Topic:	Conflict Resolution/Peer Mediation	Target Group:   High School

Prepared By:   Tom McCorkle			Agency:   Glenwood Springs P. D.

Address:   823 Blake Ave.			Phone:   (970) 945-8566
	   Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

________________________________________________________________________

Objectives:	The student will be able to...

		(1)   Understand the communication process

		(2)   Resolve problems and conflicts in a peaceful manner

		(3)   Demonstrate methods that allow disputants to verbalize and
 		      express their view points

		(4)   Create options to achieve a win-win solution


Introduction:	Introduce self and background.  Explain objectives for class.  Conflicts
		can happen or occur for many reasons, today's lesson is to focus on
		communication as a way to resolve problems.


Body:

		I.	What is Conflict?

			A.	Disruption of order

			B.	Negative experience

			C.	Error or misunderstanding in a relationship (can be an 
				isolated event or struggles between right and wrong,
				good and evil.

		II.	What is Conflict Resolution?

			A.	Communication process to resolve any type of situation
				or problem peaceably.

		III.	What is Peer Mediation?

			A.	Another form of conflict resolution

			B.	Peer member aids and controls the
				discussion/communication process
			
		IV.	Conflicts are usually the results of communication
			breakdowns between:

			A.	Parents and their kids

			B.	Teachers and students

			C.	Boyfriend and girlfriend

			D.	Moms and dads

			E.	Friends to friends

			F.	Group to group (gangs)

	V.	Problems start with misunderstandings, miscommunications and
		missed-signals

			A.	F=Fear
				A=Assumptions
				I=Insensitivity
				L=Labeling
				U=Uncertainty
				R=Resentment
				E=Egotism

			B.	Fear

				(1)	Prevents us from being ourselves and relating 
					comfortably with others/all fears are
 					learned/when we fear, communication is
					impaired.

			C.	Assumption

				(1)	Aid the mind in making sense of what we see and 
					hear/cause communication breakdown when we 
					trust them without question/never assume the 
					listener understands your words-their
					interpretation of what they hear versus what 
					you're trying to say can and usually will be 
					misunderstood.

			D.	Insensitivity

				(1)	Provide us with defensives and emotional
					insulation to cope with the normal attacks and 
					demands of everyday life/insensitivity is excessive 
					insulation.

			E.	Labeling

				(1)	Like assumptions, is an attempt to bring order 
					out of chaos/words are symbols, they are not the 
					objects they symbolize. The word Jeff is not the 
					person Jeff.  We often fail to separate the word 
					or symbol from that which is symbolized/the 
					destructive nature of "labels: will have a
					negative impact on the communication process.

			F.	Uncertainty

				(1)	Can become a habit/can become a "safe" way to 
					avoiding making a wrong decision by not making 
					a decision.

			G.	Resentment

				(1)	No one enjoys talking with one driven by
					resentment.

			H.	Egotism

				(1)	Conveys not true respect for another person/self 
					-centered and reinforcing of own perspective.

	VI.	Turning Failure to Success

			A.	S=Self-Awareness
				U=Understanding
				C=Care for Others
				C=Control of Emotions
				E=Esteem of One's Self
				S=Self Confidence
				S=Sharing of One's Self

			B.	Self-Awareness

				(1)	Know thyself/Persistently asking yourself what 
					you really think about an issue and why you hold 
					the view.

			C.	Understanding

				(1)	When real understanding is desired, feedback is 
					essential.  By repeating what we think we heard 
					and by asking for clarification, we are able to 
					correct our misinterpretations and avoid wrong 
					assumptions.	

			D.	Care For Others

				(1)	A person is less likely to listen when he feels the 
					speaker doesn't really care about him/people 
					pick up clues from: your actions, your facial 
					expressions, your tone of voice, etc./sort out in 
					your mind surface frustrations you have about 
					the listener, if any/make a conscious effort to 
					keep these frustrations from impeding your 
					attempts to communicate effectively.

			E.	Control of Emotions

				(1)	Anger and other emotions can be
					controlled/anger serves no positive goals and 
					achieves no lasting benefits.

			F.	Esteem of One's Self

				(1)	Low self-esteem often results in accepting 
					someone else's standard for your personal 
					worth/doing so, may result in increased 
					defensiveness.

			G.	Self-/Confidence

				(1)	The tendency to trust and rely upon one's inner 
					resources in any situation/courage to accept risks 
					inherent in new and challenging situations.

			H.	Sharing One's Self

				(1)	Trusting others/self discovery through 
					dialogue.

	VII.	Peer Mediation

			A.	What is a Mediator?

				(1)	Someone willing to aid those in conflict

			B.	What is Peer Mediation?

				(1)	Set the stage, some where that those involved are 
					all comfortable.

				(2)	Try to get those involved to agree to allow you to 
					help.	

				(3)	Set the rules/boundaries: Only one person talks 
					at a time, tell only the facts, no interruptions, ask 
					the listener to repeat what they heard, then
					clarify.  Allow the other person to then speak 
					their mind with the same rules.  Have each party 
					express their feelings (anger, hurt, 
					disappointment, etc.)

				(4)	What does each party need, or want to happen.  
					Make a plan and implement.


Review:

	We discussed:  Conflict Resolution, the need for clear communication, the 
	cause for communication breakdown (FAILURE), turning failure into
 	(SUCCESS) and Peer Mediation, how to set it up and establishing some rules
 	and boundaries.


Practice:

	Questions:  How can conflict be resolved peaceably? (Effort and Discussion)
		        What is the key to successful conflict resolution? 

			(Communication)

		        What is a method that can be used to solve conflicts?

			(Peer Mediation)


Documentation/Sources:
	Youth Line Officer Grant Application
	CHAMPS - Peer Leadership Program
	First Line Supervisor - February 1997