New Hampshire Restorative Justice Training
Participants experienced and explored the formal structure of the restorative circle process; practiced designing and co-keeping a dialogue (community-building) circle; and supported the collective learning of the group. Attendance on both days was required.
Dates
7/17 – 7/18/2024
11/7 – 11/8/2024
3/10 – 3/11/2025
Location
Concord
Manchester
Manchester, Sununu
Participants
10
12
11
Training Objectives
- Build connections, relationships, and gain insight into what is important to each of us.
- Experience and explore the formal structure of the circle process.
- Explore different ‘kinds’ of circle processes and potential implications for prep and structure.
- Prepare and facilitate practice ‘community-building circles’ in teams of 2 (4 practice circles total); and offer mutual support/feedback to our collective learning process.
Training Materials
- Essential Elements of Circle: http://www.greenomegal3c.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/8_EssentialElements_Circle.pdf
- Circle Worksheet: http://www.greenomegal3c.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Your-Practice-Circle-Worksheet.docx
- Sample Prompting Questions: http://www.greenomegal3c.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sample-Prompting-Circles-Questions.pdf
- Tips for Designing Effective Questions: http://www.greenomegal3c.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tips-for-Designing-Effective-Questions.docx
Selected Participant Quotes
“I appreciated the sequence of the training, the way the instructors were able to create comfort among the participants and build their knowledge and support and validate everyone’s skill set as they developed their own circles.”
“Given the structure, how much easier it is to facilitate a circle. There are many facets to the Circle process, but when you have a guide, it makes it much more smooth, and you have a better chance of accomplishing the objective of the circle.”
“I really appreciated the connection I felt with everyone when I left. I truly think it is such a beautiful process and I am so grateful I was a part of it. I really learned how to listen.
Training Pre / Post Survey Data Analysis
Completion Rates: 33 people attended the 2-day trainings on circle keeping. 34 completed the pre-training survey (a few participants canceled due to illness); and 24 completed the post-training survey.
Evaluation Results:
- There were very significant increases in participants knowledge of:
- Structure and flow of circle process
- How to design a circle
- How to prepare participants for a circle
- How to facilitate a circle
- Potential applications for circle processes
