Celebrating John Lewis

When you see something that is not right, not fair, or not just, you have a moral obligation to do something or say something about it. ~ John Lewis

Being an Active Bystander is so important right now. While protecting ourselves from exposure to the Corona virus, it’s important to keep our sense of community. We recommend doing all we can to support each other and especially those who may be the target of harm doing due to increased community fears. Quabbin Mediation will be offering the TAB training on line; notices about dates will be posted on this website.

Empathy for those who are struggling right now, emotionally, physically and financially

can change the trajectory of fear our communities face.

Inclusive caring for others beyond those most closely related to us can help.

Analyze each situation to assess what each of us can do safely to help our neighbors.

If you are a bystander witnessing a harmful situation, you have a choice to make. Do you do something? What do you do?

The Training Active Bystanders (TAB) program helps participants recognize when they are bystanders, analyze situations, and evaluate the consequences for everyone involved. TAB heightens bystanders’ power. It teaches how bystanders can interrupt harm doing and generate positive actions by others. Active bystandership does not mean aggression against the harm doer. It means taking responsible action to help people in need instead of remaining passive and becoming complicit. Bystanders gain the competencies they need if they decide to take action when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling.

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TRAINING ACTIVE BYSTANDERS

Foundational Principals and Covenant

This covenant is a binding promise of far-reaching importance in the relations among the individual and groups for the furtherance of TAB.

We believe there is an interconnectedness and interdependence among all and the goal of TAB is to enhance, support and further that.

We believe the TAB structure and community engagement reflect that interconnectedness and interdependence.

We believe in the inherent goodness and wisdom of the community as individuals and as a whole, whatever that community may be or represent.

We believe that these communities have the capacity, intelligence and power to solve problems and address their desire for safe communities through Active Bystandership.

We believe TAB should be taught by people of their communities; they have the language, connection and wisdom to teach it.

We believe that TAB principles require that we act with non-violence, respect and humility.

8/2020

What's a Bystander?

A bystander is a person who witnesses harm occuring. The bystander can either ignore the harm being done or can take action to stop it.

TAB gives you the tools you need to be an active bystander and take positive action in a situation when harm is occuring.

"I can't thank you enough for today's training. I am an introvert, so speaking up is not always easy for me. After the training, I feel more empowered to be an active bystander rather than a passive one. As I said in my evaluation, I feel like the training gave me a shot of bravery."

- Mary Lou, East Bridgewater

In Schools

Youth trainers are at the heart of TAB. With conviction and passion, they transform the curriculum into something personally meaningful for their peers, encouraging them to exert power to encourage positive personal interactions and to create just and caring schools and communities.

In Communities

Workshops in social service agencies, community coalitions, libraries, LGBTQ groups, social justice and multicultural organizations, Human Rights Committees, houses of worship (temples, mosques, churches), substance abuse prevention task forces, and more.

In Your Organization

Use TAB in the workplace to create an improved workplace atmosphere where all employees feel safe. Other settings are places of higher education, prisons and jails, and organizations which deal with substance use and recovery.

Contact us to learn how we can create the most effective training for your school, place of worship, organization, or workplace.

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Think about your power as a bystander

What sorts of harm doing do you see in your communities? Harassment, bullying, violence, injustice...
What can you do when you witness harm doing? As it happens; later; with the help of others...
What risks and dangers do active bystanders face?
How does active bystandership change individuals and their communities?

Northwestern District Attorney Youth Conference October 2018

The Northwestern District Attorney, in collaboration with Quabbin Mediation, held a Youth Conference for school students on October 26, 2018. A key part of the conference was the Training Active Bystanders curriculum. The trainers were students from the Athol, Mahar, Pioneer Valley Regional, and Granby high schools.

In the News:

Youth conference trains students to become active bystanders

22 News WWLP