speak to your organization consult with you or to offer workshops . If you want to get more detailed content and see my work as it’s published, please sign up for my patreon . Currently I’ve done only a few actual processes and am more an intermediate speaker. There are likely better people available to help you, but if you need someone local in Vancouver or just need to ask a question, I’m always available through my patreon.

‘My approach to accountability is influenced by and most similar to CJIWR‘s approach to restorative justice. It involves a cyclical approach to tool use (influenced by Dr. Evelyn Zellerer’s take on peace circles). Suitability means the facilitator, mediator, coordinator, or other consultant first has to check in with all parties and decide if the suggested activity/tool is right for the situation and if the parties involved are ready for that activity. Preparation varies by activity and circumstance but usually involves at minimum discussing the situation and activity/tool with each party, understanding their goals and values. Why did they pick this activity? What values or approach allow it to function best? Activity success depends on how well Suitability and Preparation went. Some activities (like mediation) might be best done with a professional who is trained and experienced in that activity. Other, less serious situations, may be manageable by a mutual friend or compassionate community leader – though please exercise great caution if you are untrained as retraumatization and harm happen. Follow Up means assessing (ideally with planned check ins or written outcomes) how well the activity worked and how close the individuals and/or communities are to reaching their goals. These four phases are iterative, meaning you repeat these steps until no longer suitable. The activity or tools may change but the four steps stay roughly the same. The tool may stay the same and more harmed parties might come forward as they see the success others have with the process. It’s hard to say. Growth and Accountability are lifelong processes. Still, that doesn’t mean these processes need to be formalized and facilitated for one’s entire life. Ideally as people learn the tools, they’ll do better at interrupting cycles of harm and providing a non-defensive approach to learning about the way their interactions land for other people who may be experiencing harm. I. Resource Yourself Setting up an accountability pod will help give you the tools to do the work. The coaching role is specifically important in trying to identify what behaviour could have led to the call-out and how you can modify that behaviour and be held accountable by that coach to avoid it in future. Setting up a support pod will help give you access to feeding emotional labour. Support pods can include friends, family, and others. There’s even a worksheet to help you figure yours out. Suitability for each pod member looks like asking: What can they offer? Why were they asked to join? What are they resourced to give? Finally, pods receive training (Preparation) in the purpose, philosophy, and direction of the process. They ask questions and develop an understanding of what they’re doing and why it’s important. II. Impact Statements Requesting Impact Statements is a way to show the community, you want to listen first. Rather than respond poorly to accusations, no response is better. To respond well, it might be best to focus on intentions of healing and closure and center the experience of the person reporting harm. Of course, this is all situational. It should be said restorative justice doesn’t require participation of the harmful person. Impact Statements can still be a tool to help harmed folks heal and get closure. They can also be witnessed by the harmed person’s support pod or a trained counselor as an alternative to participation of the harmful person. There are three primary functions of an impact statement. First, any harmed person can write an impact statement and that process can be an end unto itself (healing even if it’s not witnessed). Second, it can