NVC Nonviolent Communication

Robin’s annual and much appreciated creative teachers, facilitators and group leaders six day residential intensive course will be held from 19th to 24th May and will be a little warmer than the mid-winter course last year. The fire will still be going when needed and the food will be delicious and nutritious as always, when Donna is in the kitchen. Robin often gets asked the question “Is this an appropriate course for me as I haven’t done any teaching or facilitation and I’m just starting out. Will I be out of my depth?” In response, the 6 days builds skills and experience slowly so everyone is on the same with the foundations, methodology and culture of group work and learning. There’s enough new or cutting edge information to keep experienced teachers and facilitators engaged and adding to their notes and tool boxes. In fact, all contribute to the shared learning …

ONGO supports people to learn elements of NVC, especially empathy and deep listening, exploring needs and feelings and working together and with oneself to practice healthful communication and a more Zen way of living our daily lives. These are particularly good skills to have when being on Boards, Committees, in business teams or being in any kind of relationship. It involves working through a beautifully written book called ‘ONGO: Everyday nonviolence’ by Catherine Cadden, Jesse Wiens with illustrations by Kate Raffin. There is one group meeting per week, one meeting with a ‘Buddy’ per week and some personal practices to do each week on 5 of the days, though many of these take only a short time and some take some focus and time. I found the journey very valuable, especially the practice of empathy when in communication with another. There is an ONGO group planning to start at Crystal …

Robin is excited to be involved with the organisation that is putting on a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Retreat for people who share, facilitate and practice NVC. It begins on Monday afternoon and runs till Friday morning from 22nd to 26th July. There will be three full days of gathering, workshops, sharing and practice, with quite a goodly amount of the program potentially being facilitated using Open Space Technology. There will also be some preset workshops, group times, meals and free space for activities, relaxing and adventuring on Bribie Island, Queensland, where the Retreat is being held. This isn’t a place for learning NVC as a first time encounter, rather, for people how use NVC to develop and share more. Have a look at the website here