M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

Book group: "The Gift of Anger: And Other Lessons from My Grandfather Mahatma Gandhi"
2022-02-08 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 8TH – March 1ST/ 6:00PM-7:30PM
Over 4 weeks, we will explore how the book’s lessons can be used in our own lives. This group will be facilitated by Jonathon Jones who grew up in Rochester and learned deeply about nonviolence in many forms while incarcerated. Since his return home, he has continued his study of nonviolence. Jonathon teaches and speaks on nonviolence in a variety of community settings.

QUILTING GROUP: SEW MY STORY GOES...
2022-02-01 17:00 - 19:00
TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 1ST – MARCH 8TH / 5:00PM – 7:00PM
The Gandhi Institute is in search of people who identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, People of Color to join us on co-creating a community story quilt. Each participant will work on one block of the quilt, detailing their own message. Mini Quilt Block sewing kits will be available for pick up at the institute upon completion of this form. We will meet virtually on Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm starting on February 1st until March 8th with the hope that we can meet in person with prior notice once Covid numbers drop significantly.
We are beginner-friendly, so come with the skills you already have and be prepared to make mistakes in a safe and caring environment!
The Quilting group will start virtually. When we meet in person, we ask all participants to wear face masks. We want this to be a safe space for all and continue to follow current CDC guidelines. Stay tuned for updates closer to the starting date!
If you have any questions or requests please do not hesitate to reach out to: bianca@gandhiinstitute.org

Talking circles: Season for Nonviolence
2022-02-01 12:00 - 2022-04-05 13:00
Carry the vision and join us to share stories and your perspective on the 64 daily practices to embody nonviolence. This group will be facilitated by Jonathon Jones who grew up in Rochester and learned deeply about nonviolence in many forms while incarcerated. Since his return home, Jonathon teaches and speaks on nonviolence in a variety of community settings.

Virtual: Embodying Nonviolent Communication
2022-01-27 18:00 - 20:00
THURSDAYS, JANUARY 27TH – FEBRUARY 24TH / 6:00PM – 8:00PM
For many folks, effective communication has never felt harder or more important. Given the challenges our communities have been facing, it can be easy and almost irresistible to disengage from others, rather than talking about what’s really going on and to share a vision of where to go from here. Learning Nonviolent Communication offers one avenue for engaging deeply with ourselves and one another so we’re better equipped to keep doing the work of building a future that works for all.
Join us for five weeks of online exploration and practice in Nonviolent Communication through thought, speech, and embodied practices.
We will explore how to apply this framework through discussions, interactive break-out rooms, & roleplays.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model starting at $20. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to: bianca@gandhiinstitute.org.
Testimonial:
“Jonathon and Kit are skilled and thoughtful facilitators who were so intentional week after week in helping our group to explore principles of nonviolent communication along with ample practice of the skills we were learning. However, beyond the skills alone, what I truly came to appreciate about this series was the sacred space that Jonathon and Kit created for our group – I looked forward to our weekly meetings as a place for both intellectual and heart work with a group of supportive peers. It’s truly transformative to be in community with others who want to move through the world with peace and compassion” (Tricia Shalka, fall 2021 participant).

Community Dialogue: Masculinity and Violence
2022-01-20 17:30 - 19:30
Join us for the first of two community dialogues on the connections between masculinity and violence. We will discuss masculinity and media stereotypes and their ties to violence and desensitization to violence, especially in our community. This discussion is open to all community members and will take place virtually on January 20th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.

Conflict De-Escalation Workshop
2021-12-16 17:30 - 19:30
Join us on December 16th for an in-person workshop to develop and exercise skills to transform conflict and de-escalate tense situations. Participants will work collaboratively to respond to conflict in ways that enable and promote safe outcomes. This event is open to all community members and free of charge (donations accepted). Walk-ins are welcome, but please pre-register if you are able to.

Holiday Talking Circle
2021-12-09 18:30 - 20:00
The holidays can be a joyous time for some and a grievous time for others. Some struggle with feeling excluded, others with concerns about consumption. Whatever is your mix of experience, we welcome you to bring your truth and your complexity to this annual event.
This will be an in person event at the Gandhi Institute. Limited to 15 people. Updated CDC guidelines apply. For any questions feel free to reach out to: bianca@gandhiinstitute.org

Gandhi Tea Social
2021-11-18 16:30 - 17:30, 2021-11-18 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-10-28 16:00 - 17:00
Grab a cup of tea and fellowship with us as we share with you how we have been able to be in relationship with the Rochester community.

Book Group: World as Lover, World as Self
2021-11-09 18:30 - 2021-12-14 20:30
Join Kit Miller and friends for an exploration of this wise, timely book by Joanna Macy, for those of us who are overwhelmed at times about the state of our world-ecologically, socially, politically, or all of the above. We will practice a few of the experiential pieces from Macy’s decades of courageous work.
This group will meet five times for 120 minutes sessions 6:30-8:30 pm EST / Dates: Nov 9, (skipping Nov 16) Nov 23, 30 and Dec 7 and 14.
Limit of 24 participants. Note: the text we will use is the new 30th anniversary edition. Please read this updated version. If anyone wishes to participate and cannot afford to purchase the book please email kit@gandhiinstitute.org
For those new to Macy’s work check out this recent video of an interview with her.

Sew We Gather - Sewing Circle
2021-10-28 17:00 - 18:00
Join us at the Gandhi House to enjoy an evening of community and creativity through sewing. Alex will be guiding us through slow stitching practices that bring meditative focus and take the pressure to sew productively off. Supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own materials and/or projects.
We ask that you wear a mask while we are together indoors.

Online Grief Circle
2021-10-12 17:00 - 18:00
Join us for this opportunity to share what’s heavy on your heart during these uncertain times.
Capacity is limited to 25, please register to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible as possible, we’ve created a donation-based model, starting at no cost.

Virtual Feedback Labs
2021-10-05 12:00 - 2021-10-19 13:00
Feedback Learning Labs
Most teams, organizations, and groups acknowledge the importance of giving and receiving feedback on a regular basis. However, it can be pretty rare that any of us actually exchange feedback and hear how we’re impacting others and how they’re impacting us. This creates a dearth of information that can wreak havoc on our group’s functioning, since feedback that isn’t shared or integrated often shows up as tension and conflict later on down the road. In this three-part series, participants will explore and practice simple communication models that will increase their confidence in giving feedback with more frequency and a greater sense of skill. We’ll also discuss some common feedback pitfalls as well as ideas for setting up effective feedback systems. These sessions will take place on three consecutive Tuesdays in October, the 5th, 12th, and 19th from 12 – 1 pm. Feel free to bring your lunch and eat while you practice!

Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale model starting at $10. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to: bianca@gandhiinstitute.org

11th Annual Open House
2021-10-03 14:00 - 15:30
Hello, Gandhi Institute Community Member:

This year, the Gandhi Institute turns 30! Arun Gandhi established the Institute in 1991 in Tennessee, and the Institute moved to Rochester in 2007. We have been located at 929 Plymouth Ave. South since 2012. There’s a very rich history that brings us to this present moment, and we are asking your help in remembering some of the many noteworthy memories made over the years, during this year’s virtual Open House.
In that same vein, we plan to celebrate the more than 10 years that former Executive Director Kit Miller spent contributing her special magic to building and sustaining Institute operations.

What we ask is that you contribute videos/audio recordings (30 seconds or less), pictures taken, or other interesting representations of your memories of good/important time spent at the Institute, or with Kit, or both! We will be compiling the submissions and creating tributes to the Institute and to Kit, and the more varied raw material that we receive to work with, the better! Submissions can range from a simple emailed sentence about how Kit’s presence impacted you, to a picture you drew while enjoying a sunny afternoon among the sunflowers in the Gandhi House garden. Or maybe you have some pictures that were taken while you engaged in workshop/learning activity as a board member, volunteer, or community member. We want it all!

Please upload your submissions to our Google Drive, here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1ddTUU24BTHg5tr2hamHl1t9D1dXvScuI

Feel free to call Erin Thompson with any technical questions on 585-463-3265. You may also connect via email at mkgi@gandhiinstitute.org.

The sooner that you send your submissions, the better; we will need at least a couple weeks prior to the 10/3/21 Open House to get the tributes assembled.

Thank you!
Institute Staff

Virtual Kingian Nonviolence Introduction Series
2021-09-30 17:00 - 2021-11-04 19:00
The Kingian Nonviolence workshops are transformational experiences that have helped thousands of people from around the world understand the depth of the philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their lives and their work.
Through small group activities, readings, video presentations, mini-lectures and discussions, we explore topics such as:
– The definitions of violence and nonviolence.
– An analysis of the different types and levels of conflict, and how they escalate and de-escalate
– A brief history of the Civil Rights Movement and some of Dr. King’s philosophies
– The principles (the will) Kingian Nonviolence, how to view and transform conflict
– The steps (the skill) of Kingian Nonviolence, how to engage with conflict and organize a campaign
Whether you are an organizer working for social change, a teacher trying to change the culture of your school or simply an individual trying to deal with the conflicts in your personal life, each person will walk away from our workshops with new skills and a new perspective.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity limited to 25 participants. Registration costs are on a sliding scale starting at $20. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds if you have any questions feel free to reach out to bianca@gandhiinstitute.org.

Virtual: Embodying Nonviolent Communication
2021-09-28 17:30 - 2021-11-02 19:15
For many folks, effective communication has never felt harder or more important. Given the challenges our communities have been facing, it can be easy and almost irresistible to disengage from others, rather than talking about what’s really going on and to share a vision of where to go from here. Learning Nonviolent Communication offers one avenue for engaging deeply with ourselves and one another so we’re better equipped to keep doing the work of building a future that works for all.
Join us for six weeks of online exploration and practice in Nonviolent Communication through thought, speech, and embodied practices.
We will explore how to apply this framework through discussions, interactive break-out rooms, & roleplays.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model starting at $20. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to: bianca@gandhiinstitute.org

Online Grief Circle
2021-09-28 17:00 - 18:00
How many times have you said or heard the phrase “It’s been a tough day/week/month/year”? Many of us have been feeling depleted and low on resilience for many months. The traumas of the pandemic, violence in our communities and in the news, mounting environmental concerns, and many more issues seem to have compounded within us, leaving us struggling to figure out how to cope or if we even want to. While there are many tips for self-care out there, sometimes what we’re really longing for is just a space to process and be together.
Join us for this opportunity to share what’s heavy on your heart during these uncertain times.
Capacity is limited to 25, please register to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible as possible, we’ve created a donation-based model, starting at no cost.

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Kingian Nonviolence
2021-09-24 12:00 - 13:00
Kingian Nonviolence workshops have helped thousands of people from around the world understand the depth and philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their lives and work. Join Kingian Nonviolence trainers, Jonathon and Bianca, for an online Lunch and Learn workshop on the transformative power of Dr. King’s nonviolence. This workshop is in support of +Peace’s Peace Action Week andPace e Bene’s Campaign Nonviolence Action Week.

Capacity is limited to 25, please register to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible as possible, we’ve created a donation-based model, starting at no cost.

Garden Tea social
2021-09-17 15:00 - 16:00

Garden Work Party
2021-08-24 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-08-10 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-08-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-08-03 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-08-02 16:00 - 17:30
We are now accepting volunteers! Due to the pandemic we will be limiting how many volunteers we can have in the garden at a time, to encourage proper social distancing. We ask that you confirm with Alejandra@gandhiinstitute.org or Chyna@gandhiinstitute.org when you plan to help out. See you soon!

Garden Work Party
2021-08-23 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-08-17 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-08-16 16:00 - 17:30

2021 Nonviolence Retreat
2021-08-02 09:30 - 2021-08-10 17:00
Announcing the MK Gandhi Institute’s 2021 Nonviolence Retreat! Join us from near and far to explore the wonders of the world of Nonviolence within, between, and among ourselves.
Develop the will to embrace nonviolence by learning about Gandhian Nonviolence, Kingian Nonviolence, Nonviolent Communication and more!
Practice skills that will help you implement nonviolence in your day-to-day life.
This online-workshop will take place Monday 08/09 and Tuesday 08/10 from 9:30am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm. Participants will spend part of each morning learning about and discussing different aspects of nonviolence. We will continue in the afternoon to include several practice and debrief sessions.
Since this workshop is limited to 25 people, we want to make sure that every seat is filled. In order to reserve your space in the retreat, please choose one of the following options:
Letter of Intent: If you would prefer to reserve your spot in the retreat by writing a letter of intention, please select this option and then send a 2-3 paragraph letter explaining why you would like to participate in this summer’s retreat to bianca@gandhiinstitute.org
Deposit: If you would prefer to reserve your spot in the retreat by making a $50 deposit, please select this option and enter your payment information to reserve your space at this summer’s retreat.

Community Celebration
2021-07-23 18:00 - 19:30
Dance to the Brazilian folk music sounds of Forro Estrelas do Norte, chill in our garden and labyrinth, and eat snacks with us to celebrate our community being able to gather in person again!

No registration necessary, but click the link below for the Facebook event!
