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Show WINTER TIMES - DECEMBER - 3 5115. It is desirable to have as large a pool of potential mediators as possible GOOD NEWS! so that parties in conflict can each choose a member they trust to serve on their mediating Castle Valley team. —Jack Campbell \ Here in Castle Valley it seems \ / \ we’re good at beginning the process / (politeness which deteriorates into Students make Buildings 33> / \ 1 Honor Rolls: Community / i ° Scott Peck travels the country Chloe Hedden Joshua Martineau Mara Ginnane Livi Kulander Sarah Hedden Jil Kulander able to emerge into what Peck calls Stage 4, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT—COMMUNITY. doing workshops designed to create a sense of community, trust and under— 7k Karen Clark Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off. If we have omitted someone, please send us names for our next issue. standing among groups and organiza— tions experiencing dissension and conflict From his experience with these workshops he has found that groups usually pass through four rather well-defined stages. His observations seem useful for the Castle Valley community. Stage 1, POLITENESS In this stage, people can’t get to know each other because they are hiding behind socially required politeness. This sort of politeness can be used to avoid conflict rather than resolve it. Stage 2, ARGUING AND arguing when we find we have different goals and desires), but we have not yet spent the time necessary to complete the process and gain the level of respect and understanding (not necessarily agreement) that is vital to a healthy and divergent community. It is hoped that the new Town Council will keep the campaign promise to schedule open town meetings so residents can have the opportunity to talk through some of the choices and problems facing us. This basic discussion should occur prior to the council meeting where a decision must be made on the issue. The third Wednesday of each month has been mentioned as a possible time for town meetings and workshops. Watch for further notification. —Jack Campbell STRONG EMOTIONS This stage can be frightening and l chaotic. People begin trying to con- Community Mediation Team Form l ng Mediation is one way to try to solve problems within our community without resorting to the legal system. vince each other of the truth of their own position or beliefs; this often leads Mistletoe People actually begin to reveal who they are at this stage, and it becomes possible to get to know each other. But Reindeer Yule of Stage 1. No progress toward healthy community can be made unless the nity can be solved if the various parties can talk to each other in the more group is committed to working through neighbor-to-neighbor talk has failed but the parties are not yet so adversarial that the legal system is necessary. the chaotic, arguing phase. Stage 3, SILENCE In this stage everyone pauses and reflects on all the new information that the arguing has revealed. Arguing is not rejected as a bad thing but is seen as a vital source of real contact between Instead of emphasizing that for one person to win the other must lose, mediation promotes understanding, development of consideration for others, and often leads to long-term reconciliation between neighbors. If you are interested in learning how to mediate (or in helping the rest of us learn if you already have the Reindeer chaos and return to the superficialities Many times problems between neigh- Mediating can be successful when _ Egg Nog these strong emotions are scary, and groups frequently back away from the bors or other members of the commu— constructive and less antagonistic context provided by mediation. different, individual human beings. The arguing and emotion make clear what people see as important, and shows what we are passionate about. If the first three stages are success— fully traversed, then the group may be Cookies Holly Reindeer Icicles Santa Trees Mistletoe Angels Snow skills), please contact Lois at 259-5077, Donovan at 259-2708, or Jack at 259- l to emotional and strong language. Katrina Funk i |
