# Restorative Justice Dispute Resolution *A collaborative process emphasizing healing relationships and addressing harm through community engagement rather than punitive approaches* This dispute resolution protocol can be integrated into any governance constitution as an article on conflict resolution. --- ## Article: Dispute Resolution ### Section 1: Principles and Values **Core Values** This community centers on: - Healing over punishment - Accountability to those harmed - Community wholeness - Honest communication - Personal responsibility - Relationship restoration **Restorative Approach** Rather than asking "What rule was broken and what punishment is deserved?", we ask: - Who has been harmed? - What do they need? - Whose obligation is it to meet those needs? - How can the community support this process? **Community Standards** - Guidelines shared through printed handbooks - Available in online documents - Visual displays in community spaces - New member orientation includes restorative values - Bot maintains current documentation ### Section 2: Initiating Restorative Circles **When to Use Restorative Circles** Appropriate for: - Harm between community members - Trust breakdowns requiring repair - Conflict affecting multiple people - Situations needing community support - Accountability without punishment **Submitting a Request** Individuals submit request forms via @govbot including: - Description of the harm - Who was affected - What outcomes are desired - Willingness to participate in circle - Any safety considerations **Coordinator Response** Coordinators acknowledge receipt within 24 hours: - Confirm suitability for restorative circle - Begin preparatory meetings - Identify circle keeper - Schedule the circle - Prepare all participants ### Section 3: The Circle Keeper **Role of Circle Keeper** Trained circle keepers: - Guide discussions using talking pieces - Ensure equitable participation - Hold space for difficult conversations - Maintain focus on healing and accountability - Do not impose solutions - Trust the circle process **Circle Keeper Training** Circle keepers complete training in: - Restorative justice principles - Facilitation techniques - Trauma-informed practices - Community values and culture - Managing difficult dynamics - Self-care and boundaries **Selection of Circle Keeper** - Community maintains pool of trained keepers - Coordinator matches keeper to situation - Participants can request different keeper - Bot tracks keeper assignments and availability ### Section 4: Circle Format and Ground Rules **Physical Setup** Circles use intentional space: - Circular seating arrangement (equality) - Centerpiece with symbolic objects - Talking piece passed for speaking - Comfortable, private setting - All participants at equal level **Ground Rules** Circle participants commit to: - Speak from personal experience ("I" statements) - Listen deeply without interrupting - Respect the talking piece - Maintain confidentiality - Speak with respect and without blame - Honor the process even when difficult - Care for self and others **The Talking Piece** - Only person holding piece may speak - Passes around circle sequentially - Can be passed without speaking - Ensures all voices heard equally - Slows conversation for reflection ### Section 5: Circle Process and Phases **Preparation Phase** Before the circle: - Circle keeper meets individually with participants - Explains process and addresses concerns - Determines who should be invited - Prepares guiding questions - Ensures safety and readiness **Opening** Circle begins with: - Welcome and gratitude for participation - Explanation of circle process - Review of ground rules and talking piece - Opening ceremony or reading - Initial go-around for introductions **Sharing Perspectives** Multiple rounds with talking piece: - Person harmed shares their experience - Impact on their life and wellbeing - What they need to heal - Person who caused harm shares their perspective - Community members share observations **Exploring Harm and Needs** Guided rounds exploring: - Full scope of the harm - Ripple effects through community - Root causes or context - What healing looks like - What accountability means here **Building Agreement** Working toward consensus on: - Acknowledgment of harm - Specific repair actions - Behavioral commitments - Support needed from community - Timeline and follow-up **Closing** Circle concludes with: - Summary of agreements - Appreciation for participants - Closing ceremony or words - Scheduling follow-up if needed - Releasing the circle ### Section 6: Assessment and Scope **Harm Assessment** Circle evaluates: - Participant perspectives on what happened - Individual and collective needs - Community impact and concerns - Capacity for repair - Resources required **Suitable Situations** Most interpersonal conflicts including: - Conflicts between members - Code of conduct violations - Harm to community trust or safety - Situations requiring collective response - Relationship breakdowns **Adapted or Redirected** For situations involving: - Ongoing safety risks (adapted with protection) - Legal matters (complement to legal process) - Severe power imbalances (additional support) - Participant unwillingness (voluntary process) **Voluntary Participation** - Entirely voluntary for all parties - Pressure or coercion undermines process - Alternative paths available - Non-participation doesn't mean no accountability ### Section 7: Circle Participants **Core Participants** Typically includes: - Person(s) who experienced harm - Person(s) who caused harm - Circle keeper(s) - Support people for primary parties **Additional Participants** May also include: - Community members affected by harm - Witnesses to incident - Community leaders or elders - People who can support repair - Family or close friends (as support) **Determining Participants** Through preparation phase: - Primary parties identify who should attend - Circle keeper assesses appropriateness - Community representatives invited - Right-sized for productive dialogue - Typically 6-15 people ### Section 8: Resolution and Agreements **Consensus-Based Decisions** Agreements require consensus: - Focus on meeting needs of harmed - Person who caused harm's input valued - Community role in support and accountability - Circle keeper ensures agreement feasibility - All participants agree to support plan **Types of Agreements** Common outcomes include: - Acknowledgment and naming of harm - Apologies (when genuine) - Specific repair actions (restitution, service) - Behavioral commitments going forward - Relationship-rebuilding plans - Community support commitments - Follow-up circle scheduling **Documenting Agreements** - Circle keeper documents consensus - All participants review and sign - Submitted to @govbot for tracking - Follow-up dates specified - Accountability measures included ### Section 9: Implementation and Follow-Up **Supporting Implementation** Community support includes: - Resources needed for repair actions - Mentors or accountability partners - Regular check-ins on progress - Celebrating successful steps - Addressing obstacles that arise **Follow-Up Circles** Scheduled follow-up circles: - Review agreement implementation - Address any new concerns - Acknowledge progress and growth - Adjust agreements if needed - Celebrate repair and healing **When Agreements Aren't Met** If commitments not fulfilled: - Coordinator contacts involved parties - Understand barriers to completion - Convene circle to address issues - May modify agreements - May refer to alternative processes ### Section 10: When Circle Process Doesn't Work **Alternative Options** If circle is not successful: - May reconvene later with more preparation - Try different circle keeper or format - Add more support for participants - Refer to mediation for direct dialogue - Connect to professional resources - Consider other accountability processes **Not a Failure** When circles don't resolve everything: - Partial progress still valuable - Seeds planted for future healing - Community understanding deepened - Not all harm repairs quickly - Process itself can be healing ### Section 11: Reconsideration and Appeal **When to Reconvene** Process can reopen when: - Agreements aren't fulfilled - New information emerges - Healing remains incomplete - Relationships need more work - Community impact continues **Requesting Follow-Up Circle** Any participant may request by: - Contacting coordinator or @govbot - Explaining need for reconvening - Renewed focus on unresolved concerns - Fresh circle with same or new keeper - Community remains committed to healing ### Section 12: Information and Privacy **Confidentiality** Circle maintains confidentiality: - Details remain within circle - Participants don't share specifics outside - Exceptions only for safety concerns - Agreements may be shared as needed for implementation **Community Learning** While protecting privacy: - Anonymized statistical summaries shared annually - Patterns help improve community - Success stories (with permission) inspire others - Process learnings shared with circle keepers **Record Keeping** Bot maintains: - Request and response timeline - Circle keeper assignments - Agreement documentation - Follow-up schedules - Anonymized outcome data --- ## Implementation Notes for Bot When supporting restorative justice circles: 1. **Honor the process** - Respect the deliberate, relational nature 2. **Support circle keepers** - Provide logistics and documentation support 3. **Track commitments** - Help with accountability and follow-up 4. **Protect privacy** - Maintain confidentiality of circle content 5. **Enable healing** - Focus on repair not punishment 6. **Community connection** - Help mobilize community support 7. **Long-term view** - Understand healing takes time This process works best when: - Community values relationships and healing - Time invested in preparation and follow-up - Skilled circle keepers available - Participants willing to be vulnerable - Community willing to support repair - Focus on transformation, not punishment