8. Start the talking.
• Decide ahead of time who will speak first: the
person(s) affected or the harm-doer. I like to
ask the affected parties which order they would
prefer.
• Common questions for the affected parties:
What happened? What was this like for you?
What have been the effects on you?
• Common, open-ended questions for harm-doers include: What happened? What were you
thinking before, and after? Whom did you think
might be affected by your actions? What have
you heard since?
• Ensure that each participant has said or asked
all they meant to.
9. Coming to an agreement or action plan.
• When all have assented, ask each what s/he
thinks can be done to address the wrongs done
or to improve an ongoing situation. Don’t leave
out anyone’s idea, even if you think it will be
impractical. Everyone should feel heard. When
everyone has had a chance to speak, review the
list.
• Ask the group if you missed anything, or
whether anyone has anything to add. Review
the ideas and see if you can get consensus
around particular suggestions.
• Conduct additional rounds to winnow the list of
ideas or firm them up. When you believe the list
is manageable, ask whether there is consensus.
If so, write up an agreement. Read it aloud to
ensure that all agree. When they have, circulate
it for each person’s signature.
10. Next steps.
• Will you hold a culminating process? If so, arrange
a date while you have everyone in your presence.
• If no such final event is needed, be sure to set a
deadline for when all agreement items should be
accomplished.
11. Ending the event.
• Designate someone to ensure everything
has beendone. Thank everyone for their
participation and good work. Ask whether
participants would like to express closing
thoughts.
1.2 After the circle.
• If you didn’t distribute copies of the agreement
to each participant, do so by mail or email. Make
sure the referring partner receives a copy and is
aware of the timeline agreed to. Ask the partner
at what intervals they wish to be informed
about progress or problems.
• Debrief with your group members to the extent
allowed by confidentiality guidelines. What went
well? What could have been better?
• Write a summary of the case, recording how it
went but also what could beimproved.
•Celebrate!
Academy of Advanced Practitioners (AAP)
The Academy of Advanced Practitioners (AAP) was designed to create a membership
status for those members of the organization who desire to have more professional
recognition for their advanced training and experience. For more information and
details about this advanced standing visit our website at www.acrnet.org
The Academy of Advanced Practitioners (AAP) was designed to create
a membership status for those members of Association for Conflict
Resolution who desire to have more professional recognition for their
advanced training and experience. For more information and details
about this advanced standing visit our website at www.acrnet.org.
