Civility and Healing the Gossip Habit

A Two-Month Course

Civility and Healing
the Gossip Habit

A Two-Month Course

PURPOSE

To support you in exploring the value of communicating with strength, skill, and kindness

BENEFITS

    1. To learn about the origin of gossip and the impact of gossip on civility in our present culture
    2. To explore questions to shine a light on the way to speak with civility
    3. To develop awareness to “catch ourselves in the act” of gossiping
    4. To discover the cause of gossiping
    5. To be introduced to guidelines for civil communication that have been successfully used in groups and organizations

    The art of awareness is learning to be more awake to our lives in each moment 
    without judgment and without excuse.
    ~ Don R. Riso and Russ Hudson, The Wisdom
    of the Enneagram

    MAKING THE DECISION

    Are you seeking ways to experience communicating with others as nurturing and supportive? Are you baffled to find that speaking with co-workers and family members can often end in gossiping? Would you like to learn about and apply awareness to monitor your communications? Are you curious about the cause of your gossiping?  Would you like to learn to communicate with respect, curiosity, and kindness?

    Ask yourself if now is the time to devote yourself to exploring gossip and realizing the benefits of not engaging in gossip. When we gossip we separate ourselves from others, which increases the stress and antagonism so common in our society. The changes needed for creating a healthy community must include a vision for people to live in partnership so they may care for and support each other in these challenging times. Daily we have the opportunity to show another way – a way to trust and cooperate with each other through speaking honestly and truthfully.

    Reflecting on where you are and where you want to be regarding gossiping prepares the stage for new insights and a fresh outlook on choosing a new way of relating to co-workers and family members.

    Topics Covered

        • The impact of gossiping on civility
        • The role of our conscience in practicing awareness
        • Early warning signs of gossiping
        • “Catching ourselves in the act”
        • Healing the gossip habit

            Requirements

              • Follow the designated study steps and complete reading and worksheet assignments on schedule
              • Spend approximately eight hours a week to complete the two-month study program
              • Send designated worksheets to assigned faculty member for discussion
              • Apply course material in current personal and work relationships
              • Discuss completed assignments and handouts in phone calls with your assigned faculty member, plus additional contact by email as needed
              • Lesson cannot be extended past the original two-month period


                ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

                1. Interested person is emailed course description and sample of the first month assignments
                2. Person registers if wishes to enroll by calling 703-706-5333 OR emailing .


                ONCE REGISTERED

                1. Student is provided with the Table of Contents and the assignments and handouts for the first month and asked to review them before orientation phone call or meeting.
                2. Phone or in-person orientation to review assignments and handouts for the first month and set a starting date, as well as dates and times for the following phone calls:*
                  • A half-hour “check-in” phone call from your assigned faculty member to address any questions you may have will take place one week after you have started  Lesson One.
                  • A one-hour phone call made by you to your faculty member will take place at the end of each month to review the month’s assignments and experience with the material. Your faculty member will send you an email that explains the focus of these phone calls.

                * Student is invited to contact the faculty member during the study program via email or phone if s/he has difficulty working with the materials and needs support.

                Every action is a prayer, a service to the Self within oneself and others, 
                and an acknowledgment
                of love for humanity.

                Course Tuition: $125

                Fee Policy: Course paid in full at registration.  Full refund if you withdraw within three days.  Course fee is nonrefundable after three days.  Participant makes and pays for monthly phone calls.

                Text: You will need to purchase your own copy of Born to Serve.  

                Reference: Susan S. Trout, PhD, Born to Serve: The Evolution of the Soul Through Service ©1997, Alexandria, VA: Three Roses Press.

                Disclaimer: The Institute for the Advancement of Service does not provide medical or mental health care. As such, courses and study programs are not intended to be psychotherapy, medical therapy, or a substitute for either one. Participants are required to assume self-responsibility for their wellbeing by seeking, when appropriate, psychological and medical professional care.

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