Mediation on the Go:
The Art of Informal Mediation

Thursday, June 23 & Friday, June 24, 2011
9:00am – 4:00pm each day

“Mediation on the Go” is a training program designed for people who deal with day-to-day conflicts between others where a formal sit-down mediation is either impossible or unnecessary.  Parents mediate fights between their children, social workers* mediate conflicts between members of the families, educators mediate between students, law enforcement manage fights between neighbors and supervisors often mediate between direct reports who can’t get along.

This 2-day intensive training is designed to give everyday folks the skills and techniques they need to manage the conflicts of those around them.  Participants will learn:

• Effective communication tools for conflict management
• The distinct differences between formal and informal mediation
• To identify and address core conflicts
• To translate difficult messages into underlying needs using a proven 4-step method
• To hear the underlying needs when people speak regardless of the words spoken
• De-escalation techniques to address heated exchanges

Day-1 of this training will focus on communication and conflict.  Through the use of lecture, video, games, and hands-on exercises participants will learn the simple four-part process of Nonviolent Communication℠ (NVC) and be able to start using it to manage the conflict in their lives.  Combined with the latest in the science of conflict management, motivational research, and communication this workshop aims to develop the skills needed to make conflict a creative spark for change.

Day-2 of this training will focus practicing, role playing, and mastering the skills needed with life-like scenarios taken from actual mediations.  Participants will each have a chance to test these new skills in a safe and supportive setting.  In addition, participants will learn to navigate the choices we all have when responding to difficult messages.

Registration: This 2-day intensive training, with limited seating, is open to the public .  Early registration is highly recommended.  Tuition for the training is $199.00 and includes all materials, a continental breakfast, and lunch for both days.  Doors open at 8:40am and the workshop will begin promptly at 9:00am each day.

Parking is available in the city lot next to Community Mediation along with metered 8-hour street parking on State Street.   To register online, please fill out the form below.

*This program has been approved for 6.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal.