Upcoming Trainings | Beyond the Basics | Conflict Coaching 101 | Intermediate Conflict Coaching | Financial Assistance | Calendar | Questions?
Community Boards schedules a variety of new mediation and restorative justice trainings throughout the year. Our regularly-offered trainings — Beyond the Basics, Conflict Coaching 101, and Intermediate Conflict Coaching — are annually scheduled on different dates each year. Be sure to join our email list for future updates.
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UPCOMING TRAININGS
The Power of Circles
Presenter: Elvia Garcia
Date & Times: November 4, Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm PDT
Cost: CB Member, $145 | Public, $195
Location: Live Interactive Workshop on Zoom
The Power of Circles is an introduction to the key elements, and uses of the Circle process, for conflict resolution practitioners, mediators and anyone interested in creating brave spaces for communities to come together to connect through authentic, respectful, and courageous dialogue.
Topics of the workshop will include:
- Circle origins, values, and principles
- Where and how to use Circles
- The outer and inner framework of Circles
- The Circle Keeper’s role and tasks
- Key elements of preparing for and holding an on-line Circle
Through interactive participation and skills practice, participants will learn how to successfully apply their mediation and conflict resolution skills in the role of Circle-Keeper, including in an online format.
Elvia Garcia
Elvia García works as the Mediation Services Coordinator with Yolo Conflict Resolution Center (YCRC) and is one of the founders of the organization. YCRC is a non-profit organization committed to helping communities resolve conflict, address harms, and restore relationships through restorative justice and mediation services. Elvia has trained, mentored, and coached hundreds of conflict resolution practitioners in her many years of experience in the conflict resolution field, and continues this work with YCRC as the lead trainer for the Community Mediation Basics training and work in designing and leading other trainings. Elvia’s commitment to the principles and practice of Circles comes from her work as Circle Keeper in the areas of restorative justice, community-police relations, family conflicts, victim-offender engagement, faith communities, neighborhood conflicts and workplace situations. As a trainer, Elvia engages participants in experiential, learner-centered, culturally-sensitive and trauma informed learning experiences.
Register Here Become a CB Member
Beyond the Basics
2023 TBD
Trainers: Donald Proby & Karen H. Lipney
Dates: TBD
Times: 9:30am – 6:00pm PDT
Cost: Early Bird – CB Member, $295 & Public, $345 | After Oct 14 – CB Member, $350 & Public, $400
Location: Live Interactive Training on Zoom
Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance Application Form.
MCLE Credits: This course is approved by the State Bar of California for 14 MCLE credits including 3 credits for the Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society (provider #9323). $50 processing fee required. You can pay online here: Make your MCLE payment here.
Beyond the Basics is the next step in building the skills you learned in The Basics of Mediation or other 40-hour trainings. A two-day training, Beyond is highly recommended for mediators interested in expanding and enhancing their skill sets. It is also an excellent opportunity for seasoned, experienced mediators wanting to rejuvenate their skills and practices.
Through interactive participation, skills practice, and multiple role plays in breakout rooms, you will come away with enhanced tools and techniques you can use in both your professional and personal lives.
The topics covered will include:
- Impasse
- The Storm Out
- Advanced Listening Skills
- Power Imbalances
- Closer looks at Positions, Interests, Needs & Strategies
- Caucusing
- Understanding Cultural Humility, Values & the Mediator’s Role
- Panel Dynamics with Co-mediators
- Refresher in the Community Boards Model of Mediation
Trainers
Donald Proby, Lead Trainer
Donald, currently a doctoral scholar in educational leadership with an emphasis on cross cultural conflict transformation, has been a mediator, restorative justice practitioner, and conflict resolution trainer for over 35 years. He has worked in government, social services, nonprofit leadership, and public and holistic health arenas.
Donald also works with multiple Bay Area organizations to advance peace and community building. Donald has been co-leading our Basics of Mediation training since 2011. His approach to adult education involves holding space where learners are encouraged to engage with their natural curiosity, explore, experiment, and master the content through transformative embodied experiences. Donald works to create an environment where risk taking is encouraged and the collective experience is engaging. Visit Donald’s LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/in/donaldproby.
Karen H. Lipney, Co-Trainer
Karen is a trainer, mediator, facilitator, conflict coach, and is a co-trainer of the Basics of Mediation and Beyond the Basics. She draws on years of experience working for a national labor union and before that, as an attorney. In a career transition, Karen focused on mediation to expand her skills and experience. In 2014, Karen began to volunteer her time for Community Boards as a Community Mediator, Conflict Coach, and Facilitator. In 2016 she joined the staff as the Outreach Coordinator. Karen then worked as our ADR Programs Director from 2016-21. She is currently the Neighborhood Courts Program Coordinator & Consultant with Community Boards, as well as a mediator, conflict coach and facilitator for The Brigham and Women’s Hospital located in Boston. Karen was raised in San Francisco and giving back to the community is part of her family heritage.
CONFLICT COACHING TRAININGS
Conflict Coaching 101
2023-24 TBD
Special Conflict Coaching Package
We’ve bundled our conflict coaching trainings into a special package deal! You can register for both Conflict Coaching 101 and Intermediate Conflict Coaching for a savings of $50.
Trainers: Betsy Zeger & Karen H. Lipney
Dates: TBD
Times: 9:30am-5:00pm PST
Recommended prerequisite: Community Boards’ The Basics of Mediation, a comparable 40-hour training, or two years of professional conflict resolution practice.
Cost: CB Member, Early Bird, $350 – After Feb 3, $399 | Public, Early Bird, $400, After Feb 3, $449
Coaching Package: CB Member, $445 | Public, $525
Location: Live Interactive Training on Zoom
Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance Application Form.
Register Become a CB Member
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What is conflict coaching?
Conflict coaching is a one-on-one session intended to assist and empower individuals to positively address specific conflicts and gain skills and tools to engage in, manage or productively resolve conflict.
Conflict Coaching 101 is an intensive, two-day introduction to the principles of conflict coaching during which participants will learn to apply their current conflict resolution and mediation skills in a one-on-one situation. In addition, participants will gain new insights to this unique approach and have opportunities to practice and apply them, including affirmatively recognizing and acknowledging cultural differences, power imbalances, and any other factors that may be affecting the situation.
Conflict coaching may be used in both personal and workplace settings when conflict arises. It is a dynamic and versatile discipline for everyone and will add a valuable conflict resolution skill set to each participant’s repertoire including, but not limited to, professional mediators, social workers, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, and HR personnel.
Training participants will learn to help those with a conflict to:
- Identify their own personal needs and interests concerning the situation.
- Recognize the personal needs and interests of the others involved in the situation in order to gain a broader perspective.
- Acknowledge cultural differences and power imbalances.
- Employ effective communication and active listening techniques.
- Brainstorm possible solutions and ways to address the needs and interests identified.
- Evaluate and create criteria for selecting possible solutions and identify next steps.
Please review our Cancellation & Refund Policy: Cancellations & Refunds
INTERMEDIATE CONFLICT COACHING
2023-24 TBD
Trainers: Betsy Zeger & Karen H. Lipney
Date: TBD
Times: 9:30am-5:00pm, Pacific Daylight Time
Recommended prerequisite: Community Boards’ Conflict Coaching 101
Cost: CB Members, $145 | Public, $175 | Refresher, $79
Location: Live Interactive Training on Zoom
Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance Application Form.
Register Become a CB Member
Intermediate Conflict Coaching is an advanced training that will give you new techniques and tools. You’ll have additional opportunities to practice conflict coaching and get expert feedback. This training is a must for those who have taken Community Boards’ Conflict Coaching 101.
Special Offer: Have you already taken our Intermediate Conflict Coaching? Would you like a refresher? Take advantage of this great offer – register for only $79 and get refreshed!
In this highly hands-on, one-day training, you will learn when and how to:
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- Use an empathy map to broaden a client’s perspective and help them get more clarity.
- Effectively use role play with clients to give them a chance to practice effectively communicating.
- Teach the client effective communication techniques.
- Work with a client that is really stuck and doesn’t see any good options.
- End a conflict coaching session and make a referral when coaching isn’t the most effective option.
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We will also talk in more depth about assisting clients in coming up with doable action plans and supporting the client to follow through with it. Additional techniques for conflict coaching by phone will also be covered.
Currently not an active Conflict Coach? While focused on conflict coaching, these skills are also useful in mediation, facilitation, consulting, H.R., family situations, and more. We hope you will join us in going to the next level of conflict coaching.
Please review our Cancellation & Refund Policy: Cancellations & Refunds
CONFLICT COACHING TRAINERS
Betsy Zeger
Betsy is a versatile and highly accomplished Conflict Resolution Specialist with long-term experience in helping clients achieve their goals. Betsy had a 25-year career as an agent and personal manager for composers in the music industry; for the past 13 years she has been a community mediator/facilitator; and Certified Professional Co-Active Life Coach. She also teaches High School students communication, listening, mediation and coaching skills which are used in the Peer Resource classes. Betsy spearheaded and is the Advisory Board Chair of the Tam District High School’s 5 Wellness Centers which support all students with professional in-house social and emotional support. Betsy is a co-creator and co-trainer for Community Boards’ Conflict Coaching trainings. Visit Betsy’s website: www.betsyzeger.com.
Karen H. Lipney
Karen is a trainer, mediator, facilitator, conflict coach, and is a co-trainer of the Basics of Mediation and Beyond the Basics. She draws on years of experience working for a national labor union and before that, as an attorney. In a career transition, Karen focused on mediation to expand her skills and experience. In 2014, Karen began to volunteer her time for Community Boards as a Community Mediator, Conflict Coach, and Facilitator. In 2016 she joined the staff as the Outreach Coordinator. Karen then worked as our ADR Programs Director from 2016-21. She is currently the Neighborhood Courts Program Coordinator & Consultant with Community Boards, as well as a mediator, conflict coach and facilitator for The Brigham and Women’s Hospital located in Boston. Karen was raised in San Francisco and giving back to the community is part of her family heritage.
Financial Assistance Application
Community Boards is committed to ensuring accessibility to all our trainings and workshops. Awards of financial aid are needs based. Our primary goals are to provide financial assistance and to maintain diversity in our pool of volunteer Community Mediators.
All information in the application is confidential. Please note that applicants may be requested to provide additional information.
Submit your application online: Financial Assistance Application Form.
Questions?
Trainings: Sarah Moss, Mediation and Training Coordinator, smoss@communityboards.org
General inquiries: Jim Garrison, Communications Director, jgarrison@communityboards.org