Want to learn how to increase the peace?
Want to learn how to increase the peace?
Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center is hosting a fall “Basic Mediation Training” on two consecutive weekends, Sept. 12-13 and 19-20, in Hilo.
Facilitated by M.A.’s Diane Petropulos and Catherine Lampton, “Basic Mediation Training” participants learn a variety of approaches for dealing with people in conflict — through lecture, group discussion, hands-on exercises and mock mediation practice.
Petropulos is principal of ADRinAction and Lampton is principal of Mediation&More. Both are mediators, facilitators and trainers who have mediated hundreds of court and noncourt cases, Petropulos for Maui Mediation Services and Lampton for Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center.
“Whether you want to improve your peacemaking and communication skills or want to become a mediator, this training gives you the tools you need to start resolving conflict in a peaceful and lasting way,” said Julie Mitchell, executive director of the nonprofit community mediation center.
The 30-hour training offers instruction in the process of mediation and how to apply advanced communication skills— such as active listening, summarizing and rephrasing, and using open-ended questions — in order to help parties resolve their differences.
“People in conflict often focus on each other as the problem, going head to head. Mediation helps people focus on the issues, not on each other, so they can see that they have a joint problem to solve,” Mitchell said.
“This training is perfect for anyone who wants to communicate more effectively at work and at home, become a better negotiator and problem-solver, and increase your value in the workplace,” she added. “No particular background or personality is needed — all are welcome.”
Upon successful completion of the training, participants can apply these new skills as volunteer mediators through Ku‘ikahi’s apprenticeship program.
This year, Ku‘ikahi launched a “Keep The Song Alive” Sandra Song Memorial Scholarship for a woman to attend the training free of charge. Other partial scholarships also are available.
“Basic Mediation Training” tuition is $295, which includes training materials. To register or apply for a scholarship, contact program coordinator Gail Takaki at 935-7844, ext. 9 or gail@hawaiimediation.org.
To learn more about Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, visit www.hawaiimediation.org.