MEDIATION MUSINGS––Awe

Sara Barnes 

“Ma,” his whispered voice came. He was in Switzerland––it sounded dire. This was going to be bad, I was sure. My son’s voice came softer, calmer: “Mom, I’m standing on the top of a mountain, it’s amazing. It’s . . . I can’t explain it, it’s . . . let me FaceTime you so you can see.” In the window of the phone, I could only see sun and white. He turned the phone, and I saw in his 30-year-old face something I hadn’t seen since his childhood. A beatific smile, smooth forehead, wide eyes and something that looked like peacefulness. My son was struck by awe.

What is awe?

The usual definition of awe involves the person’s awareness of vastness. The classic awe experience is that of the astronaut looking back at the Earth within the huge expanse of space and being astounded and emotionally overcome. A person takes in their sense of amazement and wonder, and an emotional reaction occurs. Moments of awe can be profoundly moving, with many suggesting that their worldview can shift dramatically as a result.

I think back on moments where awe has found me––memories of nature, music, death and loss inspiring awe in me. More often, though, I have been awestruck by the actions of others, the kindness, creativity and profound actions of humanity by everyday people living their lives. People are truly amazing, and I am humbled regularly by the actions of others.

Awe and conflict resolvers

I thought about some of the best mediators I have known. I remember one mediator, long ago, telling me something like: I think of myself with the whole world as my guide, so I don’t get so carried away with myself or the details. Other model mediators talk about maintaining “the beginner’s mind” or “unending curiosity.”

We may not be looking back at the planet from space; here on the ground, we have to imagine the astounding beauty and unexpected peace of the moment when the conflict becomes resolved and disputants move on with their lives into a better future. Those of us who work regularly with others in conflict might be well served by taking a moment to think about the work within a larger frame. The drop in the pond that ripples out, as a metaphor for our conflict resolution services, might be a way to access a small and significant sense of awe.

Read a longer version with description of hostage negotiators and awe.

We are here to serve our community, all residents, regardless of immigration status. See information about immigration here.

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Estamos aqui para servir nossa comunidade, todos os residentes, independentemente do status de imigração. Veja informações sobre imigração aqui.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORNER

In April, the Board of Directors discussed our succession plan as the organization works to divide the leadership role into two positions: Executive Director and Education Director. Plans were begun for our retreat and annual meeting to be held on Sunday June 7 at Slough Farm.

Join with these amazing organizations and become a Brazil Fest sponsor!

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Non-Profit Quarterly Event: April 24: The Backlash to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): How Justice-Committed Organizations Can Respond Now
• MV Non-Profit Collaborative Event: April 29 - 5 Strategies for Disrupting Your Unconscious Bias
• National Law Day of Action: May 1. Click here to find out how to participate in your state
• MV Mediation Workshops & Events
• NAFCM Community Calendar
• Mediate.com Events
• ACR-GNY Events

MEDIATORS’ CHECK-IN

A weekly drop-in for those in the conflict resolution field including local, national and international mediators, facilitators and coaches. New topics weekly. Donation appreciated. Wednesdays at 4pm––all are welcome to join. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86378014243

• April 23 - Wrapping up the series on Reflective Practice
• April 30- Assumption Check-in: Good/Bad Binary
• May 7 - Assumption Check-in: “I know better”
• May 14 - Meet this Amazing mediator-Leah Brown
• May 21 - Meet this Amazing mediator-Jennifer Warner
• May 28 - Assumption Check-in: Selective Data
• June 5 - Assumption Check-in: Implicit Bias
• June 12 -Assumption Check-in: Mazarin Banaji: Blind Spot Part 1(video)
• June 19 - Assumption Check-in: Mazari Banaji: Blind Spot Part 2 (video)

SPECIALIZED TEAM MEETINGS

Debrief anonymized cases and discuss tips about the various mediation specializations. All welcome. Donation appreciation. Wednesdays 9 – 10:30am. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86378014243

• Agricultural Mediators: April 30 
• Elder and Multi-gen Mediators: May 7
• Small Claims Mediators: May 14  
• No team meeting May 21
• Conflict Coaches: May 28  
• Housing Mediators: June 4    
• Family/Divorce Mediators: June 11 

Another calendar of team meetings begins in September through June. Watch this space.

DEIJ+B: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, JUSTICE + BELONGING

• Implicit Bias –– Take a look at this chart from the Harvard course about implicit bias. All humans are biased; it’s what we do about it that matters.
• Arab-American History Month–– Deepen your knowledge about some inspiring change-makers in the Arab-American community and learn about a community mediation tradition, Sulha, practiced in this community.
• Autism Awareness Month–– This article briefly explores the intersectionality of neurodiversity in conflict resolution. And here are some tips and strategies for handling conflict resolution offered by a state organization focused on autism. Here's an article that discusses how to build thriving, psychologically safe workplace environments. And how understanding communication differences can help colleagues communicate better.
• Generational Diversity-- Learn ways to leverage the unique assets of an increasingly multigenerational workforce.

HIGHLIGHTING OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

We work with many organizations who focus on helping families. We provide workshops, mediation services, facilitation and conflict coaching. Thanks to our partners who help us to bring conflict resolution to families including those with school age children, elders and multi-generational families. Thanks to MV Community Services, Island-Wide Youth, PTAs of many of the schools, the four Martha's Vineyard Councils on Aging, Healthy Aging, and other groups that focus on building healthy families. Families can be a source of joy and strength. If you need help to handle conflict in the family, please let us know and we will see if we can help. info@mvmediation.org.

See upcoming workshop on May 30 at the Up Island Council on Aging at Howes House.

40 DAYS OF RESOLUTION AT HOME

Throughout November, December and January many of our community members enjoyed the daily column called Resolution at Home. Are you waiting for your copy of the 40 Days of Conflict Resolution at Home book? If you have already put in your order, they are going to be sent out soon. If you would like your very own copy, hot off the press for your reading enjoyment we ask for a contribution between $10 -$40. Printed copies or digital are available. Send email to development@mvmediation.org

FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM

Divorce, Family & Conflict Resolution

We offer help talking with your spouse or partner about divorce, parenting issues, custody schedules, financial decisions and communication itself, and can help you to renegotiate existing plans. We also work with reconciling couples and those who have conflicts they need help to resolve.

MEDIAÇÃO EM CASOS DE FAMÍLIA E DIVÓRCIO

Divórcio, Disputas em Familia e Resolução de Conflitos

Conflitos entre marido e mulher, pais e filhos, problemas conjugais, com parceiros ou entre familiares, divórcio, custódia física e legal, planejamento para os cuidados do menor, visitação de menores, revisão do suporte financeiro e plano de visitação, divisão de bens e possível reconciliação.

info@mvmediation.org or call 508-693-2999

HOUSING MEDIATION PROGRAM

Tenant or Landlord Conflict?

We offer FREE MEDIATION for housing cases in Dukes and Bristol Counties and information about RAFT––rental financial assistance for back rent or moving out. Take a look at this article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reporting about erroneous information about tenants being used and affecting homelessness and evictions.

MEDIAÇÃO EM CASOS DE MORADIA

Conflitos entre o proprietário e inquilinos?

Mediação GRÁTIS para qualquer tipo de conflito relativo a sua moradia nos Condados de Dukes e Bristol, e informações sobre o RAFT- programa de assistência financeira.

admin@mvmediation.org or call 508-693-2199

RE-ENTRY PROGRAM

Easier Transition from Incarceration to Community

Re-entry Mediation is FREE to incarcerated individuals, pre-release, and recently released individuals, post-release. For more information, check out our flyers for pre-released and post-released individuals.

IN-COURT AND COURT-REFERRED MEDIATION SERVICES

MV Mediation provides free mediation services for eviction cases in Bristol and Dukes Counties. We are present at District Courts in Attleboro, Fall River, Taunton and Edgartown for summary process cases. MVMC offers free services for civil cases and small claims in advance of the court date. We are also qualified to provide in-court and court-referred services for Dukes County District, Superior, Probate and Family Courts. We provide mediation for pre-criminal and 286 E harassment cases. Our Juvenile court mediators help with cases referred from the Juvenile Court. MV Mediation waives fees for cases referred by court or with an active docket number. 

WORKPLACE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

MV Mediation provides support to resolve conflicts in the workplace. We provide workshops and develop conflict resolution projects with workplaces, nonprofit organizations and municipal and trades workplaces. Our confidential Workplace Management Cohort for supervisors and managers is a popular offering.

FACILITATION SERVICES

MV Mediation provides facilitation services for groups, boards of directors, organizations, companies and families. Neutral and confidential facilitation allows those who are attending the meeting to fully participate. If you need facilitation services, please reach out to discuss your needs. Read this article that describes how a facilitator can help you or your organization.

“We are in a much better place since we had a facilitator help us to pull things together. Thanks to the mediation program for all your help.” ––A recent facilitation client

SOCIAL MEDIA

Following us on social media is a great way to support MV Mediation! Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Don’t miss out on helpful tips about managing conflicts in your daily life. You will also get the latest information about community events, workshops and courses.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Thank you for being part of our important conflict resolution work for 40 years. Your generosity helps us to further our impact and support community needs. It’s never too late to donate! We’ve started a $40-a-month campaign to celebrate our 40th year. Your donation helps a lot––set up a monthly plan, and we will spend every penny wisely!

OUR MISSION

To serve our community by providing education, outreach,

mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation

and related services to help prevent and resolve conflicts.

Our Vision

To create an Island of competent, capable and

effective conflict resolvers.

Thank you for our donors and sponsors for your continued support!

Thanks to Partners who help us with our professional development and service provision by mediators, coaches and facilitators.

MV Mediation Center

mvmediation.org

508-693-2999 Community & Court

508-693-2199 Housing

508-338-2099 Consumer Advocacy

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