Western Illinois University Professor Emeritus J. Q. Adams will facilitate a workshop for the Macomb community, "Cutting Through the Clutter: Using Nonviolent, Compassionate Communication to Create and Sustain Community Dialogue," Thursday, Sept. 12 in Macomb.
Two sessions will be held, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Spoon River Outreach Center, East Jackson St. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. While advance registration is preferred through the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce (309-837-4855 or info@macombareachamber.com), walk-ins are welcome. A workshop was held Aug. 1 for Chamber of Commerce members, and a workshop will be held for the University community Sept. 25 (times and location TBA). Please note: Audio and video devices/recordings and photographs are not allowed during the workshops.
As part of the workshop, Adams will introduce Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as a workable model, process and practice based on recognizing and meeting participants' needs, as well as the needs of others encountered in every day life. Adams will encourage participants to consider how understanding universal human feelings and needs can help get to the heart of people's shared humanity and lead to sustained dialogue among members of the Macomb community.
The NVC model Adams explores with participants was developed by psychologist Dr. Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s and has been successfully used by mediators throughout the world. It is based on Rosenberg's conviction that all humans, whatever their learned cultures and values, have the capacity to interact with compassion and empathy if they understand their own and others' needs. Adams will introduce the NVC process to workshop participants and will provide opportunities for participants to develop strategies that can serve as the basis of empathy, effective communication and cooperation.
NVC involves four clearly defined steps: making non-judgmental observations, recognizing everyone has feelings and needs, connecting individual needs with those of the people with whom we interact and making doable requests of each other so everyone's needs are met. The process involves listening without judgment and listening deeply enough to hear and accurately acknowledge each other's feelings and needs. According to Adams, this process is based on the fact that, because human beings have the same basic needs, such listening can lead to understanding and compassionate conversations in which each person's dignity can be respected and everyone's needs can be met. 
Adams joined Western's faculty in August 1988. While at Western, Adams and Professor Emerita Janice Welsch established Western's Cultural Diversity Cadre, and developed and served as co-directors of the Expanding Cultural Diversity Project, as well as the Dealing with Difference Institute, held annually at WIU. Adams also created the "Dealing With Diversity" adult learning course.  A major focus in his teaching and consulting has been the changing demographics in the USA and the larger world. His ongoing commitment to education encompasses continual study of the scholarship in his field so the goal of education -- a viable, thriving society where every person's dignity is respected -- can be reached. 
The workshop is sponsored by the Moving Macomb Forward committee, which is comprised of community and University officials, including City of Macomb elected officials and employees, McDonough County NAACP, sheriff and local police departments, the WIU Multicultural Center, the Office of the WIU President and WIU Admissions, MAEDCO and the Macomb Chamber.