PDF Press Release August 30 Harrisonburg Student Citizen Summit

Harrisonburg, VA, (August 12, 2010)-  Fairfield Center’s Harrisonburg Summits series continues with a evening focusing on creating connections between local college students and the community at the Harrisonburg Student-Citizen Summit.  The free event is scheduled from 3:30- 9:00 pm on Tuesday, September 21st, and will convene at Memorial Hall (Entrance B), the former Harrisonburg High school at James Madison University.

As with past Harrisonburg Summits, participants will create session topics based on their interests, ideas, and concerns. The breakout sessions will be Read more »

Even the strongest and closest families can have moments of stress and conflict. From time to time, conflict can be between siblings, parents and siblings, parents themselves, uncles and aunts – and at any age.  A family conflict can be particularly stressful and draining, because we can’t just walk away – it’s family.   Read more »

See a flyer about Fairfield’s upcoming two-part training on Handling Differences and Disagreements in Congregations (PDF) .  Register below!

Are tensions mounting in your congregation?  Have you been through some painful conflict and wish things had gone differently? Do you foresee potential difficulties ahead in dealing with the differences in your congregation? This is a natural part of growth for any community – and congregations are no different!

Sometimes, religious organizations and leaders shy away from conflict in fears that its recognition or exposure might present a weakness to the community or outsiders.  This can become costly, in time, money, and morale. Read more »

Frequently, leaders of groups, teams, committees, and organizations must lead conversations.  These conversations can be complex, focusing on topics ranging from strategic planning, to marketing ideas, to project development.  Facilitating conversations is a sometimes daily tasks for many business and nonprofit leaders, however few of us have had an opportunity to hone our skills.  Here is an opportunity!

On September 21, the Fairfield Center is offering a one-day Facilitation Training in Harrisonburg, VA.  Learn ways to run effective and efficient meetings with facilitation techniques and strategies for planning and preparation, group involvement, issue identification and collaborative decision-making.

Register below – the first three nonprofit leaders who enter the discount code “nonprofitleader” save $25!

Fairfield Center is proud to be part of implementing effective peer mediation programs in schools.  Over the years, Fairfield has encountered some frequent questions regarding peer mediation.  Here is a selection with answers.

Learn more about Fairfield’s Peer Mediation Program and/or contact us for more information.

This article relates to a concept in Listening 101, a Fairfield Center Communications Training program.

Silence.  Just silence.

Silence can sometimes be a powerful addition – even a contribution – to a conversation.  It is normal to want to say something after the other person has stopped talking.  It shows we’re interested, that we’re engaged in the conversation.

But sometimes our urge to say something comes from being uncomfortable with a lull in the conversation.  Without really having anything to say in response to someone, we might fill a silence with a short phrase, or change the subject, or a question or comment that might change the direction of the conversation.

Sometimes, just a moment of space – a short silence from the listener – can allow a speaker to continue, clarify, or develop their thoughts.  This can be a tremendous contribution to a speaker who may not Read more »

Listening is easy, right? After all, most coursework and training is focused on writing, speaking, and presenting (how to get a message OUT) rather than being focused on listening (how to take a message IN).

So, everyone must be born a great listener, without need to learn, practice, and master listening skills.  Well, let’s consider this question:   Read more »

The Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce has approved a new member benefit: all members receive 15% off all services provided by the Fairfield Center!  “This is indicative of the Community Mediation Center’s commitment to strengthen our local business community with professional and affordable facilitation, training, and mediation services,” says Tim Ruebke, Executive Director of the Community Mediation Center.

In addition to staff retreats, strategic planning, and conflict resolution, Chamber members save 15% on the following trainings: Read more »

Our Harvest Celebration fundraiser was a great success thanks to our sponsors!

Click to learn more about our upcoming Harvest Celebration.

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