BayNVC March 08 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I frequently speak with people just after they have heard about  Nonviolent
Communication, or attended a training for the first time.  Often the reactions 
I hear range from "I'll never learn this!" to "I don't want to speak in such a stilted
way for the rest of my life!" to "Even thought I knew this was a practice, I hadn't 
realized how challenging it would be to learn and integrate!"  Can you guess the
different needs associated with each statement?

I appreciate the relief I see and hear in people when I tell them that the stilted, 
awkward language phase of learning NVC is just that - a phase.  The model 
itself is like a set of training wheels that, once your consciousness and focus is 
shifted from strategy and demand to needs and connection, can be let go for 
most interactions (though using 'classical' Nonviolent Communication in tense 
or charged situations has always felt like the most skillful choice I can make).

BayNVC's focus on providing a variety of structured support for that 
transformative journey is a source of tremendous satisfaction to me, and it 
provides me with real hope that the Bay Area will reach a 'tipping point'', where 
the skills and consciousness of Nonviolent Communication are integrated into 
such a number of institutions and individuals that our way of life begins to change.  
Each of you, and your choice to learn, are part of the movement toward that point.  
We are all connected!

This month's Bulletin offers many different strategies to move you toward your 
own tipping point.  If you have not yet attended a retreat, consider the 
Living Peace retreat happening in March. If you see or know a therapist, let them 
know about the therapists' retreat happening in March as well.

In loving service,

Kit Miller
Director/Celebrator

P.S. Consider joining me, Ike Lasater and NVC colleague Eva Rambala this 
coming Tuesday, March 4, 7-9 pm, to learn about Nonviolent Communication 
work in Eastern Europe among refugee populations, orphanages, government 
agencies and elsewhere.  We  will request donations for the Eastern European 
project that evening - give only if you are inspired to do so.

Introduction (starts March 18) and Coaching
(starts March 19).

As many of you know, one of BayNVC's
strategic initiatives for this year is to
support the dissemination of the restorative
circles process in the Bay Area and
elsewhere. Restorative Circles are a potent
blend of restorative justice practice with Nonviolent Communication.

The teleclasses are part of that strategy for two reasons. First is that they offer
training to all of you with Dominic Barter, who created this process through his
work in Brazil. Second, the proceeds from this call will help to support Dominic
to take time to write support materials for better disseminating this work. Class
size is limited to 12, so if you want in, don't wait!!

As part of our commitment for economic inclusion, and because many people
want to learn this work, we are offering a 'listen-only' option for the Introduction
and Coaching series to as many people as want to join, for whatever money they
can contribute.

We've received a couple of inquiries about this and so wanted to let you know
that Marshall Rosenberg will not be visiting the Bay Area this year. After several
years (or more!) of wanting to cut back his travel, Marshall finally this year is
spending most of his time off the road. He is mainly now living and working in
Albuqurque, NM, where he and his wife Valentina make their home. Check his
schedule at www.cnvc.org if you're willing to travel to see him!!

Newly formed group invites NVC practitioners.
NVC-and-Social-Change Group invites all those interested in using nonviolence
and compassion-based consciousness in the service of social change and
activism work to join this newly formed group committed to contributing to social
change in alignment with NVC principles. Some needs we'd like meet in this
group include community, connection, gratitude, support, joy, play, and fun!

We've Outgrown Our Phone System!
And we're looking for a small business system with a minimum 8-line capacity.
A new system will cost us over $4000! If your company or organization is
growing and looking for a new phone system, why not get a tax write-off and
donate your old system to us? If you think you have a potential solution for us,
email newphonesystem@baynvc.org. Thank you!

BayNVC Needs You! Volunteer Positions Available:
Please contact Maja at maja@baynvc.org if interested.

1. OUTREACH SUPPORT
Help to promote and communicate about upcoming special events.
Involves working with our database, sending group emails, and support tasks
for mailing. These tasks are mostly computer based, and experience and ease
working with Excel, Word, Access, and Thunderbird is desired.
1-2 hours per week.

2. FLYERS
Create and update flyers, and organize and prepare photos for use in printed and
online materials. We use Adobe Creative Suite, so the person helping with this
must have worked with InDesign and Photoshop. 2-4 hours per month.

3. NEWSLETTER MAILING
Four times per year we do a mailing of a hardcopy newsletter. We would like to
find a volunteer who can coordinate this task. About 10-15 hours every 3 months.

4. REPRESENT BAYNVC at Oakland EarthExpo
We are looking for 2-4 volunteers to staff our table at 2008 Oakland
EarthExpo. Would include preparing and set up, then being there to talk
about us and NVC to up to 4000 visitors on April 16, 2008.
Read more about EarthExpo HERE.

If you are interested please contact Maja [email link] by Tuesday, March 11.
Wishlist:
We'd like a laptop computer in good condition for trainers to use at
retreats. PC, less than 3 years old. Please contact Francois,
francois@baynvc.org.

Middle East Peace Program of Pacific Mountain Regional Office, AFSC, is
seeking a new Program Associate. This part-time, temporary position will be
responsible for outreach, education, event planning, coalition building, and
overall organizing for AFSC's Faces of Hope Campaign. $1500-$1650/month, 16
hours/week. For more information, contact smcneil@afsc.org. Applications
due March 21, 2008, position to begin in April.