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

​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

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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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.

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.  ​

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."