Social Media

Social media can be a useful tool for marketing and professional networking. So how do you use it? Here’s a quick primer, and here’s an example of a large nonprofit’s social media strategy handbook.

MCHR Internship Opportunity

Student Internship Opportunities

Maryland Commission on Human Relations (MCHR)
Mediation Program
6 St. Paul Street, Suite 900 Baltimore, MD 21202
410-767-8600

The Maryland Commission on Human Relations (MCHR) is an independent state agency that serves individual, business, community, and government concerns throughout the State. The Commission’s mandate is to protect legally defined groups, develop bias-free selection, hiring, retention, and promotion procedures by employers; increase housing opportunities to all groups in Maryland; ensure equal access to public accommodations and services; increase knowledge and understanding of anti-discrimination laws and help to improve human relations within the State. The mission of the Commission is to ensure equal opportunity to all through enforcement of Maryland’s laws against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing; to provide educational and outreach services related to the provision of this law; and to promote and improve human relations in Maryland.

The Commission receives complaints directly from individuals who believe they are victims of unlawful discrimination and also processes complaints for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The majority of cases are employment related complaints filed by employees and potential employees in both the private and public sectors. Disputing parties are offered an opportunity to voluntarily choose to mediate their complaints before and/or during any investigative process.

The Agency’s Mediation Program is active across the State and trains and maintains a roster of over 130 volunteer mediators to mediate cases. The Mediation Unit staff are actively involved in several State alternative dispute resolution programs, committees and organizations and are often directly involved in collaborating with other programs, organizations and individuals in developing mediator standards, continuing educational opportunities, ethical guidelines, mentoring opportunities, diversity efforts and other mediator quality assistance efforts.

MCHR offers a unique opportunity for students to take their classroom learning and theory studies and practically apply that knowledge in a real conflict resolution program. Student interns have the opportunity to be involved in some or all of the following during their
internship:

• Conducting case intake and managing their own mediation case load
• Contacting parties to offer and explain mediation services
• Scheduling and setting up mediation sessions
• Observing and co-mediating cases
• Debriefing mediations and receiving feedback from Mediation Unit staff and other program mediators
• Working with legal and investigations staff on various cases
• Assisting with the development of and provision of mediator trainings/workshops/seminars as well as attending trainings provided by the Commission
• Attending ADR related committee or task group meetings including Maryland Shared Neutrals Program, Maryland Roster Managers Committee, Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence work groups, Bar Association functions or events, etc.
• Conducting program outreach to expand program services throughout Maryland, when applicable
• Conducting other outreach and public relations functions including but not limited to creating or contributing to quarterly unit newsletters, writing articles for newsletters, updating website, developing promotional and marketing materials and other assigned duties
• Providing mediator coaching and instruction during a 40-hour mediation training (summer/fall externships only), assisting with other mediator trainings and possibly providing coaching and feedback to new volunteer mediators, depending on intern’s experience level
• Working on other special projects assigned by program director such as analyzing and creating new program forms, compiling and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data from program evaluations, developing new roster maintenance projects, working on volunteer appreciation and/or recognition efforts, etc.

Intern applicants must be available to work in the Baltimore MCHR office for a minimum of 10 hours per week during regular business hours (8a – 6p) Monday – Fridays. Students who can devote more than 10 hours per week may be given preference and would allow for the student to be more involved in various aspects of the program. The hours are flexible and can be arranged with the Mediation Program Director, although it is preferred for the student to spread out their hours to be in the office at least 2 days per week.

*Completion of basic or beginning mediation training or class (including role play practice) is preferred but not required.

Intern applicants will be asked to submit a resume, copies of any mediation or ADR training certificates/course transcripts/letter of completion, and the name and phone number of a professional or academic reference person at the time of application. Phone and in-person interviews will be required.

MCHR internships are unpaid and the Commission does not provide parking.

Students who are interested can feel free to contact the Mediation Program Director, Tara Taylor, at 410-767-6459 or ttaylor@mail.mchr.state.md.us to discuss internship openings.

More information on the MCHR is available on our website at www.mchr.maryland.gov

MCDR Master Classes

Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution
June and July Master Classes – 2009

Topic: Writing a Business Plan for Your ADR Practice
Trainer: Doug Brookman
Location: JECC in Annapolis
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009 9AM to 1PM
Description:
Many talented mediators would like to become professionals, but fail because they don’t do effective business planning. Starting a mediation practice is starting a business. This highly interactive workshop will focus on the nuts and bolts of starting (or enhancing) your mediation practice. It will feature small group and guided discussion and one–on-one coaching. The discussion will include worksheet preparation on the basics: strategy, target markets, differentiating your services, marketing and sales.
About the Trainer:
Doug Brookman, is a nationally recognized facilitator, mediator and trainer, who has conducted collaborative planning and problem-solving processes full-time for 20 years. His company, Public Solutions facilitates effective decision making among divergent interests to serve human, technical and political needs in complex, public contexts. Mr. Brookman’s specialty is orchestrating graceful solutions in large, controversial, multi-party decision making processes.

Topic: Facilitating Effective Decisions
Trainers: John Buck and Monika Megyesi
Location: Friends Community House in Sandy Spring
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009 9 AM to 1 PM
Description:
This training brings a cutting edge to collaborative decision making. It eliminates the disadvantages of consensus (i.e. long time, frequent impasse) and, at the same time, protects advantages such as inclusiveness and equity. By applying cybernetics prenciples to decision-making, this workshop teaches a consent based process in an interactive format that is based on experiential learning. Instructional materials include interactive videos, toys, games, roleplays, handouts, flip-chart and PowerPoint support.

About the Trainers:
John Buck has extensive leadership experience with government, corporations and organizations. He is the first person, not native to the Netherlands, to be certified in the circle-organization method of governance (dynamic governance), and is the first person to be certified in the United States. John assists government agencies, non-profits and businesses to design work and make group decisions effectively.
Monika Megyesi has a Master’s Degree from the University of Baltimore’s in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. She is an experienced mediator and facilitator and has been working with John for the past year.

Registration Form
MCDR sponsored Master Classes for ADR Practitioners June and July 2009

Name _______________________ Phone _________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

___________________________ Email __________________________

Check below the Master Class(es) you want to attend:

Writing a Business Plan for Your ADR Practice – Doug Bookman

______ Saturday, June 13, 2009 in Annapolis 9 AM to 1 PM

Facilitating Effective Decisions – John Buck and Monika Megyesi

______ Saturday, July 11, 2009 in Sandy Spring 9 AM to 1 PM

MCDR Member Fee(s) ___ class(es) at $75 per class = $ _________

Non MCDR member Fee(s) ___ class(es) at $125 per class = $ _________

Limited number of scholarships available. Questions about scholarships, contact Nancy Hirshman: 410-849-2388.

Send this registration form and check made out to MCDR to:
MCDR; 8288 Telegraph Road – Suite A; Odenton, MD 21113

Directions and confirmation will be emailed upon receipt of registration.
General questions, call Ramona Buck: 443-418-0392 or ramonabuck@comcast.net

Len Riskin Presentation: Mindfulness & Conflict Resolution

Len Riskin, Expert in Conflict Resolution, Speaks on Power of ‘Mindfulness,’ May 28

May 20, 2009
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739

Len Riskin, the Chesterfield Smith Professor at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law and a nationally recognized teacher of conflict resolution for students, lawyers, mediators and decision makers, will discuss the power of “mindfulness”—the use of meditation to enhance self-awareness and bring focus—for those who are involved in conflict resolution, in a special event hosted by the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office and the University of Baltimore’s Negotiations and Conflict Management Program on Thursday, May 28 beginning at 7 p.m. This event, free and open to the public, will take place in the Judicial Education and Conference Center, 2011 D Commerce Park Drive, in Annapolis. Refreshments will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Free parking will be available on site.

Riskin is a pioneer in teaching mindfulness to students, conflict resolvers, corporate executives and others across the country, and in Europe. He has developed a unique technique to integrate mindfulness into conflict resolvers’ work and daily lives. Riskin studied mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. His article, “The Contemplative Lawyer: On the Potential Relevance of Mindfulness Meditation to Law Students, Lawyers and Their Clients,” appeared in the May 2002 edition of the Harvard Negotiation Law Review as the centerpiece of a symposium entitled “Mindfulness in Law and Dispute Resolution.”

Known as a brilliant conflict resolution theorist, Riskin has been mediating, writing about mediation and training lawyers and law students in mediation and other methods of dispute resolution since 1980. Much of his work has centered on the mindset that a lawyer or other type of dispute resolver should bring to their work. His creation of a grids analysis approach to mediation has earned him an award from the CPR Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution and is highlighted in numerous books and articles.

Attending an Alternative Dispute Resolution “Evening with” Series event counts as an activity for members of the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence.

For more information about this event, call 410.837.4060.

The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.

Capstone Presentations

CNCM Capstone Presentations

Capstone presentations are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening next week. Please come out and show your support for your fellow CNCM students. For current students, this also is a terrific opportunity to learn more about what to expect during your own Capstone experience. Alumni are also very welcome.

The Capstone presentations will be at the Law School’s moot court room. Snacks and drinks 5-5:30pm, presentations 5:30-8pm.

Monday, May 11th,
Carolyn Whitaker, Beyond Mediation: Creating Non-Traditional Approaches for Managing Conflict
Authea Speaks, Sunny Skies, Cloudy Lives:An Examination of Structural Sources of Conflicts in Jamaica, West Indies and an Exploration of the Potential Impact of Tourism.
Amy Okoth, Voting Booth and Ethnic Violence: Case Study of Kenya

Tuesday, May 12th
Stephanie Latarewicz, An Overview of Collective Trauma and Implications for Conflict Resolution: A Northern Ireland Setting
Elizabeth Gardner, A Case Study of Shrimp Farming in Thailand And How It
Relates to the Other Environmental Conflicts
Lula Mae Gray, My CNCM Journey
Traci Nichols, The Jena Six Conflict: Provention and De-escalation Through Dialogue and Community Conferencing

Wednesday, May 13th
Okezuo Nwachuku, Niger-delta Crisis: The need to improve on human relations
Cinthia DiMarco, Corporate Culture and Mergers: Using the AOL Time Warner merger as a case study to understand the importance of cultural fit in mergers
Rozmyn Miller, The Social Dilemma in Organizations: Social Identity Theory and Organizational Conflict

EPA Opportunity

The Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency is seeking resumes from RPCVs and transitioning PC
staff with current non-competitive eligibility.

The Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center (CPRC) at the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting resumes from
interested RPCVs and transitioning PC staff with non-competitive
eligibility. The CPRC is seeking candidates with a background in
environmental issues and demonstrated interest in conflict resolution,
and strong oral and written communication skills.  In the coming months,
the CPRC may have a position open at the GS-7 or GS-9 level (with
promotion potential to GS-13) involving work with domestic environmental
disputes.  The position would be located in Washington, DC.  Typical
duties would include advising EPA employees on the use of alternative
dispute resolution (ADR) in environmental programs, contracting for
external mediators and facilitators, developing and conducting training,
preparing outreach materials, and promoting collaboration and ADR within
EPA.  The CPRC houses EPA’s internationally-recognized experts in
facilitation, mediation, public engagement, and ADR (more information
available at www.epa.gov/adr).  If you have current non-competitive
eligibility and relevant education and/or experience, and are interested
in this potential opportunity, please send your resume and a short cover
letter to Joanne Dea (dea.joanne@epa.gov) and William Hall
(hall.william@epa.gov) by midnight on April 30, 2009.  No calls  please. 

Take time to smell the tulips

The end of the semester, and all the exams and final papers that implies, is starting to loom near. I hope, in the midst of all the pandemonium, that folks are also finding ways to relax and enjoy themselves. One suggestion: Sherwood Gardens.

Mayer Reminder

As a reminder, Bernard Mayer will be speaking at UB this Thursday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m in the Moot Court Room.

Mayer recently released a new book, Staying with Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes, that continues his focus on constructive conflict engagement. From the book… 

In each of these conflicts, whatever the terms of our involvement, our outlook will expand dramatically if instead of asking our customary question, What can we do to resolve or de-escalate this conflict? we ask, How can we help people prepare to engage with this issue over time? As our outlook grows, significant new avenues of intervention become apparent, and our potential to help parties with their core struggles will grow as well. Our challenge as conflict specialists is to meet people and conflicts as they are genuinely experienced and to help disputants deal with each other and their conflicts realistically and constructively. When we focus only on those elements that are resolvable, we are neither meeting people where they truly are nor offering them a realistic scenario for dealing with the most serious issues they face. Instead, we marginalize our role, limit the reach of our work, and fail to realize the full potential we have to help disputants. In the process, we also constrain the growth of our field and our economic viability as conflict professionals. We have the tools, the experience, and the capacity to do better than this, but too often we don’t have the vision.

(Sorry I can’t offer a page number for the quote; it’s a clipping from my Kindle edition of the text.)

Mayer speaking at UB

Bernard Mayer, author, professor with the Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at Creighton University, and founding partner of CDR Associates, a globally recognized conflict resolution corporation, will discuss his acclaimed book Staying with Conflict in a special event hosted by the Maryland Mediation & Conflict Resolution Office and the Negotiations and Conflict Management Program at the University of Baltimore, on Thursday, April 2 beginning at 7 p.m. This event, free and open to the public, will take place in the Moot Court Room in the John and Frances Angelos Law Center (the UB School of Law), 1415 Maryland Ave. It is part of MACRO’s “Evening with” Series.

Mayer brings more than 25 years of experience in mediation, facilitation and training to bear on managing conflict and resolving differences, in matters ranging from controversial environmental issues, commercial and organizational disputes, interpersonal differences and public decision-making processes. He also has an extensive background in family mediation. Mayer is the author of a number of books and articles, including 2004’s Beyond Neutrality: Confronting the Crisis in Conflict Resolution.

In his latest book, Staying With Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes (2009), Mayer examines a new model for working with enduring conflict, and offers a new paradigm for managing disputes that appear to have no end. Practitioners are urged to move away from current trends of reaching a quick resolution to one that adopts a long-term approach.

MPME Members: Attending a MACRO “Evening with” program counts as an activity for members of the MPME.

For more information about this event, call 410.837.4060.  

The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.

Job Opportunity-CRCMC OPERATIONS MANAGER

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER OPEN DATE: Friday, March 6, 2009 CLOSE DATE: Friday, March 20, 2009 CRCMC is a not-for-profit community mediation center located in Wheaton, Maryland. CRCMC’s mission is to help individuals, groups and communities in Montgomery County constructively manage conflict by offering collaborative problem solving services such as mediation, facilitation, community conferencing and training. CRCMC is seeking a part-time, not to exceed 32 hours per week, Operations Manager. The position is currently funded through June 30, 2009, but continued funding after July 1, 2009 is anticipated. The person selected will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CRCMC office, including such tasks as: – Managing employees, including developing and enforcing personnel policies, holding staff meetings, and regularly reviewing employee performance. – Managing programs: Ensuring that programs are run effectively, CRCMC’s mission is furthered, grant requirements are satisfied, and relationships with partners and government agencies are maintained. – Working with the CRCMC Treasurer and other officers for the development of budgets, maintenance of accounting systems tracking receipt of funds and expenditures, and the preparation of scheduled financial reports. – Participating and contributing to strategic planning – Maintaining a calendar of grant application and report requirements, and assuring that all requirements are complied with, including the preparation of reports. – Assuring compliance with all laws and regulations related to employment practices. – Providing the Board, through the Board Chair, timely and accurate information on all matters within the responsibility of the position. – Making logistical arrangements for CRCMC functions. – Maintaining the organizations archival and administrative files. – Assuring adequate equipment and supplies, within budget. Qualifications – Significant experience in all aspects of the bookkeeping and financial management aspects of the position. – Proficiency in the office tools of Excel, Word, and Quicken. Proficiency in QuickBooks desirable. – Knowledge and experience in grant application and grant contract administration. – Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to mak presentations to a group. – Demonstrated excellence in writing skills, including the organization of materials related to report presentations. – Experience as a supervisor. – Willing and able to delegate work to staff and volunteers. – Experience interacting with other organizations, including governmental entities. Education and Experience – Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. – Experience and/or training with mediation or other conflict resolution processes desired, but not required. – Conversational Spanish desired, but not required. Compensation Up to $30.00 per hour, depending on qualifications. HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants please send: 1. A letter of interest, designating the position sought; 2. A resume or curriculum vitae; 3. A short (no more than 5 pages) writing sample describing or demonstrating your ability to write grants or analogous documents. 4. Contact information for three (3) references related to work performance. Please e-mail application as an attachment to searchcommittee@ crcmc.org. E-mail application must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday March 20, 2009. The receipt of your application will be acknowledged by the committee. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Search Committee at the following e-mail address: searchcommittee@ crcmc.org. Please put “CRCMC Operations Manager Search” in the subject line to ensure that your message is routed properly. The Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (CRCMC) is a drug free workplace and an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. CRCMC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. The candidate selected for this position will be subject to a background check. Employees must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.