A VP -­‐W A P H O N E: ( 08 )93 71 5 407 E M A I L: a v p. wa 1@ g ma il .co m 35 C li fto n Cr es . M t La wl ey . 60 50 o r PO B o x 7 21 M t L aw ley WA AVP WA’S SPRING NEWSLETTER FOR
2012!
You are always welcome at AVP
The only thing that holds us back is the availability of facilitators
This issue of our AVP WA newsletter is full of photos and ideas from marvellous workshops
around the State. All of us involved in
Grace and Kathy in a role play, Broome Community Advanced Workshop
AVP WA are grateful for the efforts
of a committed band of active
facilitators – inside and outside
prisons!
AVP relies on volunteers who can help
in any way they can. But we also know
that people have different levels of
availability during their life. We are
glad for whatever involvement you can
offer, whenever it is possible for you
to do so. You are always welcome at
AVP!
We also understand that living costs
are a reality. The Committee is able to
offer an optional workshop honorarium of $100 per day in addition to the mileage refund. We
hope that will help our wonderful volunteers cover some
of their loss of income while they are facilitating
CONTENTS
workshops. Please contact Sally for more information:
Page 2: Calling all Facilitators!
[email protected]
Page 4: Non-violence Lessons from
the Past
Regular Articles
DIARY NOTE
Page 5: Workshop Round-Up
2013 AVP NATIONAL
Page 6: Recommendations
GATHERING
Page 7: AVP People
12 – 19 January 2013
Page 8: AVP – Why We’re Involved –
Bungendore NSW
Participants Speak
Details back page
Page 9: The Back Page
Acacia Wind-Up
National Gathering
2012-13 WORKSHOPS
Advice to Teenage Me
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please contact Sally 9371 5407
1
AVP Facilitators – What can AVP do
for you?
A report from the Training Night, 4
October 2012
Remember, training days and nights are our
opportunity to learn from /with each other
and enhance our understanding of AVP. We’d
love to see you there. Please phone Jim
9295 2408 or email a v p. wa 1@ g ma il .co m As AVP has grown over the last few years our
need for more active facilitators has
increased accordingly. Although we had over
70 facilitators on our list many of these had been inactive for several years.
After a process of refining the active facilitator list we now have about 40 people who
are trained and at least potentially able to be part of an AVP workshop team. This
training night was to explore ways of keeping these people involved and interested.
AVP provides an invaluable service in the areas where it operates. As well as presenting
alternatives to violence it usually gives an experience of community that is relatively rare.
In fact a workshop has often been a transforming experience for individual participants.
As the organisation grows we need to foster our resources, the most important being our
volunteer facilitators. If possible we need to share the load and not be overly dependent
on a few dedicated individuals.
Here are some ideas and questions that surfaced at the training night:
! “Cluster” groups to nurture and share and support each other
! Greater use of our Facebook page
! Ask people how they’d like to be contacted, how training nights should be
organized, etc
! Mentoring – we do this, but how could we do it better?
! How do we recognize the skills and experience of AVP facilitators, who are all
teachers and learners?
! Social times together and finding opportunities to be hospitable
! Skills development weekends
!
Nick (facilitating) and Kay…hassle What do YOU think? We would love to
lines hear from you – please drop Jim a line
at [email protected]
2
Lessons from the past…
Non-violence workshop in Auburn Correctional Facility in 1975
What were you doing in 1975? Some pioneer AVP-ers were meeting at a US prison to talk
about Transforming Power, and how to make it real in prison and in outside life…thanks to
Sally for digging into the vault to share this with us. (All the quotes are in green ink – because
these are ‘renewable’ ideas!)
25 Auburn inmates came to the gathering: Nearly every man present said he had lived with
violence since childhood. Most had grown up in surroundings where, as one man said, violence is
the name of the game. Several men expressed doubt that non-violence would work: “Every
time I avoided violence, I got my face knocked in…”, “Peace is cool but the world doesn’t
function on it.”
One of the AVP facilitators was Bernard LaFayette, an African-American man who had lived a
pretty full life. He spoke to the group about non-violence: “When we talk about non-violence
we’re not talking about any sissy philosophy.” He told then about his own background as a
member of a youth gang, the Egyptian Knights, in Philadelphia, in which he had plenty of
experience with violence. Since he was on the light side physically, he had to do a lot of
thinking. But whether you use violence or non-violence, self-defense is only temporary. If
someone wants to get you, they can find a way. “When we discuss violence or non-violence,”
said Bernard; “we’re not talking about any absolute strategy for survival. That’s not what
we’re talking about. What we’re talking about is the quality of your life at this point, and the
future possibilities.”
Bernard LaFayette said he had come to see many similarities between violence and nonviolence. “The things that make you effective in the use of violence could also be effective in
the use of non-violence… Men who have the courage to commit violence are perhaps the people
who could be most effective in non-violence.” He went on to say that some people try nonviolence for a while and decide it doesn’t work. He believes you should never give up. “That’s
one of the criteria for winning --- never give up…If you’ve never given up, you’ve never lost.
One of the problems with our non-violent behavior sometimes is that we don’t take it far
enough, long enough.”
Bernard LaFayette continued with the idea that non-violence is not a negative peace. “Nonviolence is the philosophy that tends to correct violence and also to correct a negative
peace…. It is not turning the other cheek. Non-violence doesn’t mean taking any insults from
anybody. Neither does non-violence mean you’re not going to get hurt. Whether you use
violence or non-violence you may get hurt or even killed. The difference is not what tactics
your opponents select, but what tactics you’re willing to select…”
So, what does this mean in action? Thanks to Bernard again: Success in both violence and nonviolence requires certain features: firm goals, creativity in being able to change tactics, total
strategy, anticipation of the opponent’s response, courage that enables one to override that
knot of fear, and consistency in principle and philosophy. Bernard stressed that non-violence
is practicing and experimenting. “You’re testing yourself.” When we develop the ability to deal
with situations, we lose our fear. He added that in non-violence you should aim to divide the
opposition. You should try to win people to your side. “The goal of non-violence is not to win
over people but to win people over.” It is important to always insist on being treated like a
man, to avoid being reduced to an object, to maintain eye contact so that you will always be a
person to your opponent.
…please go to page 4…
3
Lessons from the past, continued…
Just as we can choose non-violence, we can also take some power upon ourselves to influence
how we perceive ourselves and life events,
said Bernard: The prisoner does not have to
accept anyone else’s perception of him in
place of his own. In this way he can control
the effect imprisonment has on him – or try
to. And we think Bernard would say the same
about women prisoners too!
Just as we do now, community-building and
negotiating were covered in the workshop: A
community is a group of people in a
relationship based on things they have in
common that are equal to, or stronger than,
individual differences. To survive, a
Paul, Candice and Kathy negotiating, Broome 2012
community must develop a common
interpretation of experiences and a common philosophy based on the experience. Dishonesty
and lack of trust can destroy a community. The individuals must have confidence in each
other and care about each other. What one person does and how he’s getting along must
make a difference to the other people in the community. The members of the community
must feel they have the support of the whole group and know they won’t be abandoned. They
must feel free to criticize each other and themselves.
Bernard’s advice for negotiation: He said you must put aside friendships and choose the
people best able to do the job for the negotiating team. The negotiators must also be able to
trust each other and work together well. The roles to be played by individual negotiators
should be decided in advance. These would include the strong advocate, the persuader, and
the one who would sympathize with the opposition. The latter should be chosen by the
negotiators rather than letting the opposition find the person who was most receptive to
their position. The negotiators must put themselves in the minds of the opposition, anticipate
their arguments, and avoid getting caught off guard. The negotiators should never make a
final decision but should go back to the entire group
for that, and they should always keep the door open
to continuing negotiations rather than just accepting
what could be won at the moment.
Talking about the types of situations that really test
people’s commitment to non-violence in prisons,
Bernard suggested that when you practice nonviolence you are operating at a higher level of
consciousness that lets you be aware of how the
other person feels. You try to see how you can help
the other person avoid the confrontation and still save face. In
non-violence “you try to reach a person’s mind, not his guts.”
Sometimes unusual behavior in an extreme situation can disarm the person and catch him off
guard. In non-violence you should try to do the kindest, most brotherly, most respectful
thing in dealing with other people. If you want them to respect you, you must start by
treating them with respect. You must believe that you can change the behavior of others by
the way you behave.
Our ideal community, Broome Senior
High School. July 2012
4
Workshop Round-Up
Don’t ever accuse AVP WA of standing still! Here’s a snippet of the
challenging and
diverse
workshops that
we’ve been
involved with
recently.
!!African
Community
Workshop!! was enjoyed by a
small number of
participants,
with an appetite for
more…
8 Broome T4F completers, with 3 ‘old hands’.
September 2012.
Warnbro Community High School – is growing young AVP facilitators
and experiencing a lot of demand…
Broome & Derby – AVP is thriving in these regional centres and new
facilitators are developing a sustainable presence ‘up north’
David Wirrpanda
Foundation – we
value our
involvement with
these young people
Karnet, Acacia,
Woorooloo – we
have ongoing
demand for
workshops and are
always looking for
facilitators!
Maria, Annette and Alma…friends again after the role play!
For workshop enquiries please contact Sally at [email protected]
or 9371 5407
5
RECOMMENDATIONS, QUERIES AND “WHAT WORKS”
IDEAS FROM WORKSHOP TEAMS AND TRAINING DAYS
Advanced workshops
 Content
. Ensure that the group explicitly agrees to the guidelines.
. It may be a good idea to discuss and acknowledge peer pressure in some groups.
. Café Role Play is recommended for all Advanced Workshops as all participants are
involved all the time!
 Practicalities
. Ensure that everyone in the group has a contact number for a facilitator, so that
people can be notified if someone’s going to be late.
Basic workshops
 Language
. Make sure participants understand our language, and we understand theirs!
“Cyclone” is better than “Big Wind” up north. Explain “the right to pass” so that
it’s not confused with “dying”.
. Single language groups may be easier for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
(CALD) participants.
 Exercises
. Leave enough time for a meaningful closing.
. In Trust exercise, think about whether a blindfold will help or hinder the group.
. Feedback for Hassle Lines may work better with everyone seated in the larger
group.
 Gatherings
. Instead of asking, “how was the Mandala used yesterday?”, ask, “what was something
good that happened yesterday?”
T4F:
“Managing Challenging Participants” is a
great learning exercise, and a handout on
group dynamics would be useful.
Discuss how NOT to “buy-in” to
participants’ behaviours.
Lack of literacy is NOT a barrier to being
a great facilitator!
If doing the “Listen to the Universe” light
& lively, choose a simple activity.
6
AVP People
Tracey facilitating!
Billy and Dean. Hassle lines –
Advanced Workshop in Broome.
Crossing the River…Broome Senior High
UCIC at Leederville
“Now I am listening to you”, says mother to
daughter in the role play at Derby
Construction exercise - Derby
7
My Goals for the Future
Participants at the Karnet Advanced Workshop in August
talked about their goals for the future
“Work full time in
IT”
“To bring my family
closer together”
“I would like to
get a job on the
mines – Be
Patient”
“I would like to
get a house of my
own – Expect the
Best”
“And have a good
relationship – Care
for Others”
“Constantly improve
my knowledge of the
world around me and
using that knowledge
to change it for the better”
“I will try to be more
polite with others. Not
everyone is as I am.”
“Remember how to play the
album ‘Scream, Aim, Fire’ back to
front on the guitar”
“To be able to deal with conflict
situations without violence”
“Make up with my family”
“Meet a really nice
woman and settle
down in a non-abusive
relationship”
“To be able to live my
life without any more jail
by applying the Mandala
to everyday living”
“Be more actively involved
in community groups so as
to help others”
“I will treat others the same way
I like to be treated”
“To bring my family
closer together”
“I will take more time
to think things over”
“Go back to my business”
“Spend a lot of time with
my family, especially my
son”
8
DIARY NOTES:
•
•
December 1, Acacia Wind-Up (clearances needed! Please contact Sally)
National Gathering January 12-19 2013. Co-hosted by AVP NSW, AVP Victoria and AVP Australia
Network
o Venue: Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore NSW (near Lake George,
Canberra)
o Scholarships are available and registrations are open now. Please email Elizabeth at
[email protected] for more information if you haven’t received the paperwork through avp
groups.
AVP – WHY WE’RE INVOLVED….
Advice to Myself as a Teenager from participants at Karnet Advanced (August):
Don’t worry what other people think of you. The only person whose opinion matters of who you
are is yourself.
Be mindful of others, but look after your own needs first.
Patience is the key. Take the time to think about something before you do it.
Choose your friends wisely.
Stay in school. Get educated and get a good job.
Say, “NO” to drugs and crime.
Take time to think before reacting. Emotions run high when you’re young. Be mindful of that.
Remember to respect your parents and be thoughtful what you say to them. You can hurt them a
lot more than you know.
Education is everything. Never underestimate the power of learning and knowledge in spite of
what your friends might think or say.
I can help you. I will help you. No matter what, I will trust you.
When you see that life has not been the way you hoped or wanted it to be, remember that you
have a friend in me.
Do not keep things that bother you or make you sad or mad, you can always talk to someone
whom you trust.
Get as much education as possible – especially university.
Be healthy. Respect people. Take care of others.
Behave well. Good communication.
Be patient. Respect for self. Think before reacting.
To find out more about what is happening with AVP around
the world, visit the
website: http://www.avpinternational.org/
Snippets, articles and especially photos for the
AVP Newsletter are always very welcome!
A VP -­‐W A P H O N E: ( 08 )93 71 5 407 E M A I L: a v p. wa 1@ g ma il .co m 35 C li fto n Cr es cen t. M t La wl ey . 60 50 o r P O B o x 721 M t L a wle y W A