Differences in opinions, feelings, values, and communication styles can cause conflict. When people argue, they stop communicating, losing sight of common interests and goals. Tension and anxiety stemming from unresolved conflict can adversely affect individuals, families, and the community as a whole.
Conflicts can be reduced, managed, avoided, or resolved with better information, skills, and processes.
The Communications Center provides facilitation and consulting services as well as programs and workshops to assist individuals and organizations in building better relationships and accomplishing common goals.
To learn more about the programs offered below, click on the program title and more information will drop down. If you do not see any text, try using a different web browser or updating Java.
Workshops for Nonprofit Boards and Organizations
Our programs and workshops are customized to meet the specific needs of your organization. We provide a range of programs which are all designed to help you communicate with different audiences. These include the following:
This two-hour interactive program focuses on gaining cooperation without resorting to criticism or argument. Participants will learn how conflicts arise, specific steps for resolving conflict, alternatives to criticism and argument, and other tips for building understanding and cooperation.
Part I: This interactive program looks at the differences between dialogue and the other traditional forms of communication such as debate, discussion, and deliberation. Participants will learn specific techniques for engaging in dialogue, which is a form of communication that promotes mutual understanding. Use of dialogue skills can result in more effective communication in both professional and personal relationships. Part II: This interactive program looks at thinking style preferences, primarily in reference to the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI™). These thinking style preferences affect the ways in which individuals receive and process information, and thus how they communicate. In its simplest form, the HBDI™ is a research- based assessment tool that measures thinking style preferences. The underlying research and model for the HBDI™ also provides a framework that has been used by many corporations—including Starbucks, General Electric, and IBM—to enhance teamwork, planning, and communications. Participants will learn to identify different types of thinking style preferences, understand how those thinking styles affect both what people hear and what they say, work more effectively with others, and create meetings, events, and activities that accommodate different kinds of learners.
Every good meeting has certain qualities: a purpose, an agenda, participants that understand their roles, and an effective facilitator. Our programs teach tools and techniques to help conduct good meetings. Participants will learn how to plan for an effective meeting by setting goals and determining an agenda. Participants will also learn skills that will help them facilitate meetings. The program will also cover other tips for making presentations or trainings more effective.
These programs focus on promoting tolerance or confronting hate within an organization or community group or in a community group’s interaction with others. We have a range of programs—from video based programs to study circles to book groups—that can be tailored to your organization. Our programs can include segments on why people hate, how to discuss and address stereotypes, and how to confront intimidating behaviors. Participants take away practical activities that can be put to use to promote tolerance of our differences, and appreciation of our diversity. One set of programs is based on the current research of Robert J. Sternberg at Yale University: Hate Hurts: Recognizing Hate and Minimizing Its Effects In The Community. This program, based on recent research looks at many forms and levels of hate and associated communication patterns, and at effective and low-cost ways citizens and communities can counteract the effects of hate.
Workshops for Schools - Bridges to Learning
We offer a series of in-service workshops that can be supported by ongoing consulting services called Bridges To Learning™. Click here for information on utilizing your I-TV system and setting up a program.
Different Voices, One Board: This program, designed to help individuals blend as a board, reviews differences in how individuals communicate, how conflicts within groups evolve, and communication patterns that lead to productive dialogue. Understanding Public Conflicts: These programs review the nature, causes, and evolution of public conflicts that can develop over policies, funding decisions, and other issues, different approaches to public engagement, and approaches to productively resolving public conflicts when they arise. Working with the Media: A Review of the Basics: These programs available, both in basic and advanced forms, help build the skills needed to work well with the media from responding to questions to drafting press releases to writing editorials or conducting interviews. We can help you and your staff build the skills that you need.
Thinking in Questions: Questions are a key part of dialogue. Learn how to identify what types of questions to ask to build productive dialogues and generate options for moving forward through difficult issues in a way that is productive and builds strong relationships. Using Dialogue: What, Why, and How: These program segments look at what dialogue is and how it differs from discussion or debate, why dialogue helps kids learn or promotes effective team interactions, and how to put dialogue to use in your school or classroom. Key dialogue skills are also reviewed and taught. Getting the Most Out of Technology in the Classroom: Want to use more technology in the classroom but aren't comfortable? This series of programs reviews the use of blogs, YouTube, and other technologies that can keep your students connected and motivated. Using Technology to Communicate with Parents and Others: How do you extend your classroom community to include key partners like parents, community volunteers, and others who can support your work? This series of programs reviews the use of blogs, YouTube, and other technologies that can keep all of your partners connected and motivated. Teaching & Using Conflict Resolution Skills in the Classroom 2 Hour or 1/2 Day Workshop: Learn and share strategies to help your students identify the source of conflict and age appropriate ways to avoid and resolve problems they encounter. Work Style Preferences: Implications for Learning and Teaching These interactive programs look at work style preferences, primarily in reference to the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI)™. These work style preferences affect the ways in which individuals receive and process information, and thus how they communicate. In its simplest form, the HBDI™ is a research-based assessment tool that measures work style preferences. The underlying research and model for the HBDI™ provides a framework that has been used by many corporations—including Starbucks, General Electric, and IBM—to enhance teamwork, planning, and communications. Workshop 1 (1/2 Day): This program will focus on identifying different types of work style preferences, understanding how those preferences affect both what people hear and what they say, and how to work more effectively with others. Workshop 2 (1/2 Day): This program will focus on how to coach student teams as well as creating lesson plans that accommodate different kinds of learners. These workshops may be combined for a full day program. Our programs can be customized to meet your school's needs.
These workshops will help you encourage and incorporate parent involvement within your schools. We offer workshops in 2 hour, 1/2 day, and full day blocks to meet your school's specific needs. 10 Things You Should Know About Parent Involvement 2 Hour Workshop: This program covers the basics of how parent involvement can become an effective resource for your school. 1/2 Day Workshop: This program addresses how parent engagement relates to student achievement, the forms of parent engagement that most affect achievement, and how to effectively engage parents. Also discussed in this program are topics such as how to draft an engagement policy that meets your school's specific needs. Full Day Workshop: This program addresses how parent engagement relates to student achievement, the forms of parent engagement that most affect achievement, and how to effectively engage parents. Also discussed in this program are topics such as how to draft an engagement policy that meets your school's specific needs as well as how to engage the broader community in support of your students and school, and evaluating and fine-tuning your parent engagement policy. Our programs can be customized to meet your school's needs.
Better Thinking, Better Results™ Whole Brain Thinking™ skills improve team interaction and performance, promote problem solving, encourage balanced decision-making and strengthen relationships. Developed originally for business, the “Whole Brain Thinking™” model is backed by more than 25 years of data and provides a framework that helps individuals, teams, and organizations analytically review and improve communication patterns. Click here to learn more. Hate Hurts: Building School Communities That Value Diversity and Work Well Together Based on the research of Robert J. Sternberg, IBM professor of Psychology and Education at Yale University, this program provides an informative, inclusive, and respectful way of exploring the continuum of emotions and communication patterns associated with hate, discussing and addressing stereotypes, and developing new ways of interacting.
Getting the Most Out of Consensus Processes: 8 Modules Covering the Basics of Selecting, Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Public Consensus Processes "Authoritative Communities": Using the DVD and research booklet, "Hardwired to Connect" from the Institute of American Values, this program examines and invites dialogue on what recent research reveals about how to build communities that support youth in becoming productive adults and strengthen intergenerational ties. Dialogue 101: An Introduction to Basic Dialogue Skills Facilitation 101: An Introduction to Basic Facilitation Skills "Ask The Right Question": Putting the Right Question Project's "Question Formulation Technique" to Work for You. Hate Hurts: Recognizing Hate and Minimizing Its Effects in the Community. This program, based on recent research, looks at many different forms and levels of hate and associated communication patterns, and at effective and low-cost ways citizens and communities can counteract the effects of hate.
Workshops on Civic Engagement
The Changing Face Of Civic Engagement: An Overview of Lessons Learned From The 2006 National League of Cities Report on Changing The Way We Govern And Other Current Research Collaborative Governance 101: Understanding Different Models Of Civic Engagement and How They Can Work For You Getting The Most Out Of Consensus Processes: 8 Modules Covering The Basics of Selecting, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Public Consensus Processes.
Authoritative Communities: Using the DVD and research booklet, Hardwired to Connect; from the Institute of American Values, this program examines and invites dialogue on what recent research reveals about how to build communities that support youth in becoming productive adults and strengthen intergenerational ties. See also Intergenerational Dialogues and Programs For Multiple Audiences Below.
American Values Are. . . ® A series of discussion guides help promote learning and dialogue on American Values and fundamental democratic principles. See attached guide. See also Programs For Multiple Audiences Below.
Dialogue 101: An Introduction to Basic Dialogue Skills Facilitation 101: An Introduction to Basic Facilitation Skills Making a Difference 101: An Introduction to Basic Techniques for Civic Engagement from Letter Writing to Lobbying Understanding Government 101: An Introduction to the Basic Structures of Government and How They Work Together Ask The Right Question: Putting the Right Question Project's Question Formulation Technique To Work For You Hate Hurts: Recognizing Hate and Minimizing Its Effects In The Community. This program, based on recent research looks at many forms and levels of hate and associated communication patterns, and at effective and low-cost ways citizens and communities can counteract the effects of hate. We also offer technical support for citizen designed or follow-up dialogue programs, which can be designed around books, movies, issues guides, or other subjects. We can also provide technical support for multiple types of dialogue formats including listening circles, study circles, conversation cafes, world cafe and other formats.
Workshops for Family and Youth
If you work with families or teens, we can with your organization to offer programs for parents and youth. Many of our programs allow participants to talk and share their thoughts and questions with others who have similar interests and concerns. The goals of our programs are to help reduce stress and build a more peaceful community.
Youth Leadership This introductory program defines leadership and teaches leadership skills. Participants will learn what makes a good leader, how to set goals, and approaches for resolving conflict. Other youth leadership segments and programs are available. How to Talk So Kids Will Learn-At Home and At School This workshop reviews how to motivate children of all ages to learn and succeed in school and on their own. Participants will learn to help children cooperate and solve problems with each other and form partnerships with teachers and other adults.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk This multi-session workshop reviews practical, effective means of communication that can help make your relationship with children of all ages less stressful and more rewarding. You will learn and practice skills that help you discipline without hurting, engage a child's cooperation, and foster an atmosphere of mutual love and respect Siblings Without Rivalry Bickering, whining, telling tales and fights between siblings can make family life less than pleasant! Learn and practice skills that can help siblings build friendships and make family time more peaceful. Raising Your Spirited Child Raising any child can be a challenge. It is more so when you have a spirited child. This workshop is designed to assist you in understanding your child's temperamental traits and developing strategies for working through those difficult moments when they do arise. Teaching Your Children Conflict Resolution Skills This two hour, interactive program focuses on gaining the cooperation of children without resorting to criticism or argument. Participants will learn how conflicts arise, specific steps for resolving conflict, alternatives to criticism and argument, and other tips for building understanding and cooperation. The Five Love Languages For Spouses and Other Partners Are there times you or your partner feel unloved, unable to communicate what you are feeling, or unable to understand what your significant other is feeling and why? The Five Love Languages framework can help couples improve their ability to understand each other, communicate effectively and still meet individual needs. The Five Love Languages For Parents of Teens How do you build a loving relationship with your teen while he or she struggles for independence? The Five Love Languages framework can help you maintain a relationship of mutual love and respect as your teen moves from childhood to adulthood. Other programs using The Five Love Languages framework: The Five Love Languages-For Parents of Young Children The Five Love Languages-Reaching Out and Staying in Touch with Your Adult Child
