Conflict Management E-Newsletter
June 2000 #5
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the fifth issue of the Conflict Management
E-Newsletter.
This month the focus is on conflict management systems,
especially as they apply to the campus community.
A link is provided to draft guidelines for the
design of integrated conflict management systems
within organizations.
A reminder that the instructions to unsubscribe
are at the bottom of the page.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Articles
Steps for Setting Up an Effective Conflict Management System
By Tim Hicks
A conflict management system is designed to provide staff
with the understanding, skills, and structure to handle conflicts
early and effectively and to prevent costly escalation. The
creation of effective dispute management systems results
in a significant reduction of employment related litigation
and associated costs.
http://www.conflict-resolution.net/articles/hicksT4.cfm
Keeping Cool While Driving On Hot Highways
By Jack A. Hamilton & Elisabeth Seaman
Aggressive driving and highway conflict are becoming
dominant issues. Anybody who drives in rush-hour traffic
anywhere will testify that there are far too many out-of-
control drivers and that deviant driving causes accidents.
http://www.conflict-resolution.net/articles/hotroads.cfm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Interesting web sites
Resolve it College
An invaluable resource for campus dispute resolution is
the "Resolve it College" web site:
http://www.culma.wayne.edu/CMHER/cyber/Resolveit.html
Campus Mediation Resources
This site is dedicated to supporting the development of
mediation and conflict resolution services at colleges
and universities. Amongst others it includes Faculty/
Staff Policy Examples and Student Policy Examples.
http://www.mtds.wayne.edu/campus.htm#Faculty/Staff%20Conflict%20Resolu
tion
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Announcements
The Track One Committee of SPIDR's ADR in the
Workplace Initiative has completed a draft "Guidelines for the
Design of Integrated Conflict Management Systems
within Organizations." These guidelines are intended to
provide guidance in developing fair and effective systems
for the prevention and management of workplace
conflict.
The draft guidelines are posted online at:
http://webboard.mediate.com/~spidr2
Log yourself in, even as a New or Guest User.
You will then see a listing of "virtual conferences," open up
on the left side of your screen and ADR in the Workplace
is the first one. Click the (+) sign and you will see the
Track 1 document. Click to open the document.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Tools and Resources
The Mediation Training Institute provides a free instrument
to measure the costs of organizational conflict. This
link provides access to the page where you email your
request for the tool. It is sent to you by an autoresponder.
Measuring the Financial Cost of Organizational Conflict
http://www.mediationworks.com/mti/cost.htm
Click here for an example of an analysis of an actual
workplace conflict:
http://www.mediationworks.com/mti/costs1.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
5. News from Southern Africa
Hope As Harare Opts For Mediation
Hope is in sight for a turn-around in the situation in
Zimbabwe, following an agreement reached between
Harare and Britain on mediation in their dispute over
the land issue. The Star learned yesterday that President
Thabo Mbeki, who has been involved in quiet diplomacy
with Harare, has brokered a deal which envisages
improving relations that have been soured by the
occupation of white-owned farms. A UN emissary
is expected to be appointed as a go-between to facilitate
the agreement. Mbeki was able to win over
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe because of
the good relations between the two.
The Star, 20000511
----------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Quotes
"Conflict management is a key strategic function of every
organization, so it should be an intentional, conscious one-
not left to chance."
Dan Dana
Dana Mediation Institute
http://www.mediationworks.com/dmi/cnslt/0cnslt.htm
"The labels 'dispute resolution system' or 'conflict
management system' are commonly used to describe
an organization's policy of using grievance procedures
(sometimes, including mediation and arbitration) to resolve
workplace disputes. This can, however, be misleading.
There is a distinction between an organization's policy
and its use of a true system. Although a very large number
of organizations now use mediation or arbitration in some
form, only a minority have instituted true integrated
conflict management systems."
Track One Committee
SPIDR's ADR in the Workplace Initiative
Draft "Guidelines for the Design of Integrated Conflict
Management Systems Within Organizations."
http://webboard.mediate.com/~spidr2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7. New Books
Mediation in the Campus Community:
Designing and Managing Effective Programs
by William Warters
This extremely practical book, described by the late Jim
Boskey as "far and away the most comprehensive guide
available..." explores the application of mediation in
complex systems such as colleges and universities. The
book, endorsed by the Conflict Resolution in Education
Network, builds on the legacy of the 1985 manual
Peaceful Persuasion (Girard, Rifkin and Townley) that
some of you may have seen or used in the past.
http://www.JosseyBass.com/catalog/isbn/0-7879-4789-X/index.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Conflict Management E-Newsletter
To subscribe and unsubscribe
Send a blank email to:
conflictmanagement-subscribe@egroups.com
conflictmanagement-unsubscribe@egroups.com
To review previous newsletters on the web:
http://www.egroups.com/messages/conflictmanagement
--------------------------------------------------
John Ford and Associates
Workplace Conflict Management Services
Ph: (510) 658-5524 Fax: (510) 594-1728
Email: johnford@mediate.com
Web Site: http://www.mediate.com/johnford/
"Helping you prevent, manage and resolve conflict"
--------------------------------------------------
