What is a NAB?
A Neighborhood Accountability Board, or NAB for short, is a restorative process that involves a community member who has done harm (the offender), the person the harm was done to, trained members of the community (NAB Board Members) where the harm took place and CCR staff facilitators. During this process, the person who has done the harm has a chance to tell their story to members of the community, and members of the community have the opportunity to speak about how this harm affected them or their community. In all processes, the person who was directly harmed (the victim) has the opportunity to share their story, either in person or through a prepared statement, and influence what the agreement is and how the person who has harmed them can make things as right as possible.
After stories are shared, the community members and the person who has done harm collectively come up with a plan with the person who did the harm to repair the harm and make things as right as possible. Before leaving, the Board members and the person who did the harm all sign this agreement. CCR staff follows up with those who have done harm to make sure their agreement has been completed at the agreed upon time.
Cases are dismissed if the agreement is followed and completed in the allotted amount of time. NABs cost significantly less than court hearings/proceedings and empower all affected by a harm to be involved in the outcome.
NABs are one version of restorative processes that exist all over the world. The inspiration for the NAB program comes from Indigenous practices of holding harm as a community, instead of individually.
“First and foremost, THANK YOU for providing the free virtual NAB training yesterday. As a board member for Valentine Neighborhood Association, that training was one of the most memorable community-based experiences I have had in a long time and I cannot WAIT to bring the lessons shared by your organization back to my neighborhood.”
NAB Board Member Trainings
NABs work because of people who care about their fellow community members and community. Trained board members have many opportunities to participate in NABs. The Center for Conflict Resolution is always in need of people who will volunteer to help those who have been harmed and those who have done harm.
If you’d like to be a part of these processes, click the link here to find out when our next Board member training is scheduled!
Two participants at an NAB workshop learn how to interact in ways that can de-escalate emotions that can lead to violence and to facilitate agreements between community members, a victim and an offender.
Members of Kansas City’s Jerusalem Farm community participate in a CCR neighborhood accountability board training. The skills they learn through the training will help resolve conflicts that might occur among Jerusalem Farm neighbors.
Testimony
Facing a shoplifting charge, a 17-year-old girl came to a Neighborhood Accountability Board (NAB) meeting with four community members. The young woman was taking responsibility for her actions, was open to whatever action plan she and the board developed and wanted to initiate life changes.
The young woman’s mentor later told the CCR facilitators that the NAB was a turning point in her life. To tell her story, she has written music inspired by her NAB experience that she now performs at area churches.