Pioneer Valley NVC overview by Jerry, revised 10/1/08
In the fall of 2006, Jerry Koch-Gonzalez put out a call for a founding meeting of Pioneer Valley NVC. Of the 32 people who expressed interest, 13 met on December 10, 2006 to found the organization.
1. Name: Pioneer Valley NVC
2. Aim:
Pioneer Valley NVC’s aim is “to live, learn, teach and promote nonviolent communication in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas.”
Every circle that gets created within PVNVC will have that as its overarching aim and then an aim more specific to it. The circle’s work is then to make that aim come alive. For example the Amherst Area Schools NVC Committee has as its aim to bring NVC into the Amherst area schools by presenting workshops to parents and teachers, supporting the development of model classrooms and other activities.
3. Vision & Mission:
Pioneer Valley NVC aligns itself with the vision and mission of the international network of NVC, as stated on the cnvc.org website:
Vision: The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) is a global organization whose vision is a world where all people are getting their needs met and resolving their conflicts peacefully. In this vision, people are using Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to create and participate in networks of worldwide life-serving systems in economics, education, justice, healthcare, and peace-keeping.
Mission: Our mission is to contribute to this vision by facilitating the creation of life-serving systems within ourselves, interpersonally, and within organizations. We do this by living and teaching Nonviolent Communication.
4. Organizational structure:
Pioneer Valley NVC is organized sociocratically, in alignment with the structure of international NVC. Pioneer Valley NVC to link to the New England NVC Circle , but will eventually link to the English speaking West Circle and through that to the Global Community Circle of NVC.
5. Circles
PVNVC has 3 circles:
- Amherst Area Schools NVC Committee: This circle has 4 members and has been operating sociocratically since July 2006. Its aim is to bring NVC into Amherst area schools. Leader: Julie Rypysc. Representative: Jerry Koch-Gonzalez.
- Springfield Circle: The aim this circle is to bring NVC into the Springfield area. This circle is till in formative stage. Leader: Becca Bryer. Representative: Rachel Rahn.
- General Circle: members consist of General Circle leader and the leaders and delegates of any other next lower order circles (currently the Springfield Circle and the Amherst Area Schools NVC Committee). The aim of the General Circle is to carry out the aim of PVNVC; specifically to develop the infrastructure and policies of PVNVC and to link to the next higher order level of NVC, New England NVC. Commitment of General Circle members is a minimum of quarterly meeting and phone/email communication as needed in between. Leader: Jerry Koch-Gonzalez. Representative: (vacant)
6. Teaching NVC
a) We have one CNVC Certified Teacher: Jerry Koch-Gonzalez
b) We have about 10-15 people actively teaching NVC in one form or another.
c) We have 1 actively teaching Sociocracy.
d) We have 7-10 practice groups.