2008 Woodie Awards
Mediators help clear away emotional haze
Sara Wilmot
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
Let's just agree to disagree: a compromise many people come to when they find themselves in a conflict that seems to have no solution.
But is this really a good way to solve a dispute? Humboldt Mediation Services doesn't think so.
Humboldt Mediation Services is offering a training course in conflict mediation, open to all community members.
"I don't just use my skills when I am mediating, what I have learned is applicable in every aspect of my life," said Emily McPhail, a volunteer mediator and office administrator for Humboldt Mediation Services.
Humboldt Mediation Services is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1983. They work to resolve conflicts between people in the community with the goal of diverting people from having to go to court and encouraging people to solve disputes.
Anda Webb is the chairperson for the Humboldt Mediation Services board as well as a volunteer mediator. She took the mediator training course in 2002 and has been involved with Humboldt Mediation Services ever since.
"I was attracted by the idea of making peace in the world, helping people reduce the conflict in their lives, and finding better solutions for unhappy situations that they may be tolerating," Webb said.
Humboldt Mediation Services' next mediator training session starts March 31. It is a 30-hour, two-week course with classes held Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturdays at the Arcata Presbyterian Church.
Webb is a union representative for most of the staff at Humboldt State University with the California State University Employees Union as well as the chairperson for Humboldt Mediation Services.
She said she has had to separate herself among the two positions. As a mediator she has to be a neutral party to hear both sides of a conflict, yet for her union representative position she is very much on the side of the individuals she represents.
"The things that you learn in regards to communication skills are valuable no matter where you are or what you are doing. The good communication styles that you develop through mediation really help you to speak in a way that people will hear you," Webb said.
But is this really a good way to solve a dispute? Humboldt Mediation Services doesn't think so.
Humboldt Mediation Services is offering a training course in conflict mediation, open to all community members.
"I don't just use my skills when I am mediating, what I have learned is applicable in every aspect of my life," said Emily McPhail, a volunteer mediator and office administrator for Humboldt Mediation Services.
Humboldt Mediation Services is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1983. They work to resolve conflicts between people in the community with the goal of diverting people from having to go to court and encouraging people to solve disputes.
Anda Webb is the chairperson for the Humboldt Mediation Services board as well as a volunteer mediator. She took the mediator training course in 2002 and has been involved with Humboldt Mediation Services ever since.
"I was attracted by the idea of making peace in the world, helping people reduce the conflict in their lives, and finding better solutions for unhappy situations that they may be tolerating," Webb said.
Humboldt Mediation Services' next mediator training session starts March 31. It is a 30-hour, two-week course with classes held Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturdays at the Arcata Presbyterian Church.
Webb is a union representative for most of the staff at Humboldt State University with the California State University Employees Union as well as the chairperson for Humboldt Mediation Services.
She said she has had to separate herself among the two positions. As a mediator she has to be a neutral party to hear both sides of a conflict, yet for her union representative position she is very much on the side of the individuals she represents.
"The things that you learn in regards to communication skills are valuable no matter where you are or what you are doing. The good communication styles that you develop through mediation really help you to speak in a way that people will hear you," Webb said.
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