Presenter: Terry Kayser

Moderator: Ceile Hartleib

Since 1975, Quakers have been active in US prisons, both state and federal, providing workshops in non-violence.  Called The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP).  Terry has been involved in Minnesota and nationally since 1995, doing most of his workshops in Stillwater Correctional Facility. 

His Minnesota group has been inactive since the pandemic and has only recently been invited back to do workshops. Workshops use an “experiential” style of interaction.  There are no lectures, films, Power Point, books or tests.  

Everyone who completes the 21-hour workshop (over 3 consecutive days) is awarded a certificate of completion.  Participants bring their personal experiences into the workshop and share them in relation to the exercises presented by the facilitation team.  Since it is believed direct experience with the method is the best way to convey it, there will be limited explanation of the program.

For the November 6 meeting of Groveland UU, members will participate in an experiential exercise. 

Terry Kayser has been an AVP facilitator since 1995.  He originally came to Minnesota to pursue a doctorate in education (1984), and worked for the Metropolitan Council for 23 years before retiring in 2006.  Presently he is active in video production working part time at SPNN in St. Paul.  He lives in St. Paul with his wife, Ceile Hartleib