Conflict Resolution Team

CONFLICT RESOLUTION TEAM PROCEDURES

Introduction: The Conflict Resolution Team (CRT) is intended to help the Miccosukee Land Cooperative (MLC) residents handle conflict and to supplement Article XV, Section 2 of the Covenants and Restrictions.

Purpose:         The CRT is tasked with facilitating community residents’ handling of conflicts at the MLC.  Members of the CRT can be called in to address a conflict, or can inquire about the matter in the absence of a specific request.    MLC residents involved or perceived to be involved in a conflict are invited to meet in person at least once with CRT members to explore the issue or situation.

If MLC residents choose to engage with the CRT further, there are various possibilities for how the CRT could serve MLC residents and the community at large:  for example, the CRT could work with individuals to explore various avenues for resolving the conflict, a CRT member could serve as an informal mediator in a conflict resolution process, a CRT member could serve as a supportive presence to ease interactions perceived to be difficult, and the CRT could suggest to town council recommendations for change.

Please note:   the CRT is not authorized to impose any sanctions or demand any actions of members.

Structure:        The CRT consists of at least 3 members. Town Council may impose an upper limit on membership numbers if it becomes necessary. Ideally, the CRT is diverse enough that all MLC residents will find at least one team member with whom they are open to speaking. Therefore, to the extent possible the team will represent diverse views, demographics, and geographical locations within the MLC.  CRT members are encouraged to serve at least 3 years, and they may serve longer.

Selection:        Selection criteria:  Communication skills, ability to keep information confidential, ability to work with volatile emotions, ability to bridge different positions and think in terms of what’s best for the individuals involved and the community, availability.  If not already trained as a mediator, applicants are expected to be willing to take a mediation training, provided that any costs are reimbursed by community donations.  Team members are encouraged to hone their skills through workshops, readings, participation in the conflict resolution study group, or other methods.  A CRT member need not be a member of MLC.

Selection procedure:  Whenever the CRT or Town Council recommends that new CRT members be sought, the Coordinator will email to the MLC list and submit for publication in the Alternate Current a solicitation of applications for the CRT, with applications to be returned in time for the succeeding AC.  The application should address the above selection criteria and include any relevant experience.

Applications for the CRT will be published in the AC at least one TC cycle before seeking confirmation by neighborhood groups in order to give members the opportunity to relay any concerns they might have to the CRT, in confidence.  CRT members will handle concerns following their usual process.  Any applicant that is willing to take mediation training, and is approved by a majority of people expressing an opinion, is eligible to join the CRT.

Method of Operation:

Occasional community meetings: To remind MLC of the team’s existence and discuss issues anyone wants to bring up.

Identification of a conflict:  Any resident or member of MLC may notify any member of CRT of a conflict that appears to be affecting the community.  The CRT may identify a conflict on its own initiative as well.  In the case of an ongoing conflict with wide impact, the CRT announces its intervention in the AC and to MLC group representatives and asks that communications henceforth be directed to the CRT.

Initial contact with the parties:  1 or more members of the CRT meet with each party to explore the issue and what type of assistance in handling the conflict the person is open to, if any.  This initial meeting is highly recommended, though this and any further dealings with the CRT are voluntary.

Consultation:   Individuals may seek CRT help on their own, before involving the other party.   This may be all that is needed or may lead to a subsequent joint meeting.

Mediation:  If parties desire informal mediation by the CRT, one or more members of the team will act as a “third party” intermediary to help the disputing parties resolve the conflict.  For example, the CRT member may ask questions to move the process along, attempt to summarize each party’s position in a nonjudgmental way, and sometimes call timeouts.

Confidentiality:  All communications between parties and CRT members are confidential, except that the CRT members are free to discuss matters among themselves in order to clarify issues, explore options, give emotional support, and discover alternate perspectives.

Feedback: The CRT will debrief after each consultation or mediation, seek feedback from the parties, check with the parties later to see how they are doing, and conduct exit interviews whenever someone leaves the team.

Annual reports:  Approximately every year the CRT will report in the AC the number of conflicts identified, the general subject (unless the subject would identify the participants), and the degree of resolution experienced by the parties.

Other functions:  As needed, CRT members may serve as “vibes watchers” at meetings, refer issues to relevant committees, conduct community workshops on conflict resolution, and arrange for community workshops on nonviolent communication.

Team Leadership:     CRT members will select one or two of their members to serve as team leaders, with responsibility for making sure someone responds to every request for help; calling meetings as needed; arranging for debriefings; keeping track of conflicts identified, the general subject, and the degree of resolution achieved; and submitting annual reports.

Approved by TC 8/17/17; replaces all previous CRT policies.

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