The Center for Conflict Resolution provides a number of training programs and workshops.  Each year we regularly schedule five 40-Hour mediation skills trainings open to the public as well as provide custom designed trainings and workshops for institutions, businesses, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations on mediation and conflict management issues.  Please see the descriptions below for more information

Training Programs and Workshops

• 40-hour Performance-Based Mediation Skills Training
• Divorce & Custody (Domestic Relations) Mediation Training (led by the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute)

CCR offers the following programs for organizations and groups interested in exploring various conflict resolution topics.  Workshops may be tailored to your organization’s needs and culture.  To schedule a workshop, please contact Ericka Jackson, Training Assistant, at ejackson@ccrchicago.org or 312.922.6464 ext 15 :

• Advocacy in Mediation

• Conflict Management

• Drafting Effective ADR Clauses

• Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Introduction to Mediation

• Managing Conflict in the Workplace

• Team Building and Problem Solving

• Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

• Win-Win without Giving In

40-HOUR PERFORMANCE-BASED MEDIATION SKILLS TRAINING

"CCR's mediation skills training is outstanding. You receive extensive individual coaching from experienced and knowledgeable trainers. I use the skills I practiced in the training every day."

Jennifer Nijman, Former President of the Chicago Bar Association
and Partner at Njiman Frauzetti LLP

What is Mediation Skills Training?

The Center for Conflict Resolution's (CCR) 40-hour Mediation Skills Training is designed to provide the basic techniques needed to mediate disputes as well as to complement the skills used by participants in their current occupations. The training focuses on the negotiation and communications skills used by mediators to move effectively through the stages of the mediation process. These skills include:

• Interest Based Negotiation
• Handling Emotionally Charged Situations
• Reality Testing
• Problem Solving
• Active Listening
• Effective Questioning
• Mediating multi-party disputes

The CCR Advantage

The heart of the CCR learning experience comes from the simulated mediations and the individualized coaching each trainee receives during these sessions. Over 50% of the training is spent practicing mediation skills under the guidance of experienced mediator-trainers, present for the entirety of each practice session, who provide the concrete and individualized feedback needed to put mediation skills into practice. The trainers serve as coaches, giving feedback in the moment, identifying skills the trainees are doing well, along with areas of development, and methods to reach their highest potential. Training class size is limited to ensure a maximum four to one trainee to trainer ratio is maintained.  Therefore, each participant will receive a minimum 5 hours of focused practice in the simulated mediation sessions under the guidance of a coach specifically assigned to work with that individual. These simulations are enhanced by a series of lectures, discussions, and demonstrations covering topics such as the CCR process of mediation, ethical concerns, and different models of mediation.

Professional Benefits

All persons who complete the 40-hour training will receive a certificate of completion from the Center for Conflict Resolution, a highly respected and recognized conflict resolution organization with over 29 years of experience.

Academics and practitioners in the ADR field are in the midst of a hot debate regarding mediator certification (See American Bar Association – Section of Dispute Resolution Survey on Mediator Certification, available at http://www.abanet.org/dispute).  At this time, there is no uniform national standard for certification.  CCR’s certificate of completion, however, meets many local training requirements for mediators.  In particular, CCR’s Mediation Training program has been approved by the Presiding Judge of the Law Division and Chancery Division of Cook County as satisfying one of their requirements to become a certified Mediator in Cook County. Please refer to point 20.08 of Local Rule 20 enacted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 99. http://www.cookcountycourt.org/divisions/law/mediation.htm 

MCLE & CEUs:  CCR’s Mediation Skills Training has been approved for both Social Work CEUs and MCLE credits.  Please provide your license number during the registration process to receive proper credit at the completion of the training.  The Illinois MCLE Board has approved this training for 33 hours of MCLE credit, including 4 hours of Professionalism.  Attorneys are asked to provide their ARDC number and pay an additional $33 administrative fee when registering. 

Volunteering at CCR:  For individuals interested in becoming a volunteer for CCR, please note our volunteer approval process is changing Summer 2008.  We will no longer be approving individuals as CCR volunteer mediators during the 40-Hour training.  Individuals must apply for our new Prospective Volunteer Mentoring Program.  Details about this program will be posted located on the Volunteer Opportunities page soon. 

The Trainers

Throughout CCR’s Mediation Skills Training, you will work with a large number of highly skilled and experienced mediators from diverse backgrounds such as law, social work, human resources, education, psychology, film, massage therapy, and more.  At a minimum, all trainers have completed CCR’s 40-Hour Performance-Based Mediation Skills Training, been certified as an approved CCR volunteer mediator and received additional training through CCR’s Train the Trainer sessions.  Trainers provide coaching support and guidance during practice simulations as well as share their expertise during lectures.

Alyson Carrel, is the CCR Training Director and manages all of CCR’s training programs.  She is also the Lead Trainer of the 40-Hour Mediation Skills Training both overseeing the training and providing lecture, facilitation and coaching support during the training.  Over the past seventeen years, Alyson has trained thousands of individuals in the skills of mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.  Prior to her employment at CCR, Alyson managed the Dependency Mediation Program for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida that provided mediation services to parties involved in child protection/dependency matters. She also worked with the Juvenile Mediation Clinic at the University of Florida School of Law where she helped train and manage law school clinic students in small-claims mediation, victim-offender mediation and conflict resolution skills. Alyson attended her first mediation training in 1992 and is now an approved volunteer mediator at CCR, a certified Missouri Supreme Court Rule 17.04 Mediator, as well as a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator.  Outside of CCR, Alyson is an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law teaching Negotiation.  She is also Chair of the American Bar Association-Dispute Resolution Section’s National Coordinating Committee for the Representation in Mediation competition.  Alyson received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia where she focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution, published a casenote on drafting an effective ADR contract clause, and was the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dispute Resolution. She received her B.A. in Women's Studies from the University of Florida where she wrote a thesis entitled, Does Mediation Subvert the Dominant Paradigm and Empower Women?

Who Should Attend Training?

During the last decade, mediation has progressed from a little-known alternative to a prominent method of resolving conflicts. Now mediators are routinely chosen to assist conflicting parties reach mutually acceptable agreements in corporate, employment, construction, real estate, environmental, healthcare, personal injury, family, public policy, intellectual property, church and community disputes.

CCR maintains the belief that no particular educational, employment, professional and/or experiential background makes a better mediator. CCR has trained people from all walks of life including, but certainly not limited to:

Training Times and Dates

CCR provides public trainings throughout the year at our office in downtown Chicago at 11 East Adams.  Additionally, CCR regularly designs customized mediation skills trainings for organizations held on site at their place of business.  If you are interested in scheduling a training for your organization, please contact Ericka Jackson, Training Assistant at (312) 922-6464 ext. 15 or via email at ejackson@ccrchicago.org.

We currently have public Mediation Skills Trainings scheduled for:

2008

August 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (waitlist only)

December 4, 5, 6, 12, 13*

Training begins at 8:30 am and concludes at 5:00 pm each training day.

* Please note – CCR will no longer be selecting volunteers through our 40-Hour trainings after August 2008.  For more information, see our Volunteer Opportunities page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The registration fee is $1300. In order to reserve a spot in the training, CCR requires either full payment of the registration fee or a $300 non-refundable deposit. If you choose to register by paying the $300 non-refundable deposit, we must receive the remaining balance of $1000 28 days before the first day of training or your spot will be given to another individual.

Registration fee includes continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments during the training, as well as a personal Mediation Manual.

Visa, MasterCard and personal/company checks are accepted.

Online Registration

Simply select the training date you would like to attend. You will be taken to a secure site where you will be asked to provide your contact information as well as registration fee.

2008

August 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (waitlist only)

December 4, 5, 6, 12, 13*

* Please note – CCR will no longer be selecting volunteers through our 40-Hour trainings after August 2008.  For more information, see our Volunteer Opportunities page.

CCR trainings are consistently sold out as much as six months in advance. Early registration is advised. Refunds on the balance paid after the deposit and credit toward future trainings cannot be given for cancellations made less than 28 days before the start of the training.

Questions?

Please contact Ericka Jackson at (312) 922-6464 ext. 15 or via email at ejackson@ccrchicago.org for additional information about the Performance-Based Mediation Skills Training or custom designed trainings for your group or organization.

CCR offers the following programs for organizations and groups interested in exploring various conflict resolution topics.  Workshops may be tailored to your organization’s needs and culture.  To schedule a workshop, please contact Ericka Jackson, Training Assistant, at ejackson@ccrchicago.org or 312.922.6464 ext 15:

ADVOCACY IN MEDIATION

This workshop is designed to provide information to attorneys on how to effectively represent a client in mediation.  The session will cover understanding the mediation process, how to prepare for it and best capitalize on its potential benefits.  TIME:  ½ day – 2 days

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

CCR also provides conflict management workshops to teach individuals and organizations skills for interpersonal disputes without the aid of a third party neutral.  While the mediation training focuses on learning skills to act as a neutral third party assisting others in a dispute, this training focuses on the skills designed to assist individuals to negotiate their own disputes.  This training teaches many of the same skills and theories as the mediation training, but is designed for those organizations without the resources and/or desire to implement a structured dispute resolution system such as mediation.  Trainees learn both how to negotiate with others to create more durable and meaningful resolutions, and how to more effectively communicate with others in order to decrease instances of disputes themselves.  TIME: ½ day – 2 days

DRAFTING EFFECTIVE ADR CLAUSES

ADR clauses can be an effective tool for the contracting parties to circumvent the costs of litigation in the event of a breach of dispute, but sometimes the clauses themselves become the subject matter of litigation.  This workshop focuses on drafting effective ADR clauses.  TIME:  1 – 4 hours

INTRODUCTION TO ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This workshop will focus on the benefits and pitfalls of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes available.  Participants will learn and discuss the differences between arbitration and mediation as well as other methods such as early neutral evaluation. TIME:  1 – 4 hours

INTRODUCTION TO MEDIATION

This workshop provides individuals an introduction to the mediation process and how the process can assist individuals in resolving their disputes.  Participants will watch a variety of mediation examples and explore the logistics of scheduling a mediation, including how to find a mediator and what to expect during the mediation.  TIME:  1 – 4 hours

MANAGING CONFLICT IN THE WORKPLACE

Conflict in the workplace creates hidden costs for businesses.  CCR has tailored its general conflict management workshop to address the unique challenges conflict creates in the workplace. This workshop focuses on how to better manage and diffuse conflict in the workplace. TIME: ½ day – 2 days

TEAM BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

This workshop provides a group with a structured facilitated approach to explore any variety of issues defined by the participating individuals.  Trained facilitators will use techniques predominantly influenced by Brazilian Augusto Boal and his Theater of the Oppressed.  These techniques give individuals a set of tools to explore issues in a fun, yet structured environment.  TIME:  ½ day – 2 days

THOMAS-KILMANN CONFLICT MODE INSTRUMENT (TKI)

This workshop features the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), an assessment tool that explores five basic conflict-handling modes.  Individuals will have the chance to complete a conflict mode assessment to gain awareness of their conflict-handling style and how it compares to others.  No one style is highlighted as better or worse – instead participants will explore how the overuse and underuse of each style can impact effective communication and problem-solving in the face of conflict.  This session can also be incorporated into other workshops.  1 – 6 hours

WIN-WIN WITHOUT GIVING IN

In this workshop, experienced attorney-mediators from the Center for Conflict Resolution will share with participants the approaches and strategies that mediators regularly use to effectively resolve disputes, and how lawyers can benefit from implementing these same approaches in their everyday practice of law.  Through dynamic discussion and interactive exercises, participants in this session will gain an understanding of interest-based problem-solving and other techniques to enhance their success as negotiators, advocates, and counselors.  This session has been approved for 4 hours of MCLE Professionalism credit. TIME: 1.5 – 4 hours         

DIVORCE & CUSTODY (DOMESTIC RELATIONS) MEDIATION TRAINING

(Led by the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute)

This 40-hour divorce & custody mediation training is taught by Zena Zumeta of the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute (MTCI) at our downtown Chicago office. Please note: This training is co-sponsored by CCR, but is not led by our volunteers and does not meet our volunteer approval qualifications. This training focuses on the substantive area of domestic relations.

What is Divorce & Custody Mediation Training?

MTCI's comprehensive, professional program is paced to involve and inform you throughout the workshop; past attendees have told MTCI that their divorce training is the best they've ever received.

Through a combination of role play, lecture, simulation, discussion and videotapes of actual mediation, this workshop takes participants through the process of divorce and custody mediation from the orientation session to the completed memorandum of agreement. (See the Sample Workshop Schedule.)

Each workshop covers the following:

• Parenting arrangements
• Property division and support
• Tax, pension and other financial concerns
• Emotional issues
• Effective conflict management
• Mediation techniques
• Power balancing
• Ethics and standards of practice
• Domestic violence
• Marketing and starting a practice

Training Times and Dates

CCR hosts this training approximately once a year. The next training is scheduled for July 14-18, 2008. Each training day is approximately from 8:00am until 5:30pm.

How Much Does It Cost?

Full Price - $1,500
If your registration and deposit are received less than 28 days in advance of the first day of the session you wish to attend.

Discounted Price - $1,420
If your registration and payment of $1,420 are received 28 days or more in advance of the first day of the session you wish to attend.

Minimum Deposit - $850
Required to secure placement in the workshop. The balance is due and payable no later than 14 days prior to the first day of your session.

Your registration fee is refundable up to two weeks prior to the training; however, a $150 service fee will be assessed and deducted from that fee.

Registration fee includes continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments each training day and your personal Mediation Manual.

Visa, MasterCard and personal/company checks are accepted.

How Do I Register?

To register, please visit the Mediation, Training and Consultation Institute's website at http://learn2mediate.com/classes/dctrain/dcregister.php

Further Information and Frequently Asked Questions

For further information, please visit the Mediation Training, and Consultation Institute's website at http://learn2mediate.com/classes/dctrain/dcfaq.php

This program has been approved by the following organizations:

• Meets the requirements for Ill. Sup. Ct. Rule 795(c)(3) and the Court's Rules on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.  

36.5 MCLE Credits

4 Professionalism Credits

• Social Work CEU's provided.