Facilitated Conflict Resolution Process

Linscott Charter School intends to be a community of adults who are responsible, respectful, responsive and resourceful. In a self-governed environment such as this, in which many of us are passionate about our involvement, conflict is inevitable. We need to model for our students how to resolve conflicts respectfully. We need to be careful of what we say to each other and how we say it -- on the phone, in the hall, or anywhere in the presence of children. How we represent our own approaches to conflict in front of our children is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.

Responsibility: I am responsible when I am accountable to the community for my choices.

Respect: I am respectful when I treat others the way I want to be treated.

Resourcefulness: I am resourceful when I find solutions to take care of myself and my community.

Responsiveness: I am responsive when I react in a positive and helpful way to others in my community.

The purpose of this process is for all parties to be heard, to consider what might they might have handled differently, and to reach agreements about future behavior and interactions that are in the best interests of both parties and the Linscott community as a whole. It is not a "courtroom" nor is it an opportunity for involved parties to present a case in hopes of a judgment in their favor. The outcome may be no more than to "agree to disagree without being disagreeable."

Ground Rules:

• One person talks at a time
• No interruptions
• No raised voices
• Anyone may ask for a break at any time
• This process is entirely confidential and will not be shared with any other member of the Linscott community.
• The facilitator may interject comments of a general nature, ask for a break, redirect inappropriate comments or responses.

1. The facilitator will determine which party will begin. The conversation will consist of an "I Message" from one party, followed by an active listening response from the other. Each participant will continue taking turns until both parties are satisfied that they have been heard.

I Message:

"I feel _____________ when you _____________."

Active Listening Response:

"I hear you saying that _____________."

If a statement or response is unclear, ask for clarification:

"I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Are you saying that _____________?"

Response:

"Yes." or "No". I am saying that I feel _____________ when you _____________."

2. When the exchange is completed to the satisfaction of both parties the facilitator will ask each participant to consider what they might have done differently or would do differently in the future. The facilitator may make suggestions and will record the information.

3. The facilitator will ask each party in turn to express an agreement for future interactions, and ask the other party if they can agree. If there is no agreement, both parties will continue to rephrase agreements until there is agreement. The facilitator will record the agreements.

4. If appropriate, the facilitator will ask each party if there is anything the other party can do that will help them move forward and let go of the conflict.

5. Copies of all records will be furnished to both parties

Remember that we all make mistakes and that mistakes are opportunities for learning. The important steps are to acknowledge any mistakes, correct the mistakes, forgive yourself and move on.

Linscott Charter School 220 Elm Street Watsonville, California 95076 (831) 728-6301