FAQ - Dallas Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Practice Group

"Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence--the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart.

NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution."

--Center for Nonviolent Communication

They are two different names for the same thing.

In general, NVC practice groups are primarily for meeting NVC-minded people for the sake of community and connection. It is hoped that within a group of likeminded people that members will have a sense of “safety,” which will allow comfort in practicing or “trying out” skills learned from workshops or independent study. A practice group affords some opportunity for “intense” learning and growth. However, because the participants and facilitators can have a wide range of experience and comfort with NVC skills, the members and/or facilitators may (or may not) have comfort with supporting the type of learning and growth that is seen in workshops.

For more info, see next question.

NVC workshops are primarily designed for participants’ to “intensely” acquire NVC skills and knowledge in a period of hours or days, from a trainer/facilitator with the necessary experience to support that kind of learning.

In contrast, practice groups are primarily for meeting NVC-minded people for the sake of community and connection. It is hoped that within a group of likeminded people that members will have a sense of “safety,” which will allow comfort in practicing or “trying out” skills learned from workshops or independent study. A practice group affords some opportunity for “intense” learning and growth. However, because the participants and facilitators can have a wide range of experience and comfort with NVC skills, the members and/or facilitators may (or may not) have comfort with supporting the type of learning and growth that is seen in workshops.

Wednesday Night, 6:30 - 8:30pm
We used to meet at Unity church, however presently we meet at Scott's office in Lake Highlands
Dallas, TX 75238 (directions)

People start arriving at 6:30 PM and a facilitator is usually there at that time. There is informal chat time from 6:30 – 6:45 PM, for members to connect and get to know each other. The group officially starts at 6:45 PM.

People of all different backgrounds and experience levels. Some have been practicing NVC for years and some have just heard the name and thought it sounded interesting.

You will encounter some who have been attending the group for years and some for whom it is their first night.

The group has been meeting on a weekly basis for over eight years. During that time the people attending on a weekly basis has ranged from 2 – 12 members. In 2018, there has been as many as 8 people in a week, but typically around 3 or 4 people have been attending weekly.

The requested financial support for attending the group is $5 - $10, which helps to make sure there is a space to have the group. That being said, we never want money to be a barrier to attendance and welcome everyone whether they make a financial contribution or not.

The preference is for the practice group to be member supported in every conceivable way possible, including in the participation of the facilitation of the group. For this reason, there have been many members who have shared in the responsibility of the group over the years.

Currently, John Asselin and Scott Clemente most frequently serve as facilitators, but there is opportunity for others to participate as well. Scott Clemente is the official “caretaker” or “organizer” for the group (since August 2010).

This is the basic outline followed, although, at times, the group deviates from it:

6:30 - 6:45 PM:	Member Arrival and Informal Chat Time
6:45 - 6:50 PM:	Group Officially Starts and Self-Connection Time Begins
6:50 - 6:55 PM:	Introductions and Overview of Group Format
6:55 - 7:00 PM:	Building our Vocabulary for Feelings and Needs: Two-Word Feeling/Need Check-In
7:00 - 7:30 PM:	Empathetic Listening Practice: Giving and Receiving
7:30 - 7:40 PM:	Announcements and Break
7:40 - 8:15 PM:	Reading with Dialogue and/or Practice Exercise
7:15 - 8:30 PM:	Closing: Offering, Feedback, and Take-Aways

Workshops and/or individual one-on-one skill development are often the ways that people pursue more “in-depth” or “focused” training. Scott Clemente, Taylor Duvall, and Owen Kinser have all provided workshops in the past. You can check www.NVC-DFW.org to see if there are any current workshops being offered.

Scott plans to offer workshops in 2018, but no specific details are available presently. Scott offers one-on-one training and so does Taylor. You can contact Scott with requests for individualized skill development here: Send Scott a Message through Scott's Socio-Logic website

Either/or. Often people contact in advance, but some just come. On rare occasion, the group gets cancelled for the week because a facilitator cannot make it, so if you are concerned, contact Scott.

There is an email list that goes out weekly that will notify members of any cancellation. To join the email list, contact, Scott.

Yes, you can. Scott Clemente will offer what support he can: Send Scott a Message through Scott's Socio-Logic website