CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR CHURCHES, NON-PROFIT AGENCIES
AND BIOGRAPHY

My mission is to help churches and non-profit agencies resolve conflicts in a manner that engenders love, joy, harmony and spiritual expansion of their members. This web page is an introduction to my services.

Generalizing about the nature of a conflict is difficult because many times the apparent conflict is only the tip of the iceberg. With that being said, the usual pattern of conflict is between the minister or executive director and the board or staff, among members of the staff, within the board or within the congregation or among the volunteers. Sometimes the conflict isn't even spoken about because individuals fear retaliation, especially when there is a sexual conflict. In any conflict, there are also effects on the community at large. If the initial conflict is not addressed promptly and expertly, then it often begins to spiral outward into the larger community.

When a conflict occurs, the focus of the church or nonprofit agency is weakened. Time and energy of the executive director or minister, board, staff and key volunteers are diverted from the mission of the church or nonprofit agency. Hiring someone who is an expert, who is neutral and who will assist in resolving the conflict allows the entire church body or nonprofit agency to return to its primary mission with the minimum of long-term consequences.

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CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR CHURCHES

While most agencies encounter the need to resolve conflicts from time to time, churches have unique needs that stem from their moral mission, their leadership structure and their great reliance on volunteers. The leaders become involved with their members and others on personal and emotional levels. Fund raising systems and other factors unique to churches seem to conflict with moral and spiritual goals.

I approach each opportunity for conflict resolution with an open mind and heart in order to facilitate the best possible outcome. Usually, the issue first presented camouflages deeper concerns that, if not expertly resolved, can cripple the growth of a church, or even split a church into polarized factions.

No matter how intense or mild the conflict appears at the onset, I approach each client through the belief that there is opportunity within every conflict. In a similar fashion, no matter between whom the initial conflict has arisen, I believe that the optimum long term solution is best achieved by system wide response, and that the opportunity exists for an outcome which benefits the entire church ministry.

As an outside professional with a sensitive approach and a compassionate eye, my role is to listen carefully to all the interested parties -- ministers, board members, paid staff, volunteers and congregants -- to identify the level of conflict and to clarify the concerns of all parties to the system. Then working with the leadership of the church, I tailor a conflict resolution process to the needs of the situation, keeping a mindful eye to the bottom line and the costs of my services.

I work as a neutral professional to bring about healing; through mediation, caucusing, consulting, facilitated encounters and other dispute resolution tools.

I have worked with very small churches, and have a sliding scale fee policy when appropriate.

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CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR NONPROFIT AGENCIES

Almost every successful nonprofit agency goes through growing pains that sometimes manifest as conflict. While most organizations encounter the need to resolve conflicts from time to time, nonprofit agencies have unique needs that stem from their special mission, their leadership structure and their reliance on volunteers. Conflict can result in the departure of key people, hamper fund raising results, and diminish the contribution by volunteers. These outcomes can be avoided with early intervention through professionals skilled in conflict management.

It is especially important in these cases to retain a conflict manager who is sensitive to the needs of the nonprofit agency, including those agencies that utilize volunteers to fulfill its mission. I approach each situation with an open mind and heart in order to facilitate the best possible outcome. Usually, the issue first presented camouflages deeper concerns that, if not expertly resolved, can cripple the growth of a successful nonprofit agency, or even split an agency into polarized factions.

No matter how intense or mild the conflict appears at the onset, I approach each client through the belief that there is opportunity within every conflict. In a similar fashion, no matter between whom the initial conflict has arisen, I believe that the optimum long term solution is best achieved by an agency-wide response, and that the opportunity exists for an outcome which benefits the entire nonprofit agency.

As an outside professional with a sensitive approach and a compassionate eye, my role is to listen carefully to all the interested parties -- board members, paid staff and volunteers -- to identify the level of conflict and to clarify the concerns of all parties to the system. Then working within the leadership structure of the nonprofit agency, together with the client, I tailor a conflict resolution process to the needs of the situation, keeping a mindful eye to the bottom line and the costs of my services. I work as a neutral professional to bring about healing: through mediation, caucusing, consulting, facilitated encounters and other dispute resolution tools.

I have worked successfully with several small nonprofit agencies, and offer a sliding scale for my fees when appropriate.

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BIOGRAPHY

My formal educational background is in business administration and law. I am a lawyer in good standing, licensed by the State of California since 1986. Since 1993, I have been building my mediation practice. Since then, I have resolved well over a thousand disputes for churches, nonprofit agencies, individuals and corporations. I have more than 350 hours of formal mediation related training. This includes active listening skills enhancement, interviewing techniques and mediation role-plays and simulations.

I have trained other lawyers and mediators, and I have led workshops for the public on how to resolve conflict. I have spoken at workshops attended by couples on mediation, gender reconciliation, and other subjects related to conflict resolution.

I believe that I have exceptional experience and skills in resolving conflict between men and women, including conflicts surrounding sexual harassment or misconduct.