MEDIATION MUSINGS Sara Barnes 

We like the idea of being a community center for conflict resolution services. We think it sounds more like what we have evolved into—a place for support and help, where solid and competent services are offered. And we like the idea of centering on our commitment to serving the various communities that need our services.

So, we are now Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center--no longer a program. We held on to Martha’s Vineyard as a way to honor our home base, though we provide virtual courses and services in many locales that are far distant from our island home. We added, below the new logo, the three words that we think describe our work: education, for our teaching and course work, resolution, for the goal of resolution being created out of conflict, and community—because we strive every day to be of service to all of the communities where we work.

Staying centered can be struggle at any time, but in today’s political and social climate, there are certainly lots of forces that knock us off balance. Here at Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center, we have created a community of folks who are working together in a positive way. Many who have joined our community through courses, our newsletter, weekly check-ins and service provision have found like-minded people who believe in conflict resolution, education for the common good and productive conversation on a regular basis.

We are helping each other to stay centered and to help those with conflicts to create something positive out of unresolved conflicts. We are a center for all this work, and we invite you to come join us here at Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center.

Read here for a longer musing about becoming a center and the concept of centering including a mediator's consideration of clay on a potter's wheel.

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:

A Night to Remember!

We’re thrilled to share the highlights from our inaugural 40th Anniversary celebration held at The Loft in Oak Bluffs! With nearly 100 community members, staff, board members and volunteer mediators in attendance, the event was a resounding success. 

Thanks to generous sponsorships, donations and a spirited silent auction, we raised an impressive $16,000 to support our mission. We also unveiled our new name—Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center—reflecting the evolution of our expanded commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration within our community through educational programs, conflict resolution services and outreach.

Attendees were treated to a moving and informative anniversary video showcasing some of the individuals who have shaped our journey, alongside an inspiring keynote address from renowned attorney and mediator Kenneth Feinberg. A special highlight was the presence of founding members such as Gayle Stiller and Deborah Medders, who joined us to celebrate the roots of our program.

Thank you to everyone who made this milestone possible. Here’s to many more years of mediation, community and connection!

[For Ken Feinberg Keynote Address Video, click here]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORNER

"The Board of Directors is thrilled with the result of our 40th Anniversary. We came together to celebrate, we are proud of our accomplishments, and we love the new logo!!" said Board President Rachel BenDavid.

Click here for our 40th Anniversary Report

The October Board meeting was devoted to reviewing all our programs--housing, court, youth, consumer, agriculture, workplace and support projects with local nonprofits. In November we will look at Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice as watchwords for our organization’s growth and expansion. If you want to attend a Board meeting, contact info@mvmediation. We meet the third Tuesday of every month at 4.

FEATURED NEW PROGRAM: CONCILIATION

Dispute Resolution has many formats and names. From the casual approach of family around the kitchen table to a formal Arbitration courtroom, there are many ways individuals can retain their power and resolve matters.

In Massachusetts, the Conciliation Program is one such method. In other places this approach may be called Legal Mediation, Evaluative Mediation or Directive Mediation. Here in Massachusetts, we find it helpful that it has a separate name, so as not to confuse this approach with the kind of services we provide as Community Facilitative Mediators. Conciliators offer their legal expertise as a support to helping parties to come to any agreement and can assist with filing in District Court.

If you are an attorney and member of the Massachusetts Bar, you are eligible to become a Conciliator. The next interactive training has two spaces left and will be held Wednesday and Thursday November 6 and 7th, 8:30 to 1pm. The next time the training is offered is Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, 8:30 to 1pm.

We would like to offer this program here on Martha’s Vineyard in the Edgartown Court and in one of the Bristol County courts, so let us know if you are interested. There is a small per-case stipend, but for the most part your compensation is the knowledge you have helped others to navigate a difficult conflict-resolution process and used your skills and training as an attorney for the public good.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• November 6: Mind the Gap: Bringing Technology to the Mediation Table––An Encore
• November 7: Family Dispute Resolution: A Glimpse of the Past and a Look to the Future
• November 8: Show Up Powerfully: What I Bring to the World
• November 11 – 13: ACR Annual Conference––From Local to Global: The Impact and Reflect of Conflict in Our Lives
• Becoming Unstuck, Using Functional Subgrouping to Integrate Differences and Promote Conflict Resolutions
• November 14, 15, 21 and 22: Advanced Mediation Questions Training, based on the book The Mediator’s Toolkit: Formulating and Asking Questions for Successful Outcomes

MEDIATORS’ CHECK-IN

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 link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86378014243

• November 6: Mediators talk about the election and conflict resolution
• November 13: Meet this amazing mediator––Ken Feinberg
• November 20: Guest speaker—Board of Directors President
• November 27: No Mediator Check in––Thanksgiving/Indigenous Day of Mourning
• December 4: Guest speaker—Local Consumer Program staff
• December 11: Guest speaker—Youth Program staff

SPECIALIZED TEAM MEETINGS

Debrief anonymized cases and discuss tips about the various mediation specializations. Ongoing weekly rotation through June 2025. Donation appreciation.



Wednesdays 9 – 10:30 –– All are welcome to join.

Zoom link: /https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86378014243



• Housing Mediators: 11/20, 1/22, 3/5, 4/16, 6/4
• Family/Divorce Mediators: 12/4, 1/29, 3/12, 4/23, 6/11
• Small Claims Mediators: 12/11, 2/19, 4/2, 5/14
• Conflict Coaches: 12/18, 2/26, 4/9, 5/28, 6/25
• Elder/Multi-generation Mediators: 2/5, 3/19, 4/30, 6/18
• Workplace Mediators: 2/12, 3/26, 5/7

WHY I MEDIATE

"Mediation gives everyone, despite the gravity of the disagreements,

a seat at the table." 

-Leah Brown, Mediator

THIS MONTH'S LINKS FOR YOUR

READING PLEASURE

• Four steps to help people to feel listened to
• An interactive wheel of emotions
• A six-second model of emotional intelligences
• Do you read indisputably blog? Maybe you should!
• Get involved with living room conversations, help to bridge political divides.

DEIJ+B: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION,

JUSTICE + BELONGING

To reflect both Thanksgiving and a Day of Mourning together, you can acknowledge the historical complexities of the holiday by learning about the Native American perspective, incorporating moments of remembrance for those lost into your celebrations, and potentially engaging in acts of solidarity or education to understand the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples while still appreciating the aspects of gratitude and family connection that Thanksgiving represents. 

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, here are several links to learn more about Native American history and perspective:

• Remembering, Honoring and Educating
• 5 Ways to Honor Native Americans and Indigenous People
• Cultural Survival
• History and Timeline
• Day of Mourning Deconstructed
• We Do Still Exist
• How to Be an Ally

HIGHLIGHTING OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

You can join the Building Bridges Coalition--a group of organizations and individuals dedicated to making connections between various groups on Martha's Vineyard. Our coalition sponsored the first Brazil Fest last June. We recently met with with Mr. Chaves from the Brazilian consulate in Boston, to plan a consular visit to the Vineyard in the spring.

Our next Brazil Fest is on June 1, 2025 at the Ag Hall. Come to the next coalition planning meeting on December 10 at 4:30 on Zoom. Education@mvmediation.org for more information. Become part of the solution--help build bridges between communities toward understanding and respect.

CONFLICT COACHING SERVICES

It can help you. Not therapy. Not advice. So, what is Conflict Coaching?

Ready to conquer your personal challenges and emerge stronger? Our one-on-one Conflict Coaching is for you. Our experienced coaches will empower you with the skills to navigate conflicts, find resolution and pave the way for personal growth.

Why choose our Individual Conflict Coaching?

• Personalized Guidance: Tailored strategies to address your unique challenges.
• Self-Discovery: Explore your strengths and areas for development in a supportive environment.
• Transformative Solutions: Overcome obstacles and build resilience for a brighter future.
• Confidence Boosting: Gain the tools to face conflicts head-on and develop potential options for resolution. Make your appointment today!

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

Conflict with a Tenant or Landlord?

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. MVMP 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

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