Conflict Resolution Day is a Huge Opportunity

CONFLICT RESOLUTION DAY IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY

Mediation Settlement Day

 Ken Andrichik, MVMP Board Member

Mediation Settlement Day was born in 2001 and grew in popularity. Bar Associations, community-based organizations, and court programs, along with Law Schools and Universities joined in support. Throughout, organizations conduct special programming to promote mediation and educate potential parties and attorneys about the mediation process. In New York, the 7 World Trade Center lobby, the Mid-Hudson Bridge, and Niagara Falls were lit in blue to commemorate the day!

In my former role as director of a national mediation program, we recognized Mediation Settlement Month. We reduced or eliminated administrative fees and mediators agreed to lower their fees. This “sale” on mediation every October gave staff administrators a brand new reason to contact the parties. Mediation at bargain prices!

 The aim is to encourage parties to try mediation for the first time and to reinforce its value and effectiveness to those who have benefited from mediation previously. Other organizations coordinated efforts with Conflict Resolution Day, the third Thursday of every October.

For MVMP, Conflict Resolution Day offers an outstanding opportunity to remind Islanders about the breadth of our services and the benefits of peaceful, collaborative conflict resolution. Tell your friends and neighbors that MVMP offers valuable resources to individuals, families, and business owners. We provide education to help organizations manage and prevent workplace conflicts. We guide young people on techniques to resolve disputes with their peers. We have a fabulous story to tell and Conflict Resolution Day gives us the perfect “excuse” to start up a conversation about our services.

Several board members will hand out flyers and brochures at the courthouse and local grocery stores. I encourage board members, mediators, volunteers and MVMP supporters to pitch in at one of these outlets of just get some flyers to hand to folks you encounter on that day.

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