The Power of Circles

Communication is the key to all successful human interactions. In light of the expanding use of texting and other forms of electronic communication, we risk losing the personal, face-to-face meetings that have been the mainstay of positive relationships between individuals and groups for thousands of years. Lavery shows how the circle process is a powerful tool for overcoming this worrisome situation, as it offers a way to enhance communications, build and rebuild relationships, and improve problem-solving capabilities within families, neighborhoods, schools, corporations, and civic organizations. Narratives by participants in the Community Circles program attest to the capacity of people and groups to work together to resolve contentious issues, especially when they are provided with a safe place in which to tell their stories and be listened to by others--without judgment. The circle process has been used successfully for thousands of years in indigenous cultures. With the help of the insights in this book, we now have the opportunity to use circles today to resolve many of the challenging issues that confront our society. The Power of Circles is a valuable guide for the journey ahead. ""Norman Lavery reveals how in families, workplaces, and communities, whether planning for joy or struggling through difficult decisions, circles can be adapted to turn contemporary conflicts into opportunities for building new relationships. Whether the issues addressed are across backyard fences or international borders, building new relationships is the most important outcome of circles. Based on Lavery's deep understanding of circles, this book provides a remarkable, practical contribution in engaging circles in all aspects of our lives."" --Barry Stuart, Author of Peacemaking Circles: Crime to Community and Building Consensus for a Sustainable Future ""Winston Churchill said, 'Jaw, jaw is always better than war-war.' Paradoxically, we are hyper-connected to one another through our smartphones and social media, yet, we grow more and more isolated from one another. Norm Lavery convincingly makes the case that even in our highly industrial and complex society, through open, genuine conversation, we have the capacity to effectively build and maintain social justice within our families, workplaces, and communities."" --Stan Roden, Mediator-Arbitrator; Documentary Filmmaker ""I have been involved in restorative justice for more than twenty-five years, and wish I'd had this book many years ago. It not only takes the reader right inside restorative justice processes used in many countries, highlighting their differences as well as their shared strengths, but it also makes telling contrasts with the deficiencies so apparent in many mainstream justice systems. It is a wonderful book I'll be recommending wherever I go."" --Rupert Ross, Canadian Crown Attorney (retired); Restorative Justice Author Norman G. Lavery incorporated Common Quest Mediation in 1993 as a way to help people resolve their problems--without enduring costly battles. He learned about the Circle process in 1999, and formed the non-profit Community Circles program in 2002. Norm's compelling goal is to guide people to interact more effectively, using the Circle process. Norm has a doctorate in geology, has taught skiing for forty years, loves hiking and canoeing, and builds one-of-a-kind wooden furniture and art pieces.