M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

Restorative Systems: Justice and Community Safety Reimagined
2020-11-10 13:00 - 2020-11-17 15:30 (America/New_York)
Registration for this session is full.
During this learning event you will begin to develop the experience and skills needed to support organizations and communities in developing their own restorative systems.
We strongly recommend that participants from neighborhood associations, community based organizations and other groups seeking to reform the justice system consider participating. If possible we recommend that two people from your group attend, to increase your capacity to implement the learning. We will:

Identify the five preconditions to setting up a restorativesystem

Learn the key components of a conscious, systemic response to conflict that enables community members to identify and solve problems for themselves

Develop a practical structureand set of agreements that groups/ communities can develop to learn from and transform conflict that strengthens relationships and enhances community accountability

Discover the benefits of a restorative structure and see how those benefits relate to enhanced community connection, safety, and social cohesion

This event will consist of three (3) two and a half (2 ½) hour sessions. The sessions will be interactive with considerable time for practical learning and the integration of learning.
This work was originally developed in the favelas in Brazil by Dominic Barter and colleagues, and has been used by communities in a variety of settings on five continents. (See below for more about the framework behind this approach)
This event is a collaboration between Partners in Restorative Initiatives (www.piri.org) and the Gandhi Institute. The event is grant-funded and free. We will ask for a contribution from participants at the end to help fund the next round of these experiences for others.

More on Restorative Systems:
What is justice? How do we achieve it? In this time of the Black Lives Matter movement and its demand for racial equity; police caused violence and killings; nightly protests and increasing polarization these questions become even more urgent and vital. Does it mean only retribution and punishment? Or is what we are seeking building safer, more equitable communities where harm in all it forms and at its various levels can be addressed?

Our current justice system – with its strategies of punishment, policing, and prison – has not made our communities safer nor improved their well-being. As we have seen, more training or different policies is not effective. This is because crime and other forms of social harms that happen in our communities are not individual problems but systemic problems. We need to reimagine what justice means.

A Restorative approach brings a justice that seeks to transform broken lives, relationships and communities; it emphasizes bringing together everyone affected by harms to address needs and responsibilities, and to heal the harm to relationships and community. Thus it is inherently focused on systems.

A Restorative system is a dynamic set of agreements that a community makes to guide them in working with conflict, harms, and other issues of community safety. A Restorative System empowers a community to design structures and processes that work with conflict and community safety issues in ways that are based on their values, their needs, their preferred ways of working. The whole process is designed by the community, run by the community, and owned by the community. It supports communities in addressing all forms of harm, not just the individual acts but as systemic problems. In fact the very act of establishing a restorative system in a community is an act of systems change. And it can also be a powerful compliment to alternative policing strategies and community safety initiatives.

Duke Bio:
Facilitator Duke Duchscherer is a Certified Trainer with the International Center for Nonviolent Communication and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. He has facilitated training in Restorative Circles and Nonviolent Communication around the world with a depth and breadth of peoples and communities from small villages at the grassroots to governmental leaders at the United Nations on five continents.
Some of this work has included supporting the transformation of active conflicts such as leading a series of restorative dialogues between the Ukrainian army and the pro- Russian community where they reside near the warfront in Ukraine; or facilitating dialogue between state-level government officials, minority/indigenous groups, and those who have been directly harmed by strikes, protests, and border closings due to the promulgation of the new Nepal constitution. Duke has also worked extensively in the area of reconciliation leading numerous dialogues such as one between former Shining Path & MRTA rebels, former military, civil society leaders, and those directly harmed during the ‘time of violence’ in Peru; or between Rwandan genocide survivors and recently released prisoners who killed their families. (see the documentary In The Eyes of the Good and the website www.togetherwethrive.world for examples of Duke’s work).
We are thankful to the Wilson Foundation for sponsoring these two community training opportunities.

Online Grief Cirlce
2020-11-08 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for this opportunity to share what’s heavy on your heart during these uncertain times.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next, and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Anger as a Voice for Change
2020-11-06 17:00 - 18:30
Anger is a powerful emotion that can sometimes have destructive effects, but anger can also be harnessed to remind us what’s important, and to create change in our interpersonal relationships and communities. Join facilitators Bianca Pointner and Jonathan Jones for this interactive webinar.
We will explore:
-Angers relationship to other emotions
-Skills to process and harness the energy of anger
-Ways to relate to anger in others
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next, and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Nonviolence News Happy Hour
2020-11-06 16:00 - 17:00, 2020-09-25 16:00 - 17:00
Join the M.K. Gandhi Institute and Nonviolence News Editor Rivera Sun and others to explore this week’s Nonviolence News stories. Share your favorite headlines, your burning questions, the most creative tactics, and ideas for taking action in your own community. Nonviolence News was started in Spring 2019 by Rivera Sun as a sister project of Nonviolence Now. Nonviolence is used on a far vaster scale – and far more frequently – than most people imagine. It is literally changing our world and shaping our lives every single day. By collecting an impressive round-up of stories, Nonviolence News shows readers what’s happening. It gives us a different sense of the size and effectiveness of nonviolence in action. No longer a fringe element, nonviolence is increasingly being portrayed as the powerful force it truly is: ordinary and extraordinary all at once.
Subscribe here to receive the weekly e-newsletter.
Quote from one of our participants who recently joined the Happy Hour:
“Attending this session was hopeful, inspiring and thought-provoking. Thank you so much!”
Deep Gratitude to our co-sponsors for supporting the Happy Hour-Series:
Backbone Campaign
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Nonviolence News
Nonviolence International
Metta Center For Nonviolence
River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

Medicine For Hate
2020-11-06 12:00 - 13:30, 2020-10-16 12:00 - 13:30, 2020-09-11 12:00 - 13:30
What is hate? How does it shape our thoughts, identities, and communities? What can we do about it? Join Gandhi Institute Director Kit Miller and colleague Chyna Moorehead for an afternoon dedicated to exploring this seldom discussed topic through a variety of perspectives and traditions.

My Grandmother's Hands Book Group Discussion
2020-11-05 18:00 - 2020-12-17 19:30
This book group is for people interested in exploring how our bodies store and respond to our racial history. During each week’s discussions, we will share space while learning grounding practices, participating in discussions, and reflecting on the legacy of our ancestors and how they have shaped our lives today.
Gandhi Institute staff members Chyna Moorehead and Matt Liston will lead this discussion group.

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, November 5th, from 6:00-7:30pm.
Participants are responsible for obtaining a copy (hard or digital) of the book on their own. If you live in the Rochester area, Hipocampo Books currently has copies of the book.
All meetings will be held via Zoom.
RCSD teachers are eligible for PD credit.

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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to support with the cost of the workshop or the cost of the book, please contact Matt (matt@gandhiinstitute.org) and Chyna (chyna@gandhiinstitute.org).

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Race and Restorative Justice Book Group
2020-11-04 19:00 - 2020-12-09 20:30
This book group is for people who are interested and committed to deepening their understanding of the intersection of race and restorative justice.
Gandhi Institute staff members Natasha Morrison, Erin Thompson, and Kit Miller will lead this discussion group.

The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 11th, from 7:00-8:30 PM. Participants will need to have read chapter 1 (pg 1-30) before the first meeting, and are responsible for purchasing the book on their own.
The group will meet again from 7-8:30 PM on Wednesday, November 18th, December 2nd, and December 9th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
RCSD teachers are eligible for PD credit

Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next,” and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Garden work party
2020-10-24 10:00 - 11:30

Before We March: Strategies For Powerful Social Change
2020-10-17 13:00 - 16:00
Building on strategies used to create effective campaigns here in the US and globally, trainer Rivera Sun will walk participants through creating power analyses, and planning campaigns and strategies that fit specific goals, and adapting to changing circumstances, opportunities and opposition, and more.
“This workshop is experiential, fascinating and is the most timely workshop we can offer at this time of upheaval and change. Please join us and tell others. “-Kit Miller

Presenter bio: Rivera Sun is a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent campaigns. She offers trainings for many organizations, including the MK Gandhi Institute and Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence. Rivera is the editor of Nonviolence News, the author of The Dandelion Insurrection and other novels, and serves on the Advisory Board for Backbone Campaign and World Beyond War. Her articles on movement strategy and nonviolence are syndicated by PeaceVoice and have been published in over 100 journals. www.riverasun.com

Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next,” and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Nonviolence News Happy Hour
2020-10-09 16:00 - 17:00, 2020-09-11 16:00 - 17:00
Join the M.K. Gandhi Institute and Nonviolence News Editor Rivera Sun and others to explore this week’s Nonviolence News stories. Share your favorite headlines, your burning questions, the most creative tactics, and ideas for taking action in your own community.cNonviolence News was started in Spring 2019 by Rivera Sun as a sister project of Nonviolence Now. Nonviolence is used on a far vaster scale – and far more frequently – than most people imagine. It is literally changing our world and shaping our lives every single day. By collecting an impressive round-up of stories, Nonviolence News shows readers what’s happening. It gives us a different sense of the size and effectiveness of nonviolence in action. No longer a fringe element, nonviolence is increasingly being portrayed as the powerful force it truly is: ordinary and extraordinary all at once.
Subscribe here to receive the weekly e-newsletter.
Quote from one of our participants who recently joined the Happy Hour:
“Attending this session was hopeful, inspiring and thought-provoking. Thank you so much!”
Deep Gratitude to our co-sponsors for supporting the Happy Hour-Series:
Backbone Campaign
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Nonviolence News
Nonviolence International
Metta Center For Nonviolence
River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

10th Annual (Virtual) Open House
2020-10-04 14:00 - 15:30
Join us to learn more about the Gandhi Institute and our initiatives. Choose one of our pillars to hear about our projects in that area. We are excited to bring the Gandhi Institute to you in these times of virtual learning and social distancing!

Nonviolence: A Strategic and Moral Compass in Extraordinary Times
2020-10-02 12:00 - 13:30
Grievance and deprivation, perceived or real, tempt groups into violent behavior. Rapid change, social upheaval and uncertainty make violent expression of social discontent even more likely. It is in those moments that we are called to demonstrate a heightened sense of restraint and sound judgement. It is in those moments that nonviolence presents as a timely and timeless concept for contemporary societies. And yet, while few would disagree about the virtue of nonviolence, a similarly firm belief and understanding about its power, strategy and discipline is much harder to locate.
The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and Rumi Forum, proudly inspired by two masters of nonviolent action, are co-hosting this event on Gandhi’s birthday, the International Day of Nonviolence. The program features a panel from scholarly as well as practitioner backgrounds. Our speakers will guide an exploration of the current state of nonviolent action around the globe, its growing relevance amid social unrest, and efforts to make it an inherent element of individual and collective behavior.

Online Grief Circle
2020-09-29 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-09-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2020-09-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-09-18 17:00 - 18:00, 2020-09-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-09-10 17:00 - 18:00, 2020-09-08 12:00 - 13:00

Before We March: Strategies for Powerful Social Change
2020-09-26 13:00 - 16:00
Nonviolent action offers tools, strategies, and effective approaches for making change. In this 3-hr webinar, you’ll discover how to merge principles and strategy to create powerful nonviolent campaigns. Building on strategies used here in the US and globally, trainer Rivera Sun will walk participants through creating power analyses, and planning campaigns and strategies that fit specific goals, and adapting to changing circumstances, opportunities and opposition, and more. You’ll come away with ideas you’ll return to over and over as you work for environmental, racial, and economic justice, peace and social change. We’ll cover types of nonviolent action (over 200!), shifting people into supporting your cause, finding ways to leverage people-power into policy change, and other useful approaches. This webinar is for everyone from decades-long activists to newcomers to making change.
Participants will learn:
The 6 Steps of Kingian Nonviolence
Basics of Nonviolent Action
How to Design Effective Nonviolent Campaigns
Ways to Build Support Using Spectrum of Allies
An Understanding of How Power, Struggle, and Change Works

“This workshop is experiential, fascinating and is the most timely workshop we can offer at this time of upheaval and change. Please join us and tell others. “-Kit Miller

Presenter bio: Rivera Sun is a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent campaigns. She offers trainings for many organizations, including the MK Gandhi Institute and Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence. Rivera is the editor of Nonviolence News, the author of The Dandelion Insurrection and other novels, and serves on the Advisory Board for Backbone Campaign and World Beyond War. Her articles on movement strategy and nonviolence are syndicated by PeaceVoice and have been published in over 100 journals. www.riverasun.com

Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next,” and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Race and Restorative Justice Book Group
2020-09-23 19:00 - 2020-10-14 20:30
This book group is for people who are interested and committed to deepening their understanding of the intersection of race and restorative justice.
Gandhi Institute staff members Natasha Morrison, Erin Thompson, and Kit Miller will lead this discussion group.

The first meeting will take place on Wednesday September 23rd, from 7-8:30 PM. Participants will need to have read chapter 1 (pg 1-30) before the first meeting, and are responsible for purchasing the book on their own.
The group will meet again from 7-8:30 PM on Wednesday September 30th, October 7th, October 14th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
Unfortunately, Rochester City School District Teachers cannot earn professional development credit, as the deadline for credits applied for this academic year ends the first week of June. We wish that were not the case, and hope RCSD teachers will still consider participating.

Capacity is limited to 25, please register below 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.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next,” and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Natasha's Birthday!
2020-09-19 00:00 - 23:59

Garden Work Party
2020-09-10 16:30 - 18:00
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!
