[Dialogue] FW: News and Networking from the Public Conversations Project

[Lynda Cock]

Colleagues, notice that in the 2nd paragraph of Summer Reading, ICA
receives a little publicity for its transforming conflict conversation
format.   Thank you, ICA Canada, for getting this into public discourse!
Lynda Cock

-----Original Message-----
From: Public Conversations Project
[mailto:conversations.Staff.m1781 at conversations.soceco.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:03 PM
To: llc860 at triad.rr.com
Subject: News and Networking from the Public Conversations Project

NEWS AND NETWORKING FROM THE PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PROJECT August 22, 2006

(1) Red/Blue Not for You?
(2) Summer Reading
(3) Kudos to... PCP Directors and Associates
(4) New Dialogue Guides: Come and Get Them!
(5) Staff Out and About
(6) Pegasus Interviews Laura Chasin
(7) PCP Collaboration Serves Ethiopian Parliamentarians
(8) Key PCP Staff Say Farewell
(9) Hello to New Staff at PCP
(10) Training Schedule 2006-2007
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(1). RED/BLUE NOT FOR YOU?

Many organizations and groups across the country, including PCP, are
beginning to decry the polarization characterized as Red/Blue, and to seek
innovative ways for the majority caught in the middle to connect to the
greater human complexities ignored by such terminology.  Here's an example
of awareness and action among some creative young adults interested in more
constructive conversations:

Beyond Partisan, located at www.beyondpartisan.org, is the new creation of
three recent college grads who are already weary of polarized partisanship
and ready for a different kind of conversation. Says their mission
statement: "American policy resounds beyond American borders. However,
partisanship divides our Union; it stifles the discussion of our concerns;
it betrays the voice of our people.  We must commit ourselves to the
non-partisan resolution of issues and to the steady confrontation of
American challenges.  We must face the imperatives of our present with a
deliberation that is candid, selfless and free.  We must return American
politics to the common concerns of the American people."  You can hear the
refreshing passion and commitment of these three young adults in an NPR "On
Point" interview by going to www.beyondpartisan.org, clicking on Archives
and then on 2006, and scrolling down to "Beyond Partisan." 

(2). SUMMER READING 

Here are some items that we've been reading this summer:

"Respectfully Disagreeing: How Dialogue Works to Transform Conflict,"
Congregations (Alban Institute, Summer 2006), authored by Marlis McCollum,
is based on an interview with Robert S. Stains, Jr., Director of Program for
PCP, and describes in detail how PCP dialogue works, and offers advice from
Bob to pastors.  This advice includes:  "Remember the importance of
preparation.  Preparing participants in advance of the actual dialogue is an
essential component for success.  Without this preparation, participants are
likely to simply replay the destructive conversation they've previously had.
Re-creating that conversation and simply trying to intervene is potentially
damaging." To access the complete article, go to www.alban.org/Magazine.asp.


One of our readers, John M. Miller of ICA Associates in Toronto, suggests
that we can read an excerpt from Jo Nelson's "The Art of Focused
Conversations for Schools" by going to
ica-associates.ca/downloads/DebriefingConversation.pdf.  The book was
originally written in response to the Columbine shootings, and was
recirculated after 9/11 and after Katrina.  Others have used it as a
starting point for less widespread disasters and for bridging divides in
school communities.  Thanks for the tip, John.

(3). KUDOS TO... DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATES

.. Corky Becker, Senior Associate, who gave a June 29, 2006 plenary
presentation on the impact of PCP's approach to dialogue in working with
high conflict couples in couple therapy, at the American Family Therapy
Association (AFTA).  Laura Chasin, PCP Chair, moderated the panel.

.. Maggie Herzig, Senior Associate, who presented at the June 2006
Association for Conflict Resolution's Environment and Public Policy section
conference, at MIT in Cambridge. Maggie focused on "Collaborative and
Emergent Meeting Design: The Public Conversation Project's Approach to
Customization." She spoke about the need for practitioners to carefully
match their methods and meeting designs to the needs and hopes of the
participants through collaborative planning, and the need, at times, to
redesign session plans on the spot to respond to emerging needs and
interests in the group.

.. Ann Gosline, a member of PCP's Board of Directors and a presenter at the
MIT conference, who discussed "Looking in the Mirror: Who Are We and How Do
We Compete?"  Ann is a principal in Gosline & Reitman Dispute Resolution in
Litchfield, ME.  The presenters led a discussion on the intersection between
personal values and the ways we seek to bring in paying work.

.. Dave Joseph, PCP Director of Project Development, who was joined by
Maggie Herzig in presenting workshops to faculty and staff at the April 2006
Simmons College Professional Development Day (Boston), which was dedicated
to dealing with diversity.

.. Sallyann Roth, PCP Senior Associate, who gave the keynote address at
aJune 2006 conference at the Centre for Narrative Practice in Manchester,
UK.  She presented cutting-edge learning on the application of PCP
principles and practices to working with adult families. Sallyann and Bob
Stains, PCP Director of Program, also presented a Power of Dialogue workshop
at the Omega Institute, July 30 - August 4, in Rhinebeck, New York.

(4). COME AND GET THEM!

We've mentioned this before, but they are going like hotcakes, so if you
don't have your copy of the new PCP guide, Fostering Dialogue Across
Divides: A Nuts and Bolts Guide from the Public Conversation Project, get
one now by downloading it for free or ordering a nicely bound copy.  This
183-page guide to multi-session dialogue, funded by the JAMS Foundation,
comes with question sets for a variety of topics including:

* questions for a September 11 anniversary conversation
* the war in Iraq
* the Red/Blue divide in the US (post-election 2004)
* interfaith dialogue in large groups
* abortion
* the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
* homosexuality in a church community
* same-sex marriage. 

PCP also partnered with the Jewish Dialogue Group (JDG) of Philadelphia to
produce Constructive Conversations About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A
Guide for Convening and Facilitating Dialogue in Jewish Communities in the
US. This guide includes content tailored to intra-Jewish conversations in
synagogues and other Jewish organizations, and could be particularly
valuable at this time of escalating conflict in the Middle East when the
need to maintain resilient relationships despite differences may be
greatest.  It includes a 27-page appendix by JDG on dialogue and Jewish
texts. Both guides are available as free downloads at

www.publicconversations.org/JAMSdownload.html

www.publicconversations.org/IntraJewishdownload.html

and in bound copy at www.cafepress.com/PCP_press ($21/$18 plus shipping and
handling).  

(5) STAFF OUT AND ABOUT

Dave Joseph, PCP Director of Project Development, and Mitch Chanin of the
Jewish Dialogue Group presented a workshop using the new guide Constructive
Conversations About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (see above) at the
August 2006 National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD)
Conference in San Francisco. Meenakshi Chakraverti, PCP Deputy Director of
International and Science Programs, presented a pre-conference training
entitled "Tailoring Dialogue to Cultural Contexts: A Collaborative
Exploration."  Dave also conducted two workshops on preparation and on the
use of questions at the Northwest Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference
(Seattle) in April 2006. 
If you would like PCP to help your organization learn new ways to engage in
respectful conversation about divisive issues, get in touch with Dave
Joseph, Director of Project Development, at djoseph at publicconversations.org.

(6). PEGASUS INTERVIEWS LAURA CHASIN

Pegasus recently interviewed PCP founder and Chair of the Board of
Directors, Laura Chasin, for its July 2006 newsletter, and will carry PCP's
new multi-session dialogue guide, Fostering Dialogues Across Divides, at its
2006 conference bookstore. You can find the complete interview with Ms.
Chasin at www.pegasuscom.com.  The conference will take place November
13-15, in Waltham, MA. The theme will be "Leading Beyond the Horizon:
Strategies for Bringing Tomorrow into Today's Choices."  Maggie Herzig,
Senior Associate, will offer a session entitled "Loosening the Grip of
Polarization: PCP's Approach to Dialogue Design." You can register for the
conference by going to pegasuscom.com/stapage.html.

(7) PCP COLLABORATION SERVES ETHIOPIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

Meenakshi Chakraverti, Deputy Director, International and Science Programs,
recently partnered with Conflict Management Partners to conduct a three-day
training in Addis Abbaba for 116 Ethiopian parliamentarians (women and some
men) in negotiation and communication for understanding and better
relationships.  Meenakshi designed the section on communication for
relationship and understanding with two US-based trainers and three
Ethiopian trainers, and the latter delivered the results in Amharic.
Working group participants especially noted their appreciation for the
chance to reflect on examples of constructive (or not) practices in their
own lives.

(8). KEY PCP STAFF SAY FAREWELL

In July, two key members of the staff, Mahvash Hassan, Program Coordinator,
and Manda Adams, Training Coordinator, departed for other parts of the US.
Mahvash and her family are moving to San Francisco, and Manda is entering
Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. 

Mahvash has been responsible for program support, outreach, and research,
and has been active in international program development and networking with
possible local partners. She also helped PCP engage with the Muslim
community.  Manda has been in charge of coordinating all aspects of PCP
trainings across the country and abroad, including forming relationships
with trainees and ensuring promotion of the training program.  We will miss
them both!

(9). HELLO TO NEW PCP STAFF

Alison Streit Baron joined PCP in late July to coordinate training and
fieldwork.  She will be working full time beginning in September.  She will
be the direct contact for anyone interested in taking a PCP training, and
can be reached at abaron at publicconversations.org or by calling (617)
923-1216 Ext. 13. Alison holds a certificate in Conflict Resolution and
Peaceable Schools from Lesley University, and a Master of Arts in Sociology
from UC Santa Barbara.  She was most recently a program planner at the
Cambridge (MA) Center for Adult Education, and also has previous experience
as a writer, program specialist, and outreach coordinator.  She lives with
her family in Lexington.  

(10) PCP TRAININGS 2006-2007

Are you looking for better ways to address conflicts you encounter among
your clients or colleagues? Now is the time to sign up for 2006-2007
workshops in PCP dialogue techniques that help bridge divides and transform
conflict.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006: Boston, MA
The Power of Relationships: Constructive Conversations and New Possibilities

Join PCP's Director of Project Development, Dave Joseph, MSW, to explore the
spirit, foundation, and practices of the Public Conversations Project and
how it can complement traditional social work practice in the pursuit of
community and justice.
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=271&catid=51

SEPTEMBER 25, 2006: Boston, MA
Inquiry as Intervention: Crafting Questions with Purpose and Impact

In one of our most popular workshops, workshop designers Bob Stains and
Sallyann Roth will help participants craft, ask, and respond to questions to
transform conflict in their professional and personal lives.
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=124&catid=51

NOVEMBER 9-11, 2006: Boston, MA
The Power of Dialogue: Constructive Conversations on Divisive Issues*

Maggie Herzig, lead author for PCP's new dialogue guides, and Bob Stains,
Program Director, draw upon their vast dialogue facilitation experience to
share the key elements of PCP dialogue. Participants work together to
design, facilitate, and debrief an extended dialogue simulation.
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=123&catid=51

APRIL 12, 2007:  Boston, MA
The Art of Interviewing: Transforming Stories about Conflict

Effective interviewers encourage people to talk and think creatively about
their stories. Senior Associate Corky Becker will help participants develop
the art of interviewing through skill-building exercises, interviewing
opportunities, presentations and discussion. 
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=205&catid=51

APRIL 26, 27, 28:  Boston, MA
The Power of Dialogue: Constructive Conversations on Divisive Issues*

Dave Joseph and Sallyann Roth draw upon their vast dialogue facilitation
experience to share the key elements of PCP dialogue. Participants work
together to design, facilitate, and debrief an extended dialogue simulation.

http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=123&catid=51

MAY 8-9, 2007:  Boston, MA
Staying Grounded When on the Spot: A Skill-building Workshop for
Facilitators

Participants learn to quickly and effectively handle the inevitable
surprises and challenges of facilitation in this two-day workshop with
veteran trainers Bob Stains and Maggie Herzig.  Through presentations,
exercises, case examples, and discussion, participants develop skills in
staying focused and staying grounded, even in difficult moments. 
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=239&catid=51

SPRING 2007 (date TBA):  Boston, MA
Reflective Leadership in Frenzied Times

Reflection, inquiry, and dialogue can reinvigorate and enhance
organizational and community leadership. Dave Joseph, MSW, leads this
two-day workshop for leaders wanting to become more creative and resourceful
in their roles. 
http://www.publicconversations.org/pcp/index.asp?page_id=206&catid=51

* The Power of Dialogue trainings are co-sponsored by the Family Institute
of Cambridge (FIC) and PCP.  FIC is approved by the American Psychological
Association to offer continuing education (CE) hours for psychologists.  FIC
maintains responsibility for the program.  Total CE hours eligible: 18.
PCP is approved by NASW and NBCC to offer CE credits for all its workshops.
Total CE hours eligible: 6 per day.

PCP workshops fill quickly. To register, or to explore possibilities for
bringing a customized PCP training to your organization, contact Alison at
888-PCP-TEAM x13 or email training at publicconversations.org. To learn more,
visit www.publicconversations.org.