40 Tips
Tamar Russell
40 Days of Resolution at Home | Day 1: What is ...

When people think about conflict, they usually think negatively. Our work is about moving conflict concepts away from the lose-lose mentality to a win-win one, where conflict becomes...

40 Days of Resolution at Home | Day 1: What is Conflict?
Youth Mediation
Tamar Russell
Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation ...

MV Mediation is pleased to announce a $2,500 grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation to support the Youth Mediation Program and Peace Curriculum. The Peace Curriculum, developed by Executive Director Sara Barnes, is a 10-week conflict resolution and positive communication program designed to teach conflict resolution to the students of Martha’s Vineyard. Using integrative and hands-on activities, students learn to apply skills to resolve conflict in their day-to-day lives.

Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Comes Through for the Youth Program
Paula Reidbord
Seven Ways to Help Our Conflict Resolution ...

Support Martha's Vineyard Mediation in 2022

Seven Ways to Help Our Conflict Resolution Center in 2022
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Workplace Conflict Workshops and Management Course

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WORKPLACE CONFLICT WORKSHOPS AND MANAGEMENT COURSE

We are excited to be hosting two series about conflict in the workplace. Many local businesses over the years have sought out assistance with conflict they have encountered. In response we have created, in partnership with the MV Chamber of Commerce, two different series designed to help island business deal with daily conflict issues.

The first is a series of free lunchtime workshops co-sponsored by the MV Chamber of Commerce. These will cover the following topics:

·       creating a conflict positive workplace

·       conflict management action planning,

·       toxic workplace-what to do?

·       team building in a healthy workplace.

These 90 minute long workshops will send participants off with do-able tips and strategies to assist workplace conflict management. See above for schedule.

The second workplace conflict offering is a 8 session course on Workplace Conflict Management. This is designed for Vineyard managers and supervisors. The cohort will collaboratively review a workplace conflict management book. Participants will receive support and insight into their own business dilemmas through a case study model. This course is co-sponsored by the MV Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA. Call/email to register.



Mediation Reflections:  The Importance of Being Neutral 

Mediation Reflections:  The Importance of Being Neutral 

Recently a divorce mediation session got sidetracked.  At least to me, that’s what seemed to be happening at the time. 

We were in the middle of talking about a substantive aspect of dividing assets and liabilities—this is often the most time-consuming part of a divorce.  One word seemed to cause the energy in the room to change.  To me it seemed like we were now in the flashback part of the movie when the backstory starts to be revealed.

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September Mediation Musings

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At least one, if not all of our principles: Confidentiality, Voluntariness, Neutrality and Self-Determination; function as guide stars for each service we offer. It's good to have principles to hold on to when we do mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching or educational work. These principles unite our organization and provide us with shared core values.

Communicate Carefully might well be considered another one of our principles because we know that successful practitioners in the conflict resolution field are precise and thoughtful in their communication. Choosing the right word or phrase, listening carefully, matching cadence and tone, being aware of how messages can be put in a more effective way, studying language and usage-- all are ways we can become more expert communicators. I found this article to be a great read in this regard. I hope you enjoy it and learn from it as I have. 

Will we see you at one of our many upcoming activities? Workplace conflict is a big focus for the coming months. The Youth Project continues with two videos being edited and mediation services for youth now available with our newly trained Youth Mediators. The Introduction to Mediation course begins on October 3. We are, as usual, providing conflict resolution services to individuals and organizations as we continue to serve our community. We are scheduling into November and December now because we are so busy!

Thanks for your great support for our work.

Sara Barnes, President MVMP

Testimonials

“I was terrified when I came into the court. It seemed like the end of the world. Thanks to my compassionate and understanding mediators, I was able to have a productive conversation with someone I considered an adversary. I couldn’t believe we were able to work it out without going in front of a judge. Thank you MVMP.”

– Small Claims Client

“I was really not looking forward to mediation. But it turned turned out to be relatively pleasant. I really enjoyed working with the two of you. I plan to recommend mediation to others.”

– Divorce Client

“You brought us all together. It was awesome. I am so relieved. All our people felt uplifted, more united and part of a team. In particular one Board member said she felt she was taken care of with kindness and wisdom. We all know each other much better, have defined our work together and are in such better shape than we were when we started. Thank you MVMP.”

– Facilitation Client

“If you have the chance to do Conflict Coaching, DO IT! It was eye opening for me. My coach was kind, insightful and such a great listener. Most importantly, I learned so much about myself and about how I handle conflict. I now have a good, solid conflict management plan for the future.”

– Conflict Coaching Client

“It was valuable to help me handle a current conflict in my workplace. Putting a positive spin on conflict was an eye-opener for me. It gives me a structure to address problems. We had a very serious conflict at work recently so this is very important and relevant to me right now.”

– Workplace Conflict Management Services