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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" -------------------------------------------------- |