Conflict Management Certificate launched

The UNCG Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution Program is now offering a certificate in business conflict management. The training, offered Oct. 19-Nov. 30 as part of the program’s CIVIC (Conflict and Violence Intervention in Communities) Project, teaches specific strategies for defusing conflict and reaching positive outcomes.

The 12-hour Business Conflict Management Certificate is designed for anyone interested in upgrading their workplace skills, including supervisors, human resource professionals, MBA students, safety managers/committee members, displaced workers, and those considering a career change. Admission to UNCG is not required.

The curriculum includes Conflict in the Workplace, Conflict Management through Policy and Procedure Design, the Manager/Supervisor Role in Conflict Management, and Workplace Violence Prevention/Intervention with Threat Assessment Strategies and Crisis Management. Classes are 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays – Oct. 19 and 26, and Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30 – at Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Ave., Browns Summit. Instructors are provided through the LifeBalance Employee Assistance Program and have more than 20 years of experience in workplace conflict management.

The complete training costs $800 with a reduced rate for students and employees of government and non-profit agencies. Individuals also have the option of registering for one or more sessions rather than the entire series at a cost of $175 per session. For more information or to register, call (336) 334-4781.

http://www.uncg.edu/ure/news/stories/2010/sep/CIVIC092010.htm
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/09/20/daily1.html
http://www.lifebalanceeap.com/

New edition of "The Peacemaker" and Training opportunity

A new edition of the NC Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Newsletter "The Peacemaker" has just been released. Included are articles on family conflict resolution processes in a community mediation center (including divorce and elder issues), finding an international mediator for commercial cases, Ms. Mannerly Mediator discusses misbehavior of observers during mediation, integrating technology, and some issues around rule changes affecting mediation in North Carolina.

http://disputeresolution.ncbar.org/media/5490175/drfeb10.pdf

Also, don't forget to save the date for the section's annual meeting March 19th at Grandover Resort in Greensboro. The theme is "Beyond Settling Cases" and boasts both academics and practitioners discusses a range of issues. More information can be found here:

http://www.ncbar.org/cle/programs/694drm.aspx

News, News, News

Much has happened recently in the Conflict Resolution Program and the CIVIC Project.

On April 12th, Dr. Sherrill Hayes (program faculty), Marie Bryan, Amelia Deaton, and Colleen McNickle (practicum students)presented their workshop "Creating a Positive Workplace and Strengthening Your Organization" to the Guilford County Non Profit Consortium. There were around 80 people present at the event and the evaluations of the program were great. We appreciate the GNPC, their partner organizations in Guilford County, and all those who participated in making the training a success. Anyone interested in additional or followup workshops can send an email to civic@uncg.edu.

Dr. Hayes's CNR 625 Conflict Resolution in Education course for the summer filled up in (what seemed like) record time. Although the course is full, if any CNR degree students (especially on-line) who need to take the course will contact Dr. Hayes, we may be able to add a few extra spaces.

The CNR 640 Negotiation Theory and Practice course was finally approved for 1st summer session on Friday April 20th and should be available for registration this week. If the 625 class is any indication, register soon.

April 25th, the NC chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution is meeting at our location in Brown Summit. The program will include speakers from the NC Dispute Resolution Commission, Administrative Office of the Courts, UNCG's Conflict Resolution Program, and Western Carolina University, on newer conflict resolution programs available in the state, including guardianship mediaiton in the clerk of court, permanency mediation, parenting coordination, and USDA agricultural mediation program. The program will last from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, includes lunch and a business meeting.

The CIVIC project has also been contacted by a local homeowner's association to help them work with neighborhood disputes, including mediation of individual problems and facilitation of association meetings. This seems to be a growing area for us and we are interested in hearing from other mediators who have this type of experience and any other HOA's that would be interested in working with us. Please email civic@uncg.edu.

Upcoming events: Spring 2007

March 22nd 8:40-4:30 PM NC Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section 15th Annual Meeting, Cary NC (Roy Baroff, adjunct mediation professor, will be presenting).

March 22nd 6:30 PM Conflict Resolution Program Mock Mediation Demonstration to UNCG Legal Professions Association for Pre-Law Majors

March 26th Summer and Fall Registration for UNCG. Summer classes include CNR 640 Negotiation (1st session) and CNR 625 Conflict Resolution in Education (2nd session).

April 12th 8:00 -11:00 AM Creating a Positive Workplace and Strengthening Your Organization presentation to the Guilford County Non Profit Consortium

Education workshop a success

The Conflict Resolution in Education workshop held on Feb. 13 was a success. The elementary school is now interested in developing a peer mediation program and details of that will be coming soon.

Parenting coordination training postponed

The parenting coordination training scheduled for February 22-24 has been postponed. when the trainers announce a new date, information will be posted to this blog or you can email swhayes@uncg.edu to be placed on a list. The likely reschedule date will be sometime in September.