We use the power of circles in many settings:
- for resolving conflicts and making things right when someone has been harmed
- supporting small-group planning and problem solving
- building supportive communities among co-workers
- transforming challenged classrooms into vibrant learning communities
- in our lives as sources of support and wisdom
You are invited to participate in an immersive training in the circle way. We will be learning-by-doing, supported by group reflection and discussion. Your circle keeper/trainer will share experiences and insights on a variety of important concepts for circles:
- The role of ritual in opening and closing circles
- Crafting high-quality questions that unify the work of the circle
- The talking piece-ways to use it, when to set it aside
- The unique nature of the role of circle keeper
- The role of participants in guiding the work of the circle
- Practical ways to use circles in your workplace, family, community
- Giving and getting support as a circle-keepers
Location: 3440 Airway Drive Suite E, Santa Rosa
Time: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM, one hour lunch break
Cost: $45.00 per day. Each day will be a unique experience; you are invited to attend more than one day.
Date: Our first circle activity will be finding dates that work for a minimum of 8 people.
| Choose from ($45.00 per date) |
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Using the link below, indicate the dates that you would like to attend. When a date has eight people we will email you to confirm that the training is on. It's important that you sign up only for dates that you can commit to, and you hold those dates for your experience in the circle.
Click here to choose dates.
We will repeat the training on all dates with eight or more confirmed participants. You are invited to attend more than one date, as each training will be shaped by the participants and thus unique insights and lessons are likely to emerge.
| A small council circle with a group of backpackers in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Participants resolve conflicts, share learnings, discuss what is on their minds, and decide on daily itinerary. |  |
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A community forum circle held in Santa Rosa. Participants share perspectives on community needs and ideas for addressing them. |
Faculty (one or more will lead each day's circle experiences):
Amos Clifford, MA, is Executive Director of Restorative Resources. He has been a circle keeper in many settings, and has been trained by some of the foremost circle keepers in the world. He is actively investigating how circles can transform chaotic classrooms into cohesive learning communities; and how circles help individuals and groups transform data into wisdom.
Susan Kistin, MFT, is a circle keeper of many years experience. She has trained extensively in the circle way and is passionate about sharing this transformative practice of collaboration with groups all kinds. Susan is a psychotherapist and co-founder of EarthWays, an organization that offers nature-based rites of passage, circles, workshops, retreats and DayQuests.
Chuck Fisher, Ph.D. has been leading circles since he was teen. He has used circles and the council format in wilderness and school settings K-12 through graduate for over 30 years. Chuck is on the Research Faculty at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and a trainer for the Toolbox Project, the PassageWorks Institute, and the HeartMath Institute. To Chuck, the circle brings out one's natural instinct for deep connections with others.
Tori Coto is a Restorative Conference Facilitator at Restorative Resources. For over seven years she has been coordinating and leading circles to respond to incidents of crime. These circles bring together crime victims and their offenders for healing dialogues in which offenders are given the opportunity to be truly accountable to the community by making things right.
Todd Michero is Restorative Conference Faciliator at Restorative Resources, and Lead Pastor at Shiloh Covenant Church in Windsor. After working for the LA County Sheriff's Department he served for a number of years in Prison Fellowship. His work with circles is informed by his faith perspective that spirituality is at the heart restoration.
Karen Pino, MSW has been specializing in leading circles with primary grade students (K-3), both in the classroom and on the playground.
3440 Airway Drive
Santa Rosa CA 95403
707-542-4244