Yes! Strategic planning can be fast!

 

Most managers, team leaders, and business owners understand it’s a good idea to take time for planning once in a while.  But many times such an activity is postponed because it’s feared it will slow the business down, it will take too long, or might cost too much money.  Who can afford the time and cost for a long, drawn out process, when you need results now?

There are certainly some instances where a company needs a very involved strategic planning process, especially if it is related to a major change or restructuring or longterm visioning.  However, for many circumstances, an organization can get focus and direction with a shorter, more succinct process.  For example, Continue reading

10 Reasons for Mediation

In nearly 30 years, the Fairfield Center has mediated conflicts between people, families, businesses, clients, and more.  Nearly all clents have experienced at least some of the following benefits of using mediation to resolve a dispute:

  1. You save time: We schedule mediations in terms of days, not weeks or months, which lets everyone move forward.
  2. You save money: Compared to courts fees and lawyer costs, mediation is a big money saver!
  3. You can talk: A professional mediator will make sure you are heard and understood
  4. You decide together: In a mediation, you and the other people involved get to develop an agreement together, after you each have time to talk, listen and explore options.
  5. Your decision sticks: Because it’s your own decision, the decision is more likely to be carried out (in many cases, even more likely than court-ordered decisions!).
  6. You can listen: A professional mediator will also make sure other people in the situation are heard and understood
  7. You get results: 85-90% of the cases mediated at the Fairfield Center are resolved!
  8. Your confidentiality is protected: Your privacy is our professional concern, and we protect it.
  9. You get clarity: Having time to talk and listen can help build understanding that can lead to exploring options and coming to agreement
  10. You preserve relationships: What difference would it make to resolve a conflict with a neighbor, friend, family member, girlfriend, husband, or co-worker?

Course Descriptions

Fairfield Center offers the following course content, which can be delivered and customized to fit an individual’s or organization’s specific needs.

Course List

  • Basic Mediation Training
  • Business Mediation Training
  • Family & Relationship Mediation Training
  • Communication and Conflict Styles in the Workplace
  • Dealing with Intense Emotions
  • Communication Skills & Difficult Conversations
  • Manager as Mediator: Roles and Responsibilities
  • Facilitating Group Decisions and Conflicted Topics
  • Principles and Applications of Restorative Justice
  • Diversity and Sensitivity Training
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention

Fairfield Mediation Certification

  • General District Court Mediation Certification
  • Juvenile and Domestic Relations Mediation Certification (aka Family Mediation)
  • Circuit Civil Certification (Prerequisite: GDC Certification)
  • Circuit Family Certification (Prerequisite: GDC Certification)

Make these meetings count!

Make these meetings count!

Staff Meetings

Strategic Planning Sessions

Board Retreats

City Council Retreats

Networking Meetings

Professional Conferences

Project Planning Meetings

Brainstorming Sessions

Discussing Organizational Conflict

Start-Up Organizations

Community Dialogues and Public Debates

More!

The Divorce Mediation Check List

  • Information:
    • Complete Names
    • Date of Marriage & Date of Separation
    • Names and Birth Dates of Children
  • Decision Making & Communication for the Children:
    • Legal Custody
    • Medical Treatment & Emergencies
    • Educational Plans / Progress
    • Childcare Plans
    • Extracurricular Activities
    • Discipline Problems
    • Religious Training
    • Travel Plans
    • Communication Standards as Parents
  • Time with the Children:
    • Physical Custody Plan
    • Holidays / Special Days
    • Vacation Plans
    • Extended Family Visitation
    • Changes to Plans?
    • Telephone Contact
    • Parental Behavior Standards
    • Relocation / Move
  • Child Support and Expenses:
    • Payment Amount, Method and Time
    • Special Expenses or Needs
    • Health Insurance
    • Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
    • Child Support Review
    • Life Insurance Beneficiaries
    • Tax Exemptions
    • Vocational or College Expenses
  • Spousal Expenses:
    • Spousal Support
    • Health Insurance
    • Educational / Vocational Training
  • Property and Debts:
    • House / Land / Expenses
    • Household Furnishings
    • Motor Vehicles / Insurance
    • Savings / Checking Accounts
    • Consumer Debt / Credit Cards
    • Future Debt Responsibilities
  • Special Resources and Issues:
    • Retirement / Pension Funds
    • Life Insurance
    • Tax Filing / Refunds – Liabilities
    • Investments / Stocks
    • Business Assets / Liabilities
    • Inheritance
    • Bankruptcy
  • Other Topics:
    • Reconciliation Consequences
    • Relationship / Dating Expectations
    • Intent of Agreement
    • Filing for Divorce
    • Legal Expenses
    • Name Change
    • Full Disclosure / Existing Court Orders
    • Disagreement in Future

10 Reasons for Truancy Mediation

Additional Benefits and Outcomes:

  1. Helps students to achieve a higher level of self-worth and a sense of accomplishment
  2. Facilitates better communication within families and builds partnerships between families and schools
  3. Contributes to a healthier home and school environment
  4. Provides schools with an alternative method for reducing poor attendance
  5. Provides a model of communication that is positive, respectful, and honest
  6. Reducing truancy can help to prevent more serious problems like vandalism, drug abuse, and gang association.
  7. Demonstrates that there are many solutions to a problem and allows individuals to look at problems as challenges
  8. Breaks down misunderstandings and builds a sense of respect and openness among parties
  9. Clarifies ways the solution could change and identifies steps for making changes
  10. Acknowledged by educators and truancy officers as an effective tool

Contact Us

We can answer your questions and discuss how Truancy Mediation might apply to your situation.

Mediation Worked for Me

In 2009, 81% of the cases mediated by Fairfield Center reached an agreement.  The relief, clarity, and confidence resulting from coming to an agreement in the face of conflict is evident in the following quotes from past mediation clients (named are omitted in accordance with our commitment to protect the confidentiality of our clients):

“I was doubtful that this situation could be mediated. I’m very pleased with the progress made today.”

“We have had lots of tension and haven’t been able to talk without mediation.”

“We had a momentary opportunity to settle the case right now – had we waited even another two weeks, it may have been too late, because the ‘facts on the ground,’ the sunk costs, the running of interest and legal fees, were shifting every day. Because you were able to schedule us so quickly, we were able to arrive at a settlement solution which never could have been accomplished in Court – and everyone walked away satisfied.”

“It worked!”

“Obviously, settling out of court is more time and financially efficient.”

“Saw other side to story and was able to come to an agreement.”

“Went very smooth – went into detail [and] got results.”

“The mediators were wonderful.”

“It went real good. I was surprised how effective it is. [The mediator] stayed neutral and broke down the situation for us to better understand.”

“Very cost effective.”

“We were able to talk over a lot more information then we could have in court.”

“In an unfortunate situation, [the mediators] were calming, professional and seem to really care for a resolution.”

“A few possible disputes yet to come, but this was an excellent start.”

“It was a great experience. A pleasant surprise…I didn’t know it was available.”

“This case would have gone to court . . . [with additional] cost in $40,000-50,000. You guys are fantastic.”

“Excellent mediators! Excellent process!”