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Join the SEEDS team at the Block Community Hub located at 1955 Broadway in Oakland, CA!
Attendees are welcome to join for one or more sessions. Whether you’re new to this work or already engaged, Common Ground offers an opportunity to connect, build skills, and explore ways to get involved. The day includes a volunteer and mediator breakfast, a virtual meet and greet, an interactive conflict transformation workshop, a relaunch program, and a community dinner.
Volunteer & Mediator Breakfast
Join us for a shared breakfast to kick off Common Ground. This gathering brings together volunteers, mediators, and community members to connect, share experiences, and contribute to a collective vision for the future of SEEDS.
Participants will take part in a light restorative circle and a guided strategic conversation focused on envisioning future mediation and restorative justice programs. This is an opportunity to help shape the next steps of SEEDS and explore ways to become more actively involved in the work. This is primarily an in-person gathering, with a dedicated virtual hour available for those who would like to join remotely and engage with the community.
No prior experience is required: whether you’re new or experienced, your voice is welcome.
Agenda:
9:00 – 9:45 AM Breakfast & Networking
10:00 – 11:00 AM Restorative Circle
11:00 - 12:00 PM Virtual Circle / Meet & Greet
Example Circle Themes & Prompts:
What brought you to restorative justice or mediation work?
What kind of community do you want to help build?
What support do you need to stay engaged in this work?
Conflict Mapping Exercise; Values & Community Agreements
Free Conflict Transformation Workshop
Get a hands-on introduction to conflict transformation and restorative justice with SEEDS. This interactive workshop is designed to give participants a real experience of our approach while building practical skills you can use in everyday life. Together, we’ll explore how conflict shows up beneath the surface, how harm and impact can be understood and reframed, and how communication tools like active listening and nonviolent communication can shift difficult interactions.
Participants will engage in guided activities and roleplay scenarios based on real-life situations such as: conflict between neighbors or coworkers, miscommunication between friends or family, or harm within a community space. Whether you’re new to this work or looking to deepen your skills, this workshop offers a supportive space to learn, practice, and reflect.
No prior experience is needed.
1:00 – 2:30 PM (In-Person)
*May be offered as a hybrid session depending on interest*
SEEDS Relaunch Celebration
& Community Dinner
We invite you to join us for an evening of gathering, storytelling, and shared purpose. The program will begin with a brief welcome and introduction to SEEDS’ mission, history, and impact, followed by an overview including restorative justice circles, trainings, and community-based programming. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet board members, learn about upcoming opportunities to get involved, and ask questions about the work. Our relaunch programing will be available for both in-person and online participation.
We’ll close the evening with an in-person shared community dinner, creating space to connect more deeply, build relationships, and explore how you can be part of SEEDS moving forward. Whether you’re new to SEEDS or have been part of the work before, we invite you to join us in celebrating this next chapter and imagining what we can build together.
Agenda:
3:30 - 3:40 PM
3:40 - 4:00 PM
4:00 - 4:10 PM
4:10 - 4:30 PM
4:30 - 4:40 PM
4:40 - 5:00 PM
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
SEEDS' mission, history, and impact
Upcoming events & training
Meet the Board of Directors
Ways to get involved
Open Q&A
Community Dinner Celebration
