Plans for a DEI Vertical initiative at the Center for Nonviolent Communication

Update 22-Jun-2025: The Board of Directors is currently engaging in an ongoing community dialogue and consultation to find a pathway to attend to ongoing feedback and concerns within the wider community. 

Our intention is to find a way to attend to these challenges across all domains. We are intending to update this page periodically. 

1.0 Historical Context

• Marshall Rosenberg’s commitment to power-with relationships, all needs mattering, and changing our world.
• Marshall’s focus on community, social change, and spirituality in certification.
• Conflict, feedback, and learnings from International Intensive Trainings (IITs)
• Feedback that our organization has received (including an Environmental Scan conducted in 2021)
• Demographics of our Certified Trainers: We are concerned about skewed distribution in relation to ethnicity, age, country of origin, class, gender, sexual orientation and other dimensions.
• Conflict within the Board of Directors, Certified Trainers, and Certification Candidates in relation to these topics

2.0 Emerging Problems

Some of our organization's stakeholders are concerned about the following:

• CNVC losing relevance in a changing world due to lack of DEI integration, by not engaging with the most pressing global moral issues.
• Patterns of inequity, alienation, oppression and exclusion in CNVC events and global operations.
• Patterns of, consciously or unconsciously, prioritizing some people’s needs over others’ needs impacting human dignity in life-alienating ways, including some people’s safety and meaning.
• The likelihood that CNVC will replicate circumstances of inequity despite personal equity awareness.

Some stakeholders are also concerned about:

• Loss of the integrity of core Nonviolent Communication (NVC) processes and principles.
• Imposition of a USA-based framework on other regions.
• Impacts on many people from engaging in a DEI initiative based on conflicting information about the benefits and impacts of such initiatives.
• Loss of cohesion and trust in NVC processes to care for everyone.

Next Steps

The remainder of this page ↓ details the mandate that the Board of Directors established in December 2024, which is supported by some members of the community and is simultaneously deeply controversial for other members. It is our hope that through applying NVC processes to this divergence, we will find a path forward that cares for the deep concerns and needs that led to this initiative, while simultaneously integrating the deep concerns and needs that are currently expressed as opposition to this initiative. 

3.0 Purpose

• The DEI Vertical supports the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing feedback, facilitating discussions, and helping to shape policies and practices.
• Cultivate a culture of belonging, safety, and community in all CNVC’s activities
• Weave DEI-B awareness into structures, policies and practices.
• Support CNVC leadership to intentionally create more nurturing DEIB spaces 
  
  

4.0 DEI-B and Intersectionality

4.1 The DEI-B Framing: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - Belonging

• CNVC’s approach to DEI is centered around Belonging, which is a basic human need that everyone experiences in systems and in communities.
• In an organizational sense, creating a sense of Belonging for everyone includes the following components:
  • Diversity - recognize that we are a heterogenous group with varying identities, backgrounds, experiences, understanding, and context
  • Equity - provide differentiated support based on disparities of access to resources.
  • Inclusion - share power through inclusion in decision making

4.2 Intersectionality

Intersectionality is the understanding of how different aspects of a person's identity—like gender, race, class, sexuality, neurodivergence, age, disability, and other parameters—combine to create unique experiences of power, privilege, or oppression.

Far from simply “adding up” advantages and disadvantages, and moving away from transactional compensatory stances, the DEI Vertical’s interventions layered with an intersectional understanding of DEI-B will bring a focus on the bigger picture of how different identities interact within complex systems of power, privilege and oppression​.

The DEI Vertical will integrate Intersectionality in their policies, procedures, advice processes, and other activities, and closely look at how these factors interact and influence each other in different contexts, with a nuanced and context-driven understanding of power and privilege. This can include (but is not limited to):

• Examining how social categories like race, gender, or class intersect to shape inequalities.
• Recognizing that inequalities are not fixed; they change over time and in different places.
• Looking at how structural and political environments shape people's experiences.
• Exploring how systems of power affect social inequalities.
• Prioritizing the experiences and needs of the most disadvantaged within a group.
• Including an understanding of structural, social, economic, and political factors.
• Considering broader power dynamics and broader social dynamics while understanding individual behaviors.
  
  

5.0 Key Activities: Aim, Domain, and Limits of Domain

5.1 Effecting change in governing bodies (policies and activities)

The DEI Vertical will write organization-wide DEI goals and policies for the CNVC board to determine how to integrate.

The DEI Vertical has an advice-giving role on the following:

• Offer feedback, consulting and advice on existing policies and activities
• Participate in task forces for reviewing or writing policies like trainer agreement and/or an ethics code.
• Offer feedback, insight, and recommendations to Operations, Board of Directors, Coordinating Circle, Programs Resource Circle (PRC), Assessors Coordinating Circle, and other governance bodies that are created in the future
• Offer recommendations and collaborate with Operations on the Annual Survey to gather DEI-B related data
• Recommend policies across domains
• Support the creation of new policies, new mandated circles, and new task forces or committees
• Advise the process for CNVC’s systems - decision making, resource allocation, information flow, feedback and conflict engagement systems in CNVC
• Support the hiring and firing process to ensure DEI consciousness is integrated.
• If conflicts arise, the DEI vertical may:
  • Engage the Conflict Engagement System (CES)
  • Raise a Dispute
  • Call a Special Meeting
    (Note: Until the CES is operational, conflicts must be reported to the Board of Directors)
• The consulting and advice process may take a maximum of 30 days, unless agreed upon by the DEI Vertical and the concerned body.

5.2 Engaging the larger community

DEI Vertical is responsible for:

• Conducting surveys, reviewing forms, and facilitating focus groups.
• Building a sense of belonging with a focus on connection and community building, not on education or on getting agreement- so that everyone can express their concerns, be heard, ask questions, and explore answers.
• Organizing gatherings in format such as Empathy Café, regular online meetings, facilitated group work, fishbowls, and any other activities they deem supportive for connecting across differences.

5.3 Programs for governing bodies (people/awareness)

The DEI Vertical has decision making domain on:

• Designing and delivering capacity building trainings or gatherings to deepen DEI and systemic awareness for CNVC’s staff, governing body members, Executive Director, and Board of Directors.
• Allocating the funds given to the DEI Vertical through CNVC’s standard budget allocation process
• Choosing and hiring facilitators for DEI and systems awareness trainings

Note: DEI Vertical Trainings are different from the Continuing Education Trainings under the PRC, which are geared toward Certified Trainers.

Decision-making Domain: DEI Programming; Allocation of funds by CNVC budget

5.4 Other possible areas of intervention

The DEI Vertical or the Board of Directors may propose to add more tasks under the DEI Vertical’s domain. Additional tasks can be added via Board approval, such as
Elections (consulting on a questionnaire to enable candidates to speak to their perspectives)

6.0 Structure and Composition

Please also refer to Section 9.0 Notes on Launching below.

6.1 Membership

• The DEI Vertical has 3 members selected by a committee composed of the Executive Director and 2 members of the Board of Directors.
• It is highly recommended that the selection committee include at least one person of color and DEI expertise. If these qualities are not available in the selection committee, the selection committee may consult with a DEI consultant for the selection process.
• Selection prioritizes merit, experience, and a balance of race and gender.
• At least one member is a Certified Trainer with our organization, bringing expertise in Nonviolent Communication principles relevant to DEI work.

6.2 Selection Criteria

• Proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ideally through previous work, volunteer experience, or personal advocacy in DEI initiatives.
• Significant experience with DEI principles, including a deep understanding of issues related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other areas of diversity, as well as clear understanding of intersectionality.
• Personal and professional background and track record that showcases leadership, ethics, and the ability to create inclusive and equitable environments.
• DEI impact in past roles, projects, or contributions to DEI-focused organizations.
• All members must have a clear alignment with NVC principles, including empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to engage across diverse cultural contexts, with sensitivity and respect for varying perspectives.
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop, assess, and refine DEI initiatives effectively.
• Collaboration skills and the ability to work within teams, promoting cooperation and fostering an environment that values everyone’s input.
• Written and verbal communication skills, especially in sensitive contexts.
• Ability to facilitate inclusive dialogue.

6.3 Compensation

• Members will receive a stipend for their contributions.
• The stipend will be determined by the Executive Director in consultation with the Board Treasurer.
  
  

7.0 A note on Relationship with the CNVC Governance System

• The DEI Vertical is a circle with a special focus that applies vertically - DEI matters across the whole organization. The circle will report to the Coordinating Circle after the first review of this mandate in June 2026 (see section 10.0), and until then they will report to the Board and Executive Director.
• The Executive Director is responsible for operationalizing the DEI Vertical and managing HR functions.
• The DEI Vertical supports and partners with different governing bodies as well as Operations and task forces in order to support that the policies, systems, structures, and activities of CNVC are imbued with DEI awareness.
• However, the DEI Vertical may not make decisions in other bodies’ domains.
• In extreme cases, the DEI Vertical may recommend that the Board intervenes in case DEI principles are not being upheld.
  
  

8.0 Processes

8.1 Decision Making

• The domain for decision making is defined above.
• Decisions are made on the DEI Vertical either through the process defined in CNVC’s Governance or through an inclusive process chosen by the DEI Vertical.

8.2 Information Flow

• In line with system to be designed by Coordinating Circle
• DEI Vertical will communicate with membership and governing bodies on a regular basis via email and Global Home in order to share their activities
• Once a year the DEI Vertical will publish a report of their activities and outcomes.

8.3 Feedback

• DEI Vertical will receive Feedback through our organization's Feedback System.

8.4 Resource Allocation

• DEI Vertical will be allocated an amount in every financial year to hire consultants, trainers, and other professionals as needed.

8.5 Conflict Engagement

• In line with the CES which comes under the Coordinating Circle (until this is set up, conflicts come to the Executive Director + Board).
  
  

9.0 Notes on Launching

• Job descriptions for the DEI Vertical members will be created and shared by Operations.
• The Executive Director and Board Treasurer set:
  • Stipend for DEI Vertical Members
  • Funds given to DEI Vertical (this needs to be included in the budget from this point forward)
• Members of the DEI Vertical are selected by a team of the Executive Director + 2 Board members (see Section 6.0 on Structure and Composition above).
• DEI Vertical members are not elected and are not volunteers, but rather are selected and be paid as consultants or employees.
• However, unlike other staff, members may only be removed through a team of the Executive Director + 2 Board members.
• DEI Vertical will report to both the Board and Executive Director who will hold this in partnership with each other. 
  
  

10.0 Mandate Review Timeline

• The DEI Vertical Mandate is to be reviewed in 1.5 years (the first review process will take place June 2026).
• The Board is responsible for reviewing the mandate in partnership with the Executive Director and in an advice process with the DEI Vertical.
• The Board of Directors may do so directly, or assemble a Task Force to do so.

CNVC Privacy and Cookie Policy

1. Who we are

This is the website for the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC), a global organization that supports the learning and sharing of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and helps people peacefully and effectively resolve conflicts in personal, organizational, and political settings.

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CNVC is a not-for-profit organization registered under United States law. In this policy, whenever you see the words ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’, it refers to this organization, which is a Data Controller.

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Call us at: +1 (505) 244-4041

Post address: The Center for Nonviolent Communication

1401 Lavaca Street, Pmb 873

Austin, Texas 78701-1634 United States

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11. Changes to this policy 

We may amend or update this policy at any time to take account of any changes to data protection law or other legislation. When further updates to the policy are made they will be posted on this page, so please check back here regularly. 

11. Contact

If you wish to exercise any of your rights or have any questions about this policy you may contact us in the following ways:

By post:

The Center for Nonviolent Communication

1401 Lavaca Street, Pmb 873

Austin, Texas 78701-1634 United States

By email: [email protected]

By telephone:  +1 (505) 244-4041

Complaints

If you wish to lodge a complaint about our handling of your personal data please get in touch with us on the details above with the details of your complaint; we aim to respond to all complaints within 30 days.

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The technical information contained herein is provided by The Center for Nonviolent Communication(CNVC) to CNVC members and non-members. While CNVC makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information on this internet site, CNVC does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. Use of such information is voluntary, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by CNVC.

CNVC (including its employees, members and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences resulting from the use of the information herein [or from use of the information obtained at linked internet addresses] or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, the defamatory nature of statements, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. CNVC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties of merchant ability or fitness for a particular use or purpose, are made by CNVC with respect to such information.

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This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under our control. However, your confidential use of this site cannot be guaranteed by CNVC. The Center for Nonviolent Communication shall not be responsible for any harm that you or any person may suffer as a result of a breach of confidentiality in respect to your use of this site or any information you transmitted to this site.

Consignes de partage de la Communication NonViolente pour les personnes non certifié⋅e⋅s

GUIDELINES FOR SHARING NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION

Financial Assistance for Immersive Trainings

• Find your training

• Donate to the Learning Fund

Note: these discounts only apply to tuition payments (not to room & board or other expenses).

Note: only one of these discounts may apply; you may combine it with the Early Bird price.

10% if you participated in (and paid tuition for) a previous Foundation Training (FT) or International Intensive Training (IIT) with the Center for Nonviolent Communication

10% if you have been, or will have been, a Supporting Member of CNVC for 6 months or more before the first day of the program

15% if you are a Certification Candidate registered with CNVC. The discount applies only to people who are officially registered candidates

If you are not sure if you are officially registered as a Certification Candidate, email us at [email protected]. If you're not registered yet, ask your Assessor if it might be possible for you to become registered before the program.

If you are not registered as a candidate at the time of payment, you can pay the full price without this discount, and if you become a registered certification candidate by the start date of the program, we will refund you the difference (the 15% discount amount).

25% if you are an active Trainer certified with CNVC

The discount applies only to active Certified Trainers. "Active" means that in the last year, you have completed the renewal steps including filling out the Annual Trainer Survey, making an Annual Trainer Contribution, and signing the Trainer Agreement if applicable (if it has been updated).

Note, that there is also a limited number of tuition-free spaces available for Certified Trainers, granted by a committee. For more information, visit this page.

You wanted to attend this event, paid for it, and then something changed in your situation. That is when this Cancellation and Refund Policy becomes important!

We value flexibility and understand that “life happens” and sometimes people need to change their plans. At the same time, we want to acknowledge the financial commitments and other plans made by CNVC, the Organizer, and the venue.

Please note: For payments that are made directly to the Local Organizer, the payment transfer options outlined below (storing tuition payments with us as credit for a future program) are not available, due to legal and accounting restrictions.

We have established the below policy to take into account all of these needs.

A. If we cancel:

You receive a 100% refund of all tuition and/or room and board payments.

B. If you cancel:

Tuition

30 days or more before the start date, you have two options:

1. Transfer 100% of your payment to a future CNVC intensive training within 2 years starting the date you canceled (see credit policy below); or
2. Receive a refund on the tuition fee minus a 10% cancellation fee

Between 30 days and 4 days before the start date you have two options:

1. Transfer 75% of your tuition payment to a future CNVC training within 2 years starting the date you canceled - we retain 25% (see credit policy below); or
2. Receive a 50% refund of your tuition (we retain 50%).

From 3 days before the start date you have two options:

1. Transfer 60% of your tuition payment to a future CNVC training within 2 years (starting the date you canceled) - we retain 40% (see credit policy below); or
2. Receive a 30% refund of your tuition (we retain 70%).

From the start date:

• No refunds or transfers for tuition and room and board will be provided, even if you do not attend or only attend part of the event.

You will notice that the closer to the start date, the lower your refund. This is to acknowledge the financial commitments that CNVC makes in the planning process (e.g., we are often required to pay the venue whether or not you show up). We also put considerable human resources into the organization of our immersive programs and some of these costs are not recoverable.

Since last minute cancellations are mostly because of an injury or a health issue, we recommend that participants take their own insurance to cover these cases.

Refunds will be issued within 10 business days after you cancel and confirm which option you choose.

Room and Board

Refunds for room and board depend on the unique contractual factors with the venue. Please check the Cancellation Policy for your event or contact the Local Organizer for details.

CREDIT POLICY

If you choose to transfer some or all of your tuition payment to a future CNVC training, the following conditions apply:

• Credit is valid for two years from the date of cancellation.
• To use your credit, contact us with the name of the training you would like to apply it to.
• Credit can be applied to any CNVC training listed here that has space available.
• Credits apply only to tuition, and not to travel or room and board costs.
• Credit cannot be refunded for cash after it is issued.
• Credit is non-transferable.
• If the credit is not used within two years, it expires.
• If you move your credit to another program and then cancel, the new program’s refund options will apply (and you cannot opt for the credit option again)
• If you plan to attend an immersive program that is offered in a language other than English, we strongly recommend that you do not opt for the credit option, as CNVC cannot guarantee that another program in your preferred language will be offered within the next two years.

We are happy that you will participate in Nonviolent Communication training – the Foundation Training (FT) or the International Intensive Training (IIT) sponsored by the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC).

In order to create an environment that is supportive and that offers predictability -- and supports you in making choices for your wellbeing -- we ask you to make a series of agreements.

1. If I complete this training, I will receive a Certificate of Completion, which is different from being authorized or certified as an official trainer of the CNVC. If I share NVC, unless I am already a Certified CNVC trainer, I agree to present myself as a student, supporter, or candidate for certification (if I am a registered candidate for certification) rather than as a CNVC Certified Trainer. Also, I agree to follow the “Guidelines for Sharing NVC for Individuals who are not Certified Trainers.”

2. All materials that I will receive are the property of the Trainers who created them. I agree to use these materials only for my personal use -- and refrain from copying or sharing with others -- unless I receive explicit consent from the creators.

3. I understand that while this training might be healing and therapeutic in nature, it is not a substitute for mental health therapy or psychiatric care.

4. I am responsible for my own behavior the entire time I participate in this event. I understand that some activities could be mentally and emotionally challenging. My level of participation in the activities is entirely my choice, and I can modify or end my participation at any time.

5. I agree to follow any relevant public health regulations that may be imposed by the country or municipality where this program will take place. I will follow these regulations and not avoid any of them. At the same time, I understand that CNVC will not impose any additional regulations above and beyond what is required by the country or municipality. (Not applicable for online programs.)

6. If I contract an illness from a virus or other pathogen during this training, I am responsible for the costs of medical care and any other related costs such as changing travel arrangements. I will exercise consideration for others when it comes to contagious illnesses and reach out to the organizer to decide on any actions. (Not applicable for Online Programs)

7. Since the program is a closed event and only registered participants are allowed to participate in the sessions, I agree not to bring or invite to the sessions anyone who is not registered. If there are areas or spaces designated for participants of this event, like conference areas or dining areas, I agree not to bring or invite anyone who is not a registered participant to these spaces.

8. I agree to the Photo & Video Agreement which ensures me choice and gives the right to CNVC to gather photos and videos, celebrate, and for YOU to have memories.

Supporting Trainers at International Intensive Trainings (IITs)

At each of our 9-day International Intensive Trainings (IITs), we reserve 3 or more spaces for Certified Trainers to attend as participants to continue their own learning and bring support. This is one way that we appreciate and acknowledge our Certified Trainers for their contributions, and to give them an opportunity for their own enrichment and development, as well as an opportunity to contribute their skills to support the training team. 

Definition

Supporting Trainers are Certified Trainers who participate in an IIT who are not members of the official training team. They receive free tuition and pay for their own travel and accommodation.

Number

For each program we invite three Certified Trainers to join tuition-free as Supporting Trainers. If the program reaches the threshold of 58 paying Participants, a fourth Supporting Trainer can be invited. When 83 or more Participants have registered a fifth Supporting Trainer can be offered a tuition free space.

Also, sometimes we get creative when there are even more Certified Trainers who want to participate as Supporting Trainers (when space is available). For example, if there are 3 spaces and 6 trainers who want to participate, each of them pays an average of 50% of the tuition fee... and often, they decide among themselves how to distribute the payments! Obviously, with more than 900 Certified Trainers, only a relatively small % can participate as an Supporting Trainer each year.

Note: Depending on the size of the venue (esp. bedrooms and community meeting room size) and how full the IIT gets, we may welcome more Supporting Trainers than defined above. The Financial Assistance committee will make this decision a couple of months before the IIT starts.

Criteria

Certified Trainers are eligible to be considered for one of the Supporting Trainer spaces if all the following things are true -- the trainer has:

1. Participated in a previous IIT.
2. Paid a tuition fee for one or more IITs.
3. Completed the annual renewal steps for Certified Trainers in the past 12 months.

If you have been a Supporting Trainer at a CNVC training in the last 12 months, you may request to be one again. We will however prioritize people who have not been an Supporting Trainer in the past 12 months. Therefore the decision to have you join again will be made 3 months before the start date. Also, we might prioritize choosing Certified Trainers who have not previously received a free tuition space before choosing ones who have. 

How to apply

Fill out the Pre-registration form at the bottom of the Landing Page of the program of your choice, and make sure to indicate in the last field ( "Do you have any questions, comments, or requests?" ) that you are interested in the Supporting Trainer role and whether you meet the four criteria above. Thank you!

Selection Process

The decision about which Certified Trainers we invite to participate tuition-free is made by a 3-person committee consisting of the Organizer, one representative of CNVC, and one trainer...the same group that makes decisions about how we allocate our financial assistance.

If you are not selected as an Supporting Trainer, you may want to join as a paying participant and pay tuition with a 25% tuition discount.

Financial Contribution

If you find joy in donating to CNVC’s Financial Assistance Fund that would be greatly appreciated -- especially if your financial situation makes that easy to do -- but it is not required or expected.

Suggestions

The suggestions below are for inspiration only -- the final agreements are made between the trainer team and the Supporting Trainers. There are several levels of involvement possible depending on the needs and goals of the Supporting Trainers, and how that fits with the needs of the training team.

Supporting Trainers might want to be participants like other participants in order to learn, be inspired, and restore their energy. Please make sure that you have expressed the level of engagement that you wish for during the program, and that you can confirm this with the trainer team before the start of the program. Or, the Supporting Trainer might want to be actively involved in some way - see the list below. In this case the Supporting Trainer might see themselves more as a support trainer or an assisting trainer depending on the agreement with the team. In all cases, you are registered as a participant free of tuition, and still pay your own travel and accommodation. 

Here is a list of ways that Supporting Trainers might help to hold the container for the group, create a safe and joyful space, and offer support to participants. This could include the following:

1. Show up fully present in the community meetings, holding the space and presence together with the trainer team.
2. Be a “Flying Giraffe,” meaning that you spend time with participants, receiving them empathically, as well as approaching participants that you sense might need some support.
3. Offer support in breakout sessions when needed or when asked by a trainer - for instance when one participant encounters something challenging and could benefit from individual support.
4. Inform the trainer team when you see/hear things that worry you such as the dynamics in a home group, or conflicts between participants, or the situation of a specific participant.
5. Mediate conflicts between individuals and/or in home groups if you encounter difficulties.
6. Support Certification Candidates with preparations and being present to provide them  with feedback on their offerings, be a sounding board
7. Support people to make sure that daily rememberings are relevant/inspiring and time appropriate.
8. Coordinate evening sessions. For example, is it helpful if all candidates who want feedback on their presentation also have one or more CTs with them in their group.
9. Track announcements and issues to report in Community Meetings.
10. Coordinate volunteers to beautify our spaces with volunteers.

While we are grateful for your presence and support, the trainers’ plates are likely to be full and focused on caring for the group and their sessions… so in most cases, they will not have a lot of availability to hang out with Supporting Trainers as much as they might enjoy.  The training team might provide a liaison to connect the two teams (Supporting Trainers and the official training team), and there may be a couple of meetings together, and yet in most cases, it will probably not go much beyond that other than impromptu interactions in the natural course of the training.

We also suggest that a few weeks before the program, when it's clear who the Supporting Trainers will be, that you connect amongst each other to make plans and requests of each other for empathy, a check in about what interests you, and how you might support each other.  We are hopeful that this brings more clarity and predictability to what the experience might be for Supporting Trainers, and helps you make choices to fulfill the goals that you have in joining the program in this role.

Policy:

In relation to any contagious virus or disease situation that may arise, we will follow any local and/or government regulations related to masking, testing, quarantining, vaccination, or other requirements that exist at the time and in the place the immersive program is happening. We will not avoid any of these requirements, and we will not impose any additional ones.

Background:

CNVC developed this approach for the following reasons:

1. We conduct immersive programs all over the world, and many countries may have regulations that change over time. It is not practical for CNVC to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in each area.

2. We want to offer consistency from one program to the next, at least in terms of how CNVC approaches it (obviously, we do not control which regulations countries or municipalities adopt). We want to conserve our energy, and also provide predictability and ease to people everywhere who might be considering more than one program.

3. We are not trained in health, immunology, medicine, prevention, or treatment of infectious disease, so we choose to rely on local and national health agencies to know what is important to do, necessary to do, and relevant to do. We choose to trust the local health authorities to know when it is important to test, distance, gather in groups, quarantine, and so on, and if it is, they will create regulations like they have done in the past.

4. Even if CNVC created its own policy, it could easily be overridden by a local or national government in between the time we make a policy and when the program occurs. This is why we follow the local health authority's policies that are current with the time, and do no more and no less.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication would like to use the photos and videos from this event to inform others about what this event is like and to spread Nonviolent Communication (NVC) around the world. In addition, we want to provide memories of the people you met and the experiences that you had. Are you willing to help us with this?

Here is the process that we will follow for in-person training:

• We will ask that people abstain from taking photographs for the first three days of the event so that everyone can orient themselves to the experience and get to know their fellow participants.
• If I do NOT want my likeness in any photograph or video to be taken, the organizers will describe at the beginning of the event how I can avoid having my photograph taken in the first place.
• Photographs and videos can be uploaded by anyone who was present including participants, trainers, and on-site coordinators within 7 days of the end of the event. You will receive the link on the third day of the program.
• After 7 days, we will reach out to everyone who was present, and offer a 2-week review period. We will provide a way for you to tell us if you want your face blurred, or for a photograph or video that you appear in to be deleted altogether.

At the end of this process, three weeks after the end of the program, taking into account that all the participants have had the opportunity to request deletion (or blurring their image), any remaining photographs and videos will be covered by this Photo and Video Release Form. 

Here is the process that we will follow for online training:

All online training sessions are recorded. If you do not want to be part of the recording, you can switch off your video. Breakout rooms will not be recorded. 

By signing this agreement, you agree and consent as follows:

1. I consent and authorize the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC), to use my likeness in any photograph or video that is taken at this program, in any and all of its publications, including print or web-based publications such as their website and social media accounts, for an indefinite period. 
2. I understand and agree that all Photos and Videos are the property of CNVC.
3. I acknowledge that I am not entitled to any compensation or royalties with respect to the use of the Photos and videos.
4. I agree to release and forever discharge CNVC from the claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, disputes, demands, damages, causes of action of any nature or kind, known or unknown, which I, and anyone claiming on behalf of me, may have or claim to have against CNVC in connection with this Release.
5. I have carefully read and understand the provisions of this Photo Release Form and am freely, knowingly, and voluntarily agreeing.
6. I understand that I have the right to withdraw my consent at any time. To do so, I can contact the Programs Department at [email protected]. Upon withdrawal, CNVC will cease any future use of my likeness in new publications. However, I acknowledge that materials already published prior to my withdrawal may not be retractable.