BayNVC Immersion Program (BIP) — 2016

If you missed the Living Peace retreat, you may still be able to sign up for the Immersion Program before March 12, if space if available.  Please write to Kathy (kathy@baynvc.org) to request an application. 

How can we thrive, even in the face of the significant challenges of our lives? Nonviolent Communication is not just about communication. It’s about our developing our internal resources to be the people we want to be; to show up authentically and compassionately even in tough circumstances; to care more fully for ourselves and for others; to experience power and choice in the places that we tend to feel stuck or helpless. Within the warmth of a community of learners in the BayNVC Immersion Program, we explore real-life situations and uncover new ways to respond, discovering a range of choices in the place of old habits. We practice specific NVC skills, going for the intention behind the structures, the heart behind the words. We also laugh together quite a lot. If you know enough about NVC to know you want to dive into an immersive experience, you’re warmly invited to join us for BIP 2016!

Each year, the Immersion Program attracts people who are relatively new to NVC and who really want to dive in; it also draws experienced NVC practitioners, including alumni of BayNVC’s Leadership Program and returnees from Immersion Program. Either way, participants love the continuity of the monthly meetings and joining a warm community of NVC’ers who learn and grow together.

The Immersion Program begins with a five day residential “Living Peace” retreat, February 12-17, 2016, and continues with 8 weekend workshops, March through October, which meet in a lovely setting Oakland. For more information on the Living Peace retreat, click here. 

The Immersion Program supports you to:

• Discover ways to transform recurring conflicts
• Develop skills to mediate and support others who are struggling
• Experience new ways of understanding your own “triggers” or reactions
• Make movement on areas in your life that seem stuck
• Connect regularly with an “empathy buddy” for support and practice
• Build community with others in the Bay Area who share values of nonviolence

2016 Program Dates

February 12-17: Living Peace Retreat, Quaker Center, Ben Lomond, California

Please register separately for the Living Peace retreat on this page.

One weekend each month, March through October, in Oakland, 9:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.

March 12, 13

April 2, 3

May 14, 15

June 11, 12

July — select as many as you like from workshops offered throughout the month

August 20, 21

Sept. 24, 25

Oct. 22, 23

The 2016 program will be led by Kathy Simon along with a team of several additional co-trainers. There will be frequent opportunities for small group work and individual coaching.

Kathy Simon, Ph.D., has been practicing NVC for more than 20 years and teaching it for 10 years. She has led the Living Peace retreat and the BayNVC Immersion Program since 2009, and especially appreciates the chance to work with a small, warm community of dedicated practitioners. Along with the Immersion Program, Kathy also leads NVC trainings for organizations and works with individuals, parents and couples to integrate NVC into their personal lives. A former high school English and drama teacher, Kathy taught at the Stanford University School of Education and co-directed the Coalition of Essential Schools, a nonprofit school reform organization. Kathy is the author of Moral Questions in the Classroom and co-author of other books on education and school reform. Kathy’s wife, Inbal Kashtan, of blessed memory, was one of the founders of BayNVC. Kathy lives in Oakland with their 17 year old son.

Last minute registration available as space allows, before March 12

If you are interested in the program, please write a brief email to Kathy (kathy@baynvc.org) indicating your interest in the Immersion Program.  She’ll send you more complete information about the program and the registration materials.