MVMP is pleased to be one of ten organizations selected to participate in a multi-session intensive training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEI J + B). In August, our staff participated in a kickoff session hosted by the MVNC in collaboration with Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting and Sage Consulting Network. Prior to the session, staff had the opportunity to complete individual assessments to explore levels of understanding and comfort discussing topics like equity, structural racism, white dominant culture, and implicit bias. It was great to share observations in person with members of the 2022 cohort.

Martha's Vineyard Mediation is part of a national network of USDA-supported farm, agriculture, and aquaculture mediation programs. If you know of any farms, farm stands, CSAs, or agricultural/ aqua-cultural businesses that have conflicts with debt, neighbors, succession planning, workplace conflict, management, or other matters, MV Mediation can help. Most services are free or low cost through USDA funding. We work with farms in Dukes, Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties.

If someone had told me 10 years ago that I might suggest renaming our organization the Pickleball Mediation Program I would have laughed at the joke. I had no way of knowing even what pickleball was or how it would affect our program. A couple of years ago though, it appeared to me that the entire Board and service provider roster were a little more interested in playing pickleball than doing mediations. I, who cannot seem to hit anything with a bat, racket, or paddle to save my life, made fun of the crowd I called "pickleball mediators." We thought about having a pickleball tournament to raise money. We came up with metaphors about the game related to conflict resolution.

My conflict coach asked me a question. I didn't think much of it; she had been asking questions all along and we had developed a good rapport. As a first-time coaching client, I was enjoying the process. Shawra, my coach, had a nice tone to her voice. (The sessions were all by phone in those pre-Zoom days.) She seemed kind.

Join a cohort of Martha’s Vineyard managers and supervisors in a virtual, weekly confidential cohort. Participants receive support and insight into their workplace dilemmas and utilize the case study model in an interactive and participatory process. The text will be provided. All classes will be via zoom.