The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) is an independent, not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization with a mission to work with individuals, communities, courts and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict. Since 1979, CCR has accomplished this mission by offering pro bono mediation services and conflict management training to Chicago area institutions, organizations and businesses.
Tales from CCR Mediators
Linda, the founder and director of a non-profit art school, and five members of the art school’s Board came to CCR with many issues that threatened the art school’s continuing survival and success. Linda expressed frustration that the Board members were not raising enough money, that they wanted to micro-manage the school, and that some Board members saw their involvement as a way to promote themselves. Board members felt that Linda was unwilling to accept direction, worked to turn the teachers and some students at the school against the Board, and withheld information.
After hearing opening statements and finding common ground on what they considered to be important roles of a Board and of an Executive Director, the mediator met with Linda and the Board members separately. Linda acknowledged that she had bad-mouthed Board members to the staff, but also revealed her concerns about the management of a vendor contract, and reported having been told that she was not to attend Board meetings. The mediator worked with Linda to make a list of five items that Linda would ask for from the Board or offer to the Board that might contribute to an improved relationship. The mediator did the same with the Board members, who stressed their respect for Linda as an artist and acknowledged her important role in the both the history and future of the school, though they questioned her administrative acumen.
Once back together, the participants compared their lists of asks and offers. Linda promised to stop criticizing Board members to the staff, and the Board assured her that her attendance at Board meetings was desirable. The Board committed to an increased per-member fundraising goal and both parties agreed to work with the local consulting organization to determine what the level of that goal should be. Linda stated her intention to transition away from administrative leadership toward solely providing artistic leadership over the coming five year period.
Through mediator-guided facilitation, the parties left with a set of agreed roles for the positions of the Board members and the Executive Director and several commitments from each side to actions that would facilitate their ability to carry out these roles. Though a number of issues remained unresolved, mediation helped them develop a game plan for moving forward.
After hearing opening statements and finding common ground on what they considered to be important roles of a Board and of an Executive Director, the mediator met with Linda and the Board members separately. Linda acknowledged that she had bad-mouthed Board members to the staff, but also revealed her concerns about the management of a vendor contract, and reported having been told that she was not to attend Board meetings. The mediator worked with Linda to make a list of five items that Linda would ask for from the Board or offer to the Board that might contribute to an improved relationship. The mediator did the same with the Board members, who stressed their respect for Linda as an artist and acknowledged her important role in the both the history and future of the school, though they questioned her administrative acumen.
Once back together, the participants compared their lists of asks and offers. Linda promised to stop criticizing Board members to the staff, and the Board assured her that her attendance at Board meetings was desirable. The Board committed to an increased per-member fundraising goal and both parties agreed to work with the local consulting organization to determine what the level of that goal should be. Linda stated her intention to transition away from administrative leadership toward solely providing artistic leadership over the coming five year period.
Through mediator-guided facilitation, the parties left with a set of agreed roles for the positions of the Board members and the Executive Director and several commitments from each side to actions that would facilitate their ability to carry out these roles. Though a number of issues remained unresolved, mediation helped them develop a game plan for moving forward.
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Upcoming Events & News
Check out THIS ARTICLE from Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's October 2018 newsletter featuring CCR! Check out THIS ARTICLE featuring CCR's own Training Director, Pari Karim! Check out THIS ARTICLE found in the Chicago Bar Foundation newsletter. Thank you to the CBF for their continued support and for highlighting our work! _____________________ MST Trainings: February 2019 MST (SOLD OUT) April 2019 MST (4/26, 4/27, 5/2, 5/3, 5/4) _____________________ Reflective Practice Group Join us for a brown bag discussion the first Wednesday of each month from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. at CCR. Participants will chat about case reflections, mediation trends, and skills. This is a forum to talk about all different types of mediations and is not limited to work that may have been done at CCR – although mediators are welcome to discuss those cases as well. To RSVP or for more information, please email Maia Buess at mbuess@ccrchicago.org. ______________________ 
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Join us for our annual Gala - There's No Place Like CCR!
Center for Conflict Resolution is celebrating 40 years of providing free mediation services to the Chicago area. Come help us celebrate our ruby anniversary with rainbows, lollipops, specialty cocktails, amazing bites, the Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy & Scarecrow, music by Keithen Banks and your favorite CCR friends!
When: Thursday, April 18, 2019, 5:30-8:00 PM Where: Grant Thornton (171 N Clark St) 
Purchase tickets HERE
Domestic Relations MediationCCR has been providing services in partnership with the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County for more than 20 years. Through its domestic relations programs, CCR helps parties discuss initial parenting agreements, changes to parenting agreements for both divorced and never-married parents, as well as issues of child support and other divorce-related financial issues. The topics addressed in these mediations include communication, parenting time schedules, education decisions and expenses, child support, healthcare decisions and expenses, religious affiliation and extracurricular activities. Mediation allows the parties to resolve many disputes before they go to court and, in some cases, before a court case is even filed.
For more information, or to start a domestic relations mediation case, email cm@ccrchicago.org. CCR is excited to announce two new partnerships - United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Polk Bros. Foundation!
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Watch the video below to learn more about CCR
To watch other videos about CCR and our services, listen to Rae Kyritsi interviewed by Karen Conti on WGN and learn more about CCR, please click here.
Recent Events
(Please see our Past Events at CCR page for more!)
CCR Mardi Gras: Let the Good Times Roll!
Thank you to all those who were able to attend our recent Gala, and to those who participated in our online silent auction! We truly appreciate all the Board members, Auxiliary Board members, sponsors, donors, volunteers, participants, staff and CCR community for all the support. A special thanks to Kirkland & Ellis for hosting, and see below for event photos!
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With Generous Support from
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