The Dispute Resolution Center's new Community Impact Report, "Strengthening Connections", has  been published and is being distributed throughout Thurston and Mason Counties.

This year's report highlights the many collaborative partnerships that, collectively, are helping advance our vision and creating a more civil and peaceful community.

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

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

​Thank You to all of the individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations who have made an investment in the mission and work of the DRC through their financial, in-kind and service partnership support.

To see a complete list of our 2018 supporters, click here.

The ballroom of the Hotel RL in Olympia was filled with community leaders and members of the DRC family who came together on Sunday, April 14th to celebrate and support the work of the Dispute Resolution Center.  This year's theme, "Strengthening Connections", highlighted the many personal connections and community partnerships that help advance the DRC's vision - a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful conflict resolution skills.
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Thank You to all of our table hosts, volunteers, business partners, vendors and, especially, our generous donors, who made this event a success.

Our guests at the 2019 edition of The Toast:
- Enjoyed savory hors d'oeuvres from the Hotel RL chefs, sampled sweet treats from local chocolatiers and bakeries, and sampled libations from local wine-makers, cider-makers and distillers;
-Joined us in honoring Rev. Carol McKinley, recipient of this year's Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award;
- Heard from DRC Executive Director Jody Suhrbier and our keynote speaker, Olympia High School teacher Jason "Blue" Peetz, addressing the theme of "strengthening connections";
- Gave generously to support the DRC's efforts to build a more civil and peaceful community;
- and enjoyed re-connecting with long-time DRC supporters, as well as introducing first-time guests to the work of the DRC.

Click on the gallery thumbnails below to view the full-size photos:

​Jesse Laird has joined the Dispute Resolution Center's staff as our new Volunteer Manager.  In this role, he will lead volunteer recruitment, retention and coordination activities, as well as manage the DRC's mediator practicum program.

A native of Portland, Jesse earned Masters degrees in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University and International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco.  He brings to the DRC extensive experience in developing and implementing educational curricula, and has created and presented trainings covering a wide variety of topics, including conflict resolution, facilitation and advocacy.  
 
"Stepping into the role of Volunteer Manager, Jesse brings several years of experience in conflict resolution as an educator," notes DRC Executive Director Jody Suhrbier.  "He has been a curriculum designer and teaching faculty, which has honed his interest in strengthening adult learning with a tailored, person-to-person approach.  We look forward to Jesse's active engagement with our DRC family and the broader community."

Jesse can be reached at jlaird@mediatethurston.org .

"Riley" is a 15-year-old boy who is two months into his sophomore year of high school. He has an older brother who was at school with him last year but has since graduated. Riley is struggling in his classes and has left school at lunch more than once, not coming back for class. He's not into drugs or crime (yet); he just wandered around town by himself.
 
People in Riley's life could call him many things:
-  A "slacker" by his peers;
-  A "frequent flyer" by his counselor, who sees him when he's been skipping;
-  A "delinquent" by the juvenile court counselor who sentences kids to rehab for truancy; or,
-  A "future inmate" by the State of Washington.

We know Riley to simply be a student who is struggling. To stay out of the juvenile justice system, Riley needs to stay in school. To stay in school, Riley needs to understand what's going on inside of him and how that influences the decisions he makes and the actions he takes. To do that, he needs support.
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Help support students, like Riley, with your donation.

Fortunately, Riley's high school partners with the DRC's Youth Empowerment Services (YES!).  Once a week, Riley's day includes a period when two young people from our YES Team come in and take over his teacher's class. They have everyone sit in a circle, which is meant to show that everyone is equal. Riley wanted to leave the room when they started talking about feelings, but things got interesting when they played a game he liked. Someone would say a feeling and toss the ball to someone else who had to say a need that was connected to that feeling. He enjoyed it when it wasn't just about him.  Riley now feels more engaged at school, and his attendance and grades are reflecting that.


You can help students just like Riley learn how to process the aspects of their lives that get in the way of their learning. Your support will enable the DRC to partner with more schools and serve more students, helping them stay in school and get on track to create a future with possibility in it, not prison.

Say YES! to empower youth with your contribution to the DRC's Youth Empowerment Services through the 'Give Local' campaign.  

If you make a donation before November 20th, 2018 your gift will be "stretched" by an Incentive Fund from our partner, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound.  If you have already made a donation, please accept our gratitude for your support for our efforts to mentor and nurture the next generation.

Volunteer mediator David Kegley shares why he finds his involvement with the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County so fulfilling.
YOU can help resolve conflict, promote civility and create peace in your community as a volunteer with the DRC.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here: http://www.mediatethurston.org/uploads/5/7/3/0/57304137/get_involved_flier_-_2018-19.pdf

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in your community?  Come play a key role in creating a more peaceful and civil community as a member of our Board of Directors.
 
The Board of Directors of the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County (DRC) is seeking new members who feel called to help us implement our vision.

The DRC Board is seeking new members who will enhance the Board's and the organization's representation of and engagement with the many diverse communities we serve. 
 
We welcome and encourage applicants with one or more of the following:

• Strong community connections,

• Skills in identifying and leveraging resources,

• Fundraising experience,

• K-12 education system experience,

• Governance, leadership or management experience.

To view a complete description and application instructions for prospective Board members, click here.
 
For more information, e-mail board@mediatethurston.org

The Dispute Resolution Center's new Community Impact Report, "Civic Harmony Starts Here", has just been published and is being distributed throughout Thurston and Mason Counties.

This report provides a brief overview of the DRC's services, along with statistics that help demonstrate the many ways in which the efforts of our organization - through the support of our many volunteers, donors and community partners - are advancing our vision and helping create a more civil and peaceful community.

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

​Our Vision:  We envision a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful conflict resolution skills.

Where we are:  After a year of internal stabilization, core strengthening, and increasing community visibility, the year 2018 has been one of expansion - in outlook, capabilities, and infrastructure to meet the community needs of today.  We are building bridges to our community’s future.

Accomplishments - achieved or on track for completion in 2018 include:

• Mediations are up 20% so far this year;
• We have more than doubled the number of workplace mediations so far this year;
• Statewide, Resolution Washington received an additional $500k dedicated towards developing a long-term sustainable funding plan in partnership with the Legislature; 
• We are implementing Youth Empowerment Services program refinements to increase impact & volunteer involvement opportunities;
• We are partnering with YMCA of South Sound to host a series of Healthy Communication workshops at sites throughout Thurston County;
• We will hold our 2nd annual Workplace Conflict Breakfast Workshop for businesses & organizations this Fall; &,
• We moved to a new space that is visible, accessible, and welcoming!

Looking Ahead:
Grateful to have accomplished so much, we remain focused on addressing the needs of our community that are in alignment with our vision and capabilities, aware that there is more to achieve. 

Our ultimate goal: The Dispute Resolution Center is widely recognized and utilized as an indispensable community resource, playing a vital role in creating and sustaining a thriving community where differences are met with authentic, respectful dialogue.  As such, our organization is supported by a broad base of individuals and entities throughout the region, which provides for robust, sustainable service provision that truly meets community needs.

How we get there: 

1. Relevant, high-quality service provision;
2. Physical infrastructure that is functional and supportive for clients, volunteers, and staff;
3. Happy, healthy team of mediators, conciliators, trainers, Board members, and staff in service to our community;
4. High-functioning, broadly representative Board of Directors working in partnership to further our vision.

Curious to learn more?
 
On Wednesday, September 12, 2018, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., we will host an open house and discussion focused on advancing our vision.  We will provide a light meal, give a brief update on our critical path, and then ask those in attendance to suggest 1-3 candidates for the Board of Directors to help us on the most crucial, strategic work facing the organization as we step into the future.  We hope you can join us for this important conversation.