February 11, 2022
Dear Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma Communities,
We are pleased to be providing this biweekly update.
Compassionate Reconciliation Commission
The CRC is currently in the process of clarifying their relationship to the SSSC, while also finalizing their group agreements and operating protocols. The intention is to enter focused strategic planning by the beginning of April 2022 in order to determine the CRC’s goals for the Compassionate Reconciliation Project, along with the programs and activities necessary to achieve these goals.
Restorative Justice
Just Outcomes is often asked what we mean by restorative justice. We thought we would share some brief thoughts on this matter.
Restorative justice is an approach to addressing harm and injustice within community which recognizes our interconnectedness within a web of relationships. This approach is rooted within core principles including:
- Inclusion: justice is participatory and collaborative, rather than adversarial and hierarchical.
- Repair: justice is about building/rebuilding right relationships; restoring dignity and voice to those harmed; healing trauma; fostering individual and collective responsibility and accountability; making amends; restoring identity and meaning.
- Transformation: addressing root causes; building individual, collective and organizational resilience.
In short, restorative justice seeks to repair harm while building a community of trust. In service of these aims, a wide range of approaches can be employed which are developed and refined collaboratively in each circumstance, while informed by decades of experience and research. While some may believe restorative justice to be a particular pre-determined program or activity, the principles that guide restorative justice invite an approach that first asks these questions: “Who has been hurt? What are their needs? Whose obligations are these needs and what processes can assist?”. Just Outcomes continues to provide guidance to move through the complex needs of your communities with these questions in mind.
Upcoming CRP Sessions and Trainings
Just Outcomes will continue to provide regular opportunities to learn more about Compassionate Reconciliation through monthly Q&A sessions (1 hour), and also through informational sessions on the foundations of restorative justice (4 hour sessions). Below are the upcoming dates:
Q&A sessions—have your questions related to the Compassionate Reconciliation Project answered. The 2022 sessions are as follows:
- Friday, February 25—7:30am-8:30amPST / 16:30-17:30GMT**
- Monday, March 28—4:00pm-5:00pmPDT / 23:00-00:00GMT
- Thursday, April 28—8:30am-9:30amPDT / 15:30-16:30GMT**
- Thursday, May 26—4:00pm-5:00pmPDT / 23:00-00:00GMT
**translation available
Restorative Justice 101 (4 hours)—learn more about the meaning of restorative justice, how it can benefit communities, and how restorative principles are guiding the Compassionate Reconciliation Project. The next 3 sessions are as follows:
- Thursday, February 24–1:00pm-5:00pmPST / 21:00-01:00GMT
- Wednesday, April 6– 8:00am-12:00pmPDT / 15:00-19:00GMT**
- Monday, May 16–1:00pm-5:00pmPDT / 20:00-00:00GMT
**translation available
We will keep you informed of other opportunities for training and participation, as scheduling is confirmed.
Yours in kindness, compassion, and gratitude,
Catherine Bargen, Matthew Hartman and Aaron Lyons
Sign up here to receive regular updates from Just Outcomes about the Compassionate Reconciliation Project. By signing up you will receive updates about Compassionate Reconciliation only.