CFI Fellows Program
Empowering Leaders to Create Safe and Connected Communities
Connection First is a nonprofit with a mission to build peace and repair harm. To this end, we are seeking nominations for Connection First Fellows (CF Fellow). A CF Fellow is a local leader who can help promote connection and safety in our community and is interested in becoming more effective with an empowering communication training. Thanks to generous donations, this training is free to the CF Fellow.
The particular style of communication training is called Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and we are partnering with The Bigbie Method who has received national recognition for their award-winning NVC curriculum. In their own words, they will “teach you how to create connection through your communication, even in times of conflict.” More specifically, they teach how to distinguish between thoughts and observations, how to listen deeply for feelings and needs, and how to develop strategies that meet everyone’s needs. At Connection First, we have found this communication process to be an empowering tool in building consensus and affecting movement. If you know of a local leader who would value this empowering and empathetic communication style, please fill out the form below.
Benefits to Connection First Fellows
The Connection First Fellow will learn to:
listen empathetically and deeply, even in conflict,
connect with people that don’t see eye-to-eye,
deescalate and help people hear one another in conflict,
provide solutions that meets everyone’s needs,
develop common ground and alliances in unexpected places,
and give yourself support so that you can support others
Connection First will host an annual gathering of Connection First Fellows. These gatherings will provide opportunities to connect with other leaders who are motivated to provide solutions for our community using NVC.
Please complete the form below to nominate a CF Fellow