Are you dreading family Thanksgiving this year due to dinnertime conversations which eventually lead to divisive politics? Have you seen political signs in your neighbor’s yard that have made you avoid meeting them? Many of us are becoming more and more estranged from family and friends. Politics are making our country (and county!) more divided than ever and yet our democracy is dependent on our ability to share ideas and perspectives.
What if you could change your experiences with these difficult conversations and could approach them with a sense of curiosity instead of going in full of dread and becoming stressed out before you even begin?
If you are interested in beginning to explore ways to be curious while still being authentic and honest, please come to the member meeting on Saturday November 1st, exact date and time to be determined. Monique Stefens will be leading us in beginning to build bridges in conflict.
Monique teaches community education courses on a variety of topics, personal and professional and provides on-site professional development for enhanced communication, inclusion and team building for organizations and companies. She has a Bachelors in Psychology (WWU), Masters in Adult & Higher Education (WWU), formal facilitator training through Excellence Northwest and coaching certification through Conscious Leadership.
Prework for the meeting (not required and definitely still come if you don’t do it). Monique made some concept audio files and is creating scenario versions which we’ll distribute soon. The concept audios are ready for download if you want to listen to them while you do dishes or go for a walk. Each one is short, less than 5 minutes:
Self-regulating to expand peace
Identifying tiny violence
Awareness for a foundation of peace
Articulating an issue
Care a whole lot
Layers of listening
Are people unreasonable?
The second part of our meeting we will be brainstorming ways to take action as individuals in the current political environment. Many members new and old want to do something to protect democracy. The League offers many opportunities which we will review and brainstorm ways to bring these actions into our community.
