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Community Conferencing is a facilitated process that is especially
useful when a dispute between two people has escalated into a conflict
involving others. Often, in these circumstances, "sides"
begin to form, open communication between factions breaks down,
job performance and satisfaction drop, and a sense of tension deepens.
People may spend more energy talking to their allies about those
with whom they are in conflict-and reinforcing their perceptions-than
they spend talking with those with whom the conflict originated
and resolving their differences.
A Conference brings together all of the people who have been affected
by the conflict to discuss and to better understand what has happened,
to deepen their understanding of how everyone has been affected,
and to explore ways to make the situation better. Having everyone
who has been affected meet together at one time and place can help
the whole community or workgroup understand and resolve past issues
and transform their working relationships for the future.
Who comes to a Community Conference?
The intention of conferencing is to involve the whole community of
people who have been affected by a conflict. The primary disputing
persons in conferencing will be encouraged to invite supporters and
others who have been affected by the conflict to participate in the
conferencing session. CEDRS staff or facilitators may also include
others whom they have identified as having been affected. Everyone
who is invited and wishes to attend will be included.
For
more information or
to schedule an appointment,
contact:
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Dale Anderson, CEDRS Program Coordinator
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The CEDRS staff is available from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you don't reach our staff directly,
please leave a message. We will return your call promptly, and will
work to schedule your private consultation, appointment, mediation,
or community conference at a time that is convenient for you. |
