Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County
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Tips for Preventing and Resolving Conflict at Family Gatherings

12/8/2017

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​Tips for Preventing and Resolving Conflict at Family Gatherings
This article,  recently published by Thurston Talk, provides a number of approaches and strategies to help you successfully navigate family gatherings during the holidays - and throughout the year - from the DRC's Training Manager, Oriana Noël Lewis. 
http://www.thurstontalk.com/2017/12/07/tips-for-preventing-and-resolving-conflict-at-family-gatherings/

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Peace on Earth Begins with You

11/29/2017

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Dear Friends,

What is your picture of peace? When I picture peace, I see hope and inspiration that begins in the hearts of each of us. In fact, it cannot begin anywhere else. Our vision inspires our actions and those actions define us. This vision then radiates out to touch untold lives - far beyond our community and far into the future.

You are a part of our vision: a South Sound Community that has and uses healthy and respectful conflict resolution skills. Each year, we help thousands of our neighbors to manage and resolve conflict, and to communicate more effectively so that they can prevent conflict whenever possible. This combined effort enhances our ability to feel at peace within ourselves and see how it can manifest in our community and world.

Your special year-end gift will make it possible for the Dispute Resolution Center to:- provide mediation to individuals and families for whom cost is a barrier
- provide training to individuals and organizations with limited financial resources
- offer restorative practices in local schools, which support and mentor the next generation

Please make a secure online donation today by clicking here:   DONATE  

Your generosity of spirit creates a more civil and peaceful community - and world.

Thank you!
Jody M. Suhrbier, Executive Director

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Celebrating Community Conflict Resolution Month

10/3/2017

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​Governor Jay Inslee has proclaimed October Community Conflict Resolution Month.

Please join the volunteers and staff of the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County - and all 21 members of the Resolution Washington Network - in celebrating the power of peace-making.

We are pleased to be partnering with The Olympian this fall to help raise awareness of community-based mediation through a special campaign, 10 Reasons to Choose Mediation .

The Olympian is highlighting the work of the DRC in a special online article, which will also appear in this coming Sunday's print edition of the paper.

Each year, we help thousands of Thurston County residents move through conflict with confidence, integrity, and respect.   Your involvement and support - as a volunteer, a donor, a community partner - make this vital work possible.

Thank you!
Jody M. Suhrbier
Executive Director

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10 Reasons to Choose Mediation

9/20/2017

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1.  Mediation is affordable.
The DRC’s Mediation Program is affordable and is based on a sliding fee scale.

2.  Mediation is fair and impartial.
Parties have an equal say in the process and they, not the mediator, decide the terms of the settlement. There is no determination of guilt or innocence in the process.

3.  Mediation saves time and money.
Mediation works best when used early in a conflict, and many mediations are completed in one meeting.  

4.  Mediation is confidential.
Information disclosed during mediation will not be revealed to anyone.

5.  Mediation avoids litigation.
Mediation costs less - in time, money and emotional toll - than a lawsuit and avoids the uncertainty of a judicial outcome.

6.  Mediation fosters cooperation.
Mediation fosters a problem-solving approach - for anyone in conflict - that gets to the root of the issue to find true resolve for all parties.

7.  Mediation improves communication.
Mediation provides a neutral and confidential setting in which the parties can openly discuss their views on the underlying dispute. Enhanced communication can lead to mutually satisfactory resolutions.

8.  Mediation identifies underlying issues.
Parties share information, which can lead to a better understanding of issues affecting the relationship.

9.  Mediation allows personalized solutions.
An impartial third party assists the parties in conflict to reach a voluntary, mutually beneficial resolution.  Mediation can resolve all issues important to the parties, not just the underlying legal dispute.

10.  Mediation works!
  • 87% of those who used the DRC's mediation services in the past year reached full or partial agreement.
  • 90% reported that it improved their situation.
  • 99% said they would recommend mediation to others.

You can solve it.  We can help.
Contact Us
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Prevent & Resolve Workplace Conflict

8/24/2017

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​Is there an elephant in your office?
Workplace conflict and incivility are common in most organizations, but, too often, ignored or avoided. Unaddressed, they can have significant negative consequences for employers - emotional costs to you and your staff, and financial costs that impact your bottom line:
  • Decreased job performance and productivity
  • Poor customer service
  • Increased staff grievances and turnover
  • Time-consuming hassle for management

Join us for a special breakfast workshop to learn insights and skills to effectively address workplace conflict. 
Thursday, October 19, 2017       7:15 – 9:00 a.m.
Lacey Community Center   6729 Pacific Avenue SE , Lacey, WA
Check-in, coffee and networking begin at 7:15, with breakfast served at 7:30.
Cost: $30

Learn More & Register
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The DRC's new Community Impact Report

8/14/2017

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The Dispute Resolution Center's new Community Impact Report, "Finding Common Ground", was recently published and distributed throughout Thurston and S. Mason Counties.

In this report we share a brief overview of the DRC's three primary areas of focus - Mediation, Training and Youth Services - along with statistics and testimonial quotes that help demonstrate the many ways our efforts contribute to the current and future well-being of our community.

We hope you will take a few moments to read the online version of our report by clicking here. 

If you would like to receive printed copies of the report, please contact Joe Sanders, Community Engagement Manager, at jsanders@mediatethurston.org.
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Celebrating Our Amazing, Dedicated Volunteers

7/31/2017

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The DRC Family came together on July 27th for our annual Volunteer Recognition Picnic at the Rose Garden at Priest Point Park.  Organized by the DRC Board of Directors, this annual event celebrates the more than 100 volunteers whose commitment makes the DRC's work possible.

At this year's picnic, the DRC Board served a bountiful feast, energizing entertainment was provided by the Samba OlyWA drummers, and Vicki Martin was honored with the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award.   

Thank You to all of our amazing volunteers for your dedication to promoting peace and civility in our community.

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DRC Enhances Program Resources Through Staffing Changes

7/21/2017

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Earlier this year, the Dispute Resolution Center Board and staff committed to both expanding conflict resolution services in local schools and being responsive to community needs by offering high quality training resources.  We are excited to announce an internal re-alignment that allows us to address these service objectives and meet growing community needs. 

​Carrie Stringer, who previously oversaw both training and youth services, will now focus solely on Restorative Practices and Youth Services.  Former staff member Oriana Noël Lewis has returned to the DRC and will again be filling the role of Training Manager.  ​
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Restorative practices provide a framework for a fundamental shift in how schools respond to rule violations and misbehavior.  The goal is to extend beyond addressing incidents themselves to fostering healthy school communities grounded in mutual respect, positive communication, and trust.  Our Peacemaker Clubs have been an important element of this work and we are excited to deepen our partnerships with local schools in the coming academic year.  

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As this youth-focused area of service is so highly valued, so too is our robust Training Program.  Building upon a solid history of providing conflict prevention and resolution training, we will continue to offer in-house training in the practice of mediation, both basic and advanced, as well as custom-designed training for the workplace and community.
 
When the community calls upon us to be of service in the ways that we are best equipped, it serves everyone well to say "Yes, we can help".  By providing the opportunity for each of these talented, passionate, and highly-dedicated women to do what they each excel at, our organization is positioned to be responsive to both of these highly-valued areas of service.

Please join me in celebrating the contributions of both Carrie and Oriana to the DRC's mission.
Jody M. Suhrbier
Executive Director

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Alice Sharrett Joins DRC as New Mediation Manager

7/5/2017

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Alice Sharrett has joined the Dispute Resolution Center's staff as our new Mediation Manager.  In her new role, she will oversee the DRC's Call Center, train and supervise volunteer phone conciliators, and manage mediation client records, case scheduling and billing.

Alice brings an impressive, diverse set of skills and experience to our organization.  She has worked in management information systems since 1998, and has served our community in a wide variety of volunteer roles, including as a rape crisis and domestic violence hot-line responder.  Her involvement with the DRC dates back to 2012, when she completed her 40-hour Mediation Training and began volunteering as a phone conciliator.  She has been serving as the DRC's Case Manager, in an interim capacity, since May.
 
"The entire team is delighted to welcome Alice into the role of Mediation Manager," notes DRC Executive Director Jody Suhrbier.  "She has the perfect combination of data management, office organization, and systems analysis skills coupled with a warm, patient, and service-oriented manner.  She shares with all of us a dedication to continuous quality improvement in our efforts to offer high-quality conciliation and mediation services to our community."  

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Celebrating the Work of the DRC at the 2017 "Toast"

4/28/2017

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Our guests at the 2017 edition of The Toast on April 23rd:
- Sampled vintages from local winemakers and sweet treats from our participating chocolatiers and bakeries
- Joined us in honoring Glen Anderson, recipient of the 2017 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award
- Heard Executive Director Jody Suhrbier reflect on "Bravery in the Face of Conflict"
- Learned about the DRC's efforts to nurture and mentor the next generation of peacemakers through our Youth Empowerment Services (YES!) and Peacemaker Clubs
- Gave  generously to support the DRC's mission to build a more civil and peaceful community
... and a good time was had by all, as you can see below:

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    Joe Sanders,
    Community Engagement Manager, Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County

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Olympia WA 98502

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Olympia WA 98507

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