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May & June 2026

This is a slightly edited Musing from 2025.

Mediator Musings: Selling Mediation

Conflict is ubiquitous––we swim in it every day. When unresolved conflict is in your life, you can suggest mediation. Be like the umbrella seller in the rainstorm, right there when someone needs a solution, helping others to make use of a tried-and-true process.

Imagine in some alternate world that two people have reached an impasse and are wringing their hands about what to do next. What would happen is, at just the right time and out of thin air, the mediator arrives to offer impartial facilitative mediation.

Selling mediation is not as simple as selling an umbrella in a rainstorm. Although there’s so much unaddressed need for conflict resolution and specifically mediation, the invention is still relatively unknown and dramatically misunderstood. How can we broaden understanding among more of the population and encourage folks to ask for mediation when they need help with unresolved disputes?

Marketing blunders

“We don’t take sides.”
“We can’t make decisions for you.”
“It’s voluntary, we can’t make anyone participate.”

As Professor Elizabeth Stokoe comments, “It’s a great philosophy but a lousy sales pitch.” Providing negative scenarios and highlighting what we don’t do, we clearly miss doing what often is suggested for sales: tell an optimistic and future-oriented story. Samantha Hardy writes, “We can make mediation sound much more appealing if, instead of telling them what we don’t do, we [focus on] the benefits and value that mediation provides.” This makes sense to me. By pointing out what mediation is not, we inadvertently open up negative possibilities. As elementary school staff we learned that instead of saying “No running!’’ we ought to say “Walk slowly,” to emphasize something that we want to solidify.

If we switch to positive framing, then the above statements might turn into:

“We will be multi-partial and pay attention to each of your unique perspectives.”
“Making decisions is what we are here for; we will help you do that.”
“We will honor your requests about our work together.”

Popular media has had a big blank space where mediation stories could be told. Why is that? Maybe it is because mediation is not a visually captivating or exciting process, while our media appetite is driven by adrenaline-boosting cliffhangers—the diametrical opposite of what happens in mediation. It would be great if Netflix optioned for a dramatic series showing how mediation can be helpful and useful. Not holding my breath.

Barring that, we need to get the word out through social/print media and outreach activities; more people need familiarity with what we do. A new concept needs to be heard and seen multiple times in many contexts to become incorporated into individuals’ knowledge base. We become better at selling mediation.

Read a longer version with links to research here.

Take a Mini Course Register here

June Mini Course: FEELINGS ARE WELCOME HERE Tuesdays and Thursdays June 11–22

Summer Mini Course: PROTOCOLS FOR WORKING WITH GROUPS Schedule TBA

COURSES

There are plenty of courses coming up this spring, summer and next fall. Take a look at the schedule here . From foundational trainings to advanced, hands-on workshops, there’s something for every stage of your mediation, coaching, facilitating and leadership journey!

HIGHLIGHTING OUR PARTNERS: SOCIAL LAW LIBRARY

We thank SLL for their hard work keeping lawyers, mediators and the public informed about aspects of court, law and emerging trends in social justice. We learn from you!

At Martha’s Vineyard Mediation, we believe informed, accessible resources are essential to building inclusive and supportive communities. Here is a recent program the Social Law Library: “SPRING 2026 UPDATE: Assessing Immigration Risks for Our Clients in the Current Administration: A Guide for Every Massachusetts Attorney.” This took place online May 7, and you can request a copy of the recording. It features two experienced immigration lawyers to help practitioners better support and advise clients in a changing legal landscape.

WORKPLACE CONFLICT RESOLUTION SERVICES

Every Workplace Can Become

a Conflict-Competent Environment

Conflict is a natural part of any workplace, and how we respond to it makes all the difference. With the right tools and support, teams can move from tension and miscommunication to clarity, collaboration and stronger working relationships.

Our Workplace Conflict Program helps managers, supervisors and employees build skills to address challenges early, communicate more effectively and contribute to a culture where concerns are handled constructively.

Through this program, participants learn how to:

• Navigate difficult conversations with confidence

• Recognize and respond to conflict before it escalates

• Support healthier team dynamics and morale

• Create practical, lasting approaches to workplace challenges

Join our next Workplace Cohort

MVMC holds a Workplace Conflict Management Confidential Cohort twice a year for managers and supervisors. Participants receive support and insight into their workplace dilemmas and utilize the case study model in an interactive and participatory process.

Sessions are held by Zoom and in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. The course is facilitated by Sara Barnes, MVMC’s Lead Mediator.

The next cohort begins in November.

Visit our Courses at a Glance page to sign up!

Bring our services to

your workplace

Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or looking to strengthen communication across your workplace, we offer mediation, facilitation and conflict coaching tailored to your needs.

Unaddressed conflict can lead to miscommunication, burnout and turnover, while effective conflict management builds trust, strengthens teams and creates a more resilient workplace culture.

Reach out to request a service here: https://www.mvmediation.org

Weaving Generations:

Thank You for Joining the Conversation

Thank you to everyone who participated in MV Mediation’s "Weaving Generations" series this spring. Across conversations on family life, social life and the workplace, community members from different generations came together to share experiences, challenge assumptions and explore new ways of understanding conflict and connection on Martha’s Vineyard. We’re grateful to our library partners, panelists and all who contributed their voices, stories and perspectives throughout the series.

As we look ahead, we are exploring the possibility of hosting an online community forum to continue these conversations and expand participation beyond the Island. We would appreciate your input on topics, formats and questions you’d like to explore together. Email info@mvmediation.org with your interest and input!

We are pleased to share a guest reflection from one of the panelists, Laurie Peter, a longtime member of the MVMC community. In her essay, linked here, Laurie reflects on the conversations themselves as well as the thoughtful preparation, humor and forum presentation that made the series such a memorable community experience.

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

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

Board of Directors’ Corner

The April Board meeting focused on organizational sustainability and long-term mission alignment, including ongoing conversations about future planning. Additional discussion will continue in the coming months as the Board works to support the organization’s continued growth and impact within the community. The May meeting addressed our leadership search, program updates and invitations for new Board of Directors members.

The Board’s Annual Meeting will be on June 12 at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum; the community is invited.

RSVP to info@mvmediation.org by June 8.

Events & Calendars

Join us at:

The Tisbury Senior Center for a Local Consumer Program Clinic on May 21 from 10:45 to 11:45 am.

Bristol County: Interested in Re-entry Mediation for incarcerated individuals to resolve conflicts? Join our informational meeting. For more information, email: info@mvmediation.org

Look out for our presentation of our Peace Curriculum for 3rd and 6th grades. For more information, email: info@mvmediation.org

Our Friends’ Calendars:

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. Donations appreciated. Wednesdays at 4 pm––all welcome!

Case Study Series

May 5 — Elder
May 12 — Workplace
May 19 — Family/Divorce
May 26 — Small Claims
June 3 — Agriculture
June 10 — Housing

June/July Contested Language Meaning Series: Sorting out meanings in mediation

June 17 — "Respect"
June 24 — "Fair"
July 1 — "Communicate"
July 8 — "Professional"
July 15—29 TBD — other broad terms with contested meanings

Email education@mvmediation.org for the Zoom link.

Have a suggestion for Mediators’ Check-in?

Send your ideas here: https://forms.gle/J7mFfw99awtKKsS

SPECIALIZED TEAM MEETINGS

Wednesdays 9–10:30 am

May 5 • Juvenile

May 13 • Housing

May 20 • Divorce & Family

May 27 • Small Claims

June 3 • Bristol Expansion

June 10 • Agricultural

June 17 • Workplace

June 24 • Conflict Coaching

Email info@mvmediation.org for the Zoom link.

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

Learning through

a Conflict Resolution Lens

This May, we recognize observances that encourage reflection on well-being, cultural understanding, and remembrance. Together, Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Memorial Day remind us of the importance of empathy, inclusion, and community care in building more compassionate and connected communities.

Mental Health Awareness Month –– This observance highlights the importance of emotional well-being and reducing stigma around mental health. For mediators and community members alike, it’s a reminder to approach conflict with empathy, recognize the impact of stress and trauma and create spaces where people feel safe to express themselves openly.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month –– This observance celebrates the rich histories, cultures and contributions of AAPI communities. It also encourages reflection on equity, representation and the importance of ensuring all voices are included and respected in dialogue and decision-making processes.

Memorial Day (May 25) –– Memorial Day offers a moment to honor and remember those who have served. It can also be a time to reflect on the broader impacts of conflict and the value of peaceful resolution, reminding us of the importance of fostering understanding and preventing harm within our own communities.

June Pride — June offers an entire month of celebration for those in the LGBTQ+ communities and supporters. Join your local Pride celebrations, and show support for those who experience discrimination because of their identity and who and how they love others.

Junteenth — Juneteenth (short for "June 19th") marks the day in 1865 when the enslaved people of Texas formally gained their freedom, effectively ending slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

Graduation — Congratulations to all the graduates! Remember, conflict resolution is going to part of any future you choose. Add a mediation, conflict coaching or dispute resolution certificate to your resume. It is one of the skills that is part of all careers!

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES:

CONFLICT COACHING

A voluntary, confidential and self-determined one-on-one process designed to assist individuals to gain a new perspective. Conflict coaching can be an alternate service when one person requests mediation but the other party declines. Clients, along with their coach, review healthy conflict-resolution tools and strategies, leaving with a self-determined plan to productively resolve conflict.

LOCAL CONSUMER PROGRAM

MV Mediation’s Local Consumer Program (LCP) is part of a statewide network of agencies working together in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to help protect consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices. If you’re facing challenges with retail purchases, utility bills, home improvement contracts, car sales and financing or any other consumer transaction, our LCP staff can provide advocacy and an opportunity to work with the business toward a solution — without going to court. To file a complaint against a business, the first step is to fill out the complaint form through the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy & Response Division.

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. Listen to this description of Divorce and Family Mediation.

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 41 years. Your generosity helps us to further our impact and support community needs.

Donate here