RockRose Institute Newsletter

RockRose Events	PRESIDENT'S LETTER In a recent essay criticizing U.S. government efforts at "strategic communications" with the Muslim world, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted: "To put it simply, we need to worry a lot less about how to communicate our actions and much more about what our actions communicate." So often the word "power" is used erroneously and imprecisely as synonymous with coercion, force or even violence. Real power can effect change, modify behaviors and even ultimately stop cycles of violence. Such power as both Einstein above and Mullen suggest, lies in modeling integrity between speech and action. Modeling really is the only way to build trust and relationships and that includes setting the example of being humble enough to listen. Whether the conflicts are cross-borders, cross-cultural or cross-generational, there can be little chance for right action without a real world comprehension of the context of the conflict. Mullen insists "It's not about telling our story. We must also be better listeners." In a meeting last week with a group of judges from South Africa, our visitors remarked that they were surprised by the lack of civility in political discussions in the U.S. They described the commitment and efforts of their democracy to confront racism and sexism in direct but respectful dialogue. The judges expressed pride in their Constitution, one of the most inclusive and progressive in the world. As we, Americans, listened, it occurred to me that we were in a rich and fertile intergenerational dialogue between members of the youngest democracy and the oldest democracy. We could all learn from each other and model those skills necessary to democratic public conversation. RockRose is dedicated to providing and supporting those who are creating spaces for genuine dialogue and modeling integrity in action. This newsletter reports on the actions of those we have supported in the last quarter who are advancing our mission - personally, locally and globally. We thank you for your support of these efforts. Rebecca Westerfield ROCKROSE WELCOMES YOUR DONATIONS Enable RockRose to continue its ongoing projects and its future programs. Please see www.rockroseinstitute.org RockRose Institute is dedicated to working with its partners and supporters to create learning spaces. Please keep us informed of your work, as we invite you to participate in ours.
ANNUAL ROCKROSE GIVING OPPORTUNITY AND EVENT Please join Nonie Greene, Lee FitzGerald And the RockRose Institute For a festive gathering and provocative engagement in: FOR LOVE OR MONEY Wednesday November 18, 2009 6pm-8pm in Tiburon, CA Tickets $250 Please RSVP to our website www.rockroseinstitute.org and click on Donate (PayPal only) or to Mary Lou at marylou@rockroseinstitute.org 415 561-3232 Please consider a donation even if you are unable to attend this event . ___________ IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION, ROCKROSE: Engages and Empowers youth and elders to learn, practice and bring dialogue skills to inter-generational forums. Co-Sponsors events in academic, business and non-profit communities to foster dialogue that bridges viewpoints and strengthens learning. Consults with diverse organizations in designing large-scale events to deepen participant connection and maximize impact. Bridges individuals, community leaders and organizations to expand cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural dialogue so they might stimulate creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
YDP
RockRose Institute sponsored two attendees at Global Majority's international conference, “Promoting Peace Through Dialogue, South Africa Session 2009” in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 15 through July 5, 2009. The conference included panels on The Role of Civil Society in Conflict Resolution, Truth Commissions and the Continued Transition to Justice, and The Power of Youth: The Future of South Africa. For additional information, view the website at www.globalmajority.net. Alice Mukwakwa, a Teacher at Maulana School for Orphans, Epworth, Harare, Zimbabwe, and one of the attendees sponsored by RockRose, wrote the following poem for her students at the conclusion of the seminars: I need my rights. I need my rights of being educated without being disturbed with political conflicts, economic conflicts. O-oh as a child I need my rights to live in a world free of landmines, free of bombs being thrown at us, free of us children to be used in wars to carry heavy guns and fight. O-oh this season as passed. O-oh my dear fellows its now time to sit on a round table and solve our conflicts issues through dialogue. I need my rights as a child to grow well in a world free of solving conflicts through fights and wars. Please don't supress my rights, I don't want to carry guns, I don't want to live in a world full of landmines. O-oh this season has passed since everything has time. So lets sit and dialogue all our conflict problems.
Steadfast 2009
Steadfast ‘09 – As we promised in our Summer Newsletter, we are passing on comments from enthusiastic June Steadfast participants. "Steadfast was well organized and full of positive intent. Every moment was directed toward moving participants to challenge themselves to learn alternative ways of looking at life's complications and seeking authentic opportunities toward their resolution". - Lori. Click here to read more.
Partner News and Future Partner Events
Islamic Networks Group will hold its Annual Supporters Dinner on October 3, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. Topic will be Finding Common Ground: Promoting Religious Literacy and Mutual Respect. Keynote speaker is Charles Haynes, PhD, Senior Scholar, First Amendment Center. For additional information please call 408-296-7312 or visit www.ing.org. Search for Common Ground will be holding its Annual Fundraising Brunch on Saturday, October 24, 2009. For additional information, contact Philip Hellmich at 202-777-2202 or phellmich@sfcg.org. Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley will co-sponsor, along with Townsend Center for the Humanities, a participatory dialogue event on Communications and Human Rights on October 27, 3:00-5:00pm with reception to follow at UC Berkeley, Faculty Club, Seaborg Room. This event is a follow up to the Soul of the New Machine conference held in May and will trace the impact of imagery and media on public events and pose questions for small group discussions. For additional information, and to register for this free event, please visit http://humanrightsadvocacy.eventbrite.com. Dana Curtis Mediation & Elder Mediation Group are pleased to announce that registration is now open for a comprehensive series of Mediation Training Programs running through 2010. Training takes place in scenic Sausalito, CA just 3 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Eldercare professionals, Human Resources professionals, attorneys and those interested in the field of mediation are encouraged to read about the programs online at http://danacurtismediation.com/dcm/calendar.html and http://eldermediationgroup.com/emg/calendar.html. Continuing education credits may also be available from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

RockRose Institute is dedicated to working with its partners and supporters to create learning spaces. Please keep us informed of your work, as we invite you to participate in ours.