Maintaining Nonviolent Communication in Challenging Interactions

Principles of nonviolent communication can allow us to maintain an “even keel” even when we are confronted by patrons who make demands contrary to our values. While rare, we can prepare for patron demands to ban books and grievances over events and displays that celebrate historically marginalized peoples. In this workshop we will explore how focusing on our mindsets and sphere of influence can help us maintain empathetic understanding of patrons and express ourselves without blame or criticism-even when we might not receive this same treatment. In this interactive session participants will explore myths behind dominant styles of communication. All will be invited to share both their worst experiences and our dreams of success. How can we provide support to our co-workers in their difficult moments? Can FLLS organizational commitments create courageous space for us to act with empathy and integrity? Participants will walk away with an expanded toolkit for maintaining a calm exterior and resources for continuing practice.

Registration is required: https://flls.zoom.us/meeting/register/b47DA9Z-QqKLjrFofjduOw. Session will be held on Zoom and will be recorded. View our Code of Conduct for Programs here: https://tinyurl.com/FLLSCodeofConduct.

Presenter Bio: Mike Bishop Ph.D. is an educator and coach who has facilitated interactive workshops with a focus on human development, human rights, and human dignity for 25 years. He is a Freeville resident who organizes with his White neighbors against White supremacy through his activism, research, teaching, and writing. Originally from a small town in western New York, he spent seven years as a youth counselor leading adventure-based activities. He then worked in higher education for more than 20 years leading workshops, creating campus-community partnerships, facilitating dialogues across differences, and designing social action leadership programs. Mike works with stories to nurture anti-racist allies, growing social movements to challenge policies that dehumanize Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in rural New York state. He currently serves as the managing director of the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative.