Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado
QUICK LINKS
CONNECT WITH US!
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
View our profile on LinkedIn
Join Our Mailing List

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

 Don't forget to check the Events Calendar on conflictresolutionmonth.org 
for further details!

Use the Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado calendar all year long - post your events related to problem solving activities to our calendar for all months, not just October!

May 14th, 9:00 AM-12:00PM: Colorado's Social Emotional Forum

Maya 22nd, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM: Symposium on Sand Creek Massacre: Acknowledgement and Repair. Reiman Theater, Margery Reed Hall, 2199 S University Blvd, Denver, 80208
 
 
June 3rd, 11:30AM - 1:00PM: Monthly Synergizer Meeting - details in newsletter

 JOIN A TEAM!
There are so many ways to get involved in Conflict Resolution Month. One of the best ways is to become a Synergizer and join a Team!

Conflict Resolution Month Teams are groups of folks who have come together to coordinate an aspect of Conflict Resolution Month. There is a wide range of diversity in team activities--chances are, there is a team that would be a great fit for the contribution of your time and talents!

Check out the details of each team here.  If you don't see a team that's right for you, feel free to attend the monthly Synergizer meeting and suggest something new!

To join a team, contact 

DONATE TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION MONTH!
 All donations to Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado are processed through our fiscal sponsor, The Conflict Center.  Please be sure to make a note in the online donation form that indicates that your donation is for Conflict Resolution Month!
 
 
You may also send a check directly to the Conflict Center with Conflict Resolution Month in the memo line. 
NEWSLETTER
May, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SYNERGIZER MEETINGS
Contacting new people and organizations is now getting special attention at our regular meetings.  We shared with one another news of who has most recently been engaged in planning conversations for October 2015.   We will continue this reporting at each of our meetings. See the Meeting Minutes at the bottom of the newsletter for details.

We are so excited to have active groups working in Boulder, Summit County and Colorado Springs!  Thanks to all who are energizing these communities and organizing activities across the state.  If you are in these areas, get in on the action!  Contacts: Boulder: Susan Vanderborgh at [email protected], Summit County: Myra Isenhart at [email protected], Colorado Springs: Jan Rodgers at [email protected].

We are in great shape with the Governor's Proclamation and the Resolution of the Legislature in hand!  Thanks so much to Rita Hyland for her work on getting these important endorsements.  When others, especially those  in government, understand that we are endorsed statewide, they can easily join our campaign!  We just need to connect and extend the invitation.

Susanne Hoogwater has plans for us to contribute to Little Free Libraries in addition to connecting with the entire Colorado State Library system.  Far reaching possibilities!

At our upcoming meetings we will engage in conversation about the impetus for our commitment to constructive conflict management and dispute resolution.  Deeper understandings will give us energy to promote the campaign and reach out to others.

Our June meeting will revolve around the discussion topic from this NPR Report 38 Million People Displaced Within Their Country. Ron Ludwig will lead the discussion! Check out the story.

Please let us know whom you are talking with about Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado.  Do you need any materials for explaining our cause and campaign?  How can we support your efforts?

Thank you to each of our Team Leaders for making all this a reality, not just a vision or concept. 

We rock! 
Mary Zinn

WORKSHOP PROPOSAL OPPORTUNITITY
Something a little different for the CO Conflict Resolution Month Community - We are considering submitting a 90-minute workshop proposal for the 2015 Colorado Safe Schools Summit to be held in Thornton on October 14 and 15.  This is an excellent no-cost Summit with tracks for school staff, mental health professionals and school law enforcement partners.

We invite you to participate with us by offering your talent and ideas that include practical conflict management information.  If you wish to help put together a proposal before May 29, please see the links below and contact Mary Zinn ([email protected]).  Also, feel free to submit a proposal on your own.  To attend the Summit, you must pre-register.  Registration is open at www.CO.Train.org with Course ID #: 1056986

POWER OF 10 HOURS SPOTLIGHT
We will feature one Power of 10 Hours story monthly. We hope inspiration is drawn from the examples provided through participation in the 2014 campaign!  What will you do with 10 hours this year?

This week we are highlighting Robin Rosenfeld and her contributions to the International Commercial Arbitration Act. 

"At our penultimate meeting, just a we were discussing what our recommendation would be, it became a little contentious and membership of the committee began to revert to their positions. At that time, my mediator-self spoke up and began to summarize the shared interests and goals of the group, after which we were able to reach consensus on the recommendation and even start to discuss the "what next." Read more about Robin's experience HERE!
2015 BOOK SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT!
This year's Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado book selection is Sticking Points: How to Get 4 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart by Haydn Shaw.
 
This book is a timely and relevant work because it addresses areas in which conflict between generations frequently occurs.  At this point in history there are four generations in the workforce, and this is a condition that is not expected to change soon because as the last Traditionalists retire, the as-yet-unnamed post-Millennial generation will begin its tenure in the workforce.  Although the book focuses on issues that arise in the workplace, it quickly becomes apparent that these sticking points also appear in a variety of settings including home, school, neighborhood, congregation, or civic group. 
 
Haydn Shaw uses "ghost stories" of each generation - discussion of pivotal events that shaped each generation's perspectives - to build a foundation of shared understanding that provides useful points for reflection and discussion.  Shaw also presents a five-step process for working through generational sticking points and developing solutions that are mutually acceptable across the different generations.  Sticking Points provides better understanding of the reasons behind the generational divides and teaches ways to improve communication across generations and build stronger relationships anywhere the different generations interact.  Sticking Points is available at libraries, local bookstores, and on Amazon.com.  There is also a Kindle version available.
SPEAKERS BUREAU INFORMATION
Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado is excited to announce our new Speakers Bureau! Any friends and supporters of Conflict Resolution Month are welcome to post a brief bio and a list of topics. Your name and bio will be listed with other speakers on our website:
http://conflictresolutionmonth.org/resources/speakers/

Check out the examples Mary Zinn and Steve Felt have posted. The Speakers Bureau is another step in making Colorado the most civil state in the union. Below are the specifics for submitting your bio:
  • Name
  • Contact information - email and/or phone number
  • Website
  • Bio - max 150 words
  • List of 5 topics or presentations
Please send our information to [email protected].
FLASH MOB EXPERTISE NEEDED
Let's raise CR Month visibility and rally supporters with an October FLASH MOB...YouTube, here we come!

Any CR Month friends or supporters willing to share their expertise and lead in the coordination and organization of our very first flash mob? Please contact Mary Zinn:
 SYNERGIZER MEETING REMINDER
Next Meeting:
June 3rd, 2015 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
The Conflict Center, 
4140 Tejon Street
Denver, CO 80211 

The Conflict Resolution Month Synergizers are a group of individuals who come together each month to build the infrastructure that supports Conflict Resolution Month activities and to build awareness of Conflict Resolution Month overall. Meetings are open to anyone who has the passion and energy to commit to making Conflict Resolution Month a success!

Synergizer Meetings take place at 11:30am on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of every month at the Conflict Center. Please bring your own lunch if you wish. Snacks will be provided.

 

May Meeting Notes Available Here! 

The mission of Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado
is to inspire the use of constructive problem solving in Colorado.