Theater of the Oppressed Kidpower Restorative Justice
Finding Opportunity in the uncomfortable moments to grow together
Dangerous ConformityWhat did you notice/what struck
you about this video?What do we learn about being an
ally, an advocate?What makes it difficult to be this
brave?What can we do to make it easier?
Theater of the Oppressed
Augusto Boal, Brazil
Games and activities for full civic & community participation
Forms that can be practiced
Honor Honoring elders/history
Choosing right action IntegrityExample Practices:
Creating & Upholding Agreements/Requests
Keeping promises Think before you speak Showing up and
following throughTo respect what is and show up for it fully
This Becomes an “Honor System”Be HereSay Yes!Assume the
BestSeek
Opportunity in the Discomfort
We are all welcome to the same entitlements
From Top-Down Punishment to Community Owned Standards of Being
Making community values explicit
AltruismGenerosityLoyaltySacrificeExample
Practices: Pay it forward Volunteerism/
Service Learning Donating money/
“tithing”
Giving your time, money & stuff to those who can use it
Art Problem SolvingEngaging,
Generating Ideas & Putting those ideas together
Taking RisksExample Practices:
Trying to Fail Making Art, Music,
Theater, Poetry, etc. Brainstorming
Creating something new that has value in your life, your community, & beyond
Play Creative PlayPhysical ActivityGamesExample
Practices: Play, play and
play some more.
Let’s Make a Play!
Our right as living beings to enjoy ourselves and each other. The ultimate mechanism to explore human interaction.
ReflectionAfter making/watching the
performances, what new thoughts do you have about Compassionate Communities?
What are your reflections about PCRC as a Compassionate working Community?Where are you strong?Where do you need work?
Rapid Writes The reason I came to work at PCRC in
the first place is… The main impact I want to make with
my work is… What’s getting in the way of me fully
being able to do that is… Right now, what I really want to share
with you all is…
Scenarios The goals of these small group
discussions are: To practice empathy instead of judge or
criticize To honor folks’ stories and experience
instead of correct or give advice To walk away with learnings that will
benefit the whole community
Top 5 Tools to Facilitate a Compassion Conversation1. Know, Remember & Return to the Goal
of the Conversation2. Know, Remember & Return to the
Agreements/Requests of the Community3. Always Model Empathetic Listening 4. Make space for and balance all of the
voices in the room5. Help the group see & find their
connections
Large Group DiscussionTo gather information on: What have we learned today that we
can use in our work with our partners in the community?
What we are already doing that we can build on?
What will we have to do differently? What might our next steps be?
Follow Up Full Packet/Toolkit from Today
Facilitator’s Agenda Powerpoint Hand-Outs
Possible Workshops Facilitating for Compassion The Power of Empathy
Contact http://lynnjohnson.org [email protected] 415.595.9798