Recently I participated in a 22 hour Basic Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills Training course for a local social service agency. Basic mediation training is a great refresher and reminder of the Center’s roots in facilitating conflict through reflective listening and open ended questioning. With 14 participants, the group was dynamic and energized. They participated in every exercise and asked insightful questions that proved they were thinking about the mediation process and its transformative nature. The most striking thing about this training was that every person admitted (privately or as a large group) that they could use the communication skills in every aspect of their life. When teaching reflective listening, people thought of their teenagers. When explaining open ended questioning and brainstorming, people thought of their co-workers. And, when speaking on the philosophy of mediation as a client lead process, they thought of their clients and how self-determination truly supported their mission and reenergized them to give 100%.

Amanda Burbage
Community Outreach