Calgary Community Conferencing  Winter 2001

An Administrator’s Perspective by Gord Baldwin

For the school administrator searching for effective yet compassionate ways of dealing with violent students, Community Conferencing offers much hope. It is likely that schools will always be places where some young people will, for a multitude of reasons, perpetrate violent acts upon each other. Out of such dangerous and frightening behavior however, can arise some truly marvelous opportunities for learning and personal growth.

“Zero Tolerance” does not have to equal automatic expulsion. Consequences for violent actions are essential, more as a tool for teaching and learning, than for punitive reasons. People who work in schools are after all, engaged in teaching and learning. Community Conferencing offers an opportunity to truly ‘fix’ a problem. Students on both sides of a major conflict are lead through a process that clearly allows them to see how the situation developed and what their contribution to the problem was. In addition, plans for meaningful restitution can be made and carried out relatively soon after the incident. One of my biggest ‘beefs’ with the current justice system is the length of time which elapses from the date of an arrest and charges being laid, to the conclusion, following a number of court appearances. Often this can take a year or longer to spin out. Community Conferencing tightens up these timelines considerably. The three I have participated in so far have all been completed within 3 weeks. Another important feature of the Conference process is the opportunity for parents to be involved. When young “David” gets beaten up, his parents will tend to demonize the perpetrator and the home out of which he comes. By the end of a Conference, they will have been able to see, hear and speak to ‘the other side’ and his parents and the walls as they say, “come tumbling down!” In short, relationships are formed. In one Conference, I recall both sets of parents speaking afterwards together, smiling, now comfortable and obviously at ease with one another. At another Conference, I witnessed the two combatants, bothyoung men in high school, spontaneously hug each other in front of the whole group assembled

The restoration agreement saw them going out to spend some positive time together shooting pool. Significantly, on the day immediately following the original fight, one of these students stated how much he ‘hated’ the other one and how badly he still wanted to fight.

I have seen tears shed and fears melt away, anger expressed and then dissipated. One Conference provided a chance for a student’s grandparents to demonstrate some much-needed support for their single-parent daughter by driving to Calgary from another city in the province for the event. All three Conference situations could have justified expulsions and all three are still ‘fixed’ to this date with only minor disruption to their educational journeys . In all, tremendous learning took place not only for the students but also for their parents and for school staff members.

Community Conferencing allows students involved in serious incidents to be responsible for their actions, to understand how big problems develop and affords them the chance to resolve things with finality. This all takes place in a safe, supportive environment where dignity is upheld but where importantly, the truth is unfolded. Is Conferencing something that can address all violent behaviors? Probably not. Students who are not ready to own responsibility will not find success. Community Conferencing is somewhat time intensive, but the question arises here as to what we are prepared to do to support students and families to solve problems effectively and compassionately.

In the end, I am tremendously encouraged as an administrator that our Board has seen fit to dedicate precious resources to this process. It is, for me, the single best new ‘tool’ to be provided to beleaguered schools in some time.

CCC to Host National Forum by Doug Borch

In February, 2001, CCC will host a national forum bringing together the 16 projects funded under the Innovative Pilot Projects Fund, Youth Justice Renewal Initiative. This initiative includes the proposed Youth Criminal Justice Act, which is intended to replace the Young Offenders Act.

Each of the 16 pilot projects represents new approaches to working with youth, their families, victims and the larger community. They are intended to demonstrate the applicability of these approaches in other communities across the country.

This Forum brings together, for the first time, pilot project coordinators and staff, and federal youth justice officials. We look forward to sharing experiences with other programs.

CCC is very pleased to play the primary coordinating role and excited for others from across the country to see the strong support we receive from those in the youth justice and education systems.  Look for a follow up on the conference in the Spring newsletter.

“The Experience was Worth It! "  by Cheryl

Last January we were the victims of a break and enter that truly turned my world upside down.  We have just flown in from spending a wonderful family New Years’ in Hawaii and nothing could dampen our spirits. Both of our daughters were so excited about school in the morning and catching up with their friends.

Driving up we noticed a light on that should not have been. The garage door opened and we saw that our second vehicle was gone! Trying not to touch anything we walked from room to room together, amazed at the mess and the total disregard someone had shown for our prized possessions. We all had the awful feeling that it was somebody who knew us by the items taken and actually hoped that it was when we discovered missing photos of our oldest daughter off of her bedroom wall. The microwave was beeping and the food inside was still warm– that discovery was frightening for the kids and we later found out that we had just missed our intruders by 15 or 20 minutes.

We spent the night cleaning up broken glass after the police left. They too, thought it must have been someone who knew us and stated this type of crime was usually solved by peers. Kids love to brag was the theory here. I concluded we would never find out because not only would it take some bragging, but also it meant telling a parent or teacher before we could ever get to the bottom of this crime. That made me angry all over again not to mention helpless.

That night I got sick! It wasn’t your routine flu that lasts for a few days, no this was the one that lasted over 30! It included two trips to the hospital for IV’s and scans for a brain tumor. My doctor kept telling me it was the stress of the break-in, and I, who was tough as nails, really found that hard to believe.

As it turned out the police were right about peers being the ones to solve our break and enter. A couple of teens who were erroneously being blamed ended up being the first to go to the school officer and inform him about what they heard. The Constable then in short order got to the bottom of everything—charges were laid and we in turn thought that that was the end of everything.

A short time later we received a letter asking if we would be interested in participating in a program that would bring us face to face with one of the young persons involved in the crime. This letter was discussed over the dinner table and all family members had differing opinions. By this time we knew it was a classmate of our oldest daughter Erin, and also we were not the only family hit over the holidays. I was still so angry that I immediately wanted to tell this young person what I thought of him. My husband stated he had little faith in such a program– it was a waste of time because the criminal would only be participating to score brownie points with the judge. Our daughter wanted to confront the YP– they had known each other for years and she could not understand how he could have done this. She was also bothered by the fact that he would sneer at her at school and constantly made references of what he had done to us in front of she and her peers. My youngest daughter wanted nothing to do with the program. Her fear and the thought of attending the same school the next year actually kept her up at night. (By this point we had installed a security system to help our family feel safe again)

Our first meeting with the facilitators came as quite a shock. I fully expected a pair of bleeding hearts to come into my home and explain why we should forgive this awful person. Instead we met with two no nonsense individuals who believed that Simon needed to hear the impact of everything he had done to us that night. We were to hold nothing back about his little thrill seeking episode. They also told us about the success rate of this type of program and that perhaps it might even help me to get over my anger. Both points I highly doubted, but my oldest daughter and I said that we would give it a try. My husband and younger daughter still felt that it was fruitless and did not to waste their time.

So it came down to a Sunday afternoon in June that we and another fellow victim were going to meet the YP face to face. Both my daughter and I discussed staying home that day– my husband kept saying how he was afraid that I would get sick all over again and that none of this was really worth it. I don’t know what I expected now in looking back– the YP had always been so arrogant and had never shown any remorse over what he had done.

The YP had to explain what he had done, virtually step by step. The YP’s father and best friend were present and you could tell it was difficult for them to hear those details. It didn’t sound quite so “cool” now with his father and friend hanging on every word. The facilitator covered every detail– what prices the pawn shops paid for items sold, why various acts of vandalism were committed and what he was thinking every step of the way. When it came time for us to speak I was finally able to tell him exactly what I thought of him and boy did that feel good. (At one point he questioned my involvement in the program if I thought he was unredeemable) I told him that this was the only format that would allow me to express my thoughts to him– I certainly couldn’t show up at his home or to the school, but here I felt I could say anything without the fear of retaliation. I was so proud of my daughter as she spoke. She told the YP how hurt and angry she had been and then about her being fearful for my health. When she told him how scared her sister was of him now, he actually seemed shocked. Slowly we could see that something was clicking with him. Part of the process includes the criminal offering suggestions on what he planned to do to make right this terrible wrong. My daughter and I enjoyed this part of the program because the YP’s suggestions showed he had actually put some effort into fulfilling the list he gave us.

My story seems to be on its way to a happy ending as far as this YP goes. This young man has lived up to all his promises so far. He does not sneer or taunt my children. My younger daughter says he has made a conscious effort to stay out of her way and she now feels safe. This program in my mind saved Simon and put him back onto the right path. He now plans to go to university and from what we have heard has far exceeded his time in paying back the community. He has put his volleyball skills to good use by participating in fundraisers for the brain injured. He no longer associates with the other two involved with our break and enter. (both of whom have since quit school and are still not walking the “straight and narrow”) The YP did his best to help police nail the two others, but for some unknown reason they have never been charged.

I never would have believed the effect that this program could have had when I first walked into that hall meeting. Looking back the concept almost seemed too simple. To tell someone how his actions had affected us doesn’t sound like it could be a life altering experience, but let me tell you that I saw first hand that it truly was.

Conferencing Success in Schools by Gail Daniels

Some of the most challenging issues that administrators face are around responding to violent incidents in schools. Addressing immediate concerns about safety and security often involve contacting police and laying criminal charges. In addition, the offending student may be suspended with recommendations for expulsion included in the suspension report. In isolation, these responses provide limited opportunity for students to be accountable and responsible to the people they have harmed and as strategies, are not always successful in addressing underlying issues or preventing further eruptions.

Learning opportunities for offending students are most effective when they involve facing the people that have been harmed. Sitting in a circle with victims, parents, administrators and supporters requires offending students to be honest about their involvement and sincere in their desire to make things right.  Listening to and understanding the impact of the offense on others encourages the development of empathy and requires personal responsibility in addressing the harm caused.

Choosing to view violent incidents as opportunities for learning rather than reasons for punishing impacts the total culture of the school. Victims and offenders are treated with respect and given a voice in determining how best to have closure and move forward beyond the incident. Offending students are supported in developing communication, conflict resolution and decision-making skills and in accessing support systems. Students and teachers witness the benefits of the reparation agreement and parents of both victims and offenders develop a better understanding of what led up to the incident, what actually happened and why administration chose to respond in the way they did.

Community Conferencing has received tremendous support from schools over the last few months. Thank you to the following school administrators for your referrals to Calgary Community Conferencing:

Junior High Schools:

Queen E.: Gord Baldwin

Mary Anne Suther land

Woodman: John Clarke

R.T. Alderman: Susanne Zilkie

Vincent Massey: Ken Brown

Senior High Schools:

Crescent Heights: Earl Charlton

Grit McCreath

Winston Churchill: Keith Molyneux

James Fowler: Wayne Schneider

Lester B. Pearson: John Fischer

Forest Lawn: Stephanie Davis

Community Conferencing TEAM... Changes

Sandy MacDuff, one of CCC’s first facilitators, has returned to work full time with City of Calgary Youth Probation. Sandy’s involvement during the early development of Calgary Community Conferencing has been vital in getting us to where we are today. Sandy provided a tremendous amount of personal support to all conference participants. We wish her much success in 2001.

Terrie Teare is also leaving our conferencing team. Her new focus is on personal growth and making more time for family. Terrie brought many skills to the conferencing team and we were all very fortunate to work with such a kind, enthusiastic, and experienced team player. We wish her luck with all her future adventures!

Community Conferencing brings together a young offender and their respective victim(s), their respective families, supporters, other key people affected by the conflict and relevant community members to find solutions beneficial to all. Referrals may come from Youth Court as a predisposition measure or from junior/senior high schools as an extra judicial measure. Youth Court referrals specifically target more serious offences where the young person is likely to receive a custodial disposition. Junior/Senior high school referrals target serious incidents where the student is likely to be suspended and/or criminally charged. The Community Conference provides Youth Court judges with alternatives to custodial dispositions, school administrators with alternatives to suspensions and police and Crown with alternatives to laying and proceeding with criminal charges.

Observers: We invite you to participate as an observer! Our list of observers includes people from the court system, representatives from the contributing agencies and other interested community members. Observers are expected to arrive 15 minutes before the conference and stay for the duration. If you are interested in observing, please call: Tami Wyld at 974-1867

Presentations:

If you or an organization you know, is interested in learning more about conferencing, please contact any number provided in this newsletter or check out our website. We would be happy to come out and speak to your group

Calgary Community Conferencing     Centre 89, Suite 206   8989 Macleod Trail South

 Calgary, AB T2H 0M2

Phone: 403-974-1963

Fax: 403-974-4001

WEBSITE:

www.calgarycommunityconferencing.com

Points of Interest:

Written Decision: August 2000, Judge Cook-Stanhope delivered a written decision in an armed robbery case which resulted in two Community Conferences.

A Year in Review Evaluation