Guidelines for Teaching NVC

Guidelines for Teaching NVC
For Those Who Are Not CNVC Certified Trainers

When you experience the contributions that Nonviolent Communication has made to your life it is often the next step to want to share what you have learned with others. Indeed it is our dream that through our efforts together, all people and organizational structures will deepen in their capacity to relate peacefully and serve life more fully. We welcome everyone’s participation in spreading the dream about the vision of NVC, and we do not wish in any way to dampen this enthusiasm.

The following questions are often asked by individuals who want to share their understanding of NVC with individuals, groups, and organizations:

1. If you are not wanting to discourage people from teaching NVC, why do you create CNVC certified trainers?

Our intention is not to discourage people from passing on their valuable learning in ways that are meaningful to them. We do wish, however, to protect the integrity of NVC as a body of teaching. We therefore certify teachers whom we trust to communicate the purpose and the model in an accurate, thorough, and reliable way. Certified trainers also commit themselves to support the work of CNVC, which is described in the trainer agreement.

2. So you have no objection to any of us going out and teaching NVC ?

Not at all, we encourage it. We appreciate your sharing from your own experience and clarifying that your teaching is based on your understanding of Nonviolent Communication. We do, however, request that you acknowledge Marshall B. Rosenberg and mention local or regional NVC organizations and certified trainers, as well as provide CNVC contact information, www.cnvc.org.

3. Can we advertise that we are teaching Nonviolent Communication?

If you are offering NVC presentations or trainings, such as workshops or practice groups, we request that you refrain from using the term "Nonviolent Communication" or "NVC" in the headings, titles, or subtitles of any materials or media promoting your workshop, as these terms are a legally protected servicemarks of CNVC. However, please feel free to use this term in the body of your flyer and during your workshop, while acknowledging CNVC, as above.

4. Can we say that we are “NVC trainers”?

Please refrain from creating any promotional materials that might imply you are certified or sponsored by CNVC, including using the term “NVC trainer”, “NVC” or “Nonviolent Communication” on any media or materials such as business cards, brochures, email addresses or websites.

We request that you inform all participants in your trainings that you are not yet certified by CNVC as a trainer; however, feel free to provide information about your own NVC training history and work and life experiences.

5. What about using the giraffe image?

We request that you refrain from using the term Giraffe Language or the image or term “giraffe” in any printed or promotional material because of our desire to have CNVC's public image universally understood. The giraffe image does not translate well in all cultures, and we want NVC to be accessible and welcomed in every part of the international community. Please feel free to use the image and puppets as an effective tool in your actual training sessions.

6. Is that all? Do you want any financial return from my workshops?

We would enjoy receiving a donation from you as an expression of the giving and receiving spirit in which we hope you are offering workshops. (CNVC certified trainers offer 10% of their training-based income.) These funds support CNVC in its mission to make NVC available throughout the world.

7. May I share materials produced by CNVC or CNVC trainers when I do presentations?

CNVC materials are copyrighted and we request that you refrain from using these materials without permission. Most materials are produced for specific types of training, and we generally do not like to see them used out of context. For materials created by an individual trainer, please check with that trainer first. If you produce your own materials, rather than entitling them “Nonviolent Communication”, please be creative and use a different title. You can refer to “Nonviolent Communication” as you teach, indicating the materials and content are “based on the work of Marshall B. Rosenberg and the Center for Nonviolent Communication, www.cnvc.org”.

If you still have questions, we will do our best to answer them. If you have needs that would not be met by agreeing to these guidelines, please contact the CNVC office, cnvc@cnvc.org, for further dialogue before you or your group advertise or present an NVC workshop.

We look forward to working with you in our quest to create a more peaceful world.

Rita Herzog, Coordinator of the CNVC certification team
Jori Manske, Interim Director Center for Nonviolent Communication