NVC Series: Healing Communication Across Differences in Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Power

A Reexamination, Renewal and Healing of our Communication Across Differences


This is a 10 week series on Thursday evenings, March 25, 2010 - June 3, 2010, 6:30pm-9:00pm, plus a daylong Retreat, Saturday, April 17th, from 10 am to 5 pm.


You are personally invited to enroll in a new San Francisco based class led by Nancy Kahn. Please join us in working on a cutting edge process in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) that focuses on the integration of NVC (also known as compassionate communication) and traditional diversity practices to connect across our individual and collective differences, with an emphasis on Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Power Imbalances.


The tools of Nonviolent Communication will be the framework for participants to connect to feelings and needs and develop strategies to support self awareness and authentic expression even in charged situations. This series will help us to slow down to do our internal work and identify key moments of possibility for self connection and empowerment; to experience greater choice, and for responding in alignment with our values. The tools of Nonviolent Communication will be our anchor in navigating situations and conversations that have often felt hopeless and left us with unmet needs for safety or trust that our needs matter.


We will be guided to engage with curiosity, looking at what is below anger; learn to describe power dynamics or differences in observation language; dialogue across class and privilege divides; and explore the role of mourning unmet needs. We will also create space to collectively share the vision of a world in which more needs are met relating across both perceived and lived walls of separation. Celebration of our differences and of what is working in our communication will also be a focus.


This series will provide practice and exploration through role plays, written materials, experiential learning, group learning, and individual work. Both auditory and visual media will be used in scheduled sessions to support different learning styles and to include content related to race, class and ethnicity to broaden critical awareness and opportunities to experience our shared humanity.


FACILITATOR:

Nancy Kahn, self described as a woman of color and mixed heritage, identifying as a Black, Russian Jewish, Cherokee Indian, adult adoptee and a human being, is a collaborative trainer with Bay Area Nonviolent Communication (BayNVC), a social worker, and the founder and executive director of a youth-led organization in San Francisco's Mission District. Her passion is bringing the tools of compassionate communication to diverse settings that include communities of color, youth, and other under-represented groups.


To view a video interview of Nancy Kahn on Youtube, please visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR_1q1-qay8


REQUESTED CONTRIBUTION:

Sliding Scale: $380 - $580. Scholarships are available.

We ask people to contribute with the awareness that some participants are being provided with scholarships as a strategy to support them in receiving this work despite financial barriers. Contributions above the suggested class sliding scale will support people passionate about participating in the class and support the contributions of guest trainers. People who can pay at the higher end of the scale will also receive a personal one-on-one coaching session outside of class with Nancy Kahn.

A percentage of the revenue will be contributed to relief efforts in Haiti.


PREREQUISITES:

We ask that participants have a basic understanding of NVC, either by participating in a Foundations 1 Series through BayNVC,

OR by reading the first 5 chapters of the book Nonviolent Communication: a Language of Life, by Marshall Rosenberg and then either attending a BayNVC Introductory Event or participating in at least one empathy practice group session.


REGISTER:

For more information, or to register, email Nancy at Nancy.r.kahn [at] gmail.com or call her at 415-336-0992. Registration will not be processed through BayNVC, however BayNVC will receive a donation from the revenues generated.

Space is limited to the first 28 people who register. We expect to fill to capacity.

You will be provided with a bound workbook to support your in-class learning, practice outside of class, and continued learning.


For more information about Nonviolent Communication, please visit http://www.baynvc.org or http://www.cnvc.org.