Transforming the Way Your Community Transforming the Way Your Community Deals with ConflictDeals with Conflict

Search for Common Search for Common Ground - USAGround - USA

Community Conflicts – A GivenCommunity Conflicts – A Given

InterpersonalInterpersonal

IntergroupIntergroupIntragroupIntragroup

Neighbor to NeighborNeighbor to Neighbor

InterethnicInterethnic

Land UseLand UseMisdemeanorsMisdemeanors

There are seven billion people on this planet, we will never all agree, we can There are seven billion people on this planet, we will never all agree, we can only learn how to disagree in peace. only learn how to disagree in peace.

FlightFlight

FightFight

UniteUnite

Dealing with Community Conflicts – A ChoiceDealing with Community Conflicts – A Choice

Conflict is neither positive or negative in itself . . . it’s the way we deal Conflict is neither positive or negative in itself . . . it’s the way we deal with the issue and each other that is the key.with the issue and each other that is the key.

FlightFlight

FightFight

UniteUnite

When in conflict, we can either try to be the winner or look at how When in conflict, we can either try to be the winner or look at how can we work this out together.can we work this out together.

Festering resentmentsFestering resentments

InjusticeInjusticePeace and QuietPeace and Quiet

OrderOrder

JusticeJustice

Imposed outcomesImposed outcomes

Damaged relationsDamaged relations

Mutual agreementsMutual agreements

Improved relationsImproved relations

Lightened court caseloadLightened court caseload

Why Does Your Choice Matter?Why Does Your Choice Matter?

TimeTime

EffortEffort

CommitmentCommitment

Resolving conflicts as partners is a Resolving conflicts as partners is a learning experience for all involved learning experience for all involved

– it is rarely the easy route, but – it is rarely the easy route, but ultimately it is the most rewarding ultimately it is the most rewarding

approach.approach.

FlightFlight

UniteUnite

FightFight

UniteUnite

FightFight

FlightFlight

What Is A Better Approach?What Is A Better Approach?

Not all conflicts can be resolved by dialogue, much harm could be avoided by a Not all conflicts can be resolved by dialogue, much harm could be avoided by a change of approach.change of approach.

““now”now” ““then”then”

Raise IssuesRaise Issues

Discover InterestsDiscover Interests

Generate OptionsGenerate Options

Develop Develop AgreementsAgreements

Given the right tools, we can learn how to manage conflicts as partners so that Given the right tools, we can learn how to manage conflicts as partners so that

everyone winseveryone wins..

The CooperativeThe Cooperative

Problem Solving PathProblem Solving Path

Effectively Effectively CommunicateCommunicate

Manage Manage EmotionsEmotions

Respect Respect PerceptionsPerceptions

To resolve conflicts as partners, we must be prepared to stop finger-pointing and To resolve conflicts as partners, we must be prepared to stop finger-pointing and labeling – honest listening and expression are fundamental to positive resolution.labeling – honest listening and expression are fundamental to positive resolution.

Conflict AnalysisConflict Analysis

Conflict ManagementConflict Management

Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Active ListeningActive Listening

Positions Positions Interests Interests

Anger ManagementAnger Management

How and When to Access Third Party ProcessesHow and When to Access Third Party Processes

BrainstormingBrainstorming

Develop the Processes to Develop the Processes to Match the ProblemsMatch the Problems

Neighbor to NeighborNeighbor to Neighbor

InterethnicInterethnic

Land Use/ Safety Land Use/ Safety

MisdemeanorsMisdemeanors

MediationMediation

Study Circle, Media ProgrammingStudy Circle, Media Programming

Neighborhood Problem Solving Process Neighborhood Problem Solving Process

Restorative Justice ProcessesRestorative Justice Processes

Endorse Overall Vision of Endorse Overall Vision of ChangeChangeProvide SupportProvide Support

GovernmentGovernment

EducationEducationBusinessBusiness

ReligionReligion

Community GroupsCommunity Groups

Walk the TalkWalk the Talk

How Does This Happen?How Does This Happen?

Search

Homeport

Skills

Leadership Processes

Change

Partners++

Role of Homeport PartnerRole of Homeport Partner

Act Act as a catalyst for change, be “applied visionaries”as a catalyst for change, be “applied visionaries”

Build a network Build a network of volunteers and professionals whoof volunteers and professionals who provide provide resources and services to community membersresources and services to community members

EnlistEnlist support of community leaders support of community leaders

DevelopDevelop partnerships with and among other partnerships with and among other community organizations community organizations

Identify Identify and and proactively respond proactively respond to systemic and to systemic and emergent community conflicts emergent community conflicts

Identify BarriersIdentify Barriers

Define achievable pieces of the visionDefine achievable pieces of the vision

Agree on a plan of actionAgree on a plan of action

ImplementImplement

Articulate VisionArticulate Vision

Evaluate / ImproveEvaluate / Improve

Search supports:Search supports:

Mentoring, coaching, advisingMentoring, coaching, advising

Sources of informationSources of information

NetworkingNetworking

TrainingTraining

MaterialsMaterials

Search provides:Search provides:

Search for Common GroundSearch for Common Ground

““. . . transform how individuals, . . . transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions”and toward cooperative solutions”

D. R. CongoD. R. CongoAngolaAngola

BurundiBurundi

IranIran

MacedoniaMacedonia

LiberiaLiberia

Greece-TurkeyGreece-Turkey

Middle EastMiddle EastMoroccoMorocco

Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneUkraineUkraine

United StatesUnited States

Contacting Search for Common Contacting Search for Common GroundGround

Search for Common GroundSearch for Common Ground

www.sfcg.orgwww.sfcg.org

Every day we choose how to respond to Every day we choose how to respond to crisis, those in our lives and in the world . . . crisis, those in our lives and in the world . . . we are all connected, each individual makes we are all connected, each individual makes

a difference.a difference.

Map of Map of Cooperative Problem-SolvingCooperative Problem-Solving

Principles Process Results

Use conflict as a natural resource

Attack problems, respect people

Good agreements

Good relations

Attack ProblemsRaise Issues

Discover Interests

Generate Options

Develop Agreements

Respect People

Emotions Communication

Perceptions

Individual Conflict Resolution SkillsIndividual Conflict Resolution Skills

Facilitating the Community Problem Facilitating the Community Problem Solving ProcessSolving Process

Processes GuideProcesses Guide

Communities That Work – Together Communities That Work – Together GuidebookGuidebook