Communication Pathway

Process 2006-06-04

Summary:

This document outlines a communication pathway to follow when there is a perception that a community agreement has been broken, with the goal of resolving the issue without formal consequences. The pathway includes steps such as handling the situation alone, talking to the neighbor directly, seeking out a third person's help, engaging the Conflict Resolution Committee, and addressing the issue with the whole group.

Background:

This is an agreement from a weekend of community meetings with Laird Schaub, June 2006, with the general topic of Living Well With Children. Continuing the work started at the weekend community meetings with Laird in December 2005, which was also on the topic of Living Well With Children.

Proposal:

COMMUNICATION PATHWAY

If you perceive a neighbor is not honoring a community agreement use the pathway below to evaluate how you want to address the situation:

* Can you handle it alone?
- let it go; its not that important; take care of the situation yourself (clean up the mess, move the scooter, etc).
- Only choose this option if in fact you have let it go and resentment is not building up.

* Can you handle it one-on-one?
- talk to your neighbor directly about your perception and concerns.

* Seek out a 3rd persons help to move the conversation forward.
- ask someone to be a sounding board to help you clarify your feelings and figure out what you want to do to next;
- ask someone to be present with you and your neighbor when you talk;
- the Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC) is a resource for this step.

* Do you need formal help?
- engage the Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC) if you haven't already done so;
- if that was not fruitful, another possibility is engaging outside, professional help: arbitration, mediation, etc. CRC and Process committee can be resources for discussing this.

* Does it need to be addressed by the whole group?
- work with the CRC or Process committee to bring the issue/concern to the whole group in an appropriate way.