Sitka Creations
Mediator Musings: Land

My son was two and playing on the sidewalk with the other kids. Laura, the next-door neighbor, jiggled her one-year-old. “I think for the first time in over two years,” I said, “I might not be overwhelmingly tired.” She replied, “I’m hoping to have that feeling soon, I’m just so exhausted!”  As I recall early parenthood, I can still today feel the memory in my body and mind and spirit stretched so thinly, so precariously surviving, yearning for something out of reach.

Mediator Musings: Land
Mediation Musings
Sitka Creations
Mediation Musings: Selling Mediation

Rain has been around a lot longer than humans. Sun, too. As long as our species has existed there has been weather, and people have found lots of different ways to handle it.

Mediation Musings: Selling Mediation
Mediation Musings
Sitka Creations
Mediation Musings: Optimism

It’s rough out there. Wars, atrocities, mass shootings, global warming, toxic polarization, free-floating anger and anxiety. As I talk to people around me, I find many are distracted and off-center.

Mediation Musings: Optimism
Mediation Musings
Sitka Creations
Mediation Musings: Weaving Generations

The misunderstandings, assumptions and judgments between generations cause some real conflicts. It is natural for people to believe the way they were raised, the time they grew up and the standards they considered as the norm are superior to other generations’ ways of being. Just like my grandmother and her hand-cranked dryer, it is hard to adopt to new ways.

Mediation Musings: Weaving Generations
Mediation Musings
Sitka Creations
Mediation Musings: Generations

When my grandmother handed me the wet clothes and told me to “put them through the wringer,” I had no idea what to do. “Go ahead, don’t dawdle. Get those clothes done.”

Mediation Musings: Generations

This month’s links for your reading, listening, and viewing pleasure

In recognition of Veteran’s Day:

  • 5 veterans’ skills to apply to conflict resolution

In recognition of National Kindness Day:

  • How to show kindness in professional settings

  • Making tough decisions with compassion

  • Here are some reflective questions that might facilitate kindness when in conflict

  • Kind conflict resolution in the classroom

Preparing for family and holiday conflicts:

Other:

  • Don’t take it personally

  • Learning mutuality

  • Using a neutral to talk to your team about difficult news and current events

  • Conflict narratives and emotions

  • Here’s a link to one of our favorite websites on peace and conflict; lots of resources here

  • Four ways to create quality connections at work

  • The impact of pressure to accommodate others on conflict resolution

  • How curiosity can transform your relationships

  • Where one sits is important

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, October 9...

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, October 9...

We acknowledge that we are standing on the land of the Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) people and nation, who settled this land at least 12,000 years ago and still celebrate it as home today. Although commonly referred to as Martha’s Vineyard, this island has a much older name, a Wôpanâak name: Noëpe. Through this acknowledgement, we wish to celebrate Wôpanâak culture, creativity, and perspective. We hope to honor Wôpanâak perseverance in the face of colonialism, invisibility, and cultural genocide. And we commit to restorative relationships and practices with the Wôpanâak people of Noëpe. After all, it is important to remember that no matter where you go in what is now the United States, you are always on indigenous land. 

Featured Community Partnership–– CAP Communication Ambassador Partnership

Featured Community Partnership–– CAP Communication Ambassador Partnership

Do you know about the CAP organization? Communication Ambassador Partnership of Martha’s Vineyard is a local nonprofit organization whose vision is language access for all on Martha’s Vineyard and beyond. CAP provides interpreting and translation services along with other services that promote and support the assets of multilingualism and multiculturalism. 

Testimonials
Small Claims Client

“I was terrified when I came into the court. It seemed like the end of the world. Thanks to my compassionate and understanding mediators, I was able to have a productive conversation with someone I considered an adversary. I couldn’t believe we were able to work it out without going in front of a judge. Thank you MVMP.”

– Small Claims Client

Read more →
Divorce Client

“I was really not looking forward to mediation. But it turned turned out to be relatively pleasant. I really enjoyed working with the two of you. I plan to recommend mediation to others.”

– Divorce Client

Read more →
Facilitation Client

“You brought us all together. It was awesome. I am so relieved. All our people felt uplifted, more united and part of a team. In particular one Board member said she felt she was taken care of with kindness and wisdom. We all know each other much better, have defined our work together and are in such better shape than we were when we started. Thank you MVMP.”

– Facilitation Client

Read more →
Conflict Coaching Client

“If you have the chance to do Conflict Coaching, DO IT! It was eye opening for me. My coach was kind, insightful and such a great listener. Most importantly, I learned so much about myself and about how I handle conflict. I now have a good, solid conflict management plan for the future.”

– Conflict Coaching Client

Read more →
Workplace Conflict Management Services

“It was valuable to help me handle a current conflict in my workplace. Putting a positive spin on conflict was an eye-opener for me. It gives me a structure to address problems. We had a very serious conflict at work recently so this is very important and relevant to me right now.”

– Workplace Conflict Management Services

Read more →