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May/June 2025

Mediation Musings: Self Improvement      

Sara Barnes 

It’s been whirlwind month and with all the pressing matters, both personal and professional, I haven’t found the quiet time I need to write. I’ve been collecting graphics about various self-improvement topics. Conflict resolution in all its forms involves people working toward making things better—often including the hard work toward self-improvement. Hope these are helpful for you in your journey. Do you have graphics or posters you have used to keep your self-improvement goals on track? Send them my way and I’ll share them.

 

Here they are, in no particular order:

 

Managing Stress—Less stress, less unresolved conflict. Stress can feed conflict.

Communicating effectively—We all need to get better at saying what we mean.

Self-confidence—With confidence, we can face conflicts and keep ourselves on track.

Time Management––Conflicts involve aspects of time. More time management = less conflict.

Being Resilient—Change is challenging; build your resilience muscles, reduce conflict.

Managing Your Brain—Our amazing human brain is our biggest asset to help resolve conflict.

Personal Control—Understanding what you do/don’t control helps with conflict analysis.

Body Language—A huge percentage of conflict is affected by body language choices.

Handling Your Biases—Biases = conflict, but there is much that can be done to help.

Improving Your Memory—Keeping track of details helps to avoid conflicts.

Overcoming Obstacles—Obstacles are not always conflicts if we reframe our thinking.

Building Trust—Conflict is more easily resolved when trust is built or rebuilt.

Being a Leader—We all have leadership capacity; positive leaders can prevent conflicts.

Emotional Intelligence—The more work in this area, the stronger the conflict resolver.

Making a Difference—We all want to make helpful changes for the better.

Understanding other Generations—More work on biases; information helps.

Learning Organizations—Blame and shame can be replaced with learning and teamwork.

 

If you click on each image here in this word version, you can expand and save it as you wish. Happy trails to you, and best hopes that you reach your self-improvement goals. 

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

In May, the Board of Directors discussed plans for our Board Annual Meeting, heard from the Nominating Committee and discussed Succession plans. The Board, Roster, Community Advisory Committee will gather at Slough Farm on Saturday June 7 to celebrate our successes and plan for the future.

Brazil Fest 2025 Postponed


In June 2024, nearly 500 people gathered at the MV Agricultural Hall to celebrate Brazilian heritage, rural life, and cross-cultural connection. Thanks to all of our volunteers and partners, the event was a remarkable success. Since then over 200 Building Bridges Coalition member have been hard at work planning for an amazing Brazil Fest 2025.


Due to the current climate of fear and intimidation targeting the immigrant and Brazilian community, the second annual Brazil Fest has been postponed. We are so disappointed.


The Building Bridges Coalition members determined that this is the best course of action for our community's safety and solidarity. We remain committed to celebrating and honoring Brazilian and immigrant Martha's Vineyard residents as well as rural culture and plan to hold Brazil Fest 2025 at a future time.


Click here for the full text of the Press Release issued by MV Mediation as the initiating sponsor of the Building Bridges Coalition with contributions from many of the core Coalition's members. Members met recently to reconfirm their commitment to continuing the important work of bring divergent groups together. If you are interested in being part of the coalition please write to buildingbridges@mvmediation.org.



COURSES


Fall 2025 MV Mediation Courses Are Open for Registration! Sharpen your conflict resolution skills with our upcoming offerings:


These interactive courses are helpful for building practical conflict resolution tools, whether you're starting out or deepening your knowledge base. Click here for a detailed list of additional trainings and professional development opportunities.

UPCOMING 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. Email education@mvmediation.org for new Zoom link.


  • 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)
  • June 26 - Coaching Components: Setting Goals
  • July 2 - Coaching Components: Picking a Conflict Scene
  • July 9 - Coaching Components: Reviewing Conflict with Values Lens
  • July 15 - Coaching Components: Reviewing Conflict with Identify Lens
  • July 22 - Coaching Components: Reviewing Conflict with Needs Lens

SPECIALIZED TEAM MEETINGS

Debrief anonymized cases and discuss tips about the various mediation specializations. All welcome. Donation appreciation. Wednesdays 9 – 10:30am. Email education@mvmediation.org for new Zoom link.

  • Housing Mediators: June 4    
  • Family/Divorce Mediators: June 11 
  • Elder and Multigen mediators June 18
  • Workplace Conflict mediators June 25
  • Youth and School team TBD

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

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

Learning Through a Conflict Resolution Lens


This May, explore how identity, culture, and history shape how we experience and resolve conflict:


AAPI Heritage Month

Explore how values like harmony and indirect communication shape conflict styles across Asian & Pacific Islander communities by reading about working across cultures, face-saving and collectivism in mediation.

Jewish American Heritage Month

Reflect on Jewish traditions of dialogue, dissent, and restorative justice—deeply rooted in communal ethics by learning about the concept of Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) in conflict resolution.

Older Americans Month

Age impacts how people approach conflict. Older adults may prioritize legacy, relationships, or generational values. Enhance intergenerational dialogue skills and discover tools to "Flip the Script," the 2025 theme on aging in America.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental well-being affects how people show up in conflict. Trauma, stress, or stigma can escalate or silence disputes. Read about the role of mediation in better mental health in relationships. Build trauma-informed practices and de-escalation tools into your mediator’s toolbox. [links]


Conflict resolution is most effective when grounded in cultural humility and lifelong learning.

HIGHLIGHTING OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS


MV Mediation is proud to be in partnership with the MV Agricultural Society (MVAS) in ways that strengthen our rural community. Through a generous grant provided by the JAMS Foundation and NAFCM, our organizations, together with the Building Bridges Coalition, have worked collaboratively in creating sustainable and regenerative programming focused on empowerment of the rural community with an emphasis on conflict resolution and inclusion. MVAS and MV Mediation are committed to continuing and strengthening our partnership and planning new partnership endeavors as follows:


  • MVAS and MV Mediation continue to work together as members of the Building Bridges Coalition, with the goal of diversity and belonging for all sub-groups within the MV rural and the agricultural community. 
  • MVAS will continue recommending mediation and conflict coaching and MV Mediation will continue to provide these services for farms, agricultural workplaces, neighbor/farm disputes and other unique conflicts within the MVAS membership community.
  • MV Mediation will create workshops and support projects to educate and provide tools for conflict management designed to strengthen MVAS member farms and agricultural organizations including strategies and approaches to Island demographic changes.
  • MVAS will collaborate with MV Mediation to hold special community forums focused on the rural community's needs, challenges, demographic changes and conflict resolution challenges when appropriate Island-wide issues arise and a need for public discussion is warranted.  

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 FacebookInstagram, 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. Its never too late to donate! Weve 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

We are rebranding. New colors, new design and a new name.