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The Conscious Communication Institute Founded by Sandra Boston in 2000 |
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CCI is an opportunity to learn the art and the craft of effective communication. It presently consists of three levels for learning: Level 1: Basic Skills for Conscious Communication. In this 25 hour training, participants learn how to stand their ground when trouble arises, using skills for
Level 2: The Art of Understanding . This advanced class provides the opportunity to deepen the practice of skills learned in the basic course, with focus on participants' life experiences. The class becomes a community of support for using conflict to improve relationships. Emphasis is put on the importance of creating understanding and building relationship through the experience of conflict, rather than just trying to end or resolve it. Teachings are drawn from Gandhi, Arnold Mindell, Margaret Paul, John Bradshaw, Deborah Tannen, Stephen Covey, and others. Level 3: Training for Trainers . This training prepares participants to teach the curriculum of the basic course through both study of the curriculum and practice teaching to each other. A ninety-five page manual is provided, including an appendix of poetry, songs, and other collateral materials to enhance the learning environment. At the conclusion of this preparation, participants seeking certification as Associates of the CCI will do an apprenticeship with supervision and written feedback from co-trainer and class participants. Upon satisfactory completion of the apprenticeship, trainees become certified to teach independently with financial responsibility to the CCI. All teacher training is done by the founder, Sandra Boston. Associates then become part of a network of teachers who will meet monthly for group supervision, mutual support and continued skill development. They may also be invited to assist Sandra Boston in her training work. There will be annual gatherings for Associates for further training and networking. The CCI will actively promote the work of the Associates, helping with publicity, outreach, and keeping a national database.
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Sandra Boston has taught communication skills and conflict resolution for over 30 years to a wide variety of groups including parents, church societies, social change activists, Ugandan women in village banks, school faculty, staff of social work centers, day care centers, health clinics, retreat centers, coop boards, etc. She has studied Thomas Gordon's Parent Effectiveness Training, Gandhian nonviolence strategies, Marshal Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication, Arnold Mindell's Process Work, Family Systems Theory, Twelve Step Programs, Margaret Paul's Inner Bonding Therapy, and many others. Sandra also founded The Pilgrim Warrior Training for Women and The Women's Leadership Institute. She maintains a psychotherapy practice and does organizational development consulting, board and staff retreats, and mediation for organizations. She has done extensive training internationally, including