Center for Dispute Resolution

www.MissouriState.edu/CDR * CDR@MissouriState.edu * (417) 836-8831

Fall Trainings and Workshops Meet Community and Organizational Needs

by

By Dr. Charlene Berquist, Director, and Heather Blades, Associate Director

The Center for Dispute Resolution (CDR) regularly provides customized presentations, workshops, and trainings on communication and conflict management in a variety of contexts for a host of different audiences. This fall was no exception! Sessions offered by the CDR included the following:

  • “Everyday Negotiation Skills” – This session, provided for supervisors working for the City of Springfield, focused on how supervisors can use negotiation skills to get employees and others to work together more effectively.
  • “Managing Conflicts with Neighbors” – This evening workshop was offered at the request of Habitat for Humanity, and attendees included Habitat family partners and community members.
  •  “Effective Communication and Managing Conflict” – This interactive workshop was provided for staff at Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
  • “Managing Perceptions” – This workshop for City of Springfield supervisors explored the role of perception in communication and conflict interactions and offered advice on how to manage common barriers to accurate perception.
  • “Facilitation Skills Training” – This focused training, which included an overview of group dialogue processes and facilitation skill development, was offered twice – once for Missouri State students and again for Glendale High School students. The students participating in the training later assisted with two public dialogue projects supported by the CDR for Glendale High School and the Ozarks Chapter of the Methodist Church.
  • “Peer Mediation Training” – For years the CDR has provided peer mediation training and program support for area schools, and this fall a new group of budding “peer mediators” at Glendale High School were trained by the CDR.
  • “Circles for Girls Facilitator Training” – The CDR regularly offers training for Missouri State women in how to facilitate “Circles for Girls.” This training builds women’s group facilitation skills while preparing them to volunteer in the CDR’s high-impact community program offering talking circles for girls in area schools.
  • “Managing Conflicts and Creating a Positive Work Culture” – this 1½-day training was offered for staff at The Kitchen and Rare Breed Youth Services and explored the role of communication in effectively managing conflicts and fostering supportive climates in the workplace.
  • “Listening Skills for Supervisors” – This session, provided for supervisors working for the City of Springfield, focused on how supervisors can build their most important communication skill.
  • Additional informational workshops and course lectures were provided for a variety of Missouri State University classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level in departments including Communication, Child and Family Development, Athletic Training, and the General Education program.

Customized training, workshops, and presentations can vary from one hour to several days based on the needs and goals of participants and may focus on a variety of topics related to communication and conflict management. For more information on the CDR’s on-demand workshops or customized trainings, including a sampling of topics, please visit the CDR’s website, or call 417-836-8831 or email CDR@MissouriState.edu.