Conflict Resolution

1. Assuming each other’s goodwill and best intentions. In other words, giving
people the benefit of the doubt.
2. Listening with empathy. In other words, putting yourself in someone else’s
shoes while you are listening to them.
3. Not insulting people or making accusations.
4. Stopping and thinking before you say something that might be perceived
as an accusation. Making sure that you are not making assertions based on
assumptions or rumors.
5. Not interrupting others.
6. Not monopolizing time by going on too long. Keeping your comments short.
Not repeating others (twinkle fingers instead).
7. Showing respect, treating people how you would like to be treated.
8. Making sure your tone is not aggressive.
9. Stepping outside of your emotions when you speak, even though you may
talk about how something has made you feel.
10. Being very personally honest.
11. Asking questions.

Issues that were brought up:

How people talk to each other (non-violent communication)

How people communicate with each other and deal with tensions on facebook

Hate Speech

Needing a means for conflict resolution

Finance

Focusing in GA’s on the greater good and not just passing your proposal

Why some people have dropped out

Accountability Guidelines

Some actionable Ideas:

Concern Circle every first Sat of the month (instead of GA), and 1 hour before every
Sat. GA at Noon until backlog of issues have been resolved

Anti-Oppression Training

Accountability Guidelines

Conflict Resolution/Mediation Work Group

Developing/Agreeing on Principles for Non-violent Communication and adopting
them as Occupy St. Louis

Occupy St. Louis participants not participating in hate-mongering/harassment on
Facebook

Defining Hate Speech

Some other sentiments that stood out:

We must be the change we wish to see in the world.

We are not revolutionary if we don’t enact changes within ourselves.

We have to take responsibility for own actions regardless of what others are doing,
if we do the same thing back it isn’t right. Being the better person.

Showing compassion and love for people even if you don’t agree with them.

Calling people out if they are using hate speech or being oppressive.

Distinguishing between institutions and the people that are part of them.

Being careful in commenting on or responding to hate mongering on facebook,
even if you just disagree, because it feeds it more because some people thrive on it.
Figuring out a way for some people to be mediators to people who are engaging in
this to help them have healthier outlets to talk about problems and resolve conflicts.

Even if we have this great concern circle, its easy to instantly revert back to same
way of behaving that has become normalized in Occupy. Being vigilant to watch
ourselves to incorporate new principles for non-violent communication into what
we do.

** I use non-violent communication for lack of a better term. It seems to sum-up the
concept best to me.