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Workshop Descriptions
  1. Strategizing for Effective Nonviolent Struggle: In many efforts to make peace and change, the missing ingredient is strategy. New strategy tools are available to assist activists to increase our chance of success. George Lakey will share some of them in this workshop.

  2. Widening the Peace Movement by Paying Attention to Social Class: During the Vietnam War the demographic in the U.S. that most often told pollsters they were opposed to the war was people who hadn't finished high school. During the current Iraq war the first mass-based organization to urge the government to bring the troops home was the AFL-CIO. In this workshop we'll explore what difference it might make to self-identified peace activists to learn to notice the dynamics of social class. George Lakey.

  3. Nonviolent Youth Collective Basic Ally Training: This workshop is designed for the youth attending Seabeck. The workshop will address Counter-Recruitment, the Poverty Draft, CO support, progressive youth empowerment and leadership development. Maryrose Dolezal.

  4. Communicating the Beloved Community: An overview of FOR's efforts to engage its members through various communications vehicles, including Fellowship magazine, online sources (web site, blog, e-newsletter, listserves), Witness newsletter, and other media, facilitated by Ethan Vesely-Flad.

  5. Stopping the Next War: Civilian Diplomacy with Iran: Peace activists have been rightly focused on ending the war in Iraq, but there is increasing evidence that the White House is moving toward military action with Iran. Can the "Great Satan" and a key member of the "Axis of Evil" find common ground? Ethan Vesely-Flad, recently returned from Iran, will share highlights and hopes for creating peace.

  6. From Veteran to Peace Activist: Leah Bolger recounts her development as a peace activist following a 20-year career as a Naval officer. She will specifically address her involvement with the organization Veterans for Peace. Leah has been arrested 3 times in Washington, DC protesting our current wars. She is an organizer, an engaging speaker, and she sings with the Raging Grannies.

  7. Bridging the Chasms - Communicating Across the Political Divide II: Laurie Childers offers a follow-up to last year's workshop. Participants describe the ways in which pacifists reach out to those who think and vote differently, what we find to be common ground, what keeps us calm, clear-headed, and clear-hearted in these conversations. Laurie is an artist, musician, and peace activist who has maintained an intensive email conversation with a handful of right-wingers for nearly 3 years.

  8. PeaceJam! PeaceJam is an international program designed to create a new generation of peacemakers by connecting youth with Nobel Peace Laureates. Workshop leaders will guide teens and the young at heart through some team-building activities that open communication by mirroring the message of the Nobels—it is not possible to do the hard work of saving the world if you do not feel joy in your own life. Julia Selker, age 15, has participated in 2 PeaceJams and 11 FOR/Seabeck conferences. Ann Robinson has worked at Oregon State University for 25 years and for 5 years has been a leader on the OSU PeaceJam NW team.

  9. CODEPINK - Activism and Parenthood: Join Michele Darr, activist and mother of 6, for a facilitated discussion on integrating activism and parenthood. Participants will also discuss ways in which communities and networks can help create an atmosphere of inclusivity and support that honors and utilizes the vibrant energy of parent activists and activist children. Michelle is establishing the second CODEPINK house, and in 2006, bicycled across the country with 3 of her children on the Journey of Hope.

  10. Counter-Recruitment in High Schools: Alternatives to War, in Corvallis, OR has an active counter-recruitment committee that has a visible presence in the high schools in the area. Rebecca Michelson will describe the methods and materials used in the schools, and how they have been training people in the outlying rural areas to replicate their success.

  11. Hanford - A Journalistic Approach: Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How?: Won't Someone Please Clean Up This Mess? The Hanford Reservation is the most contaminated industrial site in the western hemisphere - right here in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia River! In this workshop we will cover an overview of Hanford, which will include its history and mission. Participants also discuss ways to get more involved. Robert McFarlane has been involved with Hanford issues for nearly 30 years through Tom RawsonPhysicians For Social Responsibility. He is a retired surgeon and serves on state and federal advisory boards related to Hanford.

  12. Beginning Folk Style Banjo: With three chords and a basic strum on a five string open-back banjo you have all the accompaniment you need to lead a hootenanny! Bring a banjo if you can. There will be a few loaner banjos available. Tom Rawson is a folksinger, songleader, and storyteller from Seattle. He has been active in the FOR since 1981.

  13. Stagecraft for Folksingers, Storytellers, and Peace Activists: Do you tense up in performance or public speaking situations? Tom Rawson will share some tips for connecting with your audience and putting everyone (including yourself) at ease.

  14. Clowning for PB & J: Clowning for Peace, Bliss and Justice shall include magic (every one bring a coin that fits your hand), skit development and stage presence, finding your inner Fool. Bring kazoos, toilet plungers and any thing you might want to include in our talent skit! John Roy Wilson is a retired art/drama teacher and a Vietnam veteran.

  15. Speaking and Listening to Those With Whom We Disagree: Rachel Hardesty's work understanding the meaning of the death penalty in Oregon brings her into conversation with people who support the death penalty. During the course of ten years of building collaborative and compassionate listening with this community, she has developed some useful skills and attitudes for entering into conversation with those with whom she disagrees. Rachel Haresty is professor at Portland State Unversity.

  16. Restorative Justice - A Personal Opportunity for Peacemaking: Rachel Hardesty has practiced restorative justice principles in her listening and peacemaking project about the Oregon death penalty for the last 10 years. This interactive session will invite participants into an experience of restorative justice through personal biographical storytelling contextualized by restorative justice principles and formats. Attendees will also explore possible paths to peacemaking through imagining restorative justice initiatives in their communities.

  17. Customs and Practices of Dying Well: Sharing stories and resources to share end of life practices and experiences, which bring comfort and peace to loved ones and ourselves. Janet Brown, diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer, will offer a workshop on practices, resources, stories of end of life choices and customs with opportunities to think about and communicate about what we and other people have found helpful in living well and supporting one another at this important stage of life.

  18. Earth as Organism - Humans As? The scientific Gaia theory sees the Earth as a physiological system made up of all living organisms and their material environment. Each living thing, plant or animal, has evolved over the eons to serve specific functions to keep Gaia "alive." What is the role of the human species in the mix? How do we fit in with Gaia? Gus Frederick is a graphic artist, animationist, former Silverton, Oregon City Councilor, and progressive Martian. He works full time for the Oregon Department of Human Resources as a Training and Development Specialist.

  19. Become an Emissionary: OPW's 5% Solution - The combined crises of global heating, declining oil production, economic instability and wars for oil and water present the world's peace community with an unprecedented challenge. You can do your part to rise to that challenge by taking the 5% Solution pledge to cut your carbon footprint by 5% per year and to become an "Emissionary." Learn about this great new program that addresses both global warming and global warring. Peter Bergel is the Director of Oregon Peace Works.

  20. Apples, Oranges and Diversity: Multiculturalism in our Modern Society: Multiculturalism is not simply a content area of study, but should be viewed as an ongoing area of personal interest and inquiry. This training is designed to help build skills and capabilities to work successfully within the multicultural dynamics of our communities and organizations. Johnny Lake is an advocate for needs of at-risk youth and a nationally certified trainer in programs respecting leadership, diversity, community-building, and cross-cultural interactions skill.

  21. Terrorism in the Home: Domestic Violence in our Communities: Feel as though domestic violence is a huge problem and there is nothing you can do to address the issue? This interactive workshop will provide information on the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact of violence on survivors, their friends, family members and the community. Participants will learn about the warning signs, barriers to leaving an abuser, and ways to offer support to victims of domestic violence. Jayne Downing, Executive Director of Mid-Valley Women's Crisis Service, has been working with victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence for over 17 years.

  22. Acceptance Begins at Home: This workshop, for children and adults, will explore the influences on children's lives - conscious and unconscious - which lead to prejudice and discrimination or to acceptance and appreciation. An interactive opportunity to experience some of the actual feel of discrimination. Geraldine Hammond is a retired educator from Salem, where she was the school district's first African American principal. A Salem school has been recently been named in her honor.

  23. The Path of the Heart: This workshop encourages an "aikido of the heart" that transforms our deepest responses to the world into skillful, loving, effective social action. So often we find ourselves choked with anger, frustration, cynicism, or despair at the injustice, destruction, and inhumanity in the world. Using reflective, creative interactive processes that engage our hearts, minds, and bodies, we will explore ways to integrate our deepest inner truths into our actions in the world. Betsy Toll has been exploring the path of contemplative social action for more than 25 years. She is the founder of Living Earth Gatherings in Portland.