The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County (DRC) is a community based non-profit agency. We help Thurston County and surrounding area residents with their conflict resolution needs. We offer a variety of services including:

Confidential dispute resolution services:

  • Information and problem solving over the phone, including calls to other parties in a conflict to invite them to problem-solve with you
  • Mediations with neutral facilitators for family, business/consumer, landlord/tenant, parent/teen, workplace, neighborhood, and any other disputes
  • Multi-party mediation services for your agency, faith community, co-op, organization, housing unit, extended family, workplace, etc.

Training:

  • Mediation training: 40-Hour Professional,   Multi-party, Family, Restorative Justice
  • Custom designed trainings to meet your specific needs.
  • Continuing education practicum for becoming a Certified Mediator

Large and small group facilitation

Organizational design and conflict resolution consulting services

Volunteer program with on the job training

Speakers Bureau/Community Information Booths

NEWS!
 

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20th Anniversary Video

 

40-Hour Mediation Training,

Summer 2012
 

June 18-22

(M-F, 8a-5p)

Please email or call with questions.

DRC Trains 5th Stryker Brigade in  Collaborative Negotiations

Family Mediation Training*
April 26th-28th, 2012

Are you drawn to working with families? Our advanced training prepares you for the increased complexities and higher emotional climate present in family cases.

* Pre-requisite: 40-hour Professional Mediation Training. 

2012 Training Schedule is here! 

You are a peacemaker...join us at training.

Check it out!
 


Mediation is a very effective way to solve conflicts. The parties in the conflict agree to sit down with trained mediators who act as neutral facilitators. The mediators ask the parties to agree to some basic ground rules of civil behavior and good faith negotiating. The parties each get an uninterrupted chance to briefly describe what their conflict is about and what they would like to see happen. They agree to a list of topics and discuss each one, coming up with possible solutions that will meet as many of their needs as possible. If the parties wish, the mediators write down any agreements that are made. When signed, these agreements are intended to be legally binding.

Mediations are private, confidential negotiation sessions. Anything said in a mediation cannot be used by the parties as testimony in any court proceeding. The mediators cannot be called to testify in court about anything said in a mediation session. When both parties are able to follow the process and make a good faith effort, 80% of mediations achieve agreements and 90% of the time these agreements are followed.

Having a dispute?

Interested in Mediation or Training?

Interested in being a Volunteer?

Call our office at (360) 956-1155 in Olympia, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Trained staff will listen to you, find out what you need and explore ideas to meet those needs. If the lines are busy, leave a message and someone will call you back.

A call to us may be the most helpful call you will ever make!

 

What are people saying?

WA State Heritage Commission Article
"Hard to Say, Hard to Hear:  Dealing with Challenging Conversations" by Jennifer Kenny
 



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The Dispute Resolution Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) business. Donations are always welcome. We are listed as charity #0316167 with the State Combined Fund Drive. Cash, check, VISA or MasterCard are accepted for donations, training, and services.